Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) housing program coordinator Nancy Grabko shared some really good news with the EDA at its June 14 meeting, followed by some potentially bad news.
The good news was that the long-awaited reply to the housing program’s request for funds for housing and commercial building rehabilitation has been received—the Lake-Cook County housing program will be receiving a $370,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Grabko shared the announcement letter from DEED, which explained that DEED received 85 “pre-applications.” DEED asked 64 cities and counties to submit a full application. Of the 64 that applied for DEED funding only 51 were approved. “It’s been a hard few months,” said Grabko. “Because it’s been such a competitive funding cycle.”
Collaboration is key
Of the 51 applications approved, only two applicants were single-entity applicants. All the others were collaborative efforts such as the one between Cook and Lake counties. “Partnering is very, very important and is looked at very favorably,” said Grabko.
“We didn’t get everything we asked for, but we’re darn lucky we got what we did,” she said.
Grabko distributed a brochure from the May 25 – 27 National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Minnesota Chapter (NAHRO) conference that she attended. She reported on her participation on a panel titled Collaboration as the New Normal. Grabko said as a panelist, she spoke about how Lake and Cook counties have been collaborating with other entities to secure housing planning and assistance funds. She reiterated the importance of partnering— and then shared concerns about the Lake and Cook County joint housing efforts.
Collaboration between counties falters
Grabko said her company, Community Fundraising Solutions, has terminated its contract with the Lake County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). She is no longer serving as the housing coordinator for the Lake County HRA. She told the EDA that she hoped to continue her housing work for the people of Lake County, but said she had been having administrative difficulties with the HRA for several months.
EDA Board Member Mark Sandbo said, “This is very disconcerting. What Nancy has done has been very successful.”
Grabko said she had talked to members of the Lake County Board of Commissioners and she said the chair of the Lake County board is concerned about the status of joint funding such as the DEED grant, and wants to continue to work with her company. “We don’t want anything to jeopardize this grant,” said Grabko.
EDA Chair Mike Littfin expressed similar concerns, as did the rest of the EDA board.
Littfin presented a draft letter that he and Grabko had worked on to be sent to the Lake County commissioners. The letter stressed the EDA’s desire to continue the joint housing program and requested a meeting with Lake County to discuss how that could happen. A unanimous motion passed to send the letter.
In the letter, the EDA offered to act as administrator of the housing program. Grabko said the original agreement between Cook and Lake counties said the administrative duties would alternate from year to year so that change could easily be made. “We’re basically just saying that we support this joint program and want to continue to work with Lake County,” said Grabko.
Littfin reassured Grabko that the EDA was pleased with the work she had done as housing coordinator. “I think I speak for the entire board – you have our 100% support,” he said.
The rest of the board nodded or said yes as Littfin spoke.
A number of Cook County officials—supporters of the housing program—attended the Lake County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 5. Taking part in discussion of continuation of the joint powers agreement was EDA Director Matt Geretschlaeger, EDA Board Member Mark Sandbo, EDA Board Member/County Commissioner Bruce Martinson, County Commissioner Sue Hakes, and Nancy Grabko.
Reached by phone after that meeting, Chair Littfin said unfortunately nothing was resolved. “In a nutshell, there was discussion, but the Lake County commissioners said the EDA and the HRA need to meet to sort out their differences.”
Littfin said that the Lake County HRA had since contacted the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) to meet with them regarding the possibility of AEOA administering the DEED grant. Littfin said he wasn’t sure of the legal ramifications of such a move, but said he believed that since Lake County is the fiscal agent for the grant, it could do so. Littfin said he hoped that would not happen, stating once again that the EDA has been very pleased with the work that Grabko had done in Cook County.
Littfin said the EDA and HRA are now working to schedule a meeting—a challenge in and of itself with boards of seven to 10 people—to try to find the best way to work together.
The good news, said Littfin, is that the DEED grant funding for Cook County cannot be taken away. “The grant money earmarked for housing and commercial rehab projects in Cook County, must be spent in Cook County,” he said.
In other business:
. The EDA board heard updates on its other enterprise, the Superior National at Lutsen (SNL) golf course. Golf Course Manager Bob Fenwick gave an update on the study being done regarding SNL by Sirius Golf Advisors. He said they were given a comprehensive tour of the course and they were very excited about the opportunity to conduct this analysis. He said Sirius had determined that an agronomy study is not needed, which will save the county (which hired the consulting firm) about $3,000. The report should be ready in mid-July.
. Grounds Superintendent Mike Davies said he has also offered assistance to Sirius Golf Advisors. He said the Sirius representatives said SNL had the cleanest irrigation building they had ever seen.
. Golf Course Committee member Mark Sandbo said he had also met with Sirius three times and he also heard how excited they were to be conducting the analysis. “They said they are impressed with our golf course. I love golfing there, but these guys are professionals and they are impressed. That is great,” said Sandbo.
. Fenwick also reported on the ongoing golfer survey. He said they have found that 76% of golfers come from over 100 miles away, with 30% from Canada and 15% local. Hal Greenwood said this shows the support for SNL from outside the community. Fenwick said that 80% of golfers who responded said “beautiful course, great views, etc.” But he said there were also some comments saying that the traps need work.
EDA Board Member Don Davison quipped, “If people are complaining about the traps, they must be landing in them. That is more a reflection on them than us.”
. Regarding EDA finances, Fenwick said they were not as bad as they could be, considering the weather. He said SNL revenue is behind 2010, but ahead of 2009. He said there were approximately 650 fewer rounds so far this year, mostly in April. He said there is a difference of $16,000 from last year.
ONETheTIME,next meettheng of theweekCook Countybegi – Gningand Marais/10Economic20 Development Authority is Tuesday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Grand Marais City Council Chambers.
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