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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 07/02/2025MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 July 2, 2025 Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Dave Schornack, CDA Board Chair led the meeting. 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 Betsy Roder X Heidi Samuelson X Dave Schornack X Bob Schempp Jr. X Sean Sullivan X Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director X Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor X Sarah Schake, Project Manager X Julie Bakken, HRA Accountant X Aisling Cox, CDA Intern Paula Grunewald, Administrative Assistant X X Approval of Agenda The agenda was to stand as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report:  We have received Single Family Tax Rebate applications from partner cities of New York Mills and Ottertail.  The Empowered Worker Program is able to accept external referrals for Health Care, Manufacturer and Trade Fields. The form is on the County’s website or call Amy Johnson if any questions.  State funding is available for training for agriculture type positions such as diesel mechanic, CDL, welding, and the food industry. Grant application will be submitted in July.  Press Release on Empowered Worker success stories has had a positive community response.  Virtual Workforce Convening was held June 30, 2025. OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA  Quarterly Workforce Newsletter was distributed.  Groundbreaking for the Ottertail Child Care project will be held on July 7, 2025. The County applied for and received $240,000 from DEED to support the project.  Staff attended the West Central SBDC’s AI for Business Conference.  Otter Tail Housing Economic Impact webinar with Ben Winchester was held July 1. B. On the Map Report - none C. Board Member Updates  Val Martin - Phelps Mil Festival July 12-13  Dena Johnson – Pelican Fest July 10-12  Betsy Roder – New York Mills Lund Mania and Summer Celebration July 10-12 Regular Business Items A. Consider Revised Community Growth Partnership Grant Guidelines Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that the Community Growth Partnership Grant Guidelines were reviewed and refined to ensure clarity of program requirements. Suggested changes are highlighted in the CDA packet. Additional review of the definition of a Project to be conducted. Motion by Val Martin, second by Sean Sullivan to approve. Motion passed unanimously. B. Consider Pinewood Estates Lots for Impact Fund Application Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that construction for the three Pinewood Estates homes is on track. An Open House is in discussion for August with information to be included in the Pelican Rapids utility bill. Staff is proposing that two additional single-family builds in Pelican Rapids be included in an upcoming HRA application to the MN Housing Impact Fund Program. The lots in Pinewood Estates are currently listed for $20,000; staff is requesting that the CDA consider a reduced sale price of $10,000 to the OTC HRA for purposes of leverage and partnership to strengthen the application. Staff is proposing slab on grade homes or a modular build with a crawl space. If funded, the HRA will have 36 months to build the homes. Motion by Val Martin, second by Sean Sullivan to approve reducing the lot price to $10,000 to Otter Tail County HRA. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications A. Placer.ai Report Review Sarah Schake, CDA Project Manager gave a report on Placer.ai. Information included  Reporting capabilities.  Resorts traffic example.  Comparison from Jan. 1 through June 21 this year to last year.  Residents vs. visits.  Unique Visitors.  Used in other departments within the County for such things as boat access usage, Phelps Mill Park, Vergas train delay. County IT Department funds the subscription. B. MN Legislative Session Review Amy Baldwin, CDA Director shared the key programs funded in the Jobs omnibus bill and funding allocations for 2026-2027. These programs include: Minnesota Investment Fund, Job Creation Fund, Redevelopment Grants, Cleanup Funds, Small Business Assistance Partnerships, Child Care Economic Development Grants, Business Development Public Infrastructure, Drive for Five, Pathways to Prosperity, and Youth-at Work Competitive Grant Program. The Housing Omnibus Bill includes Greater MN Housing Infrastructure, Workforce Housing Development Program, Impact Fund, HIB Bonds and new scoring criteria to include local actions to support housing. She also stated the Open Meeting Law changes are effective July 1, 2025. For remote participation, board member locations are no longer needed on the Agenda. Roll call vote will be needed for a quorum and a video has to be running on both sides. Specific wording will be included on each Agenda. C. Project Updates a) Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that this has already been reviewed in prior discussions. b) Westridge Mall, Fergus Falls  County Board will hold a closed session next week regarding the potential purchase  Continue to communicate with key stakeholders  Redevelopment TIF blight assessment report is complete D. Other Communications Kurt Mortenson requested further review of the definition of “Project” in the Community Growth Partnership Grant Guidelines. Amy Baldwin, CDA Director will follow up. Upcoming meeting: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 @ 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting at 12:45 pm. Adjourned