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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 02/04/2026OTTERTAIL HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COUNTY • MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on February 4, 2026 at 12:45 pm At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center Board Members Present: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson Jeff Ackerson Kurt Mortenson Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson Megan Myers, Virtual Others Present: 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN Amy Baldwin, OTC HRA Executive Director Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor Julie Bakken, OTC HRA Accountant Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:45 pm. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Government Services Center S00 West Fir Avenue Fergus Falls, MN S6S37 Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the February 4, 2026 Agenda without additions or changes. Motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve Consent Agenda without additions or changes. Motion passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution No. 330 Accepting Grant and Interim Loan Awards from Minnesota Housing Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated due diligence items have been submitted to MN Housing except for the proposed Resolution No. 330. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson second by Jeff Ackerson to accept the Grant and Interim Loan Awards from Minnesota Housing. Motion passed unanimously. B. CDA/HRA Tax Forfeited Land Development Policy Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated we received feedback from last month and reviewed with the CDA Housing Committee and they had some recommendations. There are two policies. Policy 1 The first policy is a draft policy for the County Board to officially consider. This policy would help guide the County Board of Commissioners when they're presented with a request to purchase a tax-forfeited 218-998-8730 ® OTTER TAIL COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER @ ottertailcounty.gov LIVE YOUR best life HERE. i,----~------~ property for less than market value for projects that would either eliminate blight or develop low income housing. The development of forfeited properties can increase our tax base, promote development opportunities that are aligned with local need and local support and then also provide opportunities to correct blight or develop affordable housing. Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Megan Myers to present the County policy with the HRA's recommendation to implement the Tax Forfeited Land Development Policy to the County Board. Roll call vote was called, motion passed unanimously. Policy 2 Resolution No. 331 Approving the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tax Forfeited Land Development Policy Collaboration has occurred with the County Recorder's office, who manages the forfeiture process, to develop the proposed policy. New forfeited properties would go through the standard forfeiture auction process. An application would be filled out and brought to the respective board CDA or HRA. After due diligence, the respective agency would acquire and sell to the developer in accordance with the terms of the agreement that outlines project timeline, developer obligations and conditions of default. Included in the policy is a $500 application fee. Projects would need to either eliminate blight or develop low income housing. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tax Forfeited Land Development Policy. Motion passed unanimously. C. Independent Contractor Agreement with Barbara Dacy, LLC Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated the same services and compensation are proposed with a request from Barbara Dacy to reduce total compensation to no more than $10,000. Motion made by Jeff Ackerson second by Lee Rognes to accept the Independent Contractor Agreement with Barbara Dacy, LLC. Motion passed unanimously. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. March HRA Board Meeting Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 at 12:45 pm. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated the March meeting date of March 4, 2026, would have some attendance challenges. After discussion motion made by Kurt Mortenson second by Jeff Ackerson to change the March's meeting date to Monday, March 8, 2026 at 12:45 pm. Motion passed unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION A. Impact Fund Project Review • Expect contracts from MN Housing in April. • Anticipate starting in Parkers Prairie and then moving on to either Pelican Rapids or New York Mills. • Currently in due diligence process; requested approval from MN Housing for predevelopment expenses to purchase parcels in Parkers Prairie prior to contract execution. • HRA would contribute $10,000 per parcel -can come from the Housing Trust Fund. 7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT A. Community Development & Housing Annual Report Amy Baldwin, HRA Director provided a summary of the 2025 annual report. The report will also be presented to the County Board at a later date. Pg.2 B. 2026+ Housing Strategy Amy Baldwin, HRA Director presented an Outcome document from the HRA/CDA joint session and requested Commissioner feedback. • Around housing we are a convener, provide technical assistance, provide financing or funding and could be a project lead. Priorities are single family entry level, market rate workforce rental and affordable senior housing. • Known projects include Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie and New York Mills single-family supported by MN Housing grant award. • Likely projects: Tax forfeit policy for acquisition, rehab, resale projects and house relocation projects and New York Mills senior triplex. • On the radar: small footprint homes, multi-family workforce projects, affordable senior rental, Westridge Mall redevelopment, Section 515 properties. Amy Baldwin also presented a report showing the balance of work and deadlines across the different areas and work plans across the year, especially for the first 6 months of 2026. C. Federal Update HRA's Congressional Directed Spending request has been funded. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS • Commissioners requested that power slides be shared. • Mahube is moving forward on a small pod Veterans housing project. • New York Mills could have potential for smaller sizes homes where the mobile home park is located. 8. ADJOURNMENT At 2: 10 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. Secretary/Clerk ~vcajza,?, Date Pg. 3