A special meeting was held on Wednesday, February 23 to discuss the future of the directorship of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA).
After quickly deciding to follow current EDA Director Matt Geretschlaeger’s recommendations regarding payment of an engineering invoice from SEH Engineers for work on the Cedar Grove Business Park, the board went on to discuss whether Geretschlaeger’s employment should be continued. In July 2010, Geretschlaeger announced his intention to resign at the end of 2010, but agreed to stay on as a half-time director until March 31, 2011.
EDA Board Member Mark Sandbo said there are two pressing issues an EDA director needs to address: Settling a current payment dispute with KGM Contractors over work at the business park and marketing of business park lots to pay the bond expenses that have been assumed by the city of Grand Marais.
Geretschlaeger noted that business park lots are listed with Tim Kennedy of Gunflint Realty, but he said there is no marketing plan. It is something he would like to tackle, he said, but “We haven’t had time because I’ve continually been in a defensive mode.”
EDA Board Member Bob Spry asked how effective a director could be working just half time. Geretschlaeger said it is challenging. He said he was working two days a week, but recently switched to week on and a week off. “That way I have five full days in the office to get something done. It is difficult—but these are difficult times,” he said.
Sandbo asked Geretschlaeger if he was willing to stay on in a half-time position. Geretschlaeger said yes. After discussion of whether or not the EDA could function temporarily without a director, the board reached a consensus that it could not.
Board Member Jim Hall said when the EDA was without a director a few years ago, the board chair was a retired individual who was able to lend more time to the role in the interim. Board Chair Mike Littfin said he had a full-time job already. “It gets tenuous as it is, taking all this time off work for meetings,” he said.
Littfin suggested keeping the director on staff on a month-to-month basis, if Geretschlaeger is agreeable. Geretschlaeger nodded and Sandbo made a motion to retain the director at half time status on a month-by-month basis. The motion passed unanimously.
After the meeting adjourned, the News-Herald spoke with Director Geretschlaeger, asking him how he felt about staying on staff without a more permanent agreement. He said he thought it was fair, as he has made no secret that he is considering seeking other employment himself. “Either side can terminate this with 30 days notice. I just want to get some things cleaned up before I leave,” he said.
“I’m proud of the successes we’ve had over the last five years. We’ve brought thousands of dollars of funding into the county. We’ve enacted a very successful housing program. I’m very proud of the board actions and my actions.”
Leave a Reply