HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 07/08/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
July 8, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 8,
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 Joined at 11:15
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
Paige Carlson, Project Manager x
Aann Christopherson, HRA Accountant x
Ava Hastings, Intern x
Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x
Others: none
2. Approval of Agenda
Approval of Agenda motion was made by Sean Sullivan, second by Dena Johnson, and unanimously carried
to approve as presented with the addition of 5C - Application to Otter Tail County Opioid Settlement Fund
and that 5A and 5B were reversed from the agenda to the packet.
3. Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously. Commissioner Sean Sulliven posed a question on a financial report and Amy Baldwin, CDA
Director answered his question.
4. Reports and Presentations
A/B. Director’s Status Report/ Committee Reports
City of Fergus Falls will be hosting a housing developer engagement event with a focus on
redevelopment and greenfield opportunities on City and Port Authority owned properties.
Workforce
o Referrals to the Empowered Work Program opened to internal county staff on July 1.
o Closeout of the Drive for 5 Grant.
o Quarterly workforce convening was held with 35 people attending.
Childcare
o PioneerCare and Vergas Childcare were not awarded Deed Child Care Economic
Development Grants. $6.4 M in applications were applied for with $1.4M funds available.
Community Growth Partnership Grant Program overview from 2019-2026 including focus areas,
program snapshot and community examples in Vergas and Battle Lake. These grants help turn
local vision into visible progress.
Betsy Roder joined the meeting at 11:15 pm.
C. On the Map Report
Sarah Bernstetter, Program Manager reported
The U of M partnership with OTLCA will continue. An upcoming Meet and Greet is planned.
4th of July Placer.ai report comparing 2025 to 2026 was presented.
D. Board Member Updates
Val Martin – Phelps Mill Festival
Betsy Roder – New York Mills Fish House Festival and Lundmania
Dena Johnson
o Pelican Fest
o Potential of Pelican Rapids organizations joining together to make one larger group
Sean Sullivan – Fergus Falls recently held Fergus Falls Air Show
5. Regular Business Items
A. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: Battle Lake Housing Study
The City of Battle Lake is seeking a grant in the amount of $5,000 to support the completion of a housing
study by CEDA. The study would be completed by the end of 2026; Housing Committee recommends
approval. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Sean Sullivan, to approve the grant in the amount of
$5,000 and direct staff to prepare necessary grant documents. Roll call vote was held with Val Martin
abstaining and yeas from the rest of the Commissioners. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Community Growth Partnership Grant Application: Battle Lake Business Improvement Program
The City of Battle Lake is asking for matching funds for commercial rehabilitation. The program will
provide up to a $5,000 match grant to qualified businesses to make visible changes including brick
replacement and repair, window and door replacement/repair, awnings and signs, exterior
steps/entrances, parking, siding, painting, and landscaping. The requested grant amount is $15,000.
The Business Development Committee recommends approval. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by
Betsy Roder to approve and direct staff to prepare necessary grant documents. Roll call vote was held
with Val Martin abstaining and yeas from the rest of the Commissioners. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Application to Otter Tail County Opioid Settlement Fund
Otter Tail County is the recipient of the opioid settlement funds that are a result of a large-scale
agreement with pharmaceutical distributors and pharmacies. Approximately $3.1 million will be received
by the County over an 18-year period. Funds will be awarded to projects through a series of competitive
grant rounds. At this time, the focus is ‘Primary Prevention – emphasis on youth’. Staff is asking for
support from the Board to submit an application, requesting $20,000 to support the establishment of a
Countywide Early Childhood Fund. Motion by Val Martin, second by Sean Sullivan to direct staff to move
forward with the application. Roll call vote was held with motion passing unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Workforce Strategy Document
B. Project Updates
Vine Street
Westridge Mall
C. 2027 CDA Budget/Priorities
D. Other Communications – none
E. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services
Center with HRA Board meeting at 12:45 pm.
7. Adjourned