The Workgroups will be meeting on December 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Media Center (lower level of the Ortonville Public Library).  The following attachments provide a review of the goals that have been set.  At the December 9th meeting we will get to work on accomplishing the goals!!  Please bring along any information that you have collected since this last meeting.

Attachment:    Strategic Planning Session – Summary

Attachment:  Inter-Action Plan

Everyone is welcome!  You can join in on the Workgroup activity at anytime — with no obligation to make it to every meeting or to get involved in every goal.

If you have any questions, you can call Vicki Oakes at 320-839-3284.

We had a great meeting! We reviewed the priorities and goals that had been set with in-depth discussion as to the reasons these were set as the goals. Jacki and Katie have summarized this meeting and provided a list of “Next Steps” which will be reviewed and set to action at the next Workgroup meeting.

Date and time for the next meeting is being scheduled and will be posted on this site.

The Workgroups are open to everyone with no limit on number or depth of involvement. If you are interested in joining the process, please contact Vicki at 839-3284.  Hope to see you at the next meeting!!

June 16, 2010; 6:00 p.m.

Media Center, 412 2^nd Street NW

Minutes

Attending:  Angela Doren, David Homrighausen, Burt Nypen, Becky Parker, Elsie Perrine, Deb Larson, Craig Randleman, Don Sherman, Vicki Oakes

Oakes provided an introduction to the meeting at 6:08 p.m.

Doren and Oakes provided an overview of the Housing Workgroup projects and presented the Workgroup’s top goals as:

1. Collect and post information pertaining to housing (i.e. building & fire code contacts, health issue contacts, Post the Landlords & Tenants Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and obtain and post resources for purchasing a home).
2. Apply for the Small Cities Development Grant program for both commercial and residential rehabilitation and research other programs that would be available.
3. Encourage Council to pursue policies defined in the City Ordinances for dilapidated buildings.
4. Review options for assisted and independent living facilities.

Parker & Sherman provided an overview of the Promotion & Amenities Workgroup projects and presented the Workgroup’s top goals.

1. Connections.  Promote opportunities that bring people together to help them build connections to each other, their peers, their neighbors and the greater community.
2. Volunteerism.  Promote volunteerism and community service and enhance people’s access to information about opportunities to contribute their time, energy or resources.
3. Informed Citizenry.  Keep citizens informed and involved, so they can make educated choices about their lives and assist in finding community solutions to issues and problems and responses to opportunities.

Noting their first priority should be the “Sense of Community” Action Plan.  The Workgroup is working with the Ortonville Independent newspaper crafting a page for community news and focus.

Nypen provided an overview of the Commercial Workgroup’s projects and presented the Workgroup’s top goals.

1. Rehabilitation/Stabilization of the Odd Fellows building
2. Survey the community on perceived Main Street needs
3. Participation in Minnesota Main Street Program

General discussion followed on how to bring more customers to Ortonville businesses.  Also further discussion on the Odd Fellows building and the condition of the building being a public hazard.

The Workgroups, through consensus, identified the top goals as:

1. Odd Fellows building.  Stabilize the building/rehabilitation and identifiying a purpose for the building.  Suggestions given were community/cultural center – include theatre and use as a multi-purpose building.
2. Work with the Ortonville Independent to create a “Sense of Community” / “Lifestyles” section in the paper.
3. Collect and Post on the Ortonville Website the Housing information.
4. Survey the community and businesses

The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Submitted by:  Vicki Oakes

Call the EDA office at 839-3284 for more information.

Minutes

May 26, 2010

Java Jules 12:00 noon

Present: Becky Parker, Katie Hedge, Don Sherman, & Elsie Perrine

 Lakeside Park – In the works

-          Stay in tact with it   

-          Stay involved

Our Community/Environment

-          Clean up

-          “How it looks”

Community Pride

-          Communicating with community members

Coordination

-          “Art Activity”

Historic Downtown

-          Organizations that promote a better life

-          One category in paper! Chamber can be the arch.

-          Creativity

-          Life quality

Sue @ Independent– Willing to do this

Asset map

-          Community Service

-          News and info is FREE

Who’s out there with talent?

List of organizations

HPC?

Main Street Grant

Ask the organizations questions

Organization Lists

-          Common ground

-          Who needs the voice

Help with content

-          Paper

Next meeting – June 7th – 9AM – Java Jules

May 19, 2010; 6:00 p.m.

Chamber Office, 987 UW Hwy 12

Minutes

 Attending:  Angela Doren, Garry Swenson, Vicki Oakes

Absent:  Marilyn Hanson and David Homrighausen

Doren called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 What problems are we addressing?

Addressing the housing needs that have been addressed in the 2008 Ortonville Area Housing Study, the 2008 City of Ortonville Comprehensive Plan and the Planning Commission’s recommended Rental Ordinance.

• The Housing Study identifies the need for both independent living and assisted living units which is also verified with the consistent waiting list at Fairway View
• The Housing Study identified the need to transition renters to homeowners which this workgroup believes has only been compounded by the recent number of foreclosed properties.
• The Housing Study identifies that the City should pursue funding sources for both residential and commercial buildings.
• The Housing Study recommends that demolition of dilapidated and deteriorating houses should be undertaken in order to remove old and unsuitable dwellings which are no longer satisfactory by contemporary standards.
• The Housing element in the Comprehensive Plan is to ensure that quality affordable housing and healthy and diverse neighborhoods are available to all residents.  Housing policies focus on creating and expanding housing programs and policies that promote homeownership, affordability and a well maintained housing stock.  (Chapter 3, page 12 – starts the Housing section)
• The Ortonville Planning Commission has recommended the adoption of a Rental Ordinance for the purpose of maintaining Ortonville’s housing stock.

 What difference do we want to make?

To strengthen our tax base through improving the housing stock and expanding home ownership.

 Which critical issues must we respond to?  Consider short vs. long term critical issues.

Immediate:  The maintenance of current housing stock along with the expanding number of homes going through foreclosure.

Long Term:  The expansion of housing for both independent and assisted living.  Also the clean-up of dilapidated housing

Where should we allocate our resources? / What should our priorities be?

1. Research/obtain and post resource information on the City Website
   1. Contact information that pertains to health issues (radon, mold, etc).
   2. Contact information for building & fire code issues
   3. Post the Landlords & Tenants Rights and Responsibilities Handbook by the Office of Attorney General.
   4. Post contact information for rental assistance agencies.
   5. Post contact information for the area resources for purchasing a home.
2. Apply for the Small Cities Development Grant program for both commercial and residential rehabilitation and research other programs for rehabilitation assistance. 
3. Encourage Council to pursue policies defined in the City Ordinances for dilapidated buildings.
4. Review options for Assisted and Independent Living facilities.
   1. Review options to incentivize private investors to building senior housing.  (Action:  Contact Dan Bauer – local builder/built twin homes on Lundell – to discuss what type of incentives would assist.)
   2. Review plans to expand Fairway View / uses for EDA property located near Fairway View/Northridge.

 There being no further business, Doren adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 Submitted by:  Vicki Oakes

 Attending:

   Craig Randleman, Deb Larson, Bert Nypen, Rick Ash, Mel Reinke, Jan Nordick

 Discussions:

    Suggestion  of additional participants.

    Suggestions of businesses:

      Veterinarian

      Clothing store

      Movie theater

      Other????      

    Strategies to develop businesses and jobs

      Research

      On site visits to other towns

 NEXT MEETING;  MONDAY APRIL 5, 12PM  JAVA JULES     

March 23, 2010; 7:00 p.m.

City Meeting Room

 Minutes

Attending:  Angela Doren, David Homrighausen, Vicki Oakes

Absent:  Marilyn Hanson and Garry Swenson

Doren called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

 Reviewed March 3, 2010, minutes.

 Rental Resources.  Discussed the Planning Commission’s recommendations for the registration of rental units/landlords.  Consensus of the group was in support of the recommendations as submitted; however, if the Council was to decline this recommendation, the Housing Workgroup recommends a minimum of supplying the contact information and handbook on the Ortonville website.  Doren commented on her recent need to find immediate information on carbon monoxide detection as an example of information that needs to be provided to the general public.

 Dilapidated Properties.  Discussed the past processes taken on dilapidated properties and the need to review/evaluate the tax forfeited properties before accepting them back through the forfeiture process.  Oakes advised the past practice was to have a list of buildings reviewed by the Building Official and Health Officer as to any hazards and receive recommendations.  Consensus of the Group was to have further review of this process.  Doren requested a list of all EDA properties. 

 Oakes advised that she has a message in to Rosemary of the Minnesota Housing Partnership and plans to meet with Jody of the HRA to compile housing assistance information.

 Next meeting set for Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Meeting Room/Armory Building.

 There being no further business, Doren adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.

 Submitted by:  Vicki Oakes

Work Group

Minutes

 March 24, 2010, 12:00 noon @ Java Jules

Members Present: Becky Parker, chair, Katie Hedge, secretary, Don Sherman, Elsie Perrine, and Doug Holtquist

 Discussion Points:

Lakeside Park Project- Trailhead

*Grant is secure, but there will be deadlines!

*History of the Project

                – Group will gather pictures, information, history, specific details on the project.  Some contacts: Vicki Oaks, Nick Anderson, Kari Dorry

*Community Education about Project- Communication is Key!  We want to inform people about the project.  So much Potential!

                -Kari Dorry is willing to go on the radio and Sue will do a story in the Independent. 

*Becky and Katie will attend Next City Council Meeting. 

*We want to have a display of the Project where people can learn and ask questions about the project.  Some thoughts were the City Office (Armory)

 Next Meeting:  Wednesday, April 14^th @ Java Jules 12:00 noon

Housing Development Workgroup is meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the City Meeting Room – to view the Agenda & packet informaiton for the Housing Workgroup - click here!