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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 07/18/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 July 18, 2023      Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, 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 Executive Director x Barbara Dacy, HRA Executive Director x Sarah Schake, CDA Project Manager x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Tanya Westra, HRA Project Manager x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Val Martin, second by Dena Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reported the date for the Housing Summit will be Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Thumper Pond. “Save the Date” communications will start being sent in August. The June Workforce Convening had an attendance of 35 people attending virtually. Cardinal Consulting contract was renewed for year 2 of the Youth Workforce Navigation Program. The first Child Care Resource Fair was held in Battle Lake. Although lightly attended, many of the attendees hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic. B. Committee Reports Housing Growth and Investment Baldwin reported updates on the Erhards Grove Townhall and the Battle Lake Church project. Workforce Support and Development (did not meet) Childcare Investment The next child Care Resource Fair will be held in Pelican Rapids on July 26. C. On the Map Report Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator, Erik Osberg reported on the NIL visits. Goldie the Gopher, the Gopher Quarterback and other gopher football players have visited Otter Tail County. A visit to the Cites is planned for August 24 and other students will visit Otter Tail County in September. Osberg reported how we are gaining attention for Otter Tail County by using Otter Tail Lakes Country platforms. The digital impact report shows 6,000,000 impressions with 350,000 engagements. There also has been front page article in the Star Tribune sports section on an NIL visit. D. Board Member Updates Val Martin reported on Phelps Mill Festival. Although it rained Friday, the rest of the weekend was beautiful with good attendance. Dena Johnson reported that the Pelican Fest went very well. Betsy Roder reported there was a good turnout at the New York Mills event. Although it rained, people came back to enjoy the activities. Regular Business Items A. Community Growth Partnership Application: City of Pelican Rapids/Ace Hardware Parking and Blight Removal Baldwin reported Ace Hardware has acquired the lot and building which is the abutting lot to the north of their current building. Their plans are to demo the building and install a parking lot. The building is in poor condition and beyond useful life. The City has requested $25,000 with the cost of project to be $140,000. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Dave Ripley to approve. Motion passed unanimously. B. Community Growth Partnership Application: City of New York Mills Senior Affordable Housing The City of New York Mills currently owns two lots in the South Point Development that are being considered for the development of six affordable senior rental units (two triplexes). Otter Tail County HRA has submitted an application for funding to Minnesota Housing and if approved construction is to begin in 2024. The purchase price for the lots is $44,000 - The City of New York Mills is requesting $25,000 for acquisition costs and Otter Tail County HRA would fund $19,000 as part of the overall project. Barbara Dacy reported that she had attended the City of New York Mills July meeting and that New York Mills are supportive. Besty Roder also reported that the City of New York Mills is very excited for the project and is very supportive. The commissioners discussed grant flexibility of either 18 or 24 months. Motion by Kurt Mortenson with the addition of “within 24 months”, second by Val Martin to approve. Motion passed unanimously. C. Resolution Regarding Sale of 19965 Co. Hwy 24, Erhard On June 20 a public hearing was held in regard to the sale of the property. Additionally, a Request for Proposals was issued with one respondent, Mary and Orland Ohe with a proposed purchase price of $12,000. a. Draft Purchase Agreement The sale of the real estate purchase agreement has been authorized as long as the provisions include “must plan to use the property” and “not to be used as storage”. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Dave Ripley to approve the resolution regarding the sale as well as the form of the purchase agreement. Motion passed unanimously. Johnson indicated the revised purchase agreement did not need to be brought back after the provisions were changed. D. Minnesota Housing Community Impact Fund Application Baldwin reported the Community Homeownership Impact Fund (CHIF) offered by MHFA provides funding to developers and administrators for the construction of single family, owner occupied, affordable housing. The application is accepted once per year through a competitive single Family RFP process. This funding supported the Hidden Meadows project in Battle Lake. The CDA would include a request for Value Gap and Interim Loan funds for the development of two homes within the Highway Garage site in Pelican Rapids and one located at 117 NW 1st Ave, which the HRA owns. Preliminary realtor estimates that a 3-bedroom home with an unfinished basement would sell for approximately $280,000. The Value Gap portion of the CHIF program covers the difference between the home’s cost of development and the amount it would sell for. Interim Loan Funds would provide the capital needed to fund the construction of the homes without tying up existing CDA resources. The board discussed various components of the program, including the desire to ensure efficient use of funds. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dave Ripley to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications Preliminary 2024 Budget Discussion Baldwin reported that she recommends maintaining the same levy request as last year. Expenses related to Battle Lake and Pelican Rapids projects will be covered by utilizing some of the available reserve funds. It was noted that the funding for childcare programming and youth workforce navigation falls under Otter Tail County financials so are not included in the CDA’s budget. Commissioners requested that Baldwin check into the savings rate for the funds in reserve. Otter Communications Tanya Westra has accepted the Housing Program Supervisor position. Upcoming Meeting Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.