Welcome to the uh April 15th meeting of Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Uh it's 3:00. We're on time. We have a quorum. Uh Commissioners Olsen, Hansen, O'Brien, Leam More, and Gabler. And we of course welcome our
county commissioners, Gamble, and Sullivan, and appreciate their attendance and support. Uh first item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Is there anyone who would make a motion to approve the agenda?
>> Move to approve. >> All right, we'll second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion or concerns? If not, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Uh, next is approval of the minutes of
March 18th meeting. Uh, I know I've been through them and >> uh, we appreciate the professional quality of these minutes these days. And does anyone want to move approval of those minutes? >> I'll move. >> It's been seconded. Any discussion?
Hearing none. Uh, those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Uh, on to opportunity for public comment. Uh there's not going to be any apparently. So we'll move to new business.
Uh first is resolution 2613 designating Grand Marray State Bank as the institution of official bank depositories for 2026. Jeff, do you want to comment on that, please? >> Yeah, good afternoon everyone. I hope
you can hear me. Okay. >> Yeah, loud and clear. >> All right, great. Um I just wanted to let you know that uh you know as part of the 2025 audit that did we just completed the audit version of the audit here in the last
two weeks or so. Um, one of the things that came up was that on annual basis for statute reference there resolution, we have to designate a official bank deposit for
each year and so I make sure we got that accomplished this year. Um, pretty non-controversial. Uh, Grand State Banks been our official depository on
I think almost the beginning of the organization, but we wanted to make it official today and so for you the resolution and I can answer any questions about that. >> Jeff, is there is there a reason other than tradition that we're using Grand
Murray State Bank? Is the credit union eligible for our business? >> No. Has to be a charter. Well, the credit it has to be a bank that can collateralize our deposits with securities and credit unions can't do that. >> Okay.
>> We started with a credit union when we first formed and at about 6 months somebody told us, "Gee, that doesn't work." And so that's why we're at Grand Murray State Bank. >> And to our benefit, we do have some funds that do transfer back and forth
sometimes to hold on to those funds a little bit longer. So the bank institution has to be insurance accommodating. >> I'll move adoption of resolution 2613. >> It's been moved. Is there a second? >> I'll second it.
>> Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. opposed. Under resolution 2614 approving development agreement with Nanapush LLC
for the Norogan housing project in Grand Marray. Jeff, go ahead. >> Yeah, moving right along to the the main discussion of the uh of the meeting today. Resolution 26-14 basically approves the developers grant
agreement with Dan Bush LLC for the North project which we've already kind of working with 2020 but we want to make sure that the place and I apologize Jeff got back to me maybe a few hours
ago update I've had that update sended through Christopher Vera over at Fryburgger, our legal counsel. Uh he gave a thumbs up. Um and so um before you you had kind of an emailed updated
version of the of the exhibit A. Um and I can go over that. It was an email that sent out about an hour about an hour ago. It says compare results 15 16.
Um were some very minor changes. Some of them are just language changes like for you know landscaping for instance and that sort of thing included there. We just jumped on to article
13 which is article X I I um that was the major concern they had. Um what it comes down to is we want to make sure that if we're involved as an ER with projects involving especially
public funds, there's something more than just utilities in the ground. We want to start to see houses, right? I think that's the goal. Everybody that's working on this particular project is that we want to see homes being filled with folks that want to come to the
county, especially to work for that sort of thing. And so um if you look at um article 13 which is on page 13 of email um
basically what that is doing now is it's allowing for um you know indemnification of property and that sort of thing. And then it's also
in article five which is on page I'm getting to it here scrolling as fast as I can. Article five which is article B. So people who are paying attention uh article Z is on page five and continuing
on page six um into seven as well. And article 13 references article five. So if you go to article five, it says the following. It has these changes to the name. A declaration against the property for the purposes of creating this project
or common interest community in the form of planned community under statute uh which the declaration shall include the following. A short-term rental use shall be prohibited. That's that's I think what everybody was looking for in
this partic commence construction of a residential dwelling on lot within 12 months after the date of owners according title and um and also that shall substantially
complete the exterior building shell of such dwelling and includes roofs, exterior walls, windows and doors. 18 bucks after the acquisition. So those are the big ones. We wanted to make sure that the houses were being built and people were speculating on the
land sitting on it for years and years before they did something with it, whether to sell it or finally build on it. And so um I wanted to make sure that that was in there. I articulated and pushed that was kind of our position and
I I encouraged them to find that we both could agree to and came back with that today. I think that this exactly kind of is is a good compromise that we can all agree to and uh I recommend that this
this u article a um exhibit A signatured in we reached this today. I will give you a couple of more anecdotes real quick on a push. Um they will be of course the snow
ever melt. Um the uh KTM will be back on the property and will be doing what they have to do to get the infrastructure in so that way they can build homes. Um they these will be 12 new homes for Granarray. The goal is of course to sell
all 12 and I do know that they are working to close on their first property with the idea that by June that closing will be accomplished and that by October, maybe into the early part of November, there will be the first
completed home sale and first completed home and that family of four will be moving into that home. And then there's also another house that is there's an interest and they're hoping to to sell that as soon as they can as well. Um and
it'll be the number two home. So of the 12 homes there's there's potential to have at least two homes built by this year and I'm encouraged by that. I think that that's exciting and it goes to show you that single family homes in Cook County there is an interest.
>> Jeff, what's the this is Chris O'Brien. What is the expected timing of the improvements work that's being funded by the HA? >> Yes. Um, so they're hoping to have the improvements, of course, subject due to weather, you know, snow and stuff, but
um they're hoping to have it done before June. >> Jeff Richard Olsen, is is what you're proposing um you, by the way, you're sounding very garbled here. It's difficult sometimes to to follow you but um what you were proposing is that
enforceable uh I mean what I think the intent is there you we want to see things being built but is it even enforceable that clause 18 months >> that's a good question commissioner
sorry about the clarity of my phone call um I don't I don't know how to really change it at this point but I hope you can hear Okay. Um, it is enforceable. That was something that I asked our folks to. Yeah.
But again, I think everybody wants to build these homes and get these homes off the ground as soon as possible. Um and and so I hope we won't have to go that that far in the conversation, but um it is of course
Jeff Chris O'Brien again. Is the developer you mentioned the two homes that are hope to that that are potentially to be completed or construction will be completed this year? >> Um do we have a estimate of the timing of sale of the other lots of the 10 other lots?
>> What's the recourse? So that would start presumably start the clock that would start the clock for the 18 months on those other lots. >> Yeah. So the two that are being purchased are going to process now that that clock will start as soon as of course the the closing is is completed.
Um as far as the other 10 they're going to advertise. Um they very specific a lot of advertising that sort of thing those class will be available. Um and there hope of course is that stability. Now there are some unique challenges. I mean interest rates are going up right
now for construction loans and things of that nature. So um there's always challenges right and housing. It's always problem whether or not the person can afford to or what they want to do they want to wait that sort of thing. Um but um these two homes seem to be
getting off the ground. Well, let's uh see if there might be a motion on uh resolution 2614. >> I'll move to approve 2614. >> There a second. >> I don't know. >> I'll second.
>> It's been moved and seconded now. Any discussion? I think we've had that. So, uh hearing no more, I'll call the question. And those in favor of resolution 2614 say I. I >> opposed.
Motion carries. On to other business. Uh the director executive director's report. Jeff, you want to start with a Cedar Grove closing? >> Yes. So on the 24th of March, uh we closed on the two um the two property
parcels at Cedar Grove um park in Grammaray. And so that was something that was um the green between the EDA and the H back in 2004 that got accomplished. And um we are now the owner of two more parcels for potential
housing in county. >> Sorry. >> But I just wanted to mention that that is done now. Um the next one is the Birch Grove parcel of 64 acres that we asked our county commissioners to consider um giving us for housing and in
the west end of the county. Um so the county commissioners did support that. Um, and as it stands now, he auditor's office is working with the
uh with Bob Thompson to make sure that we have the state the state's processing the lease not least acquiring that officially and moving forward with that parcels as part of the 29 acres and I think the 64 is being
paid too. Um we still have a lot of work to do to accomplish getting developers on that site. Um I have had some preliminary discussions with a couple of developers. There's a couple of people that hinted some interest and a couple of other folks that maybe aren't so
interested this year because of commitments for 2027 already. Um I do want to have a a separate conversation at one point here with all of you to get us um moving towards where we need to be um identifying developers
and things like that. >> Uh the next one is the uh number three on my list is the fall project. That's the old photo motel across the street from the gateway I call it grand. Um,
we've had some developers conversations with Alex Hall on that property. Um, the last I had a conversation with him, but he is he's working to solidify his capital staff. He's starting to um provide us with some answers. The DBA
did ask for specific information from him by May 18th, which is today. And we're hopeful that we can get that information in the time. We do have to have construction on that site done by
January 31st, 2028 for the uh agreement that the EA has with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. You'll remember that they received a $1.3 million grant back of 2024,
early 2025, and we want to make sure that that money is supposed to be used for housing. Uh the plan still is to exceed units of workforce type housing multi housing on that site. >> Jeeoff, let me just make a comment or
two. Uh this is a situation where the EDA had to approve apply for the MH Minnesota housing grant and uh but they are expecting us to carry the ball forward. And so, uh, Commissioner
O'Brien and I have been attending calls with the EDA and with the developer. We're concerned because there the really lack of progress up to this point, but I think that we have we put out specific
requests for, as Jeff mentioned, in further information uh on the development and what their proposal is and and who they're involved with uh by May 15th. and and we expect some answers. Uh but uh the the the the in
spite of the fact that Duval has had the site and and did was involved in the original proposal, the grant and the Minnesota housing commitment is to uh the EDA and the H not to the developers.
So we do have some rights there if uh we're not seeing enough progress to take some action and uh it's a concern and and we will stay on it. So uh I think that some key information to have and uh
the the city was concerned as well and has been involved in some of those calls the both the mayor and the county the city manager. So, I think we're going in the right direction and and uh but we really need to get this resolved
>> because if you think about it, it sounds 2028, but that gives you a 2027 to get the thing built and uh and up to that point to get it designed and priced and all the other aspects of development.
And so, we need to see some action. So, uh that's my comments on it. Anybody else got a comment or concern? Okay, Jeff, keep on going. >> Well, please, thank you for adding those
comments to that that discussion point. The next point of my director's report is recent legislative activities. The duth chamber of commerce had their capital, Dave Hill, Lake County, Brook County, home.
Uh we had a great opportunity to meet with uh a lot of folks the legislative member house and senate u from both parties did not give up things important in the county um number one of course
for grand conversation about the extension trail and of course the last 10 trail were also discussed all three really important pieces to capital investment in in Cook County. Uh
there was there was an opportunity for us to move from room floor to floor and room to room to meet with other folks and u I don't know just maybe the course of cabinet. I just knew where to go. So, I went and Mayor Ben followed me and the
rest of the group went downstairs to wait for um somebody else and I ended up uh getting an extra 10 minutes uh with Mayor Ben, the DSL chair of the capital investment committee. But I thought that was a good it was a good uh good thing
for us to have that extra evidence and it gave us more opportunity to talk why it was important to have wage in that in that capital investment bill that might be coming up soon.
overall um you know that day that that next week was the coalition of greater Minnesota cities and the greater Minnesota partnership day at the capital and so I attended that day at the capital as well great
opportunity for me to uh talk a little bit about housing in particular um and why it's really important we have dollars that could be used for things like infrastructure and expansion of that program in terms of the amount of dollars. So, cities like uh city grads
specifically to be very specific and and precise and prescriptive about where those investments go in a community like Grand Ray specifically for new housing developments and things of that nature. Um, I actually also had a chance to
testify in both the House and the Senate Housing Committee and Capital Investment Committee respectively to specifically um weigh in on Senator Grant Child's proposal, which is exactly what it was,
uh, for $15 million for investment in infrastructure for housing greater Minnesota, which any dollar that can go to greater Innesota is a dollar that needs investment for housing and uh well
received. Um it was uh good that we accompany other cities across the greater Minnesota apparatus in Minnesota that we could uh say hey look this across the entire um north west south
east spectrum of so uh we've been going to be at capital a couple of times participate and hopefully that will be fruitful in the end of the session which is uh coming up here next month they're about a month ways are being done with those and work
the caption. Um, I touched on it briefly, but number five on my report is the audit uh, the preliminary audit worked with Megan Hansen over at Redcat and Megan
checks by the end. I gave her all the information that she needed. She got it. She transferred all of that information to Andy Gary and email is to that of course to double check number eight and otherwise we'll be done much further
ahead of schedule compared to last year audit. So looking forward to that being and really that's all I have for my report. Thanks, Jeeoff. And uh thanks for all the work you're doing at the capital for
one thing and uh and also for getting an audit done like seems like greased lightning this year compared to our previous experiences. So uh that's appreciated as well. Uh we'll move on to committee reports. Uh
let's see. The finance committee might have comments on the money spent this month. >> Yeah, it's really uh immaterial. I mean it's the uh uh you know the uh normal office expenses rent um but no other extraordinary expenses this month the
balance sheet we're this HR is still in a strong financial position in terms of its uh u balance sheet you know with um and um you know um so really nothing no change from last month.
>> Any questions on the finances here? any other commissioner items that they'd like to bring up? Commissioner Sullivan, >> I'd like to uh share something. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um from the capital, I was there last week for several days, second time, and we'll be going down
again the last week of April to hopefully seal a deal. Um but I wanted to let you know I dropped in on a couple of discussions related to housing. And the housing committee met actually a week ago and considered a bill um for a
constitutional amendment focused on housing. And it would add 38 of a percent on sales tax statewide to provide additional funding for home ownership, rental homes, and housing stability. Um so we will see where that
goes. And then I also listened to a discussion on House File 2462, which would appropriate an additional $20 million um of one-time funding to workforce housing development in particular. And
the focus is on rural Minnesota. >> So although that's not a tremendous amount when you spread it out statewide, it's a help. And uh it was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. So that's the current status.
>> Thanks very much. Any Commissioner Gamble? >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I I would say relative to what's happening at the legislature and in monitoring that that that rural dollars that that are being allocated or spoke for uh trying to
create a funding mechanism to help rural Minnesota. is always a battle between funny mechanisms that is trying to help the metro area and it's very frustrating. So our voice needs to be there and I always encourage that uh we we need to confront but do that
respectfully but our voice needs to be heard but when we see the allocation of dollars that are trying to help a metro area that has much more resource than we do it it gets frustrating. The other thing I would say is that there was a meeting uh last week and I mentioned this to Jeff in a conversation I had
with him with the ARDC and that was by parties um leadership throughout the county. It's something that the Arrowhead Regional Development does in order to position themselves for federal funding and federal funding dollars. And
so uh again uh leadership throughout the county participated. I'm not sure why the communication didn't necessarily you know get get to our board here but um the focus was housing primarily the discussion was housing issue and uh so
it continues to be something uh commissioner Mills who attended said that we are doing something we're demonstrating we're trying to do something but um uh and and we're moving forward to try to really understand the housing issue in the context of our
community locally so that we can address those issues. that uh you know people express that we need to meet this demographic that that maybe we're not not not meeting. So >> and the minutes that come back from that
I mentioned to Jeff I said I'll be sure that that information gets forwarded. That's great. And I was going to say, Jeff, I think we'd want to stay in touch with ARDC. Uh, and uh, you know, as well as the state legislature and there it's a
source of funding that we've had some before and we need to the one thing I know is if you don't ask, you you're not going to get >> and it's pretty simple. So, we need to stay stay in there. But, thanks for thanks for the information to both the
commissioners. Commissioner Sullivan. >> Uh, just to give you a heads up to on the 17th of June. I was just invited. I had been invited to the last meeting, but I was just invited yesterday to the one on the 17th at Cook County Higher. I think it's like at 2:30 in the
afternoon. I'll follow us. You have that as well. Um, but there will be I don't know if it's a followup discussion or discussion kind of thinking, but I'm glad that I was invited. that will be attending and absolutely
we can definitely >> great >> commissioner Sullivan. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Um just a little update if you didn't tune in to the county board meeting yesterday. Um one of the things we did is have a public
hearing on fees and the uh fees for uh developing the Roso district for the permitting and the platting has been reduced. um to try to incentivize. So, I wanted to make sure you were all aware of that. And thinking of Roso, one of
the models at Mink Ranch um is on the market right now. And so, if you haven't had a chance to actually go through this particular one was uh built by Chris Skildum. It gives you an idea of a property that is affordable that has
that shared septic and utilities. Um, but I would encourage you to take a look at it online or you can look at it here um if you'd like after the meeting. But um really exciting to look at it and the price so we know what the prices are here in Cook County is $3649
>> for a threebedroom one bath. >> Wow. >> So >> that Jeff where's that just Mink Ranch? >> That is Mink Ranch. It's um in Luden. It's in the prestigious West 265 Mink Ranch Road.
>> Wow. >> Very well designed, very well built. And it gives you an idea that we do have people here locally that can build something affordable for us. >> It's a data point that the model is workable. >> Yeah, >> exactly.
>> Well, and we'd note that uh Mr. Skillum was a original commissioner of the HA served for a year and then decided uh he was better off doing what he's doing and uh as a representative of
district 5, I can tell you I've been up to Mink Ranch Road a number of times. It is exciting to see it and a real what a Roso might look like and so it's been terrific. >> Uh Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah, thank you Mr. Chair on that point.
um uh the last uh week or so I've been looking at um uh modular home construction throughout the world and um there are some impressive modular homes and when we think of modular homes we think in a context that's unusual
um from what we're seeing current day and when you think of tiny homes and uh the refinements that have been put in place in that it It would seem to me in our community resourcefulness that we would be able to get a plot of land, do
the infrastructure, and and negotiate with a modular home supplier >> to bring in units that would be under $200,000 and units that people would clamor for. And if if you look at what it is you
want to build in a resident that meets needs in our community, cold environment, everything else, and you do that intentionally with the balance of the financial affordability, it's amazing what I have seen and and I
think we would be in a good position to to look at things through that lens and negotiate a price that would make things truly affordable. Well, that probably is something we ought to be thinking about for First Grove uh for one place and
there's plenty of property there and and I think it can accommodate multiple types of housing uses and and uh that would be one. So, >> thanks for the update, >> you know, and and Mr. Chair, can I just
add something to that real quick? >> Yes. in the um in the hearing the first hearing that I had in the Senate housing uh committee for Senator Huschild's bill um one of the questions specifically was does Cook County or Grammar in
particular have any sort of policies or you know adoption of allowing EDUs in people's properties and that sort of thing and accessing it to be like a house that is backyard and they could be renting that
out for an individual or a veteran or UT they wanted to um who they wanted to rent to but um uh the city adopted that a couple of years ago and I don't know that there have been many ADUs constructed in gram
but um you know if that's something that we want to start supporting H with possible funding or some sort of um resources that are available maybe a community conversation with the city council in mind, the partner and that
sort of thing, I'd be happy to do that, too. The EDUs can be tiny homes. Um, they don't have to be a second house on that site. Um, but, you know, if it's something that will help us alleviate the housing crisis that we have in Cook
County, definitely this is something that we maybe should be having some further conversations about. And I I'm glad it's Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah, >> Commissioner O'Brien. >> Just following up on that. I think
there's an educational opportunity for all of us. I mean, I think that both the work that Chris Gildam is doing and and the work that you modular home suppliers like Dynamic are is pretty inspiring. And and so, you know, I think that we have a opportunity. I think I I I would
support uh invitations to Chris if he could come and give a presentation or if if if we include in their in our monthly meetings some educational component about some of these efforts. Um yeah, I have one other um potential speaker that that the head of the uh building
efficiency program for um Fresh Energy, which is a nonprofit focused on environmental issues, is based in Grand Rapids, very focused on outstate uh efficiency improvement for small houses, coming up trying to come up with a um design or has implemented some designs that he claims are, you know, no
additional upfront cost and much more efficient um uh operations and but but but I think there's an opportunity to for for us to get to to share the expertise of some of these uh in some of these car areas that we've been talking about.
>> Thanks, Commissioner O'Brien. You know, the thought also occurs that maybe one of the important things with ARDC is to put these ideas out there because the more volume we can offer anybody in the market area, the better
because one of the aspects with the modular construction is the transportation costs of getting it from a factory to the site. And uh so there's a lot of potential here. Indeed, we need to be uh working on those. So,
>> we have the model from the heights. We know how to do it. >> Absolutely. >> I know how to stage them all. >> I was going to say it's not like >> adopt Gary left to be the person that we go to forever. >> I think I think his rates have gone up.
>> What I would I appreciate the recommendations and I will following up for future meetings. Um, I'm still trying to track down some folks that provide a presentation to us above potential for co-op conversations as well. >> Yeah. >> Um, and that has left my to-do list as
well. So, the future meetings we planned, I plan to have more of those educational conversations and hopefully that will spur some new opportunities for town as well. >> Very good. Any further commissioner items? Commissioner Hansen? Yeah, I'd
like to bring up the subject again of the local housing trust fund and um feeling impatient about that, I actually dove in on my own doing research on the on the uh statute and spent a lot of time reading and I can't
find anywhere where it says a I can't find anywhere in the statute where it says H members can't solicit donations. In fact, it's in in the statute, it specifically says they can solicit donations. Um, and I also didn't
I didn't find anything, you know, the the statutes I was finding that that uh covered this were from 19 or 2019, 2018. I didn't see anything really new on this. My intent was to kind of do some research so maybe we could narrow down
the question to the county attorney so we could get an answer so we could move ahead. But um I was wondering I was proposing uh and you know obviously I'm not a lawyer and and uh so I could well have screwed this up but um uh it looks
to me like we could just we could really move ahead based on what I unearthed. I was wondering if it's okay with the commissioners if I could meet with you Jeff when you're up the next time, spend a couple hours together uh going through you can check my work and we can go through the statute and and at the very
least narrow down our questions. Um so it'll be not such a daunting task for the county attorney. We can get an answer and get this thing up and running. But >> you know, it occurs to me we kind of have one already with the cascade money, right? >> So we're sort of doing it already. and
uh either we're already doing it and we can just continue to do it or we're kind of at risk by doing it without proper authorization, but we should resolve it one way or the other. So, uh but yeah, I didn't I I was surprised to could find
nothing prohibiting H commissioners from soliciting private donations. In fact, it's encouraged by the statute the way I read it. >> Well, we like your reading. >> Yeah. So, are you willing to do that, Jeff? And is are the commissioners okay with that if we just do a little work group and bring back the report?
>> Yeah, if uh Chair Gable, if I could add a couple comments to that. >> Sure. >> Okay. Um there was a statute change for local housing trust fund back at the end of this session. I I'll I'll tell you that Mr.
Um, what it basically has said before 2025 is that only county commissioners could create local housing trust fund just the same as they can create. >> Jeeoff, we're having trouble. We're having trouble hearing you again. If you could start that over again.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um, can you hear me in better now? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Just slow down and speak speak clearly and then we'll probably get it. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so um in 2025 uh the legislature passed adoption of new rules
for construction of local housing trust fund. Before that only counties cities could create that. Um but now um in 2025 they allowed some ambiguous sort of ambiguous language allowing for us to do
it ourselves. That's what I've been using as a basis for us to do this. Um, we could go ahead without county uh attorneys saying yes, let's do this. However, we're the first, I believe, in
the state that would be doing this. And so, I want to make sure and I think that that was the direction that the board wanted to go is to get the the non support of the county in this. And so, that's what I've been doing. Um, I spoke
with our county administrator uh last week in a meeting about this specific issue. She said she was going to reach out to attorney Peterson. Um, see if we're going to ask on that. Um, you might remember that I asked the county
attorney member on a specific issue. So, I get the frustration and I get the um the wanting to move forward. I I do. Um it's just that I know that also um workplace controls couple of pretty high profile
cases um being down in terms of health. I don't think um and honestly, you know, this is kind of new territory for everybody at once. Um I don't know. And I' I've asked about the potential to
maybe get someone else to weigh in on this that's not the county attorney. Um, but realistically we want to have as much support as possible. I believe at some point we'll be asking the county commissioners to supported as well to
resolution, but um it's important for us to get this right because we're the first. I want to make sure that you're not the poster child for how to do it wrong, you know. Um, but I'd be happy, Commissioner Peterson, to sit down with you and talk with you or anybody else in
the board about how we move this local housing trust fund forward. Um, specifically, you were mentioning something about soliciting contributions, and honestly, I don't know a statute, you know, you you probably found the statute that I'd be
looking for specifically. If it does encourage, then I think that's where we go. Uh, let's double check that. make sure that that you know maybe our attorney can verify that that is exactly right and then we can go forward on that. But I think this local hing trust
fund it does need to get done sooner than later just because we're we're we're an opportunity where there's still money available for us for matching funds and then of course um it's really an opportunity for us to do good with what we can by creating this local
church fund. So, I I think you're correct that they changed a statute to say that HAS could form their own local trust, local housing trust fund, >> but I just I kind of blew past that because I was like, our county board would support us in doing that. We could
we don't have to break new ground and be the that's you only do that if you're in in conflict with your county board, which we're not. So, we could just we could just ask county board to create it on our behalf and they could do that very easily. And that that's well settled. I mean that's done been done
many many times. I don't I don't see any advantage as far as I can tell there's no advantage to the H creating it on their own. >> Mr. Gamble. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I I think uh and I appreciate your work
and in investing this I think informing and certainly as a board helping inform the board as a whole. um clarifying intent as to what our intent is and the scope in which it gets applied is is hugely important. With that
clarification, looking at state statute, the parameters in which that could be played out is an important element. If we are in fact, you know, first to approach this, then there might not be any evidence of it or any reference to it in state statute. However, you can
you can either borrow similar information from other things or you can look at other states and look at what they've done to help provide context if in fact we don't have our own. >> There are dozens of local housing trust funds in Minnesota. >> Sure.
>> That have been around for a decade or more. >> Yeah. >> So, it's it's not a new thing. >> Yeah. Well, >> pretty easy to do and there's a handbook. You can look it up if you just want to look up the >> and and having all of that so that we're clear on on intention and then looking at the context what we learn from others
and that and I think as you referenced you know the the the agreement on the part of the board in in proceeding and there are many organizations that come to the board you know in order to enable either pass through dollars or other things in this regard. So once we've got
all of that in place I I I I think coming before the board we certainly would support it. Commissioner Solder. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the things I think we could all do as homework if um, Commissioner Hansen is going to um, be meeting um, with Jeff is
to educate ourselves by reading that manual. And so, if you go to the local housing trust fund um, online, they have the manual there. It's 80 pages. And I think if we could each read that thoroughly and then be prepared for um
Bill and Jeff to lead us through a discussion that might work really well for next month. >> Thank you. >> So let me know when you're going to be in town, Jeff. >> Yeah, absolutely. You know, to put a final point on it, I'm not definitely
forgive me if anybody thinks this and I don't want this to be the case. under one county. She has a hope that she she's doing the best she can at the moment. So, um I I personally think that
um you know, whenever we get this, we get this and it's really important for us to get it right. The county commissioners that I'm fine going in that direction. It's just that because of the state statute that changed in 2025 allowing us to do that. When I spoke with the Minnesota Housing
Partnership on how to create this in the first place and get their insight on it, um they vetted the process. They they saw the guidelines that we created and they they looked through the guidelines, supported it, and they directed me
specifically to work with the county attorney to make sure that it also get the county attorney. So, that's kind of been that process. You might remember back in early fall, we had talked about the process of getting this going,
looking at other counties, had small language for us to look at as well in counties and the other counties. It's just kind of it's a newer thing for us to have to be able to do it ourselves. If if the county does it uh through
their process, the county attorney is still going to need to look at it. So I think we're kind of in the same position. Uh if if the county uh commissioners are doing it or were doing it, they want to make sure that
county attorney the actual um resolution. That's what it really comes down to the resolution itself. We just want to make sure that we're engaging properly. So um happy to visit with you all
individually. Um and um we'll just I mean the eyes on the vice I've been focusing on this one like you said November and before that obviously with with our strategic plan early in the summer and looking forward to getting it
accomplished so we can get going and not to belver this issue but uh another option is to form a 501c3 which can also be done by the county and I think we should at least look at that uh to see uh typically ally that's a way of bringing in other partners right
>> and u might be advantageous in this case but so that's another line of research I'd like to follow just so we cover make sure we cover all the bases >> and Mr. that's unique too because that will allow us to take charitable
contributions differently. Um, and I think that there might be some advantages to doing that as well. >> This is just a thought, but I know that on occasion the county attorney engages
an outside council who's got a specific expertise. I mean, I see it more in trials particularly, but I'm wondering if there might be an attorney who would actually volunteer some time to the county attorney who's got expertise in
this area. Uh, it's just a thought that occurs to me. It I don't know who that attorney is, but it uh there got to be attorneys in around who have been involved in the creation of these. Well, uh further thought Commissioner Gamble.
>> Yeah, thank you. Yeah. Uh certainly the board would require that our our county attorney would have to give blessing to to whatever you know action we would take. Uh to your comment, I I I would agree um that um if we feel this is an
issue that uh we want expertise to make sure that we set down the proper foundation on it that we we often do, you know, go outside to do that. Given that that's the position and responsibility entrusted to her, we would we would ask her to give the
direction, but we'd also the board would have to say this is important enough that we'd be willing to do that. And I'm sure that uh uh there are you know firms like Lark and Hoffman that uh have done this in in many many instances and
certainly have the credibility. But >> so if we can identify one or two of those firms that have actually done this and I was even thinking about our own attorney Fryberger. >> Okay. uh in Duth they're
what we call white white white shoe law firms >> and uh it might be helpful. So Jeff, if you know of anybody or if you can find out from MHP for example >> uh it might be a way of going through to
do this. So >> I'd say >> that's a good point too. I did actually Chris Vera and I talked very specifically about that previous resolution that we passed with the other push project that
keep into it as well. Um and so there might be that through that as well. Um >> yeah, it's interesting. That's for sure. I'd suggest we we dive in first and really do our own research first just to
make sure we're asking the right questions. >> Exactly. Right. >> Very good. >> So, let me know when you're in town and we'll we'll knock that out. >> I'll do that. >> Yeah. >> Any further thoughts or comments on the
housing trust fund or any other matters commissioners have? I did hear a comment at a public hearing recently that, you know, that we've built two apartment buildings and neither one of them are full. And I'm just like, ah.
So maybe next time you're on the radio, uh, you can explain why Gunfl, even though they're technically not 100% full, no 51 unit apartment building is ever 100% full because people move in and out and there's a month in between. So,
>> but uh yeah, it's unfortunate perception that people have and really unfair to criticize the heights for not being full. They just opened three weeks ago. They're way ahead of schedule of where other the the rental agent for Gunflint View for the parent company told me that
that filled faster than any of their other 10 buildings. >> So, >> good to get that information out, Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. And for those that listen to this board meeting that there is only one available at Gunflint View and that is a
subsidized. So >> yeah that's that's the reality. There's one and as you suggest I mean there's rotating. Yeah. >> Any other thoughts or concerns? If not do I hear a motion to adjourn?
>> I'll second. >> Been moved and seconded. Any anyone not in favor? I think we'll just let it go. >> We're >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> Yeah. Thanks, Jeff. Thanks, Jeff. Thanks, Jeff.