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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 02/20/2024MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Big Pine/Rush Lake Rooms 505 South Court Street, Fergus Falls MN 56537 Tuesday, February 20, 2024      Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00pm, Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Attendance was as follows: Present in person Present via Technology Absent Board Members: Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Betsy Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor x Sarah Schake, Project Manager x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x 1. Welcome New Board Member, Heidi Samuelson Amy Baldwin, CDA Director welcomed new Board Member, Heidi Samuelson from Parkers Prairie. 2. Annual Election of Officers A recommendation was made to keep the board officers the same as 2023 with a treasurer change: Chairperson: Dave Schornack; Vice Chair: Jeff Ackerson; Treasurer: Kurt Mortenson; Assistant Treasurer: Wayne Stein; and Secretary: Amy Baldwin. Motion to approve the slate of officers was made by Lee Rogness, second by Dave Ripley, and unanimously carried to approve as presented. 3. Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda motion was made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve as presented. 4. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion Val Martin, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. The Annual Conflict of Interest Policy was passed around for each Commissioner to sign. 5. Reports and Presentations A. Community Development and Housing Annual Report Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, presented the 2023 Community Development and Housing Annual Report. Baldwin provided data and spoke about housing efforts, workforce programs, childcare, broadband access, community growth partnership grants, business development, resident recruitment, and outreach & communications ensuring residents, businesses, and visitors know about community and economic development within Otter Tail County. Amy Baldwin also stated that 2024’s focus is to continue to advance housing investment efforts through the Big Build, support communities in housing and childcare opportunities, sustain Youth Workforce Navigation, further workforce program, and activate and leverage funding to support community development and housing efforts. B/C Director’s Report Baldwin stated that there will be a virtual Housing Convening on February 21 at 1:00pm. Agenda includes a speaker from Minnesota Housing, New York Mills South Point Apartments project highlight and review of available County housing resources. The Workforces Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th from 9:00am-3:00pm at Thumper Pond. D. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator, reported that OTLCA is a finalist for an Explore MN award for U of M NIL partnership, staff met with a reporter to discuss resident recruitment/ retention in rural places from a higher education perspective, and Gopher football players will be visiting on February 24 as part of an NIL visit. He also stated that the weather has had an impact on winter activities. E. Board Member Updates Val Martin stated that they had a great EDA Annual Meeting in Battle Lake on February 1. Also, WDAY TV will be doing a story about the Phelps Mill Festival. This will be their 40th anniversary and the festival is offering three new and emerging Fine Artists and three new and emerging Fine Crafters to show their work with a free booth. 6. Regular Business Items A. Community Growth Partnership Grant: Henning NAPA Blight Removal Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, requested approval of the grant request from the City of Henning and to direct staff to prepare the necessary agreement with the City Henning for the demolition of a blighted/condemned building located at 405 Douglas Ave, Henning for off-street parking and to allow for the installation of a side entrance to the adjacent business. The City of Henning’s request is for a $25,000 grant. The total of the project is anticipated to cost $60,000 with the rest of the costs funded by a loan will be coming from Henning EDA. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Val Martin to approve. Motion passed unanimously. B. Community Growth Partnership Grant: Perham Karvonen’s Commercial Rehab Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reported that an application was received from the City of Perham for Karvonen’s Commercial Rehab/Expansion. The building is located at 145 West Main Street (former Nadine’s Fashions) in Perham and the $10,000 grant is for a facade update. The total of the project is anticipated to cost $440,000. Exterior improvement of commercial building is a permitted use of the funds. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed with Dave Schornack abstaining. C. Pinewood Estates: Resolution Finding Structures Substandard Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reported that a TIF district is proposed in Pelican Rapids to support the redevelopment expenses of the Highway Garage/Pinewood Estates project. The CDA would be reimbursed for eligible project expenses through future property tax revenues generated by new homes built on the site. The CDA received a report from LHB that this site meets the standards to qualify as a redevelopment TIF district. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve. Motion passed unanimously. D. Pinewood Estates: Infrastructure Agreement with the City of Pelican Rapids Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reported the probable engineer cost for the infrastructure installation is $657,000. The agreement presented contemplates the City of Pelican Rapids completing this work with the CDA reimbursing the project expenses. Adequate reserves are available and the expenses would be repaid to the CDA through the TIF district over 25 years. There was discussion around the estimated amount the district would generate and being conscious of the anticipated value of the new homes, based on the Pelican Rapids market. An infrastructure timeline was presented for: authorization to proceed, design work, authorization to advertise, advertise for construction bids, award construction bids, and construction to take place between June - September this year. Amy Baldwin stated that quotes were being received for the demolition of the structure and tree removal is underway by County Sentence to Serve. Working with STS is a cost savings to the project as preliminary pricing received came in at about $25,000. Motion by Dave Ripley, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the agreement with the City of Pelican Rapids related to infrastructure design and installation at Pinewood Estates. Motion passed unanimously. E. Battle Lake Youth Center: MOU with Highpoint and City of Battle Lake Amy Baldwin stated that there has been no additional inquiries or responses after the extended timeline for soliciting developer interest. She has talked with Highpoint Homes and Battle Lake’s representatives. They discussed the concept site design, anticipated city approvals and unit mix. The site is already included within a redevelopment TIF district. Minnesota Housing opened up the Workforce Housing Development Program with applications due by April 30 so that funding option is being assessed. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Dave Ripley to approve Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the CDA, HighPoint Homes and City of Battle Lake. Motion passed unanimously with Val Martin abstaining from voting. 7. Discussion and Communications A. 2024 CDA Committee Assignments Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reviewed the three Committees discussed at the last meeting. Based on survey responses, the committee members will be:  Housing and Development - Jeff Ackerson, Dena Johnson and Lee Rogness.  Business Development - Val Martin, Heidi Samuelson, Dave Schornack  Workforce and Digital Equity (to include Childcare) - Kurt Mortenson, Betsy Roder, Dave Ripley She stated that the committees will have monthly meetings and will set annual goals at upcoming meetings. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Dena Johnson to approve these assignments. Motion passed unanimously. B. Other Communications Dave Schornack asked for an update on consultant engaged to identify funding opportunities. Amy Baldwin responded that we have access to a large spreadsheet of funding sources that have been identified by the consultant and continue to be refined and expanded. Funding sources are assessed to determine eligibility and alignment with a local need/opportunity. The consultant assisted the County Highway Department in preparing a large Federal grant that will be submitted next week. Staff is working with the consultant on a reporting model. C. Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 1:00pm. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:22pm.