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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 12/18/2023MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 December 18, 2023        Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:05 p.m., Monday, December 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 Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x Sarah Schake, Project Manager x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Reports and presentation moved to top of agenda until quorum was established. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report: Housing Growth Initiative / The Big Build  A press release was issued regarding the Housing Summit held on November 16.  Digital Marketing Billboard on Highway 10 outside of Perham will be up in the month of January.  Attended Erhard meeting with landlords and potential single family construction. Workforce Support strategy / OTC Works:  Coordinated Government Career Pathways Field trip that included City of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County and MN DNR with 30 students from Parkers Prairie, Perham and New York Mills schools.  Submitting application to DEED Drive for 5 Program to kickstart the Empowered Worker Program in 2024 Child Care:  Remains relatively stable but there’s a continued need for more licensed child care. Childcare gap analysis prepared by First Children’s Finance was presented. C. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative provided a brief update regarding ‘On the Map’ efforts. Amy Baldwin also reported:  DEED Childcare Grant closing out at the end of December, with final report due in January Pelican Rapids Pinewood Estate Project Update o Plat approval anticipated in early January o Infrastructure by mid-summer Battle Lake Church has been demolished 1:15 p.m. Commissioner Dena Johnson joined the meeting and quorum was established. D.Board Member Updates None Approval of Agenda Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dave Ripley to approve the Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Business Items A.Community Growth Partnership Grant: New York Mills Downtown Revitalization Fund Director Amy Baldwin reported that we have received an application from the City of New York Mills for the CDA’s Community Growth Partnership Grand Program in the amount of $25,000. New York Mills EDA has committed to matching funds for the program. Funds are to be used to enhance store fronts and other eligible projects that will benefit the community. The City’s program would be structured as a forgivable loan, forgiven at a rate of 20% per year for five years. Motion by Val Martin, second by Dave Ripley to approve the grant request and prepare necessary agreement with the City of New York Mills for signature. Motion passed unanimously. B.Community Growth Partnership Grant: Henning Mainstreet Rehab Fund Director Amy Baldwin reported that an application has been submitted from the city of Henning for the CDA’s Community Growth Partnership Grant Program. Hwy 108 will be reconstructed through Henning next summer and this grant, in the amount of $25,000, is to support businesses who will be impacted by this. The Henning EDA will consider matching funds at their December 18th meeting. Motion by Dave Ripley, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the grant request and prepare necessary agreement with the City of Henning for signature contingent on the commitment of matching funds, review of final rehab program guidelines and receipt of the resolution for support from the Henning City Council which meets again in January. Motion passed unanimously. C. Consideration of 2024 Community Development Agency Budget Director Amy Baldwin reported that there are two funding streams: the Special Benefit Levy which the “uses” are defined by HRA powers in State Statue; and the General Levy appropriation which has broader “uses” defined by EDA powers. The amounts are: Special Benefit Levy $541,800 and the General Levy Appropriation $200,000. Motion by Val Martin, second by Dena Johnson to approve the 2024 Community Development Agency Budget. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications A. 2024 CDA Work Plan Overall project planning – Determining the priorities, HRA and On the Map o Pelican Rapids - 1st Homes o Battle Lake continues with Rentals to Workforce deadline January 5, 2024 Workforce o Learn in January Youth workforce o Additions and conclusions Childcare o Wrapping up state grant for capital purchases o West Central Initiatives – this calendar year plus next year. Still spending down. Discussion on Dalton o Barbara Dacy reported that we are looking at a modular approach, there are savings and it’s a competitive proposal. Ottertail triplexes in consideration Amy Baldwin reported o Overall 278 homes have been awarded funds for new construction. Out of the 278 we were awarded funds for the 3 new homes in Pelican Rapids. Next application round is in July. o Funds were also awarded to Josh Hanson in Vergas as a private developer Rogness asked if we have a list of contractors in Otter Tail County to acknowledge Josh Hanson and give out names as needed. B. 2024 Board Meeting Dates There is a conflict between County Board and CDA Board meetings in May, November and December. Communication will be sent out to determine meeting dates for those months. C. Other Communications This will be Barbara Dacy’s last official time with us – “Thank you”. New CDA Board Member – Heidi Samuelson We need to send Greg Swanberg a card for our appreciation of his time Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m., Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m.