HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 06/03/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
June 3, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 3,
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 Bernstetter, Project Manager x
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x
Aann Christopherson, Accountant x
Ava Hastings, Intern x
Paige Carlson, Project Manager x
Paula Grunewald, Administrative Assistant x
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was to stand as presented.
Heidi Samuleson present at 11:04.
3. Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
4. Reports and Presentations
A. Director’s Status Report:
Census Bureau 2025 Population Estimates.
New Workforce Project Manager – Paige Carlson.
Summer Intern – Ava Hastings.
Childcare – County awarded an additional $10,000 in funding through West Central Initiative
for childcare project managers.
Individualized Community Development Check-Ins.
Communication Metrics.
B. Committee Reports
Housing Growth and Investment: Site visit of 1209 South Vine, Fergus Falls.
Workforce Support & Digital Equity: Youth Skills Training Grant Awards to Fergus Falls and
Parkers Prairie Schools.
Business Development: Ava Hastings, intern will be working on a business development
marketing strategy.
C. On the Map Report
Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator reported:
174 events for the month of June on OTLC’s event calendar.
Recognition to the City of Fergus Falls for the successful Chris Tungseth event.
Tasha Rolfs has led the “Giants of Otter Tail” adventure experience.
Sarah Bernstetter, Project Manager presented:
Placer.ai report on the Chris Tungseth parade and concert.
D. Board Member Updates
Val Martin – City of Battle Lake is working on land transactions for future growth
Betsy Roder - New York Mills Great American Think Off is coming up, one of the finalists is
from Nigeria. Save the date for August 27 Symposium.
5. Regular Business Items
A. Consider Accepting General Construction Bid for Vine Street Rehabilitation
Amy Balwin, CDA Director reported
The deed has been received from State of Minnesota
Request for Bids posted on May 5th for general construction
5 bids received – 3 General, 1 Plumbing & HVAC and 1 Electrical - A second bid will be
needed for Plumbing and HVAC work.
Recommendation of staff to accept the bid from Dornbush Construction and prepare the necessary
contract. Motion by Jeff Ackerson, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed
unanimously.
B. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: Fergus Falls Housing Needs Analysis
The City is seeking a grant in the amount of $5,000 to support the completion of a Housing Needs
Analysis by Maxfield Research. The balance of the contract for the study will be funded by the
Fergus Falls HRA. The Housing Committee recommends approval. The total bill was affirmed to be
$20,200. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Heidi Samuelson to approve. Motion passed
unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Refreshed OTC Works Strategy
Why are we involved and what is our role?
Data has changed.
Employers appreciate our work – needs and gap.
Core actions will not change.
Revisions to the one-page summary document will be reviewed with committee.
Erik Osberg left the meeting at 11:55
B. Opportunity Zones 2.0 – Otter Tail County has two census tracts eligible, one in Fergus Falls and
one in Perham. Final recommendations for designation will be made by Governor.
C. 2027 Budget
Sources: Special Benefit Funding and General Level Appropriation.
Utilizing onetime funding for Childcare, Business Development and Workforce efforts
o Those funds are being closed out, general levy appropriation source of funds for this
work.
Special benefit levy request – should it be the same dollar amount as last year or same
percentage request?
The budget will become more detailed.
D. Other Communications
E. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services
Center with HRA Board meeting at 12:45 pm.
7. Adjourned