HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 05/06/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
May 6, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 6,
2026. Sean Sullivan, CDA Treasurer/Acting Chair led the meeting. Attendance was as follows:
Present in
person
Present via
Technology
Absent
Board Members:
Jeff Ackerson 11:18 thru 11:37
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 Bernstetter, Project Manager x
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x
Aann Christopherson, HRA Accountant x
Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x
Others: none
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. Roll call vote
was taken: Dena Johnson, Kurt Mortenson, Betsy Roder, Heidi Samuelson and Sean Sullivan all yes,
and Dave Schornack not voting. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Reports and Presentations
A/B. Director’s Status Report/Committee Reports
Sarah Bernstetter, Project Manager discussed the County Housing Profile prepared by
Minnesota Housing Partnership.
Workforce Support Strategy / OTC Works
o Project Manager-Workforce Navigator position has been offered.
o Convened a group of employers, education partners and other workforce
stakeholders to create a workforce strategy discussion to provide feedback and
thoughts on a refresh to the OTC Works strategy.
Childcare
o Groundbreaking event for the PioneerCare led Channing Childcare project.
o Applied for $10,000 grant to West Central Initiatives to continue contracting with our
Child Care Project Managers.
Business Development
o National Small Business Week is May 3-9.
Ava Hastings will be our summer intern, starting on May 18.
C. On the Map Report
Sarah Bernstetter, Project Manager, presented the 1st Quarter Placer.ai report.
D. Board Member Updates - none
5. Regular Business Items
A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: City of Pelican Rapids
The City of Pelican Rapids is seeking a grant in the amount of $25,000 to further support the
Business Façade Improvement Program to enhance their store fronts. Matching funds for this
request would be provided by Pelican Rapids EDA. The application was reviewed by the Business
Development Committee, who provided a recommendation to approve the application.
Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the City of Pelican Rapids
Community Growth Partnership Grant in the amount of $25,000 supporting the Pelican Rapids
Business Façade Improvement Program. Roll call vote was taken: Dena Johnson, Kurt Mortenson,
Betsy Roder, Heidi Samuelson and Sean Sullivan all yes, Dave Schornack not voting. Motion
passed unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Project Update: Vine Street Rehabilitation
Approved purchase price: $4,372.18 by OTC Board of Commissioners.
Paperwork submitted to the State of Minnesota.
Clean out of property has been tentatively scheduled, low bid was from Kildal Construction
LLC, contract to be awarded pending receipt of property deed. Two bids for the kitchen were
received from Cornerstone and Fergus Home & Hardware, with contract to be awarded
upon receipt of property deed.
Anticipate bids for General Contracting work at June CDA meeting.
B. Other Communications - None
C. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services
Center with HRA Board meeting at 12:45 pm.
7. Adjourned