you always have to go into the county system. Greetings and welcome to the uh monthly meeting of the Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority, May 21st, 2025. Uh I first I note the presence of
a quorum, Commissioners Olsson, Hansen, and Gabler. I also note the presence of our county commissioners Gamble and Sullivan and we give them thanks for their support and helpful input uh as adviserss here and uh also Heidi
Krampitz executive director of the EDA is with us and we appreciate uh our joint work together. First of all uh item approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to
approve the agenda? I move to approve. A second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Uh approval of the
April 16th meeting uh minutes. Any motion available for that? I move to approve. I'll second that as well. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Uh if not, all those in favor say I. I.
Opposed. Motion carries. Uh we have an opportunity for public comment. If there's anyone who'd like to step up to the mic, this is your chance for not immortality, but at least uh notice and and attention. Uh but I
don't see any. So, we'll pass on to new business. the executive director Jeff Brand, if you'd take us through the resolutions there, please. Yeah, commissioners, we have before us resolution number 25-05. That's our fifth resolution for this
year. This is for um your uh approval to work with uh Jane Penner and Nana Push LLC and Kim Wolf over at Timberwolf Realy to get um an Ir um application in for the Nana or the
Norogen project. Um and so you did this last year. This looks pretty familiar. We just updated the dates. It's the cleanest way to do it. We've got some new board members and also it's just um a matter of I'm new and so we just wanted to get this resolution before you. Uh Kim has asked for some
information from the last one. I want to make sure that you guys approve that so we can do that so we can work collaboratively to get this thing pre uh prepped and ready to go. Uh July is usually around the time that Ir will actually be asking for this next round of proposals for housing projects in the
TAA, the Tachinite um authority and Cook County just happens to be within that and we could use some extra money for some of these projects. And so, um, that's that's the background and information on that. And this would require $100,000 from us as a matching
to the $400,000 from the ITR if granted. Yes, that's correct. Um, no, when we did when we had the ARPA money, we earmarked $100,000 last year for that project specifically for the match. And that's that money is still in the account. It hasn't been touched and it is ready to
go. If and when we get this approval from the ITR this year was a request for 400,000 last year. Yeah, up to 400,000. Okay. I had 300 in my mind for some reason, but yeah, that's just me. And of course, things have changed a little bit from the
price-wise. Uh she worked with some of her um um contractors to get the updated bid and it still was within the 400,000. And that is for utilities, correct? That's correct. Yeah. Okay.
And we're squared away on the uh prevailing wage issue. Yeah. And so Ir has has um articulated to all of the projects um that have been funded and also the ones that are inquiring about this round that prevailing wage is essential for all
aspects of the project. The same as the Heights project here in town. um if they choose to take that money from the ITR. I'll move approval of the resolution, which I've already forgotten the number of 255. 255.
Resolution 255. And I'll second. All right. It's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. All right, we've got some work to do. Good. Are are you expecting
others to join this parade of grant requests? Um for the R. Um well, we expect one more and that is understanding the council approves a certain project in the hopper. Gotcha. Y
we have to be kind of careful with that because of course with our matching funds, we don't want to get above or beyond our skis. here. We have a budget just like everybody else. We have to adhere to that and so for the reasons I was asking. Yes. Yep. Absolutely. So they'll most likely be one more and again that's contingent on council
action in the future. Okay. 256 resolution. Yeah. So this one is a little different. This one is for the Heights uh project. That's actually I was just there this morning at 6:45 this morning and people were just going on uh on site to start their workday.
Took a picture to upload to our uh Instagram account to show us some progress. Um it kind of looks like a very very shallow swimming pool right now. But u they having to do much blasting there. Um they will eventually. Yeah. But right now, they've been working on
the grading and and getting the trees removed. And boy, it looks like a it looks like a a blank slate right there right now. Um with a little bit of water hanging out at the water table there. But um so this one is for a request and you'll see in the packet. I sent you the
uh the letter that I received from Gary Latz representing the CCREF um to um to request some additional funding. We already have a contract in place for the 80% AMI funding, but this is for some 60% AMI funding. Um, and so
typically in the past when we have a request like this, we've been using the the sustainable um housing aid that comes from the state of Minnesota. When I was in the legislature in 2023, uh the tax committee specifically created a carveout for aid for counties
and cities to deal with housing and making housing more affordable. and it was really up to the counties and cities to decide how in your packet is a couple of pages on requirements or recommendations for expenditures of that money. Um, in the past we we provided
that $85,000 or so to Gunlin View to provide 60% AMI um market against the market rate for um apartments. All of them are spoken for. They're probably all filled up right now with actual tenants that
are live and ready to start their careers here in Cook County. And um the request from the uh the folks at the Heights is that we also provide an additional amount of money uh for the next two years or so as part of their plan to provide some 60% AMI funding for
rentals in the September/ October time frame of this year. And so we have a little bit of time. Um unfortunately though in the legislature in 2023 is not the legislature in 2025 and incrementally it's gotten to be
a reduced amount. Um the certified 2025 amount was akin to about $35,000 which is about a $50,000 reduction. And so we informed Gunfl View of that and we um uh we have that money for the 60% AMI, but
we really don't have the extra 50,000 that the state was giving us in 2023 to solve our sustainable um housing issues um with affordability um any more than we have the $35,000. And so this would
be a request from the folks at the heights um to provide some of that money for um some additional 60% AMI. They're looking for nine units um of affordable housing there. And then they have a plan
um for the future that once those are filled that we could um see a phase two of specific 60% AMI uh rents at a phase 2 apartment uh complex in that same
neighborhood uh with some additional ideas for what to provide for the community on the on the basement or the the first floor with some childcare opportunities perhaps or something else. I'm just envisioning the future. So, what the request is is for up to 36,000
and change uh actually 40,000 I think is what we rounded it up to for the next 2 years if we have the money to be able to do that uh for the folks there. So, that's the request and if you have any additional questions um I'm happy to answer them.
the purpose of moving along. I'll move the resolution 256. Okay. Is there a second? Second. You guys going to keep yourselves busy? Yeah. Any discussion or further questions? No. I
mean, I just say this is what it's all about. I would disclose that I'm a limited partner in the Cook County Real Estate Fund that is backing this project. So, I don't think that requires me to recuse. I'm not theoretically I could make some money personally from it but I publicly
pledged to donate that money back to the H if I make any profit on it. So okay think but I should disclose and he's not here but Commissioner O'Brien is also a limited partner. Thanks for the disclosure. be amazed if
I if I get a profit off but could happen and actually uh perhaps it would be best if you didn't vote and Commissioner Olsen and I are a majority voting on the issue and that would be able to come is my understanding of Robert's rules and
uh and good practice I think uh well I'd just point out clearly this is what our mission is is to encourage housing in Cook County and and as affordable as we can get it, which always means some dollars from
somewhere. And uh we've been grateful to the state for providing some of these dollars and the county board for some and and other sources including uh Cascade Vacation Rental uh that might have an opportunity here to participate
as well. But we'll be checking that out. But the resolution does say assuming we have the money, uh, we'll we'll we'll contribute it. And I I really think that's doing what we need to do well. And we just for safe um peace of mind,
we do have $250,000 in a loan from U one roof when they close. They look to be closing sometime in late July, early August. And so that gives us enough time to consider that that could be part of where we get that money for this year. and next year
perhaps. So, there's a couple of things happening in our funds which is which is nice. We do have that um we do have access. Well, I would ask uh Commissioner Olsen to make the motion and I'll second it. I withdraw my motion. There you go. I'll
second that motion. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Uh call a question. All those in favor say I. I opposed. No. No opposed. That motion carries. All right.
Next item, Temperance Trail developer discussion. We were made aware recently of some citizen concerns about Peter Gish and Greenville Construction uh very specific uh email uh that covered some of those aspects. uh we take these
concerns extremely seriously and uh asked Peter for a response which he's provided. The finance committee uh which is commissioner Olrien and and me with uh as well as Jeff met and as well as Chris Verda our
attorney met virtually with uh Mr. Grubish and his team uh last Friday and uh we will continue we have other things we want to continue to do some due diligence on uh and we will continue
that process. right now. Uh there's some important deadlines coming up on that project that uh we'll be monitoring uh the fulfillment of because uh this is really an important project. It's
outside of city of Grand Marray. It's our first project that's out uh somewhere else and uh it's uh so it's important from that aspect. Uh our commitment here is to be a
active produce action uh be transparent and to be uh uh just basically uh cover a whole range of of of topics of housing. I think uh that process is
going to continue. Uh it did point out to us while the developer was vetted the first time around uh the that it really was an informal vetting process and uh that we've discussed that we probably
would be well advised to have a more formal process and which then in my view would cover not only the initial vetting but then some kind of an ongoing monitoring uh once someone's been selected. Ed for developing with us uh
that will keep uh keep the ball moving. Uh there aren't any final decisions here and uh but that uh we are really committed to seeing this through and and taking it seriously and so uh at this
stage our our our focus is on the contract that we have. We still own the land. We are not going to uh give up the land until we're convinced that uh the progress has been made that that we require. Primary progress is that's
underway is a uh they've got to make a submission to the county for plat approval which involves a lot of the wet land and storm water drainage and septic issues. uh and a homeowners association
documentation uh because there will be a homeowners association associated with the project. Um and so that's really a key. Then another step is providing uh construction documents, plans and uh and
eventually evidence of construction financing. So those are kind of major steps that are in the future and uh we'll just be continued to monitor that. Uh any other thoughts
from anybody else? I'm going to suggest that in terms of, you know, sort of developing a new policy for vetting potential developers that we defer that to the strategic planning meeting because then we'd have more time to discuss it than we would at this meeting and and the other
commissioners presumably would be there. Um, so that's a good point and and the strategic planning session is next meeting before our next meeting. So, uh, let's all make an effort to to be there
for that because this is a key key key issue. Uh, Commissioner Sullivan, yes. I just want to thank you for continuing to review the situation um and in also with your legal counsel and the developer and
I appreciate that decisions are being made that are well informed and really protect the interests of the H as well as the county. So, thank you for that. That's how we see what the finance committee's mission was was to delve
into these things and uh the larger board's issue is the vetting policy and and producing that. So, uh we'll continue to to work on that. Anything else from anyone? No, I agree. We should
um add it to our retreat. pretty well. Uh well, that's all I have on that issue for the time being. Just stay tuned. We'll keep people informed. Yeah. Uh
other business, the director's report. Okay. Well, I'll make that point uh the first point short since we're going to leave it to the strategic plan. you know, in um in this happening u with temperance trail and and the public being aware of what's going on, I think
that we all will do better as an organization to have some sort of an application process that has a paper trail where we can confer on what the requests are going forward, but we can also vet our future developers in the in the um next 500 or so housing units that
we still need here for Cook County. And so, um, I had a I had a small outline of ideas. I did reach out to a couple of different HASS in our region, northeastern Minnesota, for some ideas and what they have for applications. And so, I will come armed with more information than you'll ever know for
the strategic plan about that. Um, but I do have um a good idea for where we need to go and I think we do need to go there to have that transparency and that we can do some um more vetting and and and follow that through the process. you know, this this particular developer has
been a longterm conversation of with the developer. We've extended our contract with him for a couple of years now. And so, it'll be nice to see some development. I know the folks on the west end are um really interested in having this project go, whether it be
with or without that particular developer. We're still having this conversation, but um you know, I think at the end of the day um we still have to um do things. We have to be nimble. we have to change our ways when they're needed needing to be changed. And I think we're about 4 and 1/2 years old
now. So, we're developing new problems and we have to develop new strategies for those new problems. And so, here we are. I think that that is um a way for us to um to look at it as well, you know. And so, that's the first point I wanted to point out. The second one, Gunflint View update. I drove by the
Gunflint View just the other day and it said 23 units available. So that means 28 um uh new uh tenants um particularly uh tenants but also maybe some families are in Cook County. Maybe some people moved out of some of the homes that they
have in the community and allow new families to move into them as well. So that's I think what we wanted and you have a personal statement. Yes, I'm still looking. I'm I'm I'm searching underneath rocks and logs for um a good house for my family and I to move to.
So, yes. Um, but I just wanted to keep you updated on the numbers and the numbers look like they are doing well. Um, um, at 5:15 tonight, the planning and zoning committee is having in the city of Grammar is having a um, another
hearing on Yorkberg and the 2.0 project. Um we uh met as a community uh on the 14th of May and it was um decided not to take action to allow for another week for the developer to meet with the administrator for us to kind of scope
out the project a little bit more. And so um that meeting is happening at 5:15 tonight. If you're interested in coming um um I'll be there as well as long as this meeting doesn't go till 5:15. Um the next one, the heights groundbreaking
that's coming up on June 3rd. Um invitations have been sent. Most of you have replied to those invitations. So I appreciate that. If you haven't, boy, we're going to start making calls and so you might want to send your your invitation RSVPs here soon. And um like
I said earlier, you know, um I was at the site today. I'm kind of monitoring the project. I was really excited a couple weeks ago to see an excavator show up on site and I was really excited to see a sign that used to be in my office that's now out and open for everybody to see that that that project is partially funded by Ir funds. So,
thank you R for that and um we're getting a lot of RSVPs and it's exciting for the community to see another project pop up. So, that's my update on the groundbreaking there. strategic planning July 18th or June 18th rather at 11
o'clock here in this off in this uh meeting room here. Um and then Mary Somnis is going to be our facilitator for that discussion. As I said, I'll bring some information. If you do have a request for any information from me beforehand about any issues dealing with
the strategic plan, please send me those emails. I'm happy to dive in and get any information you need. um because I just want you to be armed with the best knowledge that we have to to create the best strategic plan for Cook County and Grammaray well into the future. And uh
that is it for my business for the director's report. Um in your packets, I apologize the first rendition didn't have it, but the financials are included. And so I know that Commissioner O'Brien isn't here, but uh I think it's pretty modest. Yeah.
difference in financial position was some expenditures for pretty routine items and nothing major coming in or out other than that. Uh but uh so I'll I'll consider that the financial report.
Okay. Uh but I would actually ask also as you develop some ideas or you hear from other HRAS uh or other entities of any kind about vetting process, the earlier we could get that before the
strategic meeting uh strategic plan meeting the better uh to give us time to digest it and and give it some thoughts so we get to that meeting pretty well ready to to go and discuss. Okay, Commissioner Gamble. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Just with regard to the
strategic planning meeting, if the board has identified its intent um and so strategic planning being such an umbrella but specific to this organization. So, in identifying on the front end, what is it hope we we hope to
end up with when we walk away from that concentrated time? That would be good. and some of the materials and things you're collecting, the vetting and some of these other things that are structural things for the organization. Certainly, if those are identified, both Mary and the board would have
expectations that that we're focusing on as as you go through that process. So, and to the extent that that's been done and I'm not aware, I'm just encouraging. It's great opportunity. So, the more that you can define expectation, the better.
Thank you. Yeah. in with that too. My hope is that I will have a working draft for the board to look at a week before our strategic plan. So if something's missing, boy, let me know right away. But um I've gotten three or four different HA applications from the regional folks. And so I think we can
come up with some good things out of that um for us to consider before that. And I think um when we when we talk about a strategic planning meeting, I just wanted to make everybody uh refresh everybody's memory that we had talked last month, I believe it was about
assisted living and that was kind of tabled for strategic uh planning as well. And so if there's any questions, I've been meeting with some folks in the community. I've continued to meet with folks in the community at the board's request. Um and if you have any information that you need from me, let me know. I've I've been collecting quite
a lot of information on that topic as well, which I will also bring in and send it a week before in the packet. Stuff from the Arrowhead Agency on aging, dealing with our populations and what they look like in our community, what the trends are in the future to
talking to some of the folks in the area about this issue and how they can become stakeholders, too. So, just to refresh everybody's memory that that will be coming back to us on the 18th as well. Thanks for that refresher.
Other topics. Anyone commissioners have another topic to put on the table? Um just uh my continuing effort to um recruit businesses to have
a a service fee set aside for to benefit the H. Nothing really to report. Um both Claire Stoddard and I have been super busy and and as is everybody else right now. So not good timing to go out and talk to businesses, but hopefully in June we'll get out and start trying to
recruit okay some businesses for that program. And then um one thing I wanted to remind Jason said that he was working with Hamilton Habitat about getting them qualified for the tax uh deduction set
aside where you can donate. you make a donation to a qualified project and 85 you can deduct 85% from your state taxes um of the donation and I just want to make sure that in the transition the ball doesn't get dropped on that. So I don't know where it stands but
just asking you to make sure to stay on top of that for that and actually are eligible for that money as well and uh and then to see what it takes to so we know ahead of time what projects might qualify for that. I think the state housing finance agency is the
administrating entity and they could guide us on how to deal. You know, I think it's been difficult for smaller organizations is my of what I've heard to to get qualified. They've changed their criteria though, so it's easier I
think now. Good. Yeah. Because that's needed. Uh, initially Jason had dismissed it because it was too unworkable, but then they they changed the they changed the uh the criteria to make it more because nobody was taking advantage of it because it was too unworkable. So, they've made it easier
and we should be on top of that. So, I still think there's a couple of tweaks that could be made and I think that um in speaking with our state representative and state senator, it sounds like they're interested in helping us to do that. I think at the end of the day, we want to make sure the money goes where we want it to go, which
is to the community, right? And not Minneapolis or St. Paul or Sego or any of those other communities. You can designate specific projects, but I'm not the when you go on the website, the criteria aren't clear. Well, it's interesting too because at some point they announced this year that they were
done giving out money and obviously we weren't ever part of that project or asked for that. But that also probably means that nobody from this community was designated earmarking. So we'll have to work to get the word out and think in the next year or two. But that's it's
we're going to have to think more creatively for funding at least in the short term. And that definitely is a way I've been thinking about how to make that thing really work well for us and um yeah, stay tuned. There's a lot of capacity for philanthropy in Cook County for a small county. So it Yeah. behooves
us to take advantage of that. Yeah. Well, let's keep the momentum going. Absolutely. I agree. Need it. Any commissioner items? Hearing none. Is there a motion to adjurnn?
I move to adjurnn. Okay, I'll second. Good. Moved and seconded. Any further discussion on that? If not, all say in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. We're adjourned. Thank you.
Thanks, Joe. Yeah, no problem. That was fast. half