HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 08/05/2026MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY
Government Services Center, County Board Room
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
August 5, 2026
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 11:00 am, Wednesday, August 5,
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 12:02
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
Paige Carlson, Project Manager x
Kendra Huseth, Assistant Finance Director x
Ava Hastings, Intern x
Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was to stand as presented
3. Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
4. Reports and Presentations
A/B/C. Director’s Status Report / Committee Reports / On the Map Placier.ai Report
Closed on a lot in Pinewood Estates.
The city of Rothsay will partner on a local Property Tax Rebate Program for new single
family housing development.
Commissioner Sean Sullivan and CDA Director Amy Baldwin attended the Fergus Falls
Housing Developer Summit.
Paige Carlson, Project Manager, submitted an application to support the Empowered
Worker Program with a focus on Peer Support Specialists.
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY -MINNESOTA
Children’s Corner has hired a new Executive Director and has added a Perham
Representative to its board.
Summer Intern, Ava Hastings, has worked on a business development marketing campaign
to increase awareness of business resources offered by the County and partners. She
drafted articles, social posts and news releases. The Business Development Newsletter was
included in the packet.
Sara Bernsetter, Project Manager, presented a Placer.ai Report on Retail Leakage.
D. Board Member Updates - none
5. Regular Business Items
A. Resolution Approving Special Benefit Levy and Requesting a General Levy Appropriation for Taxes
Payable in 2027
Staff recommendation, based on discussion, is to maintain the same request as the 2025 and 2026
budget years. $644,287 Special Benefit Levy (Fund 23-705) to be utilized for operations and qualifying
projects under the Housing and Redevelopment Authority statues (affordable housing, redevelopment,
elimination of blight) in areas excluding Fergus Falls and Perham. And $200,000 General Levy (Fund
23-706) that can be used county wide (Including Fergus Falls and Perham through Community Growth
Partnership Grants). Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Val Martin, to approve maintaining $644,287
Special Benefit Levy and $200,000 General Levy. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Discussion and Communications
A. Project Updates
Vine Street
Westridge Mall
B. Other Communications - none
C. Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 11:00 am, Otter Tail Lake Room, Government Services
Center with HRA Board meeting beginning at 12:45 pm.
7. Adjourned