At the April 12, 2011 meeting of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), the topic of how the EDA could work with ORB Management on possible improvements to the EDA-owned Superior National at Lutsen golf course was debated.
County Commissioner and EDA Board Member Bruce Martinson relayed that the county committee reviewing bids for consulting firms would be meeting the next day. Martinson said that committee and ORB Management would like to meet with the EDA Golf Course Committee.
EDA Board Member Don Davison said, “We have no money to work with ORB.”
Martinson said any fees to be paid to ORB would come out of the 1% sales and use tax, to which EDA Board Chair Mike Littfin said, “Yes, out of our ‘share.’”
EDA Board Member Mark Sandbo said he did not think that was correct. He believed that consulting fees were allowed over and above the $20 million that can be bonded for actual construction of projects. Chair Littfin disagreed.
Davison said, “Could we ask them to come clarify? I’ve seen many projects that have added another layer of expense because of a consultant.”
Martinson said the county was confident that would not happen. “We believe we could have saved on previous projects if we had had a construction manager.”
“Before we do anything with ORB, we should have them talk to us,” said Littfin.
The board agreed, and Martinson said he would invite ORB Management representatives to come speak to the EDA about ORB’s potential involvement—and the cost of that involvement— to the EDA board.
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