HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 02/04/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
February 4, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:02 am, Wednesday, February
4, 2026. Amy Baldwin, CDA Executive Director called the Annual Meeting to order. 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. Annual Election of Officers
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated the 2025 officers were: Chair Dave Schornack; Vice Chair Jeff
Ackerson; Treasurer Sean Sullivan; Assistant Treasurer - OTC County Auditor-Treasurer; and
Secretary Amy Baldwin. She noted that the Assistant Treasurer position was previously held by Wayne
Stein; Liz Mickelson is his successor. The current officers are willing to continue in these positions.
There was a motion by Kurt Mortenson and a second by Dena Johnson for the slate of officers to stand
for 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
CDA Board Chair, Dave Schornack led the rest of the meeting.
3. Approval of Agenda - Annual Meeting
No additions or corrections - the agenda was to stand as presented.
4. Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Val Martin, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously. The Annual Conflict of Interest Policy was distributed for committee members’ signatures.
5. Reports and Presentations
A. Community Development and Housing Annual Report:
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director provided an overview of the annual report that will also be presented to
the County Board at a later date.
B/C. Director Status Report / Committee Reports
City of Perham will hold a Housing Symposium on March 12th.
New referrals to the Empowered Worker Program have been paused since Christmas,
will be relaunching.
D. On the Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator stated OTLC is continuing its partnership with
Gopher Athletics and expanding to other college campuses from a talent tourism standpoint. Eight
Gopher lineman are visiting the area and the Polar Plunge event also will be held.
E. Board Member Updates
Val Martin, Battle Lake’s Annual Meeting will be held February 5 with a slight change in presenters
and Amy Baldwin, CDA Director will be providing assistance.
6. Regular Business Items
A. 2026 CDA/County Service Agreement
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated annually the CDA executes an agreement between Otter Tail
County and Community Development Agency, which outlines the services the CDA will provide for
the County. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve the chair board’s signature
on the agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
B. CDA/HRA Tax Forfeited Land Development Policy
Amy Baldwin, CDA Director stated there are two policies associated with the CDA/HRA Tax
Forfeited Land Development Policy - one will be reviewed for a recommendation to the County
Board and the other will be considered by the CDA board for approval. The policies would help
facilitate the return of land that has been tax forfeited to productive use and promote opportunities
for development that align with local community needs.
Recommended County Policy:
Returns tax forfeited land to productive use, promote opportunities for development and
correct blighted conditions or develop affordable housing.
Request submitted by another governmental subdivision with an application.
Suggests a reduced sale price of 25% of the market value.
An application would need to be completed outlining the development plan, budget, and funding
sources. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Heidi Samuelson to approve recommending this
policy to the County Board for its consideration. Motion passed unanimously.
HRA/CDA Tax Forfeited Policy:
Provides a process for a private developer to acquire tax forfeited properties to develop
affordable housing or address blight.
Requests reviewed by CDA or HRA board depending on location – Fergus Falls/Perham
– CDA, other areas HRA.
Application must be completed, and if recommended the CDA/HRA board, staff would
present to County Board.
If approved by County Board, CDA/HRA would acquire and sell to the developer.
Application fee $500, includes a timeline, if not developed land would return to
CDA/HRA.
Motion by Heidi Samuelson, second by Val Martin to approve the HRA/CDA Tax Forfeited Land
Development Policy. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: New York Mills Housing Study
The City of New York Mills is requesting funds in the amount of $5,000 to support a housing study
in collaboration with New York Mills Economic Development Authority. Motion by Dena Johnson,
second by Heidi Samuelson to approve $5,000 funding to New York Mills for Housing Study. Motion
passed unanimously.
D. Community Growth Partnership Grant Extensions
Grant Extension recommendations include: if there’s progress being made on a grant an
administrative extension will be made and an addendum to the grant will be executed. If there has
been no progress or the project has substantially changed the grant would be closed out and an
applicant could reapply. Nine-month extensions are recommended. Motion by Heidi Samuelson,
second by Dena Johnson to approve administrative Community Growth Partnership grant
extensions for up to nine months if adequate progress is demonstrated. Motion passed
unanimously.
7. Discussion and Communications
A. 2026+ Housing Strategy and Work Plan
Project Roles: convener; supportive capacity; funding provider; project lead/developer.
Priority Housing types: single-family entry level; market rate workforce rental and
affordable senior rental.
Known projects – 7 single family homes - Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie and New York
Mills.
Likely Projects: Tax forfeit rehab of Fergus Falls home and New York Mills Senior
Triplexes.
On the radar: Smaller footprint homes, Pelican Rapids multi-family workforce, affordable
senior rental in Perham, Westridge Mall redevelopment, preservation of USDA Section
515 properties.
Innovative financing and partnership.
B. 2026 Committee Assignments
2026 Committee Structure will have no changes and continue monthly meetings and establish
workplans.
Housing Growth and Development: Dave, Dena, Jeff.
Workforce Support: Betsy, Bob, Kurt.
Business Development: Heidi, Sean Val.
C. Other Communications - none
E. Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services Center.
The HRA Board meeting will be Monday, March 9 @ 12:45 pm, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government
Services Center.
Adjourned