Cook County HRA approves transcription, development consulting and market study contracts; tables billboard lease

At the Feb. 20, 2025 meeting the Cook County Housing & Redevelopment Authority board approved several administrative contracts and a market study and tabled one lease item pending external legal review.

The board approved Resolution 2608 authorizing the executive director to contract with Maggie Bernard for transcript services. Maggie introduced herself and said her work for the EDA has typically taken about three hours per monthly meeting; commissioners noted that keeping meetings concise reduces transcription costs. The resolution passed on a roll call vote (Gabler, Hanson, Lamour, Olsen — all recorded “aye”).

The board considered Resolution 2609 to authorize consulting services with North Shore Development Company to help manage grants, draft agreements and assist with development projects. During debate commissioners clarified that the contract is structured as $1,000 per month plus additional consulting (the contract language was not strictly limited to $10,000 total as earlier characterized). Commissioners moved and passed an amendment to add whereas language emphasizing mitigation of compliance risks cited in recent audits; the amended resolution then passed on roll call.

Resolution 2610, a commercial lease/contract related to a billboard and a proposed 50-year, $1-per-year lease, was tabled because the township attorney had not completed a review. Board members said the township expects to consider the matter at its March meeting and will return a reviewed contract to the HRA for final action.

The board approved Resolution 2611, engaging WIPFLI to perform an assisted-living market demand analysis for Cook County. The engagement letter cites a cost of $14,500 and an estimated 8–12 week study window, with the EDA covering half the fee. Commissioners urged the staff to supply WIPFLI with local materials (demographer presentation, deed data and other county specifics) so the study would better capture Cook County’s atypical housing conditions.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2608 (transcript services, Maggie Bernard): approved (roll call, all aye). - Resolution 2609 (North Shore Development Company consulting): amended and approved (roll call, all aye). - Resolution 2610 (billboard lease/contract): tabled pending township attorney review. - Resolution 2611 (WIPFLI assisted-living market demand analysis, $14,500): approved (roll call, all aye).

Ending

The board concluded with director updates on website and property transactions and moved to adjourn; no further votes on housing policy were taken.