HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 08/06/2025MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
August 6, 2025
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00am, August 6, 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
Bob Schempp Jr. x
Dave Schornack x
Sean Sullivan x
Staff:
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor x
Sarah Schake, Project Manager x
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x
Julie Bakken, HRA Accountant x
Paula Grunewald, Administrative Assistant x
Aisling Cox, CDA Intern x
Approval of Agenda
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director noted in the packets that the CDA Commissioners received, the Agenda
stated the Approval of Consent Agenda was July 2, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes but it should have
been July 3, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes. Approval of Agenda motion was made by Sean Sullivan,
second by Dena Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve as presented.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Val Martin to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously. CDA Commissioner, Val Martin asked about the Bongards $204,000 transfer. Amy
Baldwin, CDA Director explained that it was Industrial Conduit Revenue Bond application fee.
Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Report
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director highlighted:
There will be a Neighborhood Party and Ice Cream Social at Pinewood Estates on August 19,
from 5-7pm. The notice was placed in utility bills, direct outreach and flyers distributed in Pelican
Rapids. Communication has also been printed with Spanish translation.
Referrals to the Empowered Worker Program are being accepted and they can be a direct
referral. The Navigator is doing employer outreach.
A Workforce Convening was held in June with 52 people attending virtually.
11 applications are in process for family care licenses. A press release for the Ottertail project
groundbreaking was distributed to local media.
The quarterly business development newsletter was distributed with highlights on the LOIS
listing platform.
Staff attended both county fairs with handouts for housing and business development.
Recent Communication Metrics and website metrics were reviewed.
GMNP 2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up was included in the board packet as information.
Commissioner Dave Schornack asked on the progress in Ottertail for childcare. Amy Baldwin, CDA
Director replied that the Ottertail Childcare is under construction and should be completed this year.
The Otter Tail Community Center is separate and will not be completed until next year.
An update on the status of childcare pods in New York Mills and Perham was provided.
B. Committee Reports
Housing Growth and Investment
Reviewed housing starts progress in the first half of 2025.
We have received more Down Payment Assistance Applications in 2025 than we did by this
time last year.
Workforce Support and Digital Equity
An analysis on return of investment on the impact of the Empowered Worker Program is being
created.
A Workforce Summit will be held in November.
C. On The Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator stated that “On the Map” is part of a bigger
picture. He discussed the mission, vision and values and the “how” to achieve by goals, strategies
and tactics. He stated the Metrics report from January 1 through June 30, 2025 shows our social
audience has grown by 18%, social reach is up 36%, social engagements are up 59%, and website
sessions are up 35%. He showed examples of high performing content and discussed OTLCA’s
biggest investment is in the Gopher Sports Partnership. Significant website traffic is coming from
the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
D. Board Member Updates
Jeff Ackerson stated that we have a nice partnership with the 3 daycare duplexes in Ottertail city.
Regular Business Items
A. Resolution Approving Special Benefit Levy and Requesting a General Levy Appropriation for
Taxes Payable 2026.
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director recommended to maintain the same requested amounts as the 2025
budget - $644,287 Special Benefit Levy (Fund 23-705) and $200,000 General Levy (Fund 23-706).
The Special Benefit Levy can be utilized for operations and qualifying projects under the HRA
statues in areas excluding Fergus Falls and Perham. The General Levy can be used county wide,
for broad economic development use. Staff will work on a report regarding fund balances and
obligated funds. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the request for a
Special Benefit Levy (Fund 23-705) in the amount of $644,287 and the General Levy Fund in the
amount of $200,000. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Community Growth Partnership Grant: Henning Housing Study
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that the City of Henning is requesting $5,000, to support a
housing study to be completed in collaboration with the Henning Economic Development Authority
(EDA). The City and EDA have committed funds for the balance of study cost. Plans are to
complete the study early next year. Motion by Val Martin, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the
grant request of $5,000 and direct staff to prepare the necessary agreement with the City of
Henning. Motion passed unanimously.
CDA President, Dave Schornack left the room due to a conflict of interest with the following agenda
item; CDA Vice Chair, Jeff Ackerson took over the meeting.
C. Multi-Family New Construction Loan Application: Grow Perham
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated Grow Perham has requested a $100,000 loan through CDA’s
Multi-family New Construction Loan Program to support the construction of 24 units of affordable
housing at a total development cost of approximately $3,600,000. This development is in a Tax
Increment Financing District (TIF) which indicates that some of the units will be income restricted for
the term of the TIF note. There is a need for workforce housing in Perham and projected rents are
well below the requirements for the loan program. Terms are: $100,000 loan, 0% interest, 15-year
payment term, payments to begin 12 months after Grow Perham receives the Certificate of
Occupancy from the City of Perham and rents will remain at or below the requirement of the
program for the 15-year term of the loan or until the loan is paid off with no prepayment penalty.
Motion by Sean Sullivan, second by Dena Johnson to approve the $100,000 loan through the Multi-
Family New Construction Loan Program. Motion passed unanimously.
CDA President, Dave Schornack returned to the meeting and resumed his role as Board Chair.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Project Updates
a. Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids
There have been inquiries on the homes in Pinewood Estates, and one is moving forward as a
first-time home buyer with a local lender. Construction remains slightly ahead of schedule.
Other updates:
The Lincoln in Battle Lake is now pre-leasing with occupancy anticipated in November
2025.
North Fields of Dalton has two open 2BR units and a waiting list for 1BR.
b. Westridge Mall, Fergus Falls
Otter Tail County did not close on the purchase of the Westridge Mall. There continues to be
progress with the adjoining businesses becoming fully independent from the primary mall
structure.
B. Other Communications
This will be the last meeting for CDA intern, Aisling Cox as she will be going back to college
soon.
C. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 11:00pm, Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center
with HRA Board meeting at 12:45am.
Meeting Adjourned