Cook County Asset Management Committee Meeting - October 22, 2026

The Cook County Asset Management Committee met on October 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM. After initially lacking a quorum, Commissioner Anaya was added to the roll, achieving quorum. The committee considered consent items, including contract approvals, lease renewals, and deferred two items after questioning. One public speaker registered but did not appear.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 22, 2026 meeting (moved by Commissioner Degnan, seconded by Commissioner Anaya; voice vote unanimous).
• Approved the following items as amended by an errata (item 26-1806 corrected contract value and fiscal year impact):
  • 26-223: Authorization for payment ($194,933.22) to Millhouse Engineering for design and engineering services related to DOC Division 1 and 1A demolition.
  • 26-227: Authorization for payment ($3,366,993.52) to Pagoda CCI Joint Venture for final balances and change orders on DOC demolition.
  • 26-2278: Lease renewal with Bass Furniture and Rug Company for the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland (36 months, ~$80,000 fiscal impact).
  • 26-2282: Lease renewal with UCAN for Restorative Justice Community Court (1 year, $12,000).
  • 26-2283: Lease renewal with West Side Health Authority for Freedom Defense Center of Austin (3 years, $263,000). (Moved by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner McCaskill; voice vote unanimous.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• One speaker, George Blake Moore, registered but was not present at the time of public comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-1806 (FH Passion SN Nielsen Associates CMR contract): Bureau Chief Jamie Myers and Director of Capital Planning Earl Manning presented the contract for a new Department of Transportation and Highways District Maintenance Facility in Schaumburg, with a not-to-exceed amount of $61,322,870. The project is supported by a $10.5 million TIF fund from the Village of Schaumburg (approved December 2024). Commissioner Degnan raised detailed questions about the cost breakdown, noting discrepancies between the total project estimate (~$64 million after TIF credits) and the contract value ($61 million); an errata had been issued to remove duplicate pre-construction fees. Degnan questioned the inclusion of $6 million in contingency and escalation for years 2024-2026, arguing costs already known, and the structure of other contingencies (total ~$5 million additional for design changes and upper limit). She expressed concern about budget discipline given competing county needs. Staff acknowledged the numbers may need adjustment and agreed to provide corrected information. The committee deferred the item pending further review.
• Item 26-2242 (Countywide roof replacement services contract): Also deferred without discussion (moved by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner Degnan; voice vote).

Key Outcomes

• Deferred: Item 26-1806 (CMAR contract) and item 26-2242 (roofing contract) were deferred for additional information.
• Received and Filed (voice vote unanimous):
  • 26-2287: Corporate Portfolio Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Status Report (July 2026) – noted late but committed to future timely submissions.
  • 26-1424: Annual ADA Improvement Report – covered county efforts on accessibility, policy updates, and work with the accessibility working group. Commissioner Anaya inquired about ongoing guidance from the group and incorporation of universal design standards; staff responded that higher standards are being developed for FY27.
• Adjourned: Motion by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Commissioner Degnan; voice vote carried.

Note: Commissioner Britton was added as excused absence at the end of the meeting.