The community had the opportunity to talk to representatives of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority at an open house on Tuesday, May 13. There were people available to talk about EDA housing programs, the renovation of Superior National at Lutsen golf course, the Small Business Development Center, and the Cedar Grove Business Park. Here, Realtors Jack and Sandra McHugh share information about the business park with Cook County Visitors Bureau Director Linda Kratt.
The Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) opened its Tuesday, May 13, 2014 meeting at 3:30 p.m. and after a closed session to discuss possible litigation completed the agenda in record time. Why the rush? The EDA was hosting an open house that same evening to talk to the public about its initiatives and community collaborations.
Cedar Grove dispute continues
Before looking to the future, there was pending litigation with KGM Contractors to discuss. EDA Attorney Baiers Heeren was first on the agenda with a report on the litigation process in a closed session. In 2006, the EDA became embroiled in a dispute with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), KGM Contractors Inc. and Short, Elliot, Hendrickson (SEH) over alleged construction violations at the Cedar Grove Business Park and who was responsible for payment of penalties.
Reopening the closed meeting, EDA Board President Mark Sandbo said simply that the EDA is entering negotiations.
In other Cedar Grove Business Park news, President Mark Sandbo said Cornerstone Community Church, which has purchased and built its church on the corner lot at the entrance to the business park has expressed interest in purchasing the adjacent lot. Sandbo reminded his board colleagues that at the time of the original purchase, that lot was put on reserve for the church. He said the lot sale price would be $55,000, which is a higher price than many of the lots that have been reduced to encourage sales and construction of new businesses which would ultimately be on the county tax rolls. Sandbo said the church understands the price remains the same for them. “As a church, they don’t pay taxes, so they need to pay a premium price,” said Sandbo.
Commercial Rehab contract modified to EDA’s benefit
Nancy Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS), who was managing the EDA’s commercial rehabilitation program until the EDA decided not to renew the CFS contract in December 2013, wrote to the EDA board offering to amend the contract. The EDA had contracted with CFS to complete the grant funding documentation, inspections and reports for two commercial rehab projects, at GunFlint Tavern and Java Moose. CFS agreed to complete those projects for a reimbursement of $20,762 with a fee for additional services required after June 12, 2014 to be billed at a rate of $75 per hour plus mileage.
EDA Treasurer Scott Harrison said because work was delayed due to weather, it is likely completion of the projects will be delayed. Harrison and Sandbo met with CFS in April and Harrison reported that CFS has no intention of requesting the additional $75 per hour reimbursement. The contract was modified appropriately.
Affordable housing evaluation sought
Treasurer Harrison reported that grant applications had been submitted to fund a focused affordable housing study for Cook County. The EDA hopes to receive a grant of $50,000 from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation and $13,000 from the Northland Foundation, to be used, along with donations of in-kind assistance from the EDA ($3,600) and One Roof Community Housing of Duluth ($15,000), to “assemble a team of affordable housing experts to study the feasibility and best practices of developing affordable workforce housing in Cook County.”
EDA ready for Open House
The rest of the agenda was quickly reviewed and acted upon and EDA members headed to their stations, to talk to the public about the various initiatives currently under way. EDA President Sandbo and Board Member and County Commissioner Heidi Doo- Kirk welcomed community members and encouraged them to ask questions.
Citizens and public officials chatted with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) representatives about housing; with Small Business Development Center consultant Pat Campanaro about business opportunities; with Jim Boyd about the Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s work; with Scott Harrison about Superior National at Lutsen and the upcoming construction project; and with Realtors Jack and Sandra McHugh about lots in the Cedar Grove Business Park.
At the end of the evening, EDA board members thanked everyone for coming and encouraged citizens to attend EDA meetings, which are normally held at 4 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. More about the EDA can be found at www.prosperitynorth.com.
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