HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 09.20.2021
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
11:00 AM
LAUREL 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 11:03am.
Don Smarsh
Daniel Klein
Janice Lehman
Judy Goldsby
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
General Items
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: August 23, 2021
The Chair presented the minutes from the August Meeting.
Daniel motioned to approve the minutes from August 23, 2021.
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
3. Partner Updates
Dianne Lehme from BSEDA was present at the meeting.
Not a lot of big updates. Holding premiere of Edge of the Plains featuring entrepreneurs from the region.
October 7th premiere at Babcock theater in Billings. Free but you need to reserve a ticket. Should be a
fun event. 3:30 for annual meeting, premiere at 6:00/6:30.
You can also get Free tickets to the annual meeting of BSEDA. There is a party between the annual
meeting and the screening of the documentary. Trainings are coming up, don’t have the list in front of
me but they are listed on our website.
Daniel mentioned poaching Steve from Beartooth RC&D.
Dianne: He is a project manager in the Community Development department. He left Beartooth due to
the ton of travelling he had to do. Wanted to focus more on Yellowstone County. Beartooth has hired
Jacy Head (out of Red Lodge). This is her 3rd week.
Nick reported that he had invited The Laurel Chamber of Commerce, Cami reported she would attend
but Nick had not heard back, He was also invited to speak in front of Rotary in the next few weeks so he
will spread the word about it.
New Business
4. Small Grant Request: Uniquities Signage Grant
Nick presented the grant. Straightforward 50% request for signage and awning improvement.
Don Motioned to approve the signage and awning grants in the amount of $1,937.96.
Daniel Seconded.
Motion Carried.
5. Priorities: Lighting
Nick presented his letter summarizing the discussions that took place in the Board meetings.
• Nick and Don would like to see lighting done for full Downtown (SE 4th Street and CBD).
• Judy, the lighting requested for SE 4th were more the pole
• Janice wants solar powered lights.
• Laurel Community Foundation has put lighting on the building on 1st and Main. (Currently a
church).
• Discussion of mixing lighting with other downtown improvements (marketing, landscaping, etc.)
Richard Herr was present; he is skeptical of the amount of water downtown. Does not think we have
enough water to take care of any landscaping or tree improvements.
Don: it would be a great addition to the city (flowers or planters). Would be great to have trees
downtown or some other greenery. Use LURA funds for trimming and other maintenance.
• Nick can look up how cities use funds for maintaining downtown planters or trees.
Janice: If we replant trees we CAN NOT use the type of trees that were planted in years prior.
• Nick can look up/establish a list of proper trees.
Daniel: Need to estimate # of hours of time spent on maintenance, # of staff needed. Need to re-study
the program annually to ensure the program is effective.
Marvin Carter from the F.O.E.: Bring Mike Matthew from Billings, he was responsible for the
maintenance of some planters and landscaping in Billings. Check with him about how to get it done.
Ask business owners if they would want to maintain the planters and/or trees or spend $$ on it.
Nick also presented the idea to have drought resistant plants that would not require as much right-of-way
or maintenance.
Debbie Singer, Lisa Perry at NW Energy are the people to talk to. Dianne Lehme will provide Nick with
their contact information.
• Nick Can put together info on: Install Cost, Maintenance Cost, Manpower, Financing.
Old Business
6. Large Grant Discussion
Nick presented the FOE Grant. Marvin Carter was present to discuss it.
Sean Mullany wants to create a greenscape area along Main Street. (Amy and Sean own Sunlight realty)
Judy: Our question was when the vendor is marked “Eagles,” who would be doing the work? Would this
be a donation?
• We cant reimburse for labor that is donated.
• We want more details on #’s for the items marked EAGLES on the breakdown.
Marv: A lot of the work will come up above the current estimates.
Nick: We can always reconfigure and re-vote on the grant after more information is provided. That vote
can then be sent to City Council.
Don: Come back with more details. City Council has been very critical of fund requests.
Marv: I will work with the treasurer to revise and get a more accurate set of numbers to submit back to
the Board.
Other Items
Don: Payment of funds has been a concern. The lag time is an issue.
Nick reported that he will be submitting a number of the previously applied for grants in the next week
or so.
Don: Suggest contacting Lumpy (Mark Cloud). He is always willing to work on projects around Laurel
(Lighting or other items).
Announcements
7. Adjourn
Daniel Motioned to Adjourn.
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:58am.
8. Next Meeting: October 18, 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