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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 09/17/2024MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 September 17, 2024 Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:04 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2024. 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 Heidi Samuelson 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: Kris Vipond, Assistant Finance Director x Aann Christopherson, Accountant x Approval of Agenda The Agenda was to stand as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Jeff Ackerson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Kris Vipond, Assistant Finance Director, introduced Aann Christopherson, the newest staff member assigned to CDA. She will be responsible for CDA accounting tasks, new procedures for Drive for 5 and other funding streams. After introductions by board members, Aann and Kris left the meeting. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report:  The levy has been approved and continues to move through the process.  Affirming not to continue the tax rebate program – there will be check-ins to see if there is local interest for communities to continue the program.  The MN Housing funding application for the Lincoln Project in Battle Lake is still under review. Recommendations anticipated on Thursday, September 19.  Met with Andrew Yaggie, eXp Realty, regarding Pinewood Estates realtor services; will have more matters related to Pinewood Estates at the next meeting.  The completed Pelican Rapids Housing Study has been reviewed.  The HRA Dalton Senior Housing project is on time with delivery to start September 23. The installation will happen in a couple of days. There is a strong interest and the waiting list will soon be open. A project like this is being considered in New York Mills in 2025. Responses from CDA Commissioners included  Heidi Samuelson stated that Parkers Prairie is getting close to being ready and it helped with Jordan being there, a lot easier to follow up.  David Schornack asked if copies would be sent to all CDA Board Members.  Dena Johnson stated that this is exciting. Projected completion is by the end of October. Great work on Pinewood Estates.  Betsy Roder said move-in dates for the South Point Apartments are probably November instead of October in New York Mills. B. Committee Reports Workforce Support and Development  The Workforce Convening will be held September 18. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce will discuss their Good Jobs Challenge funding. Three schools will present on the Youth Skills Training grants received and their respective priorities with those funds.  Referrals to the Empowered Worker Program are back open. Interest currently is in CDL, medical coding, boiler, IRS and health care.  Dave Schornack requested stats on apprenticeships as there are lots of job openings. Business Development  A lender focused event is planned for November 15. The agenda includes information on SBA programs, West Central Initiative and local loan programs, and Small Business Development Center Resources. There should be a good panel of speakers and will be held in two locations to support broader participation. Amy Baldwin, CDA Director also reviewed newsletter statistics, the Empowered Work monthly report and an article in MinnPost – “While many rural Minnesota counties are losing people, Otter Tail County has more than ever. How’d that happen?” C. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator presented the “On the Map Metrics Report” from 1/1/24 thru 8/31/24. D. Placer.ai Software Demonstration Sarah Schake, Project Manager, demonstrated the Placer.ai software. She stated that the data is tracked by cell phones; shows weekly trends; can be filtered by 1) visitors 2) employers 3) residents; has reporting such as civic report, visitor trend, employee trend and so much more. Staff will continue onboarding with the account representative from Placer.ai. It was noted that there is no limit on the number of reports generated and anyone with an ottertailcounty.gov email address can obtain an account. Commission Lee Rogness left the meeting at 2:10pm E. Board Member Updates  Stubs burned down and was a total loss.  Dena Johnson stated that the north roundabout in Pelican Rapids is almost open.  Jeff Ackerson spoke on the MN State Housing Tax Credit. Information will be distributed.  David Schornack expressed that downtown Perham reconstruction project has been hard on businesses.  Betsy Roder stated that New York Mills “Welcoming Week” event is being held on September 17 . Discussion and Communications A. Child Care Discussion Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that  Otter Tail County has 122 family childcare providers – this is down from prior levels but eight applications are pending to be licensed.  The County have Child Care Project Managers to support efforts: two part-time contracted individuals with one to be phasing out. 100% funded by West Central Initiative.  New Emergency Grant – available to existing providers to reimburse costs - $500 available to licensed family care providers and $1,000 to full day care centers. The board had discussion on outreach, funding opportunities and the role of the County and CDA. Direction was provided to continue to work to advance the expansion and retention of childcare opportunities. B. Other Communications - none Upcoming meetings:  Tuesday, October 15, 2024 @ 1:00p.m., Board Meeting, Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45am.  Tuesday, October 29, 2024 @ 11:00am, Joint Work Session with CDA and OTLCA Board, The Otter, 306 MN-78, Ottertail.  November and December board meeting held on the third Monday for November and December (November 18 and December 16). Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:32pm.