HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 03.23.2009MINUTES
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MARCH 23, 2009
THE OWL CAFE - 203 E. MAIN STREET
Members present: Shirley McDermott, Dirk Frickel, Bill Kampfer, Daniel Klein, Dean
Rankin
Advisors present: Janice Lehman, Steve Zeier
Others present: James Caniglia
James is working with the preservation/historic society on the grain elevator. They will
be surveying all buildings to determine stability & viability
Bill Sheridan will be corning to speak to us March 30, 2009. Talk about such things as
painting light poles or what to do when they are replaced, signage in the "district"
Steve Z is working on getting us an updated list of property owners next week
Need to create list of 5-10 questions with space for comment at the bottom of the page,
interviews at to be held face to face, questions should be of a positive nature, interviews
should be done with 2 Agency members present.
Zoning enforcement - how is it triggered, who does it, who and how is it monitored?
Refinery should be brought on board on a regular basis, develop a positive relationship
with the Refinery and the Railroad
Laurel Alive - Using the Caboose and the Welcome sign as a positive first project
Using the Locomotives for cigarette butts, planters, refuse to help the city stay
clean. These will be made of fiberglass most likely, may be paid for as a fundraiser and
have sponsors help pay for.
Walking tour demonstrated many trip hazards on the sidewalks for tree roots, Greg
Whitely built rings to put around tree roots to protect the sidewalks, when the light poles
come down from redoing the streets what will go up in their place? Who owns the light
poles? Will new light poles support decorations?
Some possible questions for property owners:
1. How important is it that your property being in the TIF district? Show them
data on what the district can mean to them.
2. Which property(s) is/are most likely to tear down?
3. Of the owners who have tenants - retail and residential - what are their needs?
We understand Shaun Jones is tearing down the Heritage House Apartment, the building
next door and the house behind it to build a new apartment house.
"Wally & Ellen" who own the Trading Post need to stay informed, Dean knows them and
will stay in touch.
Book on Laurel by L.C. Johnson tells the history of the city and has been updated.