HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 10/01/2025MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
October 1, 2025
1. Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 1,
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
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was to stand as presented.
3. Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Sean Sullivan, second by Dena Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
4. Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Status Report:
CDA has partnered with Elevate to house four Manufacturing Month tours in October. The tours
will be at Showcase Homes in Parkers Prairie, Bongards in Perham, Sted Foods and Re-
Ewe’able, both in Fergus Falls.
The Empowered Worker Program has been busy this fall. Staff met with M State regarding
continuing the training partnership. An application for grant funds was submitted to DEED for
another round of Drive for 5 funding to support the Empowered Worker Program.
Information on preliminary analysis of the Empowered Work Program’s return on investment
was reviewed.
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY -MINNESOTA
The Workforce Summit has been moved to December 11. A “Save the Date” has been
distributed.
Discussion on tax-forfeited property; board members requested inventory on tax-forfeited
properties.
B. Committee Reports were included in the meeting packet
C. On the Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator shared updates on the Rural Rebound Initiative.
D. Board Member Updates
None.
5. Public Hearing to Consider the Sale and Conveyance of Real Property
Chairperson Dave Schornack opened the Public Hearing at 12:03pm, in regard to the Sale and
Conveyance of Real Property. No additional individuals were present in person and no written
communication had been received. The meeting was closed to the public at 12:05pm.
6. Regular Business Items
A. Resolution No. 2025-03 Approving and Authorizing the Sale of Real Property and Declaration and
Form of Deed for Pinewood Estates. This resolution formally authorizes sales of properties in
Pinewood Estates; a deed restriction will be placed for a 15-year period on the three single family
homes. The MN Housing funding award is for use in the construction of workforce and affordable,
single-family homes. Future sales includes a requirement that restricts buyers to households whose
income does not exceed 115% of the State Median Income for 15 years. The vacant lots are not
subject to the restriction. Motion by Sean Sullivan, second by Dena Johnson to approve pending
with contingency. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Discussion and Communications
A. Project Updates:
a. Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids
Final lift on road will be completed this month and the City will take the excess fill.
Gas and fiber lines are being installed.
Closing is scheduled for October 31 on one of the single-family homes and October 24 on a
lot.
b. Westridge Mall, Fergus Falls
Westridge Cinema 5 Theater started the work of separation.
B. Other Communications: None
C. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 @ 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services
Center with HRA Board meeting @ 12:45 pm.
8. Adjourned