HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 06.28.2021
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021
11:00 AM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the agenda. The duration
for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the committee
will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
1. Roll Call
The Chair Called the meeting to order at 11:00am
Mardie Spalinger,
Janice Lehman
Dennis Eaton
Don Smarsh
Judy Goldsby
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
General Items
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: June 21, 2021
Don Motioned to approve the meeting minutes from June 21, 2021.
Mardie Seconded.
Motion Carried.
3. Large Grant Program 2021 - Amendments
Nick presented the outstanding grant application for Dynamic Designs ($23,208.00).
Don has been working with Kurt Markegard with Public Works getting the encroachment permit
completed for the handicap ramp. It has been a long process due to getting all the information together
from the different contractors. KM has provided all the requirements. The roof is so bad that it cannot be
patched. Needs a full replacement. Will be done by US Roof. Concrete work to be done by MKM.
Drainage, and rear work is important to not have flooding when it rains. Door to be done by Associated
Glass.
Mardie motioned to approve the Large Grant Application for Dynamic Designs totaling $23,208.00.
Dennis Seconded.
Motion Carried.
New Business
3. LURA Small Grant: Main St. Perk Sign Grant
Nick presented the
Don Motioned to approve the Sign Grant for Main Street Perk totaling $445.00.
Mardie Seconded.
Motion Carried.
4. LURA Small Grant: The Front Porch
Mardie Motioned to approve the General Small Grant Application for the Front Porch totaling
$2,448.51.
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
5. LURA Small Grant: Laurel Ford Sign Grant
Members reviewed and discussed the sign grant for Laurel Ford. Nick provided information about the
Large Grant that was approved last week and this request. They are separate requests, with this not
having been duplicated.
Don Motioned to approve the Sign Grant for Laurel Ford totaling $3,000.
Dennis Seconded.
Motion Carried.
Old Business
Discussion of ARPA funding, and other projects.
Dennis provided some information on the issues on the South Side. There is no drainage at all. Speed
from truck traffic has been a big issue, as well as speed along those streets. Points discussed included:
• Street Widening and citizen pushback.
• Drainage within the whole area.
• Parking concerns.
• Industrial traffic from CHS refinery.
• Speed from industrial traffic and other visitors
Members discussed:
• Discussion of ARPA funds and the different rounds of funding available.
• Difficulties with procuring engineers and construction companies.
• Do we know who have applied for grants?
• Other grants available from Coal Board and others.
• Need to have more training and certification programs ready for people.
Other Items
Don brought up what limits we should place on applicants? A limit on requested amounts?
How do we weigh the application and requested amounts?
Nick asked if we should cap the lifetime amount someone can award? Or if we should cap the amount of
funds being applied for?
Dennis asked whether we SHOULD tie LURA funds to the incremental amounts paid into the district?
Dennis – Everybody gets some. Should we have a system to better consider projects?
The smaller, regular businesses should have a priority over the larger conglomerates who have
money to spend.
Public-facing improvements. (Entrance, façade, public spaces, etc.)
Don mentioned that he has had conversations with people to open new businesses (restaurant, brewery,
etc.) and didn’t know where to start. He has mentioned LURA to them as a way to get help with start-up
costs and other major costs.
Announcements
Chair adjourned the meeting at 12:01pm.
Next Meeting: July 19, 2021
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to
participate in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Cle rk’s Office to make needed
arrangements. To make your request known, please call 406 -628-7431, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel,
MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
DATES TO REMEMBER