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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 08/15/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 August 15, 2023        Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:04 p.m., Tuesday, August 15, 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 Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Others: Julie Bakken, HRA Accounting Specialist x Barbara Dacy, HRA Executive Director x Nick Murdock, Perham EDA Director x Approval of Agenda CDA Director Amy Baldwin requested the addition of 5F: Community Growth Partnership Application from City of New York Mills for Continental Divide Brew Pub Commercial Rehab and 5G: Community Growth Partnership Application from City of Pelican Rapids for Hillbilly Laser Commercial Rehabilitation to the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda was made by Dena Johnson, second by Kurt Mortenson, and unanimously carried to approve with the additions. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Val Martin, second by Lee Rogness to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations Director’s Report: 1. A parent guide to Youth Workforce Navigation is being developed and will be mailed to each household in Otter Tail County with a high school student (mailing lists being provided by partner school districts). Employer sponsors are being sought. The balance of the project will be paid by the Youth Skills Training Grant.     2. An employer student internship guide has been developed and will be distributed through various channels. The guide gives employers a template to use. 3. The second Child Care Resource Fair was held in Pelican Rapids in late July. There was great participation. 4. Neverbetter Market + Wellness, which was supported by a Community Growth Partnership Grant has now opened in Battle Lake. 5. Roots & Wings Forest School, supported with a Child Care Capacity Grant, is also now open. On the Map Report Erik Osberg reported  NIL visits have been completed - two in June and one in July.  Talent Tourism pilot program kicks off with a networking event on August 24 in Minneapolis.  The full size “Inner Otter” mascot has been out and about, including a visit by “Goldie” to Otter Tail County. Regular Business Items A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: City of Perham/Prairies Edge Housing Infrastructure Baldwin stated the Prairie’s Edge, a single-family housing development in Perham, is in its 3rd phase, which will be a five year buildout. There is a need for a lift station before proceeding with the project. The lift station will also open up approximately 160 acres of land to the north and east for future development. The city will match the requested CDA grant with a local $100,000 Opportunity Grant. Baldwin stated that this request fits within our guidelines and we will reimburse as once expenses are incurred and construction on the housing begins. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Rogness to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Nick Murdock, Perham’s EDA Director spoke briefly and the City of Perham appreciates this opportunity. B. Pelican Rapids Highway Garage Redevelopment Baldwin stated that an Interfund Loan is requested in order for the CDA to be reimbursed through future tax increment for current expenses related to the redevelopment of the Highway Garage site in Pelican Rapids; the TIF district is expected to be established in 2024 prior to new housing beginning construction. The recommended amount of the interfund loan would be up to $300,000. It was noted that this would be the first Tax Increment Financing District established by the CDA. Motion by Val Martin, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Authorization to Proceed with Preparation of Plat Baldwin stated that at this time we do not have multiple quotes back for the preparation of plat but would like to continue the process once we do. After board discussion, once three quotes are received, not to exceed $10,000, staff is authorized to make the choice of whom to go with. Motion by Dave Schornack, second by Lee Rogness to approve. Motion passed unanimously. C. Memorandum of Understanding with City of Battle The memorandum outlines key areas in relation to the redevelopment project of 106 and 108 N. Lincoln Avenue, Battle Lake, including the CDA being reimbursement for expenses related readying the site for redevelopment. This property is already included in a TIF district that was previously established by the City of Battle Lake. The City Council approved the MOU at its August 8, 2023, meeting. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed     unanimously. Director Baldwin stated that the closing on this property has been delayed due to the fact there is a legal description issue that needs to be resolved. D. 2024 Budget Baldwin stated that the budget request for the 2024 Budget is the same amount as last year: $541,800 of the Special Benefit Levy and $200,000 of the General Levy. Tracking what is available out of each fund is requested. It was noted that the year 2023 needed to be changed to 2024 in the proposed resolution. The resolution Approving Special Benefit Levy for Taxes Payable 2024 had a motion by Dave Ripley, second by Val Martin. Motion passed unanimously. E. Request for Proposal Responses Baldwin stated that responses for Project Management Services for Grant and Funding Applications were received from WSB and Stride Development. WSB is an engineering and planning consulting firm, with their proposal including a monthly retainer fee and separate application and grant management fees. The monthly retainer fee proposed is $2,000, lump sum application development fees estimated at $3,500-$5,000 depending on the application and an hourly rate project management fee for funding awards ranging from $100-$175. It was discussed that the Highway Department also needs these services and that we could possibly share the services. Stride is predominately in the housing realm and proposed an hourly fee structure. After discussion, it was determined to further negotiate with WSB with the potential of working with Stride on housing related applications. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Dena Johnson to work with WSB to develop a contract for consideration by the CDA. Motion passed unanimously. F. Community Growth Partnership Application: New York Mills: Continental Divide Brew Pub Commercial Rehab Director Baldwin reported that the Continental Divide Brew Pub was requesting $10,000 for HVAC expenses. There are 25 local shareholders in the company and the total estimated cost of the project is $465,0000. It was noted that Betsy Roder is involved in the LLC and would be abstaining from voting. Motion by Dave Schornack, second by Dave Ripley to approve. Motion passed unanimously with all members except Roder who abstained. G. Community Growth Partnership Application: City of Pelican Rapids: Hillbilly Laster Commercial Rehabilitation Hillbilly Laser located at 21 1st St NW, Pelican Rapids is requesting funds towards new stairs, new paint and signage in the amount of $6,675 for work that has already been completed. Director Baldwin reported that the application was delayed in being submitted. Baldwin met with the owner last winter and there has been new administration at the City of Pelican Rapids. Baldwin also noted that the property was tax exempt but now is taxable and a part of the tax base. Additional needs for the building included a roof. A motion by Dave Ripley, second by Dena Johnson to approve the request. There was discussion to include language in the grant agreement to specifically note the timing of the project and approval. The inclusion of such language was agreeable to Riley and Johnson; motion was amended and passed unanimously. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications Other Communications: None     Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting at 11:45 a.m. It was noted that Dena Johnson will not be able to attend the September 19th meeting. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.