HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 11/05/2025MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
November 5, 2025
1. Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:01 am, Wednesday,
November 5, 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 Heidi Samuelson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
4. Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Status Report:
The Housing Committee met at Pinewood Estates 3 weeks ago. Closings on two homes are
scheduled for November. An open house will be held on Friday, November 7, 5-6:30 pm. The
Lincoln in Battle Lake is near completion – an open house will be held in December.
Empowered Worker – CDA was awarded the Agriculture Grant for $96,000 - there were only 7
awards in Minnesota. The Workforce Summit is planned for December 11 and will be held at M
State Fergus Falls, Legacy Hall. Speakers include Carrie Brimhall, President of MSCTC and
Cameron Macht from Minnesota DEED. A Poverty Simulation will held later in the day.
PioneerCare Child Care Expansion – Habitat for Humanity will be the building partner. The
project has been featured on MPR.
The County was been awarded $20,000 from West Central Initiative to continue work with Child
Care Project Managers.
Attendance was good at the October manufacturing tours.
B. Committee Reports were included in the meeting packet
C. On the Map Report
Sarah Schake, Project Manager, shared updates from placer.ai regarding overnight trips and
responded to last month’s question on the health of resorts. Eric Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative
Coordinator stated that we are in partnership renewal mode at this time.
D. Board Member Updates
Dena Johnson stated that the Pelican Rapids road project is wrapping up.
5. Regular Business Items
A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: Clitherall Township Application Commercial
Rehabilitation. Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated that this application is the first application
submitted from a township. The project is for Vinta / Ice Cream and Candy and will be located on
the corner of Hwys. 78 and 210 by the current owner of Lakes Vintage and The Warehouse. This
component of the project will add an additional business concept to the current vendor market. The
funds will be used on improving the exterior of the building as well as accessibility improvements.
The requested grant amount is $8,000. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Sean Sullivan to
approve. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Tax Forfeit Property Review
Met with the County Recorder and obtained a list from pre-2016.
Four auctions have been completed in 2025; 60-70% of the parcels sell at auction.
Next auction is November 10.
Staff will continue to coordinate with Recorders Office staff on leveraging forfeiture
opportunities.
B. Review of CDA One Time Housing Appropriation Uses and Balance
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director presented a snapshot of One Time Housing Appropriation Uses and
Balance. The County Board authorized $2,000,000 in October 2022 for housing uses.
C. December Board Meeting and 2026 Board Meeting Schedule
The next scheduled board meeting is December 3rd and Amy Baldwin, CDA Director will be unable
to attend. Commissioners asked her recommendation on holding a meeting and she stated a
meeting may not be needed in December. Board Members present and online confirmed that the
first Wednesday of each month worked to hold 2026 Board Meetings at 11 am. She would also like
to hold a Joint Meeting in January between the HRA and CDA boards.
D. Project Updates
a. Pinewood Estates, Pelican Rapids – already discussed.
E. Other Communications
a. No additional information on the Westridge Mall
F. Upcoming Meetings
a. December Board Meeting - will not held in December unless needed.
Next meeting planned for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 @ 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room,
Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting @ 12:45 pm.
b. Workforce Summit, December 11, M State Fergus Falls, Legacy Hall.
7. Adjourned