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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 12/16/2024MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 December 16, 2024 Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2024. Jeff Ackerson, Vice President led the meeting in person as Dave Schornack, CDA President was present via technology at Security Bank & Trust, 2202 11th St E., Glencoe, MN in the Wealth Management Conference Room. 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 (not part of the quorum) 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 Others: Andrew Yaggie, eXp Realty x Approval of Agenda The Agenda was to stand as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Dena Johnson, second by David Ripley to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report:  The County tax rebate program will conclude at the end of 2024. To date the Cities of Pelican Rapids and Ottertail have officially requested to continue the County’s partnership on a local tax rebate program and New York Mills is considering.  The November Housing Convening was virtually attended by 35 people.  Empowered Worker Program has had 50 referrals, with 30 people active; the first participant successfully completed his CDL.  Lender Convenings went well.  $650,000,000 was awarded by DEED Community Energy Transition Grant to support redevelopment of the Westridge Mall Property.  Child Care - the 2024 Child Care Needs Analysis link was included in the packet from First Children’s Finance. B. Board Member Updates  Kurt Mortenson stated that the reports are encouraging for the Empowered Worker Program and we are addressing a void.  Jeff Ackerson stated that another participant in the Empowered Worker Program is working toward passing their CDL test with support from Vector.  Jeff Ackerson said State Housing Tax Credit contribution balance has exceeded $9M. Regular Business Items A. New York Mills Community Growth Partnership Application An application was submitted for the CDA’s Community Growth Partnership Grant Program from the City of New York Mills in the amount of $25,000. The funds would be used to enhance store fronts as well as eligible interior projects. The Business Development Committee has reviewed the application and recommends approval. Motion by Leland Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x B. Consideration of Community Growth Partnership Guidelines Modification Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated there is a request to consider a modification to the current Community Growth Partnership Guidelines to include non-profit entities as eligible recipients of funding. These would be non-profits that act as a for-profit entity. It was noted that local communities can apply for matching funds through the CDA program to administer their own program which can have more flexibility in how the funds are used. The Board has directed staff to review the guidelines and report back. C. Consideration of Contribution to the West Central Small Business Development Center Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that county businesses are supported with no cost or low cost services by the West Central Small Business Development Center. She is requesting a $2,500 contribution to the West Central Small Business Development Center. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Heidi Samuelson to approve. Motion passed, with Schornack abstaining. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x D. Resolution Authorizing Execution of Purchase Agreements for Pine Estates by Executive Directors Andrew Yaggie, eXp Realty stated that 5 lots are listed in Pelican Rapids. Amy Baldwin, CDA Director is asking for the Board to consider authorizing the Executive Director to execute Purchase Agreements, subject to review of the purchase agreement by the Board Chair and Vice Chair. The Housing Committee has not reviewed this request but it is similar to what has been done by the HRA in a previous project. Commissioner Ackerson requested that the words be changed from ‘and’ to ‘and/or’ - “Review of the purchase agreement be made by the Board Chair and/or Vice Chair.” Motion by David Schornack, second by David Ripley to approve. Motion passed unanimously to include changing the words “and” to “and/or” where applicable. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x E. Closed session: Authorized under Minn. Stat. Sec. §13D.05, Subd. 3, to develop counteroffers for the sale of real property located at 76000220022001 At 1:45pm, Vice Chair Jeff Ackerson declared the CDA Board of Commissioners meeting closed to the public. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, seconded by Dena Johnson. The closed session is authorized under Minnesota Stature §13D.05, Subd. 3(1) to discuss sale of real property located at 76000220022001. Present in the room were CDA Commissioners: Vice Chair Jeff Ackerson, Kurt Mortenson, David Ripley, Dena Johnson, Heidi Samuelson, Lee Rogness, with Dave Schornack and Betsy Roder present virtually; CDA Director Amy Baldwin; Housing Program Supervisor Tanya Westra, CDA Accountant Aann Christopherson, Administrative Assistant Paula Grunewald and eXp Realty Realtor Andrew Yaggie. Kurt Mortenson motioned to end the Closed Session at 2:19pm and the board returned to regular session. When considering purchase agreements for the property located in Pinewood Estates in Pelican Rapids, staff will execute an agreement if it meets the terms outlined in the closed session. Motion made by Dena Johnson, seconded by Kurt Mortenson. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x Discussion and Communications A. 2025 Work Plan The 2025 Community Development and Housing work plan was reviewed B. Project Updates: Updates on the following projects were provided: a. The Lincoln, Battle Lake b. Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids c. Westridge Mall, Fergus Falls C. 2025 Board Date Due to Commissioner’s schedules, polls were taken with CDA and HRA board members to determine a day of the week and time that would work for board meetings. The first meeting of 2025 will be held on Tuesday, January 21, with start times of 11:45 HRA and 1:00 CDA. The rest of the meetings will be held the 1st Wednesday of the month with start times of 11:00 CDA and 12:45 HRA. The dates would be February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3 and January 7, 2026. D. Other Communications Amy Baldwin, CDA Director thanked Leland Rogness and David Ripley for their years of service and presented each with a plaque. Many kind words and comments were shared. Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 @1:00 p.m., Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m.