Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 04/01/2026HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OTTERTAIL COUNTY • MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on April 1, 2026 at 12:45 pm At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN Board Members Present: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson Jeff Ackerson Leland (Lee) Rogness, Vice Chairperson Megan Myers, Virtual Absent: Kurt Mortenson Others Present: Amy Baldwin, OTC HRA Executive Director Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:46 pm. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Government Services Center 500 West Fir Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56S37 Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Leland Rogness to approve the April 1, 2026, Agenda without additions or changes. Roll call vote was taken and motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, noted the year end financials were included in this packet. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Megan Myers to approve Consent Agenda without additions or changes. Motion passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Finance Committee Appointments Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, gave a brief background on what is involved in being on the Finance Committee and noted Lee Rogness and Wayne Johnson were appointed in 2025. After discussion Lee Rogness and Wayne Johnson volunteered. Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Megan Myers to accept Lee Rogness and Wayne Johnson as Finance Committee appointees for Fiscal Year 2026. Roll call vote was taken and motion passed unanimously. B. Resolution No. 333 Committing Housing Trust Funds for the New York Mills Small Cities Development Program Grant Application 218-998-8730 @ OTTER TAIL COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER @ ottertailcounty.gov LIVE YOUR best life HERE. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, provided a brief background regarding committing leverage dollars to help with the competitiveness for the New York Mills Small Cities Development Program Grant Application. Tanya Westra, HRA Housing Program Supervisor, spoke about the survey that was completed. The ask would be to commit leverage funds out of the Housing Trust Funds not to exceed $190,000 over a 2-year period, to be closed out by September 30, 2028. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Jeff Ackerson to commit up to $190,000 from Housing Trust Funds for the New York Mills Small Cities Development Program Grant Application. Roll call vote was called, motion passed unanimously. 5. OLD BUSINESS -None 6. DISCUSSION A. HRA Owned Properties In Vergas Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, discussed the three tax forfeited lots that the HRA owns in Vergas. There has been an inquiry about purchasing these lots. Direction provided by Commissioners to continue discussion with the interested party while using the drafted Otter Tail County Tax Forfeit Policy as a guide. B. House Relocation Opportunities Three house relocation opportunities were discussed -800 sq. ft. cabin near Ottertail, 670 sq. ft. home near Phelps Mill and property at 41421 Greenwood Trail. 7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT A. Legislative Update • Not a budget year. Potential dollars going towards the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant Program. • Some changes to Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit (SHTC} Contribution Fund policy wise and possibly eliminating the Sunset for the program. • 21 st Century ROAD to Housing Act. B. HUD NSPIRE Inspection of OTC's Public Housing unit took place in March We are in communications with HUD but presently unable to access the system to be able to report. C. HRA Accountant OTC accounting staff member, Aann Christopherson, has accepted the HRA Accountant position. 8. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS -none 9. ADJOURNMENT At 1 :55 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. Secretary/Clerk Pg.2