Nancy Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS), which coordinates the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) housing program, said inspection of housing projects is one of its biggest challenges. She and EDA Director Matt Geretschlaeger presented a possible solution at the Tuesday, September 8, 2009 EDA meeting.
Grabko said the rehab projects being funded in Cook County through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Small Cities Development Program need to be monitored by a certified housing specialist at various points in the process. “One of the critical pieces is an inspector to come in and say ‘yes, a new toilet has been installed’ or ‘yes, those are the right size windows,’” she said.
One of the most crucial needs is for an inspector when there are possible change orders. A project can be delayed when an inspector must come from hundreds of miles away.
Geretschlaeger said he could provide the inspector services. In a memo to Grabko, he wrote, “As the current director of the EDA, I also retain 35 years of construction knowledge, and the management skills of numerous multi-million dollar projects. With such qualifications, we are in a unique position to be of service to you.”
Geretschlaeger proposed that he conduct the inspections needed with the EDA being reimbursed at the rate of $45 per hour plus mileage. Grabko said the money for reimbursement for inspectors is included in housing grants.
“Matt has the qualifications we need,” said Grabko. “A contractor may call me and say he has 15 windows on site that he wants payment for. Matt can quickly and easily confirm that yes, there are 15 windows there.”
EDA Board Chair Mike Littfin said it makes sense to have a local inspector. Board Member Hal Greenwood made a motion to authorize Geretschlaeger to serve as the inspector for housing projects. Board Member Mark Sandbo seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Littfin added, “There is money set aside in housing grants to pay for this, but do we want to pay someone to drive six hours to do an hour of work? It’s better to have someone local do this.”
Grabko shared some disappointing news. She said the Iron Range Resources Board will not fund a housing marketing study for a senior assisted living housing complex in Tofte as the EDA had hoped. She said IRR feels such a study is a developer’s responsibility. However, she said she would try to find another way to conduct the study.
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