HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 01/07/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
January 7, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 7,
2026. 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 Dena Johnson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously. Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated the Year End Numbers will be presented at February’s
meeting.
4. Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Status Report:
Reappointment of CDA Commissioners Sean Sullivan and Val Martin at the January 6th
County Board Meeting for six year terms.
Open House at The Lincoln, a newly constructed 10 unit apartment building in Battle Lake
on Thursday, January 15, discussed CDA’s involvement in the project.
Sarah Bernstetter, Project Manager and OTC Finance processed 265 payments for the
Single Family Tax Rebate Program totaling $274,811 in 2025 – next year will be the peak
year and the year after payments should decrease.
Received the 2025 Outstanding Economic Development Award by the Minnesota
Association of Professional County Economic Developers (MAPCED) for the Empowered
Worker Program.
Referrals have been paused to the Empowered Worker Program as the County was not
awarded a second round of DEED Drive for 5 funding. 12 students are enrolled at M State.
County was awarded funding for the Agriculture Career Grant; waiting on contract
signatures.
Workforce Summit was held on December 11, 2025 with presenters including a DEED data
analyst. The summit was livestreamed and is available on County’s YouTube page.
CDA is facilitating an application with Bongards to the State of Minnesota Tax Exempt
Waster Water Bond Allocation.
Sarah Bernsetter, CDA Project Manager shared information on the Child Care Needs Analysis and
How Many Additional Child Care Spots Are Needed in Otter Tail County. She described how the need
is calculated; there has been a slight decrease in capacity as well as the number of children who need
care. The data does not include friends and family care.
B. Committee Reports were included in the meeting packet
Housing Growth and Investment - A tax forfeit opportunity was discussed at the December
committee meeting. Property did not sell at tax forfeit auction; staff is looking into what rehab work
needs to be completed for the home to be resold to a new buyer.
C. On the Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator, reported on the Otter Tail Lakes Country “Year
End Social Metrics 2025” including output, social audience size, total impressions, total
engagement and video views. All results showed that we finished strong.
D. Board Member Updates
Val Martin
o Battle Lake EDA has their Annual Meeting on February 5 at noon with Ben Winchester
as the presenter.
o The new Vet Clinic is open in Battle Lake with an Open House on January 30.
o The City purchased 70 acres by Glendalough that has a project hold on it.
5. Regular Business Items
A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: City of New York Mills
The City of New York Mills is seeking a grant in the amount of $25,000 to further support the
Downtown Revitalization Program available to businesses enhancing their store fronts as well as
eligible interior projects that will benefit the community. The program is proposed to be expanded
to allow for larger matches in conjunction with larger projects. Matching funds would be provided
by the New York Mills EDA. Last round of funds were used for improvements such as a new roof,
siding, windows, signage, parking lot work, exterior remodeling, and brick work. Motion by Val
Martin, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve $25,000 funding for the City of New York Mills 2026
Downtown Revitalization Grant Fund. Motion passed unanimously with Board Commissioner Betsy
Roder abstaining from the vote.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Other Communications
There will be a Joint CDA/HRA work session starting at noon.
The Annual Report will be presented at the next meeting.
Committee Assignments - will be discussed at the next meeting.
Many Board Commissioners will be unavailable for the March 4, 2026 Board Meeting - a
new date will be scheduled.
Drivers are needed for the Volunteer Driving Program:
o This is a volunteer service that drivers will receive paid mileage.
o Background checks required.
o Goal to have enough volunteers to help with the Empowered Worker Program.
o Partner with Wilkin County.
B. Upcoming Meeting:
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services Center
with HRA Board meeting at 12:45 pm.
7. Adjourned