HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 09/03/2025MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
September 3, 2025
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00am, September 3,
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, HRA Administrative Assistant x
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was to stand as presented.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Status Report
Pinewood Estates Neighborhood Party and Ice Cream Social was held August 19. The
event was well attended.
The August Housing Convening was virtually attended by 29 people. Topics discussed
included the community impact of housing and rehabilitation presented by Ben
Winchester.
The Empowered Worker Program has received 111 referrals to date with 8 participants
enrolled in fall semester at M State.
Drive for 5 Grant funding for fiscal years 2026-2027 has been released and staff is
working on an application to be submitted in early October.
A Workforce Summit is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at M-State, Fergus Falls.
B. Committee Reports were included in the meeting packet.
C. On the Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator stated that the August social numbers are in
and, while 2025 has been strong, it has slowed down in August. The Gopher relationship has
continued and there will be a presence at U of M and local events. On Friday, October 3, the
Greater Minnesota Digital Marketing Summit will be held at Perham Lakeside Golf Club from
9am-2pm. The keynote speaker is Maha Abouelenein.
D. Board Member Updates
Commissioner Kurt Mortenson stated that the keynote speaker for the Greater
Minnesota Digital Marketing Summit, Maha Abouelenein, is exciting to hear.
Regular Business Items
A. Community Growth Partnership Grant: Perham Housing Study
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that the City of Perham has submitted a $5,000 planning
grant application for a housing study. The study is in collaboration with the Perham Economic
Development Authority and total cost is $19,000. Funds have been secured from the Perham
HRA, Perham EDA and Otter Tail Power Co. This grant request is contingent on approval by the
Perham City Council Meeting. Motion by Sean Sullivan, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve
the request for $5,000 for a housing study contingent on the application approval at the next
Perham City Council Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Placer.ai Report Review
Sarah Schake, CDA Project Manager gave a status report on Placer.ai. She walked through an
example that included Work Location and Living Location. The example shown was employee
living location related to work location - number of visits to work location, including a heat map
and location by zip codes. It also showed inbound commuters – the number of people who work
in a community and come from outside of a community. She was able to validate and confirm
information with census data and explained the process. Tanya Westra, Housing Program
Supervisor used some of this type of information on a recent project.
B. Empowered Worker Program Analysis
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director also spoke about the Empowered Work Program Analysis that
Aisling Cox, the CDA Summer Intern compiled. This report examines program costs against
direct costs – what is the return on the County’s investment in the Empowered Worker Program.
There are two primary revenue streams being calculated including Tax Revenue Generation
and Economic Assistance Savings. Currently there is an analysis being completed to determine
which assistance program sampled participants may exit as a result of their new income levels.
Final results of the analysis will be presented when available.
C. Project Updates:
a. Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor reported:
The three homes in Pinewood Estates are 4-5 weeks away from completion.
During the Neighborhood Party, held on August 19, 2-3 families showed interest.
The first home closing has been scheduled.
Final lift on the road to be done before Halloween.
b. Westridge Mall, Fergus Falls
Staff provided updates.
D. Other Communications - none
Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11:00 am, Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center
with HRA Board meeting at 12:45am.
Adjourned