HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 11/18/2024MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
WORK SESSION
November 18, 2024
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency Work Session convened at 1:00 p.m., Monday,
November 18 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
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor x
Sarah Schake, Project Manager x
Aann Christopherson, Accountant x
Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x
Reports and Presentations
A&B Director’s & Committee Report:
The Countywide Property Tax Rebate Program will no longer accept applications after the end
of this calendar year. Lumber yards and other referral partners will be informed of the deadline
date. Two communities – Pelican Rapids and Ottertail intend to continue the program for non-
lakeshore residents.
State Housing Tax Credit Contribution Fund – open for contributions until December 6. North
Fields Open House on Friday, November 22.
Monthly Empowered Worker Program Report – 26 people are active in the program. Testing for
participants has occurred in CDL, Otter Tail Power has had job shadowing, and Lund Boats has
hired participants. In 2025, we are looking for more Employer Partners.
Childcare - Currently there is one Child Care Emergency Grant submitted.
Business Development
o The Lender Convenings were held Friday, November 15.
o Westridge Mall – Funding application has been submitted to DEED.
o Plans to push on Agriculture Focused Business Development in 2025.
C. On the Map Report –
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator, reported on the “On The Map Metrics Report”.
He also highlighted the new video ‘What is the Rural Rebound Initiative’
Discussion and Communications
A. Housing Project Updates
Pinewood Estates (Pelican Rapids)
Infrastructure is complete. Discussion on promotional handouts including aerial shots, GIS,
overlay plat.
The Lincoln (Battle Lake)
Possibly closing on Friday – waiting for tax ID number for developer.
B. Joint CDA-OTLCA Meeting Recap
Nick reviewed the resorts and how to make preservation happen. The next step is to bring the
resorts together.
C. 2025 Initiatives and Priorities
Amy would like to see the work plan more laid out and asked “what are the priorities?” as they will
needed to be balanced for staff capacity.
D. 2025 Meeting Dates
A survey will be sent out to determine meeting dates in 2025 – Monday or Tuesdays have not been
working. May need to split meetings up between CDA and HRA.
Other items discussed:
Lee Rogness and Dave Ripley terms will be up January 1, 2025.
The CDA Housing Committee needs to move the December 9th meeting date.
Upcoming meeting:
Monday, December 16, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m., Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with
HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m.