HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 08/06/2025HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OTTER TAIL Government Services Center
COUNTY - MINNESOTA 500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on August 6. 2025, 2025 at 12:45pm
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN
Board Members Present:
Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Jeff Ackerson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
Leiand Rogness, Vice Chairperson
Others Present:
Amy Baldwin, QIC HRA Executive Director
Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor
Juiie Bakken, OTC HRA Accountant
Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant
Aisling Cox, CDA Intem
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:45pm.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the August 5, 2025 Agenda with no changes
noted. Motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Motion made by Leiand Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution No. 311 Approving Special Benefit Levy for Taxes Payable 2026
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director provided a recommendation to request the same Special Benefit Levy
amount as the 2025 request of $1,610,431. This will help continue with the strategic initiatives of "Creating New
Homes" and "Keeping People in Their Homes". A full agency budget, with Federal programs, will be presented
later in the year. She also stated the request would be presented to the County Board jointly with CDA & HRA.
Motion made by Leiand Rogness second by Betty Murphy to approve Special Benefit Levy for Taxes Payable
in 2026 In the amount of $1,610,431. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Call for Public Hearing related to Annual Agency Plan, Administrative Plan and Admissions &
Continued Occupancy Plan Changes and the 2026 Capital Fund Plan
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated there was a need to call for a Public Hearing to be held on
October 1, 2025 at the HRA Board of Commissioners regular meeting for the 2026 Annual Agency Plan,
Administrative Plan Changes, effective January 1, 2026, Admissions & Continue Occupancy Plan Changes,
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effective January 1, 2026, and the 2026 Public Housing Capital Fund Plan. The Public Hearing is requested to
be scheduled for 12:45pm on October 1, 2025 with a noticed published in the Daily Journal 45 days prior to
allow for the 45 day comment period. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to call for a
Public Hearing on October 1 at 12:45pm. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Resolution No. 312 Adopting Amendments to Community Housing Improvement Program Policies and
Procedures. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated the request to move the Down Payment
Assistance, Emergency Home Repair. Owner-Occupied Housing Leverage Program. Affordable Rental Unit
Construction Program and Rental Rehabilitation Program under the Housing Trust Fund. Tanya Westra,
Housing Program Supervisor reviewed the proposed policy changes:
• Down Payment Assistance
General language was clarified and cleaned up, income limit increase to 115% of State Area Median
Income, policy addition to include who is required to complete the application and whose income will be
counted, updated language of where Special Benefit Levy funds can be used, completed application and
documents due at least 30 days before closing and expanded language on home inspection guidelines.
• Emergency Home Repair Program and Owner-Occupied Housing Leverage Program
General language was clarified and updated language of where Special Benefit Levy funds can be used.
• Affordable Rental Unit Construction Program and Rental Rehabilitation Loan
General language was clarify
2ed and amended, increase the rent limit from 60 to 70% of the published rent limit, refined language to
describe the rent limit table, updated language of where Special Benefit Levy funds can be used, and
updated list of documents required at application.
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the recommended changes presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
D. Resolution No. 313 Approving Community Housing Investment Programs to be Administered through
the Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund.
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that HRA is the administrator of the Housing Trust Fund that was
established in 2021. There are $542,385 in funds that have been preserved in anticipation of MN Housing's
Trust Fund Matching Grant. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson second by Betty Murphy to approve the Community
Housing improvement Programs be administered through the Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund. Motion
passed unanimously.
E. Resolution No. 314 Transfer of Funds to Otter Tail County Housing Trust Fund
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that there Is $313,304.54 remaining in a total balance from the
Down Payment Assistance, Emergency Home Repair Program, Owner-Occupied Leverage Program (ROHL)
Affordable Rental Unit Construction Program and Rental Rehabilitation Loan. There is also a balance in the
Rental Rehabilitation Checking Account of $237,710.48, with monthly loan payments due of $818.36. Every
year there will be a transfer on funds until outstanding loans are repaid. Motion made by Leland Rogness,
second by Jeff Ackerson to approve transferring the balance of $313,304.54. Motion passed unanimously.
5. OLD BUSINESS-none
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6. DISCUSSION
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director discussed 2026 Agency Goais including:
• Maintaining a standard perfoimer status and working towards the high performer status for 2026 .
• Submit appiication to MN DEED on behaif of the City of New York Mills for the Small Cities Development
Program Grant.
• Construct 6 units of affordable senior housing in New York Mills if funding is secured.
• Construct and sell 7 homes through the MN Housing Impact Fund, if funding awarded.
• Research creation of a program to be used to acquire, rehabilitate, demolish and identify property to
facilitate construction of new housing.
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor discussed the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and
Public Housing Admissions & Continued Occupancy Plan including:
• Interim reexaminations - change from % based to a dollar threshold.
• Mandatory changes from HUD.
2026-2030 Public Housing Capital Fund Five Year Action Plan
• Addition of new capital activity costing $50,000 and above will require a Public Hearing
• Single Family 4BR - decks have been updated, SBRs are next and the duplexes will be last. Plans are to
continue to replace light fixtures.
7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
A. Tax Forfeited Property
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director has been looking at leverage with the help of Barbara Dacy for one-off
projects. They have looked at Crow Wing with their response to blight and reinvesting. She noted the assistance
of non-profit developers is very encouraging. She recommended setting up a draft policy with the County Board.
Board members stated this would be create consistency, there's a known value, and policies created should be
specific to Non-Project and Project. A review will be done - watch for future info.
8. GENERAL DISCUSSION - TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS
Betty Murphy's 5-year term is up at the end of the month. She was thanked for her service and presented with a
plaque. Otter Tail County Commissioner Bob Laman will recommend an appointment from his district at the next
County Board meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 2:50pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Secretary/Clerk Date
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