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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 05/16/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 May 16, 2023      Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00pm, Tuesday, May 16, 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 Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Barbara Dacy, HRA Executive Director x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Julie Bakken, HRA Accounting Specialist x Others: Julie Lammers, City of Vergas clerk x Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda motion was made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve with changes noted: move up 5A (City of Vergas Community Growth Partnership Grant Application) in the agenda and add 5C (Office Space Plan and Cost Estimate for a Community Development office area). Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 5A. Regular Business Item Community Growth Partnership Program Grant Application: City of Vergas Public Parking Lot CDA Director Baldwin informed Board that the City of Vergas has applied for a $25,000 Community Growth Partnership Program Grant for a new public parking lot in downtown Vergas. The City’s comprehensive plan is in alignment with the grant application as it indicates there is a great need for parking in the city’s commercial district. Vergas would like to remove the existing structure and construct a 21-stall public parking lot. The total project cost estimate is $73,825. Funds would be used for demolition, paving, fencing and striping of the lot, with the City funding the balance of the project costs. A motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve the grant request as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report: Housing Growth  Tax rebate program: 37 applications to date  34 housing partners attended quarterly Housing Convening  Attended New York Mills EDA meeting  Presented Big Build Progress at Vergas EDA meeting  Discussed at Pelican Rapids City Council Meeting the Highway Garage Redevelopment and the NE 5th Ave infrastructure  Battle Lake church property draft purchase agreement under review Workforce Support and Development  Youth Workforce Navigation field trips – 52 students attended construction trades field trip and 33 students attended the IT field trip in April  A flyer was created with summer internships and job opportunities in high demand industries Childcare Investment  Information on Childcare and Foster Care was presented to the County board  More phone calls and inquires are being received about becoming a licensed provider  Provider Appreciation Day was discussed. The CDA will send out its appreciation letter in September. There will be an upcoming Resource Fair targeted to new and current providers as well as employers looking to be involved in solutions. B. On the Map Report: Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator discussed:  U of M Partnership  Year to date report of On the Map social reach C. There were no Board Member Updates Regular Business Items (continued) 5B. Erhards Grove Townhall Property Review of Request for Proposal for property at 19965 Co. Hwy. 24  As indicated by statue, within one year for the date of purchase must devote the property to its intended use  Should be used for creating new housing or business - Single family, commercial or industrial but not for the use of storage of goods  Zoning: Contact Chris LeClair for necessary permits and approval process Public Hearing regarding the sale of property would be published in the Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls newspapers. A motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dave Ripley to approve the proposal bid form that outlines the site information as well as the information to be submitted by interested parties regarding the reuse of the property and a call for the public hearing regarding the sale of the property. Motion passed unanimously. 5C. New Space plan for Community Development and Housing Office area in the Government Services Center A handout distributed included two layouts for the existing GIS space and a bid from Cooper’s Office Supply. The space would house Community Development and Housing staff, as well as the County’s Public Information Officer and a couple of drop spaces for use by other staff as needed. A motion by Val Martin, second by Curt Mortenson to approve $25,000 expenditure. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications Other Communications  Brief review of outcomes of the legislature session, with a deeper discussion planned at the June 20 board meeting  Planning has started for a Housing Summit to be held in late fall  Staff was directed to develop a request for proposal for independent contractor services for pursuing available grants and funding Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 1:00pm, Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting at 11:45am. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:10pm