At the January 8 meeting of the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, decisions were made on two significant contracts for the upcoming year—for the EDA’s housing program and for management of the EDA’s Superior National at Lutsen golf course.
The EDA board reviewed a request from Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS), which has been providing housing services for the EDA for five years, offering its services for January 1 – December 31, 2013. In exchange for delivering “a successful and comprehensive Housing and Redevelopment program,” CFS requested a “lump sum fee of $73,800, excluding mileage outside of the service area.” In the proposed agreement, travel outside the service area would be billed at federal mileage rates and expenses for lodging, meals, etc. would be reimbursed only with prior approval of the EDA. The fees for the CFS contract would be invoiced in the monthly amount of $6,150.
Nancy Grabko noted that this was the proposal agreed upon as the county began its “long-fought struggle for a levy increase.” Grabko touched on the amount of funding brought to Cook County for housing projects and said, “We will certainly continue to put this money to good use.
Former EDA Chair Mike Littfin worked with Grabko on the CFS agreement and he said the housing program budget had been adjusted to more adequately reflect what CFS is doing for the EDA. “To put it in a nutshell, things have changed,” said Littfin. “There was a change to the contract with Lake County—we are no longer working with them. There are new projects such as the commercial rehabs and new granting sources, etc. We used to have to pay someone else to inspect projects—that is now done by CFS. This really reflects what project costs are.”
EDA Board Member Scott Harrison noted that the amount CFS will be receiving is more than what was budgeted in the EDA’s levy request. Littfin said that is because the EDA, through CFS, will receive administrative fees from grants. That money will be applied to the housing program budget.
Nancy Grabko distributed a copy of the CFS contract for housing services that had been approved contingent on the county’s EDA levy approval.
Grabko shared a thank you card from a client whose home was rehabbed by EDA funds. Grabko said this homeowner had applied more than two years ago and when her house was first inspected, it needed more work than could be done with EDA funds at that time. However, Grabko said they told her they would keep trying. They were eventually able to get a combination of funding and worked with AEOA to get a new furnace and make other improvements to the woman’s home.
The housing client sent a thank you to CFS. Nancy Grabko said it was fitting to share the thank you card—an example of one of many success stories—at the January meeting, which was Mike Littfin’s last meeting.
Golf course contracts
The EDA also discussed two contracts regarding the golf course. Golf Course Manager Bob Fenwick said he hoped the EDA would take action on the pending contract with golf course designer Jeff Brauer of Golfscapes, Inc. Fenwick said it was important to get the agreement signed so Brauer could work on the construction documents and plans (such as wetland delineation) could proceed.
EDA Board Member Scott Harrison said the contract appears to have been written by a golf course architect. He said he would feel better signing it if the EDA’s attorney reviewed it first. Fenwick asked if the money to be paid in the proposed contract could be committed while the contract language is being worked out. Harrison agreed that should be released, as the golf course may miss a construction season if Brauer is not locked in.
The board agreed to advance $30,000 to Golfscapes, Inc. and to hold a special meeting after the attorney reviews the contract.
The EDA continued discussion from last month on how to proceed on golf course consultant John Wait’s contract. The board discussed the matter with its golf course committee and ultimately decided that it no longer needed the services of Wait’s company, Sirius Golf Advisors. It was agreed that Wait, who was hired by Cook County to evaluate and put together a plan for golf course operations, had done a good job for Superior National. However, Golf Course Committee Member Jim King said, “We probably have the resources in this county to get the job done.”
Harrison agreed, “I think it is time to say ‘thanks for a job well done’ and move ahead. Let’s cut the tie.”
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