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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 11/21/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 November 21, 2023      Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 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 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: Betty Murphy Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda motion was made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson, and unanimously carried to approve as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Jeff Ackerson, second by Dena Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director’s report included:  Housing Summit o A thank you to the staff as well as an exceptional thank you to Sarah for all her hard work o There has been a number of requests for the recordings of the day o There will be a follow up with press release  New York Mills’ South Point Apartment Groundbreaking o 60 apartments o The number of members in a household are less than in the previous years o Press release has been sent out  Youth Workforce o Helping schools to get the funding through the DLI B. Committee Reports Housing Growth and Investment  Pelican Rapids Preliminary Plat: Pinewood Estates will have 9 lots versus 10 lots due to a side yard that caused difficulties o February is the goal for bidding to start Workforce Support and Development  Updates on Youth Workforce Navigation Program  Reviewing submittal of application to State grant program that would assist individuals with barriers to employment; application is due next month Childcare Investment  No discussion D. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator reviewed:  “On the Map Marketing Metrics and What is Meaningful” 1) Did people see it? 2) Did they care? He is building a brand through Awareness, Consideration and Conversion. Presently there’s an audience of 31,000 - 24 hours per day. Impressions are 9,536,847 with a goal of 10M, Engagement of 475,507 with 98% positive. E. Board Member Updates Val Martin: Hatchery Row is moving along and that there is a long list of potential renters. Lee Rogness: Commented on the JP Place project in downtown Perham nearing completion Dave Schornack: Bongaards making $125 million investment in their Perham facility Dena Johnson: Summit attendees questioned why Fergus Falls why was not there. Rogness stated that they have not invited us in. Ackerson said there is not a full understanding of how the levy works. Regular Business Items A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application Director Baldwin stated an application has been submitted from the City of Vergas for the CDA’s Community Growth Partnership Grant Program for a $10,000 grant request in the affordable housing category. The City of Vergas is also required to provide a one-to-one match so the total amount would be $20,000 for the project. The first home is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage with unfinished walkout basement. The home buyer is restricted to 115% of the area median income for the state. The grant is needed for the gap between the total project cost and the appraised value at time of sale. The City’s match will be repaid by future property taxes, via tax abatement. A provision to recapture a portion of the grant if the property is sold within five years will be included; 20% of the grant forgiven each year for five years. Commissioner Dena Johnson stated that she needed to step away from this resolution as it is a conflict. Director Baldwin will work with the City regarding the abatement to make sure everything is done correctly. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the grant application. Motion passed with all ayes and Dena Johnson abstaining from the vote. B. Review 2024 Community Growth Partnership Program Modifications Four areas within the program: 1). Planning Grants: up to $5,000 2). Redevelopment: up to $25,000 3). Commercial Rehab a. Grant to City to establish and manage their own program; up to $25,000 b. Pass through grant for individual business project: 5% of total project cost or up to $10,000, whichever is less (no city match requirement) 4). Housing a. Affordable Housing: up to $25,000 80% AMI for rental and 115% AMI for ownership b. Public Infrastructure: up to $100,000 Direct relation to new housing development Director Baldwin reviewed suggested changes:  Currently the maximum amount a city can be approved for is $50,000, she is requesting the ability to add language that increases will be considered on a project-by-project basis.  Add Perham as an eligible city  Enhance language to emphasize need to apply before a project commences  Revamp the application form and add specific section for private commercial rehab. Discussion and Communications Other Communications Amy Baldwin will be the director of HRA as well as CDA. To be intentional, the overall department name is Community Development and Housing. Upcoming meeting: Monday, December 18, 2023 (note date change) at 1:00 p.m., Commissioners Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting at 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.