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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 03/21/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 March 21, 2023      Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2023. 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 Dave Schornack x Greg Swanberg x Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x Sarah Schake, Project Manager x Carter Grupp, Lead for MN Broadband Fellow x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Others: Julie Bakken, HRA Accounting Specialist x Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda was unanimously carried to approve as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Val Martin to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations Director’s Report: Housing Growth Initiative/The Big Build  10 applications have been received year-to-date for tax rebate program  Staff attended the Perham Lake Home & Cabin Show as well as the Land & Resource Department.  Progress was presented at the Perham Power Hour and Fergus Falls Chamber Café. Workforce Support Strategy/OTC Works  Next virtual workforce convening is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2023  An IT focused student field trip is planned for March 22 at Otter Tail Power and Arvig. Childcare  Launched a second round of Child Care Capacity Grants  Three more grant applications approved Broadband and Digital Access and Equity  Amy Baldwin announced that Carter Grupp’s fellowship with the County will be ending as of March 31, 2023. Carter expressed a sincere thank you to everyone, indicating he will be transitioning to a full-time regular employment position in the field. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator reported that he has recently traveled to Illinois and presented Otter Tail County’s “On The Map” strategy as well as presenting at the Explore MN conference. Regular Business Items Resolution No. 2023-01 Amending Resolution No. 2022-05 Accepting and Consenting to Otter Tail County Ordinance Regarding the Transfer of Assets and Assignment of Obligations of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Amy Baldwin discussed that after the Joint Work Session Meeting on February 21, 2023 it was proposed to amend Resolution No. 2022-03. Resolution No. 2023-01 will preserve what has already been done and allow more time to make a decision about the merger of CDA and HRA. The resolution does not specify an effective date but allows that to be advanced in the future if wished. It will need to be affirmed at the April Otter Tail County Board Meeting. Motion by Betsy Roder, second by Dave Ripley and unanimously carried to approve Resolution No. 2023-01. Erhards Grove Township Hall Property Amy Baldwin discussed how the CDA came into possession of this property. At this time the property lines are not clear and authorization is requested to proceed with a property survey. Four quotes were received with Interstate Engineering providing the lowest quote. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Dena Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Interstate Engineering proceeding with the survey as soon as possible. Discussion included a review of Minnesota Statute 469.105, which governs the sale of property by an economic development authority. More information on process will be provided at the next board meeting. Discussion and Communications CDA Housing Project Updates:  Battle Lake Youth Center/Bethel Church Property: $21,500 was the accepted offer, the purchase agreement is being work on. Anticipate the project being supporting through TIF and community input. Primary role of the CDA is to ready the site for development. Project envisioned to be a 2 or 3 story apartment building with a minimum of 8 units, could be 12-14 depending on parking design, storm water management and impervious surface requirements. Community input will be obtained during the design process.  Pelican Rapids Highway Garage: Preliminary site design anticipates platting into 9 to 11 lots. Working on financial proforma with estimated sources and uses of funds to get site to development stage. The establishment of a redevelopment TIF district is planned; however, additional outside funding will be needed to achieve development goal of affordable, single- family housing. Other Communications Val Martin provided an update to the Commissioners about the Battle Lake Hidden Meadows project, stating the first house built has been sold and the second one is in the final stages of being sold. Decision will need to be made on when to start the third one. Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m., County Board Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.