As part of her monthly report to the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), Housing Coordinator Nancy Grabko asked for approval to approach the Duluth Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to ask that it give Cook and Lake counties their fair share of Section 8 funding.
At the May 10 meeting, Grabko explained that under Section 8, established in 1974, the occupant pays 30% of his or her actual income for rent. Section 8 makes up the remainder of the rent, with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) paying the difference to the landlord.
She said the North Shore has been left out of the program for years. Although Cook and Lake counties are in the Duluth Section 8 region, Grabko said of 1,200 vouchers currently in existence in the Duluth region, only four went to Cook or Lake County—three to Lake County and only one to Cook County.
The problem, explained Grabko, is that the Duluth office said there were no landlords willing to work within the Section 8 guidelines. Grabko said that is something that can be overcome. “Give me a month and I can find people to do it,” she said.
Another obstacle was that inspectors had to drive up the North Shore to check out rental properties. Grabko said that is a service that the Cook and Lake County Joint Housing Program can now provide.
Finally, Grabko had a new study in hand that shows how badly Cook County needs affordable housing. The study, completed by the Minnesota Housing Partnership in collaboration with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, reported that Cook County’s options for affordable housing are so few that there was “insufficient data” from Cook County. This reaffirms a 2007 housing study conducted by the EDA.
Grabko was granted authorization to approach the Duluth HRA to seek more Section 8 funding for Cook and Lake counties.
EDA Director Matt Geretschlaeger said he would like to accompany Grabko to that meeting. He said, “Years ago, when we started complaining about this, they said we didn’t have the capacity. We’ve built capacity. Don’t you love it?”
Grabko said, “We want Cook and Lake counties to get their fair share, that’s all there is to it.”
Grabko also reported on a northeastern region housing meeting that she had attended. She said Iron Range Resources Chair Tony Sertich was the speaker and he was very encouraging. She said it was good to hear him say, “Housing is economic development.”
New manager reports on Superior National
The EDA heard its first report on Superior National at Lutsen golf course from new General Manager Bob Fenwick. Fenwick started by thanking the EDA for the opportunity to serve as manager of the golf course. “It’s nice to be here,” he said.
Fenwick presented the list of employees to be brought on board at this time to start the season, which was approved unanimously by the EDA board. He also presented draft job descriptions for his position as general manager of SNL and the golf course superintendent and director of golf positions. He asked the board to review the job descriptions and put them on the agenda for further discussion next month. Fenwick also noted that golf course staff is working without contracts and recommended that the EDA personnel committee look at contracts at the same time so all could hopefully be approved at the next meeting.
Fenwick deferred to Director of Golf Greg Leland and Grounds Superintendent Mike Davies for their usual monthly reports. “In the future, I’ll give the reports to let Greg and Mike do their jobs at the golf course, but I wanted to see the format they use,” he said.
Leland distributed information on revenue from memberships, rounds and the pro shop. Overall revenue to date was down $10,546, which he said is due to the dramatic decline in rounds of golf because of bad weather. “Weather is everything,” said Leland.
After their reports, Fenwick added compliments to golf course mechanic Jim Zunker for his work keeping things going. He also thanked Mike Davies for a thorough tour and explanation of what is needed to just keep the golf course functioning.
Fenwick said that it is extremely important to fill the golf course’s equipment needs immediately. He said after the tour he is suggesting eliminating some of the sand traps, because they are not really needed and they are just too difficult to maintain. He said maintaining the tees, the irrigation system, fairways, and necessary sand traps are the priority.
And, said Fenwick, his No. 1 focus will be to get the 1% sales tax released for the imperative projects, such as roof repair at the clubhouse and replacement of equipment. He added that he will also be looking for other funding sources, such as possibly the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District, which may help replace a damaged culvert.
Fenwick said another goal is to alleviate or reduce the golf course debt.
And finally, he said is working to educate the public about the value of the golf course in Cook County and beyond.
Help for business park impasse
Director Geretschlaeger said the EDA still disagrees with the amount of its bill from KGM Contractors on work conducted in Cedar Grove Business Park. Geretschlaeger said the matter has come to an impasse, but he said the good news is that the League of MN Cities has agreed to cover the legal fees on this. He said for the first time since the EDA began construction of infrastructure at CGBP, he will have time to pursue other projects.
The next meeting of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority is Tuesday, June 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the Grand Marais City Council chambers.
Leave a Reply