HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 03/05/2025OTTERTAIL
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
COUNTY -MINNESOTA
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on March 5, 2025 at 12:45am
Board Members Present:
Jeff Ackerson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN
Joined via Teams at 12:50pm: Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson
Absent: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Others Present:
Amy Baldwin, OTC HRA Executive Director
Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor
Julie Bakken, OTC HRA Accountant
Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant
1. CALL TO ORDER
Board member, Kurt Mortenson called the meeting to order at 12:45pm.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Government Services Center
500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus falls, MN 56537
Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Betty Murphy to approve the March 5, 2025 Agenda without changes.
Motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
Lee Rogness announced he will forego his participation in the meeting counting towards quorum. As such, a roll call
vote is not necessary.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. MN Housing: Trust Fund Matching Grant Application Submission
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated the OTC Housing Trust Fund was established in 2021 and gave
a little history. Applications for grant funds are due on March 19th and selections will be made early this
summer. The Grant Funds may be used for such things as: Development; Rehabilitation or Financing of
Housing; Down Payment Assistance; Rental Assistance; Homebuyer Counseling Services; and Administrative
Expenses, up to 10% of grant. If awarded, the maximum grant request is $225,000 with a term of three years
(with possibility of extending to five years}, Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Betty Murphy to
authorize the submission of the application in the amount of $225,000. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Resolution 308 Authorizing Closure of MHFA Bank Account #0054
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated the MHFA Bank Account was opened prior to August 2021 and
has had only interest earning activity since September 2021. The balance is a little over $4,000. Staff
recommends closing this account and transferring the balance to the General Levy Account. Motion made by
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Betty Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve closing the account and transferring the funds to the
General Levy Account. Motion passed unanimously.
5. OLD BUSINESS -none
6. DISCUSSION
A. CHIP Program Administration through Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director discussed the potential of CHIP Programs being administered through
the Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund dollars. Commissioners agreed to continued review; Amy will
discuss with the Auditors and financing staff to see if this is a good time to implement this.
7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
A. MN Housing Program Updates
• Publicly Owned Housing Program -We will not pursue at this time as it includes a 20-year HRA ownership
requirement and would limit the ability of the HRA to reposition public housing units.
• Bring It Home Rental Assistance Program -Application due April 21, 2025 and would provide funding for
10 to 12 new rent vouchers.
• Greater MN Small Cities Tier II Housing Aid Grants -not open yet and Barbara Dacy is available to help
with grant applications.
B. Congressional Directed Spending
• Senator Klobuchar's office recently sent an email notifying prior applicants that they are accepting
applications through March 31, 2025 for 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending. The Commissioner's
recommendation is to proceed with submission of application for the New York Mills Senior Housing
Project.
C. NAHRO Commissioner Training
• An online Commissioner training will be held on the last Thursday of April, May, June and July. A handout
was included in the packet. Individual sessions or the 4-part series may be taken.
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS
Lee Rogness requested that the agenda for the Commissioner's Training be emailed to the HRA Commissioners.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 1 :30pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Secretary/Clerk
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