HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 06/04/2025HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY · MINNESOTA
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on June 4, 2025 at 12:45 pm
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Board Members Present:
Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson
Absent: Jeff Ackerson
Others Present:
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN
Amy Baldwin, OTC HRA Executive Director
Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor
Julie Bakken , OTC HRA Accountant
Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant
Aisling Cox, CDA Intern
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:45 pm.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Government Services Center
500 West fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Leland Rogness to approve the June 4, 2025 Agenda and the
Consent Agenda without changes. Motion passed unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Authorizing Contract with Cursor Control, Inc. Community Development Software
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that staff has been seeking community development software to
help manage loans and grants. Staff participated in demos and Cursor Control provided the features we need
to help with efficiency. Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor stated that the program offers project
tracking, includes information on the applicant, generates bid specs, prepares loan payoff calculations, and
ties everything together from start to finish. A 12-month commitment is required at $100 per month per user.
Staff has recommended three users. Commissioners questioned who the users would be and it was
suggested that they be Julie Bakken, Mitch Harry and Pam Minten. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second
by Leland Rogness to approve a contract with Cursor Control, Inc. Community Development Software with
three users. Motion passed unanimously. A question was asked who would hold the Administrative Role and
Tanya Westra was suggested. Commissioners agreed that there may need to be an additional user to the
contract. An amendment to the motion was made to approve a contract with Cursor Control, Inc. Community
Development Software with up to four users. All commissioners motioned aye and the motion carried.
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5. OLD BUSINESS
None.
6. DISCUSSION
A. 2026 Agency Budget
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director requested direction with the 2026 Agency Budget and stated:
• The federal budget as proposed by the White House would include a 44% reduction in HUD funding.
There is a proposal to become a block grant to the States for HCV and public housing funding. The SCDP
program may be eliminated.
• State w ill be deploying the Bring it Home Rental Voucher Program. State has delayed award
announcements until October. In April, the HRA submitted a request for $125,000 that would help an
estimated 10-12 families.
• If Federal cuts are implemented, final impact and timing of the impact to operations is unknown.
• Suggested a stable budget while considering the Pelican Rapids SCDP project and current program
maintenance.
• Construction of senior housing in New York Mills will be included.
• Levy request dollar will be the same amount as last year.
B. 2026 Agency Goals
The HRA Board adopted two strategic initiatives in 2023: Housing Stability Initiative -"Keep People In Their
Homes" and Strengthening Communities Initiative -"Create New Homes".
• A Public Hearing will need to be held in September for the agency Annual Plan .
• Request from Commissioners to remove the word "to" at the beginning of each of the Goals and
Objectives.
• Create a Proposed Annual Plan to present to the Commissioners and in each line indicate:
o "What did we accomplish"
o "What did we want to accomplish"
o "Do we want to continue"
• Changes need to be made to the Admin Plan and ACOP. Approved plans must be submitted to HUD in
October.
7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
• The HRA was awarded $150,000 from MN Housing as matching funds for the County's Housing Trust
Fund. These are earmarked to support the New York Mills senior housing project.
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS
• Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director -next meeting is Wednesday, July 2.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 1 :40 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Secretary/Clerk
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