Welcome to the uh November 19th, 2025 meeting of the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Uh first, I'd note the presence of a quorum of uh their commissioners uh Olsen, Hansen, O'Brien, Lamore, and
Gabler. Also uh with us, Commissioners Gamble, and Sullivan from the county board, and we thank them for their participation and their support. First, we have approval of the agenda. any additions or subtractions that
anyone wants to have? >> Um it looks like at one point um Andrea Toshi might be coming in to talk a little bit about healthy homes. She has a small presentation that she wanted to also include. >> Well, let's just include her, you know,
other either commissioner's business or uh committee reports >> maybe when she pops in. >> Yeah, that'll be great. With that addition, I move to approve. >> A second. >> Moved and seconded. Uh, is there any further comment on the approval of the
agenda? If not, say those agreeing say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Approval of the October 15, 2025 board meeting minutes. Uh, >> I'll move to approve those. >> Moved. Is there a second?
>> Second. Any comments on the uh meeting minutes of October 15th? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Opportunity for public comment. We're
going to simply delay that a little bit. Uh we have a member. We believe a member of the public will be coming shortly. So, uh we'll let that occur as it as it should. for new business. Uh resolution
2520. Uh Jeff, would you take us through that, please? >> Yeah, back in April, I um had a conference with Whipfle, which is an organization that previously did a
market analysis for uh demand for senior living in Cook County. um their their last goaround was over 10 years ago, so the information is somewhat dated. And I asked them if they could put together a new perspective um for what it would
cost to update that plan to 2025 and 2026. Uh they gave us a five-page response letter with some information. It was at the time $14,500. Um, I did bring that to the board in May and you know that was right before we
got to having a good discussion about the uh strategic plan that we had in June and July. And so at that point um just to remind everyone we kind of put this aside for a little while. We had that conversation ended up being that when we did the strategic planning that
senior living and elder housing became one of our top five priorities that we wanted to focus on in Cook County. And so I'm bringing this back up now after having a couple of more conversations with the economic the uh joint um
Grammar Economic Development and Cook County Economic Development Organization here to um to see if maybe we couldn't partner together on this um uh study. It's a $14,500 study and I made a resolution up uh for
$7,250 which is half of the total cost. uh with the understanding that we wanted to have a conversation about that again today. And if you do feel comfortable with uh passing the resolution, I will go before the EDA next month and have a conversation about that. Now, if that's
not something you choose to to want to do, that's fine, too. It's just really uh one of the things that we wanted to have a conversation about today and um and so that's why that is before you today. any comments or questions or concerns
about the joint uh proposal? U >> was there any sort of uh cost sharing? Uh the last uh time there was a market demand analysis. >> So the last time that there was a market analysis the H didn't exist right
>> and so it was EDA based and um at the time I believe they just they covered the full cost of it. You know, the argument can be made that we are talking about creating jobs and also housing options for people in the community that we don't have really any of now. And so,
it's a good balance, I think, between housing, which HR of course is our bread and butter, and of course, the jobs and economic development, which is the EDA's purview. >> Sounds like a good pitch to make to the EDA. >> I think so.
>> I'm I'm not a fan of this. just in my public opinion I my personal opinion rather I um it just seems really expensive for what's basically publicly available data that's not very accurate when it comes to Cook County um you know they're going to look at how many
seniors there are over the age of 65 and then they're going to have the penetration of you know needs for that which is runs at whatever 30% and they're going to give us those figures we can look those up ourselves plus it's going to be the same as the last study we had basically our population hasn't
changed It's aged a little bit. So, probably add two, three units and you're good. And I I think, you know, if we have $14,000 to spend, $14,500 to spend, let's give it to Anna Hamilton to subsidize one of her houses. Money
much better spent in my opinion. But that's just me. I will gladly ascent if the board wants to go along with it. It just seems like it's easier to study than to do. You know, I'm kind of in do mode at this point. we know we have a need and whether it's
you know and in my opinion these studies always come in a little low u because of just the nature of that study you know how they no nothing against whip whiff whiff but you know they're not from here they they
do kind of a standard study they do everywhere and we have a lot of local knowledge and uh with the studies we've already bad. It's uh it just seems like waste of time in my opinion. I've really
looked into it. I you know I mean I I always I'm I'm very on board with having good data, but I think we have good data in this case. And I think also there's some I think there's some demand there that's just going to be missed by a
study and and that's just my opinion. I could be wrong about that. Commissioner Gamble, >> I appreciate you letting me make a comment on this. I I know we had this discussion previously uh coming onto this board. Um I think that the best information you can get is what you get
at the local level. I think the generic information um as as you referenced um it's it's things that we can get that we know. I think and this is my comment previously. I think if we went out into the community, if we learn the nature of
the questions that get asked or if we specifically can anticipate based upon our demographic, I think that by holding meetings locally and getting the input from the people, we can take the generic
and marry it with the actual and that will give us a better, more direct indication of where need is and affordability and meeting that need at a level that is defined by our constituents. >> The question is the
>> um I don't recall the I I don't know the details of the previous study that was done. You said it's was back when was it done? >> Over 10 years ago. Yep. And um did was it u was it granular in terms of defining the need for these specific categories
of you know assisted living and memory care so >> okay so so this would be basically turning the crank and updating those numbers based on >> current demographics. >> Yeah. And what it does is it really puts everything into a report that's not just useful for us and really it's not very
useful for us. It's useful for the people who want to come here and build and create a uh a business model out of this. And so, you know, those people probably don't live in Grammar. They probably don't live in Cook County. Um we're looking at creating a new opportunity with new developers that
maybe it's a very specialized type of world. There's a lot of regulation around it. And so, for that reason, it's somewhat difficult to start new uh business models like this in other locations. But given the fact that up here we do have um an interest, we do
have a need. We're currently exporting to other locations, people who live here and reside here. Um it gives that it get good data I believe to the developers the future that are going to maybe be looking at an RFP. If we do an RFP, one of the first questions is going to
be do you have an analysis? And if we don't have that, one of the things that really is going to restrict or limit who uh bids on those proposals is going to be if we don't have that, >> I don't I don't disagree with uh the the
points that have been made. I mean um there's go probably going to be more demand and prices have certainly gone up in a decade plus. Uh but to to Jeff's point, I mean uh sometimes there are u seemingly obvious scientific studies that that are out where the general
public response is, well of course that study concluded this. Um but in order to move something else forward, sometimes that seemingly obvious study is required. It sounds like Jeeoff what you're saying is this is kind of the case where there is going to be some subset of potential developers where
they're going to ask us for this data and if our data is a decade plus old that would be uh a headwind. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I speak >> the um um I think a study like this will
probably work against us in that scenario of going out with an RFP to known uh we've been down that road. We went quite a ways down that road with the Spectrum company. They were very close to actually building an assisted living facility here. >> And then they they backed out. I think
partly market conditions, partly they didn't feel like that people they could find anybody to work there because they wouldn't be able to find housing ironically and uh or not so ironically. And actually, I think in terms of other developers, I know other developers that were approached looked at our numbers
and just said too small. We need, you know, we need 60 units. We need 70 units to make it pencil, which, you know, makes sense. I think if we're going to do this, we're going to be doing it with a much more local focus. We'll kind of be doing it ourselves in a sense. You know, I mean, obviously we'll have to
reach out for expertise and and maybe even uh you know, maybe maybe eventually have an outside organization come in, but we're going to have to do a lot more ground work into a study to make this happen. I can I'd be willing to write down today what that study's going to
say. And I'll bet you I can I bet you I'm close. I bet you I'm within 10%. And again, if we have $14,000 to spend, spend it on something a little more immediate. But >> well, maybe I'm just being cranky about it, but it just it just rubs me the
wrong way. >> Your opinions come up whether they're cranky or not, and you're entitled to them. uh but uh I I agree that uh the purpose of a study like this u might be helpful to uh broaden the field of of
who would come here to do something or even locally um give enough support to provide some action. And I I would I would if we were to proceed with this, I would encourage the whipfully to use the
local resources here for the basis of information and get the views of people like Commissioner Hansen or Commissioner Gamble. And I and I mean that um in a sense of of that would be some local
color and local concern. Um, and uh, I just think 10 years, you know, without updating data is probably too long. and for what and I I I wouldn't disagree that you we might not have 90 units of
assisted living need or anything like it but uh the fact that we'd have any is and and the fact that we don't have any assisted living after all this time is reason for me to try to move something forward that would might help and I am
not quarreling about the expense here uh but I don't really see much option that would be an outside opinion on that I think might be useful to outsiders and uh so I I would support this but with
the caveat that uh Wiffley uh does some in-depth work with some of the commissioners who have been through this before and uh have some experience with it. Yeah, one thing I would add to the discussion is I did add part of our
actual housing study to this, page six of it, which talks specifically about senior housing demand for 21 to 26. And so it does talk even in our housing study about the need for certain uh data points. We need some some uh 10 to 15 housing units that are subsidized or
affordable. Uh we need some market rate assisted living 30 to 40. memory care, a memory care independent, um, congregate, rental space, you know, that sort of thing. And so we do have some data points to choose from. Um, but if you
want the locomotive to come through, we have to build the track, I think. And and this is one of the ways that we can build a track to get the locomotive to stop here. >> Further comments. Is there a motion to approve uh
resolution 2520? >> I'll move to approve. >> It's been moved. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Been moved and seconded. Any further discussion on resolution 2520?
Those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Those opposed? I >> uh motion carries uh for resolution 2520. >> Okay. >> Uh
next is commissioner discussion on the future of parcel 2529145 commonly formerly known as temperance trails. >> Mr. Chair um I see that Andrea has come and maybe we want to go to our public comment. That's we'll go back to on the
agenda to opportunity for public comments and welcome uh Andrea Toffee. >> Yeah, go for it. >> All right. Well, hi, I'm Andrea Ty. I'm with County County Public Health and I coordinate two programs. One is the
healthy homes program and then the age friendly initiative. So with the age friendly initiative, we have um gather um information from our community in regards of what are the top priorities for our older adults and then housing
comes consistently as a top priority mainly because of the age of the homes and then the needs of aging in place, needs for modifications for insulation and um just to have a safe environment
as they um become older and with more accessibility needs. So we would like to uh bring this forward that we are hoping to continue working with the HA to bring the age friendly lens on planning for housing
development and hopefully continue to seek uh funding to support projects that address energy and um envelope improvement for the homes. Commissioner Sullivan.
>> Yes. Um I'm wondering if you could make available the report that you put together um for all of the H commissioners. >> Yes. >> Is that this we have >> Yeah, if you could do it electronically.
I'm just thinking so for minutes we could attach that. >> Yeah, I can do that for sure. Well, I thanks for your comments and your leadership as well on this whole subject and uh I think I can speak for
the board generally that we're in favor of finding more money uh more opportunities especially to expand what we started building on in a really small scale. and we know that more needs to be done and um we've just got to keep
knocking on doors for funding uh to enhance that. But uh anybody else want to have a comment on this? >> Just a question. Um is the focus of the age friendly action
plan also does it overlap with the focus of the healthy homes initiative or the or the envelope improvement program? Is it like is it focused on the housing quality and energy efficiency and so forth? >> It does overlap. So in the in the report that you have in front of you uh there
is a specific section for housing. There's a table there and one of uh implement implement implementations I can't speak. actions that we're going to implement are continue to work with the HA
>> and uh the other housing partners which CC clip >> to this to now is one of the healthy homes partner and finding resources most likely funding right now is what we
need the most to continue supporting the the work that we do. So I have uh in this healthy home cycle visited about 30 homes. About 15 of
those have been older adults. And most of the repairs or the improvements that I bring to them are uh resealing windows or uh replacing windows, replacing doors, closing gaps
where there is like air leaks, uh fixing roofs. There is a lot of rodents or animals that come in the roof and old homes and then older adults are not it's is harder for them to maintain the home. So the houses deteriorate kind of
in a more rapidly uh way and um the ages of the home most uh some of the houses are quite old and need a lot of attention. >> So so is the age friendly program then a sort of a subset of the broader housing
program or is it does it have elements that aren't related to housing? >> Yeah, I'll tell you a little bit more about the age friendly initiative. So because when we did the community health's assessment how um we note how
30% of the population in county is 65 and older >> and so for that we need to you know have the infrastructure in place for our older adults. So with that um and not only housing there are other top
priorities for like under the domain of livability. so they can live well and age well. Um there is healthc care, transportation, so housing comes um as one of those priorities and then we uh
able to get a grant through the ARP in Minnesota that joined the age friendly initiative and so they granted money to counties that wanted to bring uh the age friendly initiative. So Cook County has become an age friendly county. So with
that that what it means is like bringing the age friendly lens into all the planning and public health work and county work at large. So then the goal was to gather first the information from the community. So we
did it through surveys and forums and then to find the priorities and then create an action plan. And in the action plan is where I have the housing portion. >> Okay. Thanks. >> I have forwarded all the information
that she sent to me in that document to all of you. So you all have it as well. And I asked Jana to add it to the website for the meeting today as well. So it should be available to anybody who wants. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just commented that we presented to the board
in the public health human services and it's it's a good study. it it is uh specific to the things that we were talking about reflecting our community and I think when it comes to the housing issue another part of the I think the study indicated that 20.9% of that
senior population is a single population and so when we're looking at facilities understanding that that that affects two things it's how facilities are designed and it affects affordability based upon resource with a single family home so to
speak the other. So, it's multiple lens. >> When you say single, you mean a single person. >> Yeah. An individual. Yeah. An individual. Meaning living alone. >> Right. Yeah. Okay. >> And um so the it as I'm sure we understand it's a multiaceted thing.
When we're looking at this in the context of providing housing, it is who's our audience? And when we talk about I think the umbrella for this study which is age friendly age friendly definitely should influence design and
the things that are put in place for that particular demographic. So so it is it is that meeting that audience need and it is the financial need and it is the environmental need. So when you look at through all these lenses, then you come out with a
product that we've really thought this through in the context of those different perspectives. I'd have to say just looking at our board, the county is age friendly and but I appreciate your comments,
Commissioner Campbell, because uh you're right, we a holistic approach to this with a number of different lenses is really helpful. And uh we did such a small start and we know that a lot more needs to be done. Uh and uh and
affordability is always an issue and that we need to be concerned about. >> Absolutely. >> Any other thoughts or >> Yeah, just one quick thought. I mean, this continues to be one of the issues that we care a lot about at the board as you can tell and so we'll try to find
out any means possible that we can fund these going forward. I we're not completely exhausted on the funding yet, but we're getting very close to it with the last uh signatures of of the last month or so. And so, we'll be creating a wait list, I believe, is the next step
until we get some more funding. But in that process, it's still important that we keep getting some funding into the engine to keep this driving because it does help an awful lot of people in our community and that investment is local investment. >> Thank you.
you. >> All right. Thank you very much. Appreciate your presentation and your work. >> Yes. >> Leadership on it. >> Uh so back to the future of parcel 25291425
aka Temperance Trails. Uh Jeff, would you want to >> can I can I start with just kind of a basic >> Go for it. >> We stopped calling it Temperance Trails. >> Yeah. >> Cuz that's kind of associated with failure at this point. >> I think we should go back calling it
Birch Grove property. >> Okay, true. >> If everybody's in agreement with that, I think that's >> that's fine with me. I've been using parcel number just so we have something just for the sake of community conversation. Parcel number doesn't do any good and temperance trails just confuses people. Even in Doy, nobody
knows what that is. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Birch property, they're like, "Oh yeah, we know what that is." >> So Birch Grove property it is. If everybody that I think I would be able to make that life a lot >> it's a good point. >> It's a good point. >> So now is a little bit of a time for
discussion and dedicated time for um the birds grow property. See um I learned fast. And so um honestly, you know, we've had a little bit of time to separate ourselves uh from the previous discussion about this property and now
it's time to really kind of start figuring out what the future is going to hold for this property. I did create a memo. It's in your packet of a couple of different options. I did also complete uh uh include a couple of maps. One includes a map that kind of shows a little bit of the easements
um on the property that kind of help somewhat encumber some of that property from from development, including then is also a camp uh site as well that the Birch Grove School uses inside of the boundary that's that's been mapped out
and um set aside um by the previous H discussions for this site. And so, um, the real question is where do we go from here now? We could do nothing, but I won't advocate for that. But that is an option. We could say, "Well, forget
about it." We could give it back to the township and let them try to figure it out. Um, we could create a request for proposals. We could be very specific. I have a lot of great conversations with people locally and regionally on this particular issue.
And I've got a lot of good information about things we could add to that request for proposals and be very prescriptive and see what we get back. We could cast it the the net wide and see if anybody is interested. The third option um is perhaps that we roll up our
sleeves and get out and start pushing the car down the hill to get it jump started. Um and that could take on a lot of different u ways and looks and shapes and sizes. Uh we could get out and start building the infrastructure. We could
build a road shared septic with hookups, shared well with hookups, create lots, delineate these lots for sale and work with local developers or whoever wants to build sites. We could work with a developer who wants to build, you know,
we could dedicate uh this to a specific builder. We could have them create three different um types of designs for us. And as a prospective buyer, you tell us which one you want. The builder builds it, we sell it, that's it. Um, we could
take any other combination of of that hybrid conversation of getting out and pushing, so to speak, in there. Um, the the biggest thing is that I know the community itself has been wanting housing in this area for an awful long time. Um, Chair Gabler and I went to
talk to Schroeder Township and Toffee Township separately last week and both of those townships are very interested in housing. Toffee Township is very interested in still continuing with the HR to get something going. They had a
couple of things that they wanted for us very prescriptively in terms of price and size and kind of the target audience so to speak of of sing um not single family but single family um young
families to move to that area of the of the county. And so from there, we could do a lot of different things, but realistically, you know, it's kind of one of those things where we have to come to a consensus. That might take some time, but I wanted to have at least
the conversation to start today. Well, I'd add on uh the first first we went to the Schroeder Township Board and they're they're interested in it because it's a adjacent township and uh but I did mention the site that Minnesota
Power had uh given to the H. Um it's up back in the off the Highway 618. >> Yeah. and uh and Jason Hail put that out as an RFP and we got absolutely no
response and to that. And so I I just point that out for one thing. If it's going to be an RFP, um we really need to do more groundwork than just put it out, you know, here, come and get it is my is
my reaction to it. And uh the Schroeder Town Board mentioned that they had done something similar to what number three option number three is here uh that themselves with a parcel that they've subdivided into the lots and and sold
them individually and and felt pretty successful with it. Uh so that was of interest because it was kind of just more background for thought. Uh the other idea here, uh it seems as though
what we're looking at would be a perfect Roso site. The uh and and that would I think help us accomplish what the township wants. Township specifically said $200,000 sale price for a single
family home for young families. Well, that you know, you've got to work that back. But possibly if you start with the normal assumption that you're going to buy a lot for 50 to 75,000 bucks including the sewer or the septic and
the and a well and everything else. Uh and then and plus the lot price. First of all, there we can offer these lots with about $2,000 a lot based on $40,000. We're that's what the township
would like us to do. So, that's a a starting point. Whether we whether anybody can get down to $200,000, I don't know. But, uh, the other option that was mentioned by the township board was, uh, the idea of, um, pre-built
homes and that, uh, it might be a site where those would work very well and they could be done, you know, more effectively than stick built. And to be honest, reality with stick built is even if we provided them for local contractors, I don't know who could take
them up uh with any time. But these are I'm just free free association here of what I heard and what and what my impressions were uh that lead me to think that it might be worth an op but it would be a a different step for the H
to be an active participant in preparing that site uh with engineering work and uh design work of of the basic utilities and the uh I guess actually the water systems were already there, the wells
already there. Uh but uh I just want to point it out that that would this would be a change for us as a board uh if we went that way. But my own feeling is having seen the experience in Schroeder.
Uh if we're going to do an RFP, we really need to do more leg work than we did that time around. And uh and but there's a lot we can we can offer here. So >> this is >> other comments. Commissioner Henson who's a long time. >> Yeah, I've been involved in this for a
long time. In fact when I was I was the treasur of the town board for 13 years in Tafty and >> this was every head meeting I went to on the agenda. >> Um the um first of all I think the comparison to this and the RFP with the Minnesota Power property up on the
Kramer road really apples and oranges there is much much better location. And you got a school right there. You've got, you know, grocery store three blocks away. I mean, it's a much much better deal. And also, a lot of the work's been done. Am I am I incorrect on
that? But I when I was on the Johnson Foundation board, we funded a wetland study for this property. >> Yeah. >> So, that's done presumably, right? We don't have to do that again, >> right? >> That's done. And isn't the Isn't Aren't the lots sort of cited already? >> Sort of. >> No. Um >> I mean, the wetlands are delineated,
right? That'll tell you where the lots go. >> Wetland delineation is a federal thing through the Armed Corp. >> We have the pre we had the pre um um you know the the pre the the preliminary land use uh plan right is
done was done rejected by the county with a list of things to do. >> Yeah. >> But we have that. That's a starting point, right? What else do we have? >> We got the easements defined also. Um that was a lot of work and there were some that were kind of a surprise. ways down the road in in pre-development
costs. Uh which is an advantage. I think we and I I think we need to keep that in mind and not redo that stuff. It's expensive. Um, and then you know then and then we also have the additional thing to think about with the 80 acres of county property that now is contiguous to this
that the county is at least shown some interest in in uh perhaps uh donating to the H at some point to make this which I think also adds a lot of desiraability to a developer that might want to come in with the idea that there might be a
phase two phase three. >> Yeah. Um, so I think it's a I think it's a huge opportunity for us. I um I this may be a good time to bring up um I was just at a at breakfast with Gary Latz
from the um community real estate group um the community real estate fund and and who's been acting as the manager for the Heights. You all know Gary, right? And so we were just talking, you know, it was a social breakfast, but we were talking just the two of us. And um I
said that I had had again social conversations with people at the land trust at one roof in Duth where they had a couple years ago they were saying, "Well, we we just can't work in Cook County. It's too far away. We want to sell our land up there and kind of be done with we'd love to work there, but
we it's just not doesn't work for us." and they've kind of changed their tune and they're kind of saying, "Well, we didn't have any luck selling our land. We've got this land. There's other land available. There's other opportunities. Maybe we should go the other way where the land trust comes up and does some significant more projects and then they
could actually have a staff person up here because that's the problem is now they have to drive up every time they want to do something. It's just too far." Um, so they're interested in that. So I was telling that to Gary >> and he said, "Oh yeah, you know, I think there's a lot of opportunity for that and maybe in a partnership with the
community fund, maybe in a partnership with the H." So I said, "Well, you should let me give you Jeff's contact information vice versa." Well, I butt dialed Jeff by accident when I was trying to send it to Gary. And so I said to him, "Sure as heck, Jeff's going to call back in two minutes." And he did.
So he's like, "So I said, "Oh, sorry. I butt dialed." He goes, "I know, but I saw your name and I thought, well, we'll talk anyway." But um so he said, "What's it about?" And I said, "Well, you really want to talk about it now?" And he said, "Yeah." So I proposed this idea of a partnership between the community fund
and the and he's interested and u so I think it's later on the agenda. We have a bringing that up to have now organized a meeting with Jeff and and I'm willing to go I don't think Gary's included in that. He should be in that. Okay. in that meeting, but and with the one roof
staff to kind of look at their and it's not to decide anything. Obviously, we have no power to decide anything. It's just to talk and get an idea of where people are at, what they're thinking and what some of the possibilities might be. >> Uh >> well, but that's a kind of groundwork that wasn't done on the Schroer parcel
and and Right. right right and you know to get the community involved in it. I mean, >> it was not a desirable piece of land either. No, I think it turned out to be a very undesirable piece of land. >> Well, I think there's a lot of potential here and and uh I think we should, you
know, my opinion is we should not just offer it as is as another RFP. I think that would be kind of the lazy way to go and not very effective. And I think we should start exploring, you know, um, as we talked about in our strategic planning, exploring maybe more of a
development role for us, maybe not being the developer, but getting into partnerships where we have more input and more control. >> Um, bring our expertise and connect that with other people's expertise and and um, I don't know that the land trust would be interested in this property,
but um, but they might be. I think primarily they're interested in the property they own right now doing something with that but which is fair enough but um >> you know there's there's a lot of possibilities here. So >> Mr. Olsson >> yeah I think the land trust model is the
thing that we should be promoting for affordability purposes alone. I mean it's probably the one singular thing that can make the difference >> in this marketplace uh especially for beginners you know in real estate you
know first- time home owners it's uh it's a fair way of entering the market and and the more the more of that we have the more affordable housing we're going to have period >> and they are the people doing that one
roof housing so I I would support that for Commissioner O'Brien, >> I'm I just am enthusiastic about one idea that you mentioned, which is looking at this parcel as a as a potential pilot scale
project, a demonstration of the ROS, a combination of Rosa and and and the modular and the prefab housing. I think that there's a >> Does this qualify for ROSA? >> It's too close to Lake Superior. >> Yeah, I just checked the map. >> It doesn't front a county road. It's
there number of reasons. Although >> I don't know we you know that that just means that we have to get a variance right >> might know that the the one you know uh that the designer that produced the modules for the heights project you know I've seen on their website they've got a
you know standalone the standalone module home that's uh totally was designed to be energy star compliant and I just think that would be intriguing it would also meet the expectations of the of the desires of the communities to get
something built faster than than than to demonstrate progress. So it's unfortunate it's not in the Rosa zone because this would be that would have been pretty interesting pilot. >> I think the concept stands though >> well I do there would be a lot of great
conversation and I know that um some of the things that I just want to point out real quick so Northfield did a project very recently called Hillrest Village and I added have this for you here. This is a 17 unit affordable housing uh community that was created in November
2020 uh 2020. And um there was a whole bunch of different electric rebates that were in place to kind of create all electric homes um for that community of Northfield in this village. Now, I started having some preliminary conversations with Arrowhead
Electric cuz they're just up the road from from the site we have. Um and we are they're looking into it. So, we'll find out what they have to say in the future about something like this. Um, I'm also having a conversation on Friday morning with U. Phil Anderson from the
Center for Energy and the Environment and he's attached to this document as well if you have any questions about how this went. Um, did they use pre-built? Did they use modular? Did they what kind of sus out more more details
in terms of the conversation about our our previous designs at the site? Um, a couple of things. Um, Neva Maxwell and Land Services suggested we blow up any designs cuz they were kind of incorrect.
We'll say that. um and really some real questions about whether an engineer was really involved in some of that decision-m about the septics and stuff like that and and so we have the delineation that's done. We know where the wetlands are. We know where the easements are. We can kind of go forward
from there. That's true. Um and we can be very much more thoughtful about design. we can go into trying to find a way to make Roso work for that site and work with our county commissioners and uh planning and zoning folks to to make that happen. The one caveat I would
point out is that if you're looking at this site as phase one, the 80 acres is phase two. If we're building more than 25 units because it is within that real unique Lake Superior wershed, um it does
require an environmental assessment worksheet. That's not something that's prohibitive, but it's something that will cost some additional money for us as we go through this process. Um in terms of of of land uh land trust,
it's a unique opportunity. The one thing that I would say is maybe not unique uh about the site for this particular instance is that if we could sell the the acreage, if we could sell those lots individually for $2,000 each. And so
whoever buys the property buys the land as well, that builds instant equity into the house as well. So it might actually help when it comes time to purchase or to get a mortgage, that sort of thing as well. It's a way for us to help
subsidize the cost of the development and get closer to that $200,000 range. Um, working together with whoever we work together with gives us access to the same things that we have had access to for the Norogan project or the heights
with ITR or Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. It gives us some real opportunity to further subsidize these sites. But the one thing I want to point out is um we need 610 units of housing and this
doesn't get us anywhere close to where we need to go. But what it does do is I think provides a real opportunity for us to say here's what we want as nature. Here's the kind of construction we want. Here's the kind of amenities that we want to provide to the people who want
to live here in the future. And I think that that gives us an opportunity to really push levers and and buttons for the better of the future of housing in Cook County in a unique way that we otherwise
may not have an opportunity to do. >> That's well said and uh I agree. I think that the argument against subsidizing the property for the first time buyer is that it's just a gift to them. It's not a gift to the future.
>> Sure. So it makes their resale all the more valuable, but they'll get the full value of whatever the property is worth when they resell. Whereas in the land trust model, that's kept out in perpetuity, which keeps it affordable. >> Can you can you explain the land trust model? Do do they retain title to the
land? >> Yeah. So it's a nonprofit that holds title to the land. By the way, One Roof is very well established, very successful. I think >> 350 units built or something. >> Yeah. Or maybe more. And people who are living in those units here that were
built in Grand Marray love them. >> It's a real success. >> And they're no stranger to modular building, >> right? Yeah. and they're but anyway it's that's you know that's just that's more of a granular argument but >> um but I think it's um yeah I think I
think >> in this case it would be really appropriate for us to sort of dig in on a more >> on a more uh which I think could be a way of moving forward on senior housing too I think that's how that's going to happen actually the very first proposal
here was for senior housing exclusively >> those those plans are still in my office there on the wall. I put up on the wall so that people can see that when they walk in. >> So it um and yeah, so it's a and I think actually it would be um probably be a
bad idea to limit it to young families. I'm not sure how you can even do that legally and I think probably you would get a fair number of seniors moving. >> One of the ideas here Yeah. was to have some senior housing there so that people could sell their homes, right?
>> And you know, and one floor type of units side by side was one idea that the town of Board had for providing some of those units and along with the young >> Yeah. No, they're they're not just exclusively to $200,000 for young
people. They they want a mix, but they really do want to attract, you know, young families. So, I guess the next steps would be sort of, >> you know, if we want to take it to the design stage, at least in terms of the layout, >> um,
>> who's going to do that and who's going to pay for it? Well, I did have a preliminary conversation with uh Ben Olsen over at Logum Construction um yesterday afternoon and um
there are some folks I think that are very educated about this project. Not so much used car salesman, but more of this is what you're going to need to know going into this sort of thing. and Ben was very helpful in terms of just giving us an idea of where we might be headed,
hard cost, soft cost, and that sort of thing. Um, whoever we work with is going to have a design fee per unit, and so we'll have to calculate that into the final cost of a product. um you know some some folks
you know like the HR or whoever we might work with in the nonprofit sector there'd be less I think of a a desire to make the ultimate amount of profit on a project like this and so that might help with some of the cost as well. Some of the organizations that are out there
that build this sort of thing also put together different types of grants for housing as well. Um, and so there's a lot of folks to choose from. There are a lot of names. I got a lot of names uh from Ben um in terms of designers and
architects and civil engineers. And so we do have u some idea. Um the one thing I would suggest is if we are to let's say prep the site and and then have uh folks develop um let's say we
could get 16 units on that site. So maybe we we were to work with uh individual construction companies to build three different houses here, four houses over here, and come up with some sort of a community of different
projects, different looks, different feels to housing. Um we could do that, too. And so it really is kind of a sandbox. There's it's kind of unlimited in terms of where we want to go. But I just want to make sure that we're focused on maybe a date.
um for today at least for the discussion and so I know a lot of folks 2026 they've already figured out their year 2026 they've already got a dedicated contracts and that sort of thing. If we look at 2027 for construction,
then we can kind of work back and try to find people to schedule 2027, but also we can create a shovel ready concept that we can start looking for funding for um through our our regular avenues for funding as well.
>> Jeeoff, the ILR had committed $100,000 to this >> Yes. >> project originally and >> Yes. Do we have to turn that back? >> Yes. By the end of this year, we have to turn that $100,000 back. Yep. That was a contract between them and us, we were
awarded that contract. Um, and the argument could be made if we had a more cohesive concept that was more shovel ready, perhaps we could even get some more money than that. >> Question. What was that money devoted
to? It was for road infrastructure, >> water, and um septic. >> Okay, that's what I thought. >> Y >> Well, I'd really like to encourage further movement along this line and and actually we've had a couple ideas that I
think specifically the local partnership. Uh I'm not a member of the local partnership, so I can push that without any conflict at all. And I think the >> and the way that would actually work before you go on, sorry to interrupt. >> Um,
and talking to Gary about that, he said that the plan for the community fund right now is to, you know, get the heights up and running. Uh, make sure that's a success. >> Um, he's sort of actively looking to sell the second phase of that and not do
that as a community fund project. >> Um, but you know, that's up in the air. Yeah, >> but in any case, wrap up the Heights and then sell both the Birch Park building and the Heights, which was the plan to begin with, >> pay off the investors with their with
their handsome profit and uh and then dissolve the organization. And that was kind of the plan from the beginning. But that's not to say that if uh if there were a project on the horizon, we could do the
same thing again probably with the same people mostly. Um you know, you just start again from scratch. And uh we've been through it once, so it' be easy to do. >> I'd like to encourage those conversations because I just looked at the local partnership as really a a good resource here. >> It's a great resource
>> and uh you know a able to act also not all those efforts come to the kind of action that >> one thing Gary mentioned is he said if if it goes that route >> then he'd like to see like a five person management group
>> for the next project not the one person management it's not enough some of that he brings on himself I have to say but uh >> I wonder how he sleeps sometimes >> he's he's he's a little burned out and I don't I don't blame him yeah >> well he he loves it too but he uh you
know so and that's that's very fair for him to say that Actually, that's a stronger way to do it is to have a group with expertise. >> Well, and and the conversations carry on with Wonder Housing as well. I mean, I just think ju just to throw in there, Benjamin Olsen is an award-winning
architect whose designs are being repeated and repeated and repeated by one roofing in Duth >> and and so I encourage continued conversations with him and potentially logged in too because they are a home manufacturer. Mhm.
>> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And they all they in >> Duth. >> Yeah. And and they but I think all of the like like uh ideal homes has been built a lot of one roofs housing in the past. So there's a whole bunch of
knowledge in within this group of people we're just talking about. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Yep. That's very fair to say. There's a lot of knowledge and thank goodness they're here. >> Yeah. and we can lean on them for expertise and perhaps partner with them >> and developers. I don't really feel like
we are in a place where we the H can be the developer. That's just that's >> out of our well >> you thought it would be a big >> it would be a big change a huge change. Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, my concern in keeping this
conversation alive and pushing it forward is that I committed to the town boards that we'd keep them posted along the way. And uh that really hadn't happened for the last couple of years while the uh existing developer was there.
How about we we reach an understanding at least today amongst us that we're we're targeting the 2027 construction season for construction >> which would mean getting everything else done >> in time to make that happen which would
be that'd be ambitious I think u >> ambitious but doable. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. would be the head would be have to be on the swivel for different option opportunities for grants and and that sort of thing. >> You know, at some point we're going to have to shop for a developer, you know,
um at some point we're going to have to figure out. And so, you know, in having the conversation with Ben Olsson, he said, "I'm not going to be that developer. You'll have to find somebody, but I'll work with the developer." >> And so, you know, there will be some opportunity for us to look at developers. And >> well, if we make that if we have that
understanding, uh, >> yeah, >> that's your marching orders then to start heading in that direction. >> Fantastic. >> If the board is comfortable with that. >> Anybody not comfortable with that? Let's put it that way. Well, I think you got your marching orders now. >> Okay.
>> This would be a great win if we after 30 years >> in a community that's really tried hard to do something for quite a while. And u I think and it's also a good market as well. I mean there's a lot of activity
in toffee going on and and uh that's where the need is honestly. I mean you know 60% of the economic activity in the county is in the west end overall. So it's that's where the only reason we focused on Grammar is because it has a water and sewer system. Frankly I mean
there's a need here too. We're not I'm not dissing Granberry, but >> we've done a way more work in Grammar than elsewhere. So, >> yeah. >> Well, let's move on uh here to other business. The director's report
conflict of interest form. Uh add that to the list of things I forgot to bring. So, you'll find one of those in your inbox. And if you need a printed copy, you can stop by the office. Um but it's that time of year where we have to do the annual um conflict of interest forms. Red path uh
Megan um gave me the the document and so I'll send it to you all so that way you'll have it. You can complete that um let's say by the end of well by the next meeting the last meeting in December. If you want to make sure you can get that to me by then um I'd appreciate that. Uh
that was the H conflict of interest form. The next one is a presentation. Uh last Wednesday I was invited by the mayor mayor um uh to provide kind of a an overview of what the HR is up to and to answer any questions and that sort of
thing. So, you know, um it was a great opportunity, I thought, uh Mayor Benson to to we had a conversation was about an hour long actually at the beginning of November and it ended up with a conversation about well, why don't I invite you to a upcoming city council
meeting to give a presentation. So, um that just continues to further along our partnership. I see the city as a definitely a partner in housing. Um you know, I think if you look at The city itself is is somewhat limited
by what they can do in terms of um utilities and providing utilities for expansion in our community. And um they have some sort of a map for utilities. Maybe that isn't entirely comprehensive. It definitely isn't
electronic. That's GIS. And so there's some opportunity for really between I think uh the HRA and the EDA and the city and the county um to participate in different ways to provide those
resources to get a little bit more of a sense for where utilities are. That will help spur some discussion about future growth in the community. that will get some geographic blocks of
grammar shovel ready, so to speak, which in turn definitely could be part of a conversation at the state level about being shovel ready and getting some funding for the expansion of their water and sewer and and electric as well. And
so, and the next conversation I wanted to talk to you about was the future joint meetings. Um, I kind of threw this out to Mike Roth as just an idea. He thought it was a great idea. I I've since talked to uh councelor Gary. He
asked me some more or for some more resources about where do we get money at the state level to help Grammaray continue to build out utilities for future growth. And u my question to him was well is there anything shovel ready?
If not, maybe we should partner in a way. Maybe we should have a joint meeting between the HR and the city and maybe their planning and zoning commission and be less formal but more of a conversation about ways that we could partner in concepts and
ideas for future growth in Grammaray. I really think it's a good opportunity for us to work together and to show that we have that idea. And I don't think it's something that we could just do that's unique to Grammaray. We could definitely have a conversation with all the townships as well and I think that
that's something we should do too. But as we start looking at ways for us to get that comprehensive housing plan for Cook County, I think that this also builds the track for that locomotive to come down the track down the road. And
so, um, if you're interested in that sort of thing, just nod, give me a thumbs up, something like that. And I would be definitely happy to work with Mike to make it happen in the future. I'm thinking January, February after the holidays.
>> Makes a ton of sense to me. >> Concerns. >> Okay. >> Smart. >> Okay. >> Um is in terms of conversations about that. That was one of the conversations. Another one I thought of is maybe
there's a way for the U. planning and zoning commission to be swapped out with the um utilities commission here in town to start talking about utilities and facilities and that sort of thing for um investment in the community.
You know, uh the legislative session is going to be coming up pretty soon. Uh the next meeting I plan on having an ask for you all, what would you like to see as part of a legislative agenda? I'll come up with a couple of ideas from NARO, from the National Association of
Housing and Redevelopment Organizations. They'll have there um they're thinking about legislative stuff. We've got some local requests for some resources for capital investment and that sort of thing. And so from there, I think we could really have a conversation about
local priorities, statewide priorities, and definitely the things that we want to advocate for as well because that's coming up in February of next year already. And they have a shortened session. It's a capital investment year. Part of that conversation will definitely be centered
around money for the wastewater treatment center here in town. So with that, that's that's all of my updates in particular. >> Thanks, Jeeoff. >> So, we got financials attached.
>> Yeah. >> Uh >> nothing remarkable here. >> No. >> Looks like we've got money and just normal expenses. >> Yeah. uh committee reports. Well, I think
Commissioner Ry just gave the finance committee report and uh the >> Did you also You want to talk about that? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, there's Did we submit that to the other commissioners also? The um
>> No, not yet. I was I was going to talk through it and describe >> um Why don't you go ahead and talk through it and >> Sure. Um so one of the things we talked about u uh before was a uh uh developing a dashboard of the different projects
what what financing has gone into the different u projects and and we had talked about the value of including the u uh not just the subsidy money that's gone into these projects but the the total amount of investment that these projects represent in the county. And
so, uh, Jeff has pulled together some, um, information on four of the projects. I can just go go through that quickly, but I think it tells a good story. I think the next step will be to take this data and again, you know, charts and pictures and so forth to make it into
more more of a marketing piece. Um, but Gunflint View, total investment was $1 million. Um, there was a total of 1.2 2 million in public financial support and and and then $400,000 in local purchasing. So So the um you know 11
million total of capital investment, 400,000 in local purchasing. You know the Heights uh estimated 9 9.1 million total investment, $230,000 in local purchasing. Um and the total public's financial support was less than a million $875,000.
uh Hamilton Habitat uh you know $950,000 total investment almost 800,000 in local purchasing um and the you know the public monies to support that was $100,000 so one point roughly you know 1.7 million uh of investment and and and
purchases in county uh for an investment of public investment of $112,000 and finally the um energy and envelope program estimated total 50,000 total invested and there you've seen a sort of a one for one in regional purchases. So that the money that's gone in has gone
to to local vendors to buy windows and so forth for the for the program. So I think it's a it's a good start. Um you know we'll we'll um continue to massage it to tell the to to tell the story and Jeff can put it on the website and uh yeah
>> it'll be good to update on the website also Jeff because we it's been a while since we've done that. Yeah, the website is almost I've seen a draft of it. It's almost uh up and running and it'll be brand new looking. It'll have new information on it. Uh one
of the the projects you don't see here is Norris Goen because we really don't have figures about the structures themselves, the 12 structures. They'll be on that site, but if you drive over there now, you'll start to see that there's some work that's being done >> that represents that that funding from
the ILR represents our matching funds as well. And so as those start coming in, we'll start asking for uh reimbursements from the ITR um Hamilton Habitat, their their homestead project. That invoice came in, final invoice from
KTM. I sent it off to Ir. We should be hearing back soon. So the money's flowing in and out, and we continue to finalize, finish projects, scratch things off the list, and work towards the next project. So,
>> 14 new homes in Gram. Significant. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, >> that's a that's a win. >> Yeah. >> And uh any update on uh Buorkford? Uh at one point we were going to submit a an app to itr for
>> that as well. >> Yep. The application was submitted the city 150,000 and the 220 from the developer side 370,000 total. October 24th was the deadline. We got in on the 23rd. Uh the city was really helpful in
getting information I needed to add the city to that conversation and we're still waiting to hear back from them. Um they want to have a meeting in December. Looking at my calendar, November is already halfway through. So I imagine we're I'm anticipating some good news
here soon. >> Great. I think that's the end of committee reports and commissioner items. Uh I've already done my share and I did have to correct the executive director. I am not
the president. I am the board chair and uh >> I'm sorry. >> Oops. I don't title doesn't apply. So, but uh we have Mr. Hansen for a 1% update. Yeah, there's a little bit of activity there to report. Uh Jeff and I
met with um Aaron Jensen who has built a B&B in well built a home but he's putting it into short-term rental in Ludson Skihill Road, I think. >> And um he had contacted us previously and Jeff had kind of sent them to me
because of this 1% idea and he was on board with it. Um he was had kind of pledged to give us 1% of his direct bookings. So when you do a when you list something with Airbnb, you know, the company or VBO the company, you can also
book that unit yourself directly and people that you then you pay less, you don't pay the commission basically, so you make more money. And so people apparently do that and as time goes on, as the property has been in the short-term rental market for a while, more and more direct bookings come in. So he admitted, he said, "I'm going to
give you 1% of my direct bookings, which will probably be almost nothing in the first year." Um, and so we met with him. He said actually it was even less than he anticipated to be. So he just wrote us a check for $500, which was very generous specifically to go into our our
development fund when we when we put that together. >> Yes. >> Um, so very nice of him, nice guy. He's also has recently formed a partnership with somebody that's got development experience and they're interested in doing more development in Cook County and very interested in workforce and
affordable housing. Um so we kind of gave him a whole brain dump of the landscape in Cook County more than he wanted to hear probably. Um he actually's just in the process of moving to St. Lewis, but um is has been a longtime visitor and is interested in
becoming a developer here. He's looking at >> they're looking at lots of opportunities, so it's far from a sure thing, but it was a good contact to make. Real nice guy, >> cares about this community, so that's that's nice. And and as I say, generous to and and I think that'll be ongoing,
that contribution. So that's nice. Um as small as it is. And then Jeff and I also met with Eric Frost at the general manager of Blue Fin Bay to to pitch this idea. It was a good meeting in the sense that we again really went through the landscape of of what's going on with
housing, what's going on with the H, which I think is >> uh didn't uh he he said numerous times that he didn't say no, but he didn't say yes. He >> So, uh uh but it was a good conversation and we'll continue to meet with with
resort owners to have that conversation. and see how it goes. He made some good suggestions of other people we could talk to and and >> do they have does Bluefin have worker housing or what do they do housing there? >> One of the things that he brought up right away is that they've kind of solved that for themselves.
>> They've invested I don't think he actually gave us a figure maybe close to four million I think they've invested in worker housing. So, it's a lot of units. >> They built they did the first the first worker housing in Cook County about 25 years ago at the uh Tufty Heights, I
think they call it. It's um little, you know, multi-unit sort of sidebyside. They look like condos. They're not condos that they that they have had for all those years. It was a Minnesota housing finance project, but they actually bought it out, paid it off, so
they wouldn't have to live with the Minnesota housing finance restrictions on it to be more flexible in how they use it, but it's always full and uh and useful. And they've bought houses in Grammar as well for their housing and Schroeder and um a lot of the resorts
have. There's been a big investment in the West End in worker housing. So, >> yeah. >> And I think that's that's good, you know, that's very good. Um, however, that doesn't house the nurses and the teachers and the deputies that need to take care of those people. So, that's another,
>> you know, that that solves the problem for them in a sense, but doesn't solve the problem for the community. So, we still have a good pitch, I think, for >> for having people participate. Uh, he was really interested in our in our development uh fund that we're that we're creating as a nonprofit, which
makes it more advantageous for them to donate to it. and pretty pretty clearly indicated that they would be interested in doing something for that fund if if not a service fee, something just maybe straight corporate giving or
>> some other some other scheme. But >> well, our authority motto is all contributions gratefully accepted. >> Yes. Yes, of course. >> Doesn't matter how they come in, >> of course. >> And uh but thanks for the work. >> I do have I do have one other quick story that I just heard today. Uh so a
local organization hired someone recently and they had um kind of get tipped this person off to a place to stay which was nice, a rental place uh that another one of their employees was moving out of cuz they found a better
rental space and then it fell through at the last minute. This person accepted the job and it fell through. They have to they have to move out of the place they're in by December 1st. So it's like ah you know disaster and in the past that person would have >> gratefully accepted their four days of
pay for and left the county and instead they went up to the gunfoot view and rented an apartment. >> So not ideal but it was it kept them here. >> So that's a win as well. >> You bet >> it is a win. >> I saw that the skeleton that great government view came down. So
>> yes, just in time for Halloween. It's there all year and then on Halloween it's gone. I think I saw it. It's just bundled up now. >> It's got the hunting jacket on, though. >> So, that's my That's my report. >> Thanks for your work on that,
Commissioner Hansen. Uh, I just would note uh and give thanks to Commissioner Sullivan for leading the community leadership uh meeting uh last week and did a nice job. My my only regret was
that I didn't stock up on the goodies when I walked in there because it was a complete array of outstanding treats and but u it was really Jeff and I were both there representing the H and EDA was
there and uh it was a pretty good representation. they there are more members than were there and and so hopefully in the future there'll be more encouragement to to increase attendance but >> uh you know as the the time for example
I hear about the hospital work from directly from Kimber that's a really you know that's good to know and they just bought their own housing uh as well so it's good to stay on top of that thing but >> Commissioner O'Brien did or Sullivan did
a Nice job. And then uh I committed along with uh Peter Clissold that we would host that meeting in July uh jointly. Uh we don't know where yet, but uh >> probably either here or city hall.
>> I was going to say this looks pretty good, but city hall looked better uh in a certain sense. But anyway, I just so you know that uh we do want to participate and and we do want to do our share as well on that.
>> Any other comments, thoughts, Jeff? >> Couple of things, but I wanted to invite Commissioner Sullivan to give just a few brief comments about part of a conversation they had at the commissioners level about uh temporary housing. >> Yeah. Um we had an opportunity
yesterday. Some of you may have, if you're really bored, watched the committee of the whole Um it was a long one. Um but um one of the things that we did is invite Andrew Beavers to come and talk about vacation rentals. And if
you'll recall back in 2023, there was board action to create a half-time position to oversee vacation rentals. And um we had a at that time, you know, a lot of things in the community about vacation rentals are um impacting the
cost of housing. they're taking away a lot of the um properties that people here could live in. And so one of the things that um I would suggest might be nice for this group is to have Andrew come and speak to you about those things
because um they had a committee of 22 people that met for months >> talking about vacation rentals, developing the ordinance, and the the the competition for housing here isn't
vacation rentals, it's second homes, >> you know, um More than half of the housing in Cook County is second homes and many of the not all but many of the vacation rentals are very expensive units that are on Lake Superior that
those of us who are workforce people are not going to be purchasing, you know. >> Um but anyway, he had a lot of statistics talked about the fact that the numbers have creeped up a little in the number of units that we have in vacation rentals. Um, and that would
include some that are in resorts as well as some that are individual units. But, um, when we hit 388 units, what that does is trigger the committee to get together again to analyze all of the data related
to vacation rentals. And, um, he suspects that might happen in late 2026 or early 2027. Um, but anyway, I do think it would be interesting information, a short presentation for all of us just so we
have that data and information and can share it with with the public when we get asked those questions. >> Um, but he's done a really nice job of um getting most of the unlicensed vacation rentals licensed. >> It's increased revenue for the county.
His position is paid for by the fees that are collected. And I was doing some research cuz as Commissioner Campbell knows, we're looking for money right now. Imagine the county doing that. And um I was thinking about, oh, we'll raise the vacation rental fee. We have the
highest fee in the state of Minnesota. >> Um so that's not something we would look to increase right now, but I think the licensing has improved. They're going to be um laminated cards put into all of the vacation rentals with safety
information, phone numbers beyond 911, you know, who do you call if you have a flat tire, if you need a tow, if you happen to slide off a a road in the winter, things like that. But there will be a lot of information that will be added in 2026 to all the vacation rental
units um in terms of just wildfire safety, evacuation, a lot of different things. And then um lastly, one thing I wanted to talk about is um just to create an awareness, the trailer court, the Pine
Mountain trailer court has sold. >> Okay. >> And I don't know who >> share it to who? >> I don't know. >> You don't know. I don't have that information, but um you know, I would like to do some research and I certainly will do my share to find out if it's
going to um be maintained and um that's an important piece of housing for a number of people in our community. It's really important. >> Also know that I had a call from an investor from the Twin Cities who is interested in that and interested in
expanding it. was very impressed with how wellkept it was, how well managed it was, and I am still in conversation with that person. But, um, anyway, it has sold. >> Yeah. So, >> it'll be interesting. Watch that space.
>> Yeah. And then lastly, just um impressions of the tour today. It was It was dampened a little bit by the rain and the snow that was falling on us. >> Really great right then. It was not the the best of conditions, but we did have a chance to see a studio, a one, and a
twobedroom. All very nicely appointed. Um, >> yeah, >> carpeting was in. Um, blinds were in some of the units. Countertops are installed. They're still waiting for appliances and some of the um flooring to to be put in, but they the units will
be available starting in January, a number of them. Um, right now they're working on balconies this week. Um, and after they get the balconies done and the patios poured, then they will do the fencing on the lower level. But I mean,
it's really amazing to stand in one of those ground level units and think, here you could open up your door and let your dog out. Um, it's it's just really thoughtful and I know I've talked to community members who are so excited about the second phase of the project
and potential for a daycare to be in there and um all kinds of things. So, it was just really nice to see the excitement and the enthusiasm for our second recent apartment building and um so glad it's moving forward. Chris and
and Jeff were there. other impressions you have >> uh well similar and you know and I was just listening a lot and I think that um because I I we we know a lot of the details about what's there and so forth but it was just interesting to listen to other folks on the tour and and I'd say
>> by and large initial reactions were very positive you know just very you the units appear to be quite spacious the one you know the the one bedroom in particular we've got a lot of comments about how how really generous the size the size of the bedroom is and the size
of the living space is and >> and I think those 9 foot ceilings make it feel really large >> and part of that also from what I understand is so that there's air space between >> um units both on the sides and up and
down for sound purposes. So it really deadens some of the sound. Yeah, I noticed that that you know you could if you look carefully you could see the the gap between the modules and so that's I'm sure that's good for soundproofing as well. >> Absolutely.
>> Jeff, anything you want to add? >> Well, you know, I just think uh it's unique. It didn't matter if we were in June or November. is the same weather is groundbreaking or is cutting the ribbon, but realistically it's just um
it's it's a wonderful opportunity. uh listening to the radio um the WTIP conversation about uh Veya and his and their their family moving to the space >> and talking u Gary was talking about how Vea's family has different themes in the
house and and they want to get a cat someday and it really brings the humanity to the concept concept if you build it they will come and sure enough they're there and they'll be moving in soon probably in January sometime I think he's going to fill it fast.
>> And the conversation begins again. Where do we go? And what's the next one? Um, we still have that need for 610 units. And I'm glad that this is done, but there's still room for more. And, um, where do we go and how do we do and who
do we work with? And it's going to be exciting. Yeah. a lot of gratitude I think this this year for Cook County because of course last year we didn't have 86 units of apartments and this this year we almost do um and that's a
big improvement. It really is. And so um the other thing I just wanted to briefly point out is if you haven't yet is having their fundraiser down up yonder tonight >> 5 to 7 >> 5 to 7:00 p.m. I was there at lunchtime.
Wow, it was packed and wow, it was delicious. And I even got a bowl to remember the the occasion. And then um the ribbon cutting was really excellent. And I guess the last thing I just wanted to part um is to say happy Thanksgiving next week. Um I know we have a lot of
gratitude for our community and our our partnerships and I look forward to continuing with that and as we look towards next year as well. Okay, >> that's pretty well put. Uh, honestly, there's a lot to be grateful for in Cook County, not just our wonderful
environment here and uh, which I'm sure has added some time to my life being up here and uh, but the partnership that so many of the organizations are willing to enter into. We heard from public health
here today that just and that with the window the energy improvement stuff there's so much more can be done but um I'm con I'm confident that with the partnerships that we are able to forge here uh we'll be able to move on and
that kind of reminded me of though of one last thing to ask about which is uh Birch uh Birch Grove uh or Birch View There's so many birches that >> this is the the How is uh one roof doing
with their renovation of that? >> Yeah, I did get a request and it'll be on next month's business meeting agenda for an extension. The federal government got back to work again after having that furlow forever, one of the longest furlow in history and and of course those projects didn't get done yet. And
so we'll be coming back to ask for an extension of that. Um, so we'll we'll talk talk about that next month. >> Okay. >> But, um, yeah, it was one of the things that were they were kind of disappointed on. They wanted to already kind of be done with it, but the USDA is still
working on it and so we're just good partners in that conversation >> good >> about refinancing for them. So, >> and I would ask you to add Andrew Bever to the December agenda if he's available. >> I think that's a great suggestion.
>> Okay. Um I do I did make a a request for our regional uh de demographer to come to our January or February meeting. And so as we start looking at opportunities to bring more people in, I want to bring them in and make sure that you guys have a good education about what it is we're
fighting for and fighting against as well at the same time. And so demographics are one thing. You know, we'll have some conversations about that was a great conversation. And I was I was I didn't actually know that Andrew did what he was doing. So that was a fantastic conversation for me to learn
about. I didn't know the West End had the most amount of vacation rentals in the entire county. I kind of thought it was grammar actually, but I was surprised by that. Um but at any rate, um good information and good information for you all to know about too. And just
to make a point, um, Andrew does not as vacation current vacation rental coordinator, he does not deal with compliance with the city of Grand Marray. That is a separate program. Everybody makes sure that the city of Grand Marray's vacation rentals are not
part of Andrew's work here at the county. >> Well, and Andrew is from the West End and >> has vacation rental background. >> Yes. has town board background and everything else. So, good resource. So, let's bring
him in. >> Sounds good. >> Any other thoughts, comments before we adjourn? If not, is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Move to adjourn. >> It's been moved. Is there a second? >> Let's do it. >> I think that's a second. All those in
favor say I. I. motion carries that were during >> Brady needs his >> P. Okay, I'll take it back.