HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 08.23.2021
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 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
Don Smarsh
Daniel Kline
Janice Lehman
Judy Goldsby
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
General Items
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: June 28, 2021
Daniel Motioned to approve the minutes
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
3. Partner Updates
Dianne emailed Nick and let him know that she would not be able to make it.
Steve Simonson now works at Big Sky EDA. Nick will reach out to Beartooth and see if they are still
interested in attending the LURA meetings.
New Business
4. Large Grants Discussion
Nick presented a summary of the City Council discussion of LURA Large Grants.
Daniel asked how we can roll funds over to make the grants approval?
Don suggested we remove the Structural repair (flooring), and the Energy Efficiency improvement
budgeted items.
Don: City Council should set parameters or priorities prior to the Grant cycles.
The State has not found any issues with the eligible operations.
Judy asked if the signage grant was approved?
Nick will check the Council meeting minutes but thinks he forwarded it to them for review and
approval.
Judy sees both the Auto Clinic and the Eagles grant as fully eligible.
Review of Auto Clinic Grant:
If we threw out all of the interior work, he would still qualify for $75,005.00 due to the entire project
cost. Members recommended to remove the Interior from review for the Laurel Auto Clinic.
• Nick will put forward the final number for Council review.
Members reviewed the FOE Grant Request. Nick suggested removal of the Cabinetry and back bar. Judy
suggested that the wiring work in 1st line item should be considered with the back bar construction work
($6,500). Question came up as to WHO is doing the work? Eagles is listed as the vendor
Don suggested we might have to go and ask them for specifics on the vendors and contracting. Members
recommended to have the Eagles re-do the grant with additional details for review.
• Nick said that he can follow-up with Marvin Carter to receive further details, estimates, and bills.
5. Board Priorities Discussion
Nick Presented his thoughts on the future priorities for the Board.
Judy reported that the original mission was to have the Chamber and the Council and LURA members
all involved.
Daniel: We should mobilize the funds wherever possible to improve things.
Judy: We have been utilizing funds to improve the increment of the properties.
Don: We should look to get numbers of what impact the improvements have had on the values and
increment.
Richard Herr: Need to have something in front of Council stating the value of properties to the district.
Don: it would be good to come up with a tax statement showing the pay-in to LURA.
Members recommended that Nick should include the Tax Statements as required documents on the
LURA Grant Applications.
Nick stated that we should present the case of property owners in the district as seeking opportunities for
support after years of being good residents of the district.
Nick said that Dianne had presented some interesting ideas about business program support by working
with the Chamber.
Daniel: Should we help support the Chamber park space across the street from City Hall.
Nick stated that he has met with Cami and Cheryl from the Front Porch about having LURA or
the TIF support it.
Nick also presented the option of utilizing TIF funds for paying PW workers to maintain the trees and
other landscaping downtown. Suggested lighting installation coupled with Marketing (flags/penants),
with planters.
Don: what if we sought out bids for a tree trimmer for the entire TIF District.
Members discussed how to maintain the trees and landscaping downtown. How does Billings do it? (The
Purple People).
Judy: We could expand on the ideas of the lighting on the old Meadowlark building at the corner of 1st
and Main St.
Daniel: Lets pick 3 projects to put on the agenda:
➢ Lighting District
➢ Ditch Covering on Bernhardt Rd.
➢ Chamber Park Project at 1st Ave and 1st St
Judy: We should get the Laurel Community Foundation, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce. And other
community groups together.
6. Small Grant Review: Dragon Palace Roof Improvement
Daniel Motioned to approve the Small Grant Request for the Dragon Place in the amount of $1,247.00.
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
Old Business
Other Items
Announcements
7. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 12:08pm.
8. Next Meeting: September 20, 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 Clerk’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