HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 07/02/2025HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY • MINNESOTA
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on July 2, 2025 at 12:45 pm
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Board Members Present:
Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Jeff Ackerson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson
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 12:50 pm.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Government Services Center
500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Leland Rogness to approve the July 2, 2025 Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Motion made Kurt Mortenson second by Jeff Ackerson to approve Consent Agenda without changes. Motion
passed unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Recommended Updates to the Housing Trust Fund Ordinance
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that the Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund was established in
2021, through a County ordinance with the HRA named as the administrator of the Fund. The State recently
awarded matching funds for local housing trust funds with the HRA being awarded $150,000. With this award,
a review of the ordinance to ensure current relevance was completed. With a recommendation from the HRA
on the proposed changes, a revised ordinance will be presented to the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners.
Motion made by Leland Rogness, second by Betty Murphy to approve the recommended changes to the
Housing Trust Fund Ordinance and the additional changes indicated today and submit to the Otter Tail County
Board of Commissioners as an Otter Tail County Standard Ordination for a Public Hearing. Motion passed
unanimously.
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B. Approve Submission of Application for Community Impact Fund Grant and Interim Loan Financing to
Minnesota Housing
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that the application for the Community Impact Fund Grant to
Minnesota Housing would include Value Gap Grant Funds as well as Interim Loan Financing to cover the
construction of seven single-family homes in three communities. Build sites would be located in Pelican
Rapids, New York Mills and Parkers Prairie. The application includes a provision for a seven-year deed
restriction period, which would require a new buyer to be income qualified. Applications that include leverage
will score higher and the proposed committed leverage by HRA of $70,000 for site acquisition could be funded
by the Housing Trust Fund. There would be 36 months to complete construction with the flexibility to stagger
construction. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve submitting the application
for the Community Impact Fund Grant and Interim Loan Financing to Minnesota Housing as proposed with
three separate applications for: 1) Pelican Rapids, 2) New York Mills 3) Parkers Prairie.
5. OLD BUSINESS -none
6. DISCUSSION
A. SEMAP Scoring
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP)
scoring was included in the packet. The HRA's overall performance rating was 85% equal to Standard. We are
in the process of enhanced processing and training to bring scores up. SE MAP scoring is required every other
year. Also noted that the 2024 Audit has been completed, including a Federal Single Audit of the HCV
program. There will be an upcoming Audit Presentation to the HRA Finance Committee
7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
A. MN Legislative Session Review
Key programs funded in the Housing omnibus bills are
• Greater MN Housing Infrastructure
• Workforce Housing Development Program
• Challenge Program
• HIS Bonds
• Includes land use and zoning policy language -Scoring criteria will include "local actions to support housing"
B. Changes to the Open Meeting Law for remote participation were reviewed. Board members who join
remotely do not have to have the location where they will be joining from noticed with the agenda. It was noted
that other requirements remain unchanged, including that all members need to be able to hear and see one
another as well as at least one member who is physically present. Votes would be conducted by roll call so
each member's vote can be identified and recorded. This change was effective July 1, 2025. New language
will be created to be included on our agenda.
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS -none
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 1 :41 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Secretary/Clerk
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