HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 11.28.2023
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WELCOME . . . By your presence in the City Council Chambers, you are participating in the process of representative
government. To encourage that participation, the City Council has specified times for citizen comments on its agenda -- once
following the Consent Agenda, at which time citizens may address the Council concerning any brief community announcement
not to exceed one minute in duration for any speaker; and again following Items Removed from the Consent Agenda, at which
time citizens may address the Council on any matter of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Each speaker will be
limited to three minutes, unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. Citizens may also
comment on any item removed from the consent agenda prior to council action, with each speaker limited to three minutes,
unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. If a citizen would like to comment on an age nda
item, we ask that you wait until the agenda item is presented to the Council by the Mayor and the public is asked to comment
by the Mayor.
Any person who has any question concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk -Treasurer's office to make an inquiry
concerning the nature of the item described on the agenda. Your City government welcomes your interest and hopes you will
attend the Laurel City Council meetings often.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of the Council
Approval of Minutes
1. Approval of Minutes of November 14, 2023.
Correspondence
2. Beartooth RC&D November Correspondence.
Council Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications
Public Hearing
3. Public Hearing For Ordinance No. O23-04: An Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapters
12.18.010 And 12.18.060 Of The Laurel Municipal Code Related To Special Events Permits.
Consent Items
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Consent Calendar adopting the printed Recommended Council Action will be enacted with one vote. The Mayor will
first ask the Council members if any Council member wishes to remove any item from the Consent Calendar for
discussion and consideration. The matters removed from the Consent Calendar will be considered individually at the end of
this Agenda under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar." (See Section 12.) The entire Consent Calendar, with the
exception of items removed to be discussed under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar," is then voted upon by roll
call under one motion.
4. Claims entered through November 24, 2023.
5. Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of October 2023.
6. Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 11/12/2023 totaling $243,344.31.
7. Claims entered through December 8, 2023.
8. Council Workshop Minutes of November 21, 2023.
Ceremonial Calendar
Reports of Boards and Commissions
9. Budget/Finance Committee Minutes of November 14, 2023.
Audience Participation (Three-Minute Limit)
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Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Comments regarding
tonight’s agenda items will be accepted under Scheduled Matters. The duration for an individual speaking under Audience
Participation is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not
on the agenda.
Scheduled Matters
10. Appointment of James Wise to the Laurel Airport Authority for the Remainder of a five-year
term ending June 30, 2024.
11. Resolution No. R23-87: A Resolution Of The City Council Approving A Memorandum Of
Understanding For The 2023-2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between The City Of
Laurel And Local Union 316, American Federation Of State, County, And Municipal
Employees, AFSCME Regarding Timecard Procedures And Boot Allowance.
12. Ordinance No. O23-04: An Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapters 12.18.010 And 12.18.060
Of The Laurel Municipal Code Related To Special Events Permits.
13. Ordinance O23-05: An Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapter 12.32.050 Of The Laurel
Municipal Code Related To The City Tree Board.
Items Removed From the Consent Agenda
Community Announcements (One-Minute Limit)
This portion of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for citizens to address the Council regarding community
announcements. The duration for an individual speaking under Community Announcements is limited to o ne minute. While
all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
Council Discussion
Council members may give the City Council a brief report regarding committees or groups in which they are involved.
Mayor Updates
Unscheduled Matters
Adjournment
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.
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File Attachments for Item:
1. Approval of Minutes of November 14, 2023.
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File Attachments for Item:
2. Beartooth RC&D November Correspondence.
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Beartooth RC&D
Board Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2023 – 1:00 pm
Roberts Fire Hall
Members Present:
Joel Bertolino, BRCD
Nan Knight, BRCD
Myrna Lastusky, BRCD
Dan Lowe, Big Horn Conservation District
Commissioner Scott Miller, Carbon County
Ryan VanBallegooyen, Billings Job Service
Commissioner Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
Stephanie Ray, Stillwater County
Lorene Hintz, BSED
Danny Choriki, Billings City Council
Tory Kolkhorst, Sen. Daines’ Office
Joey Grewell, on behalf of Emily Schneller, Rep. Rosendale’s Office
Kerri Crowe, Workforce Services Devlopment
Commissioner Don Jones, Yellowstone County
Present on Zoom: Thank you, Sibanye-Stillwater Mine, for the grant to help us purchase our Meeting Owls!
Josiah Porcel
Brent Moore
Meeting Called to Order: Chair VanBallegooyen called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review March Board Minutes (Action): Melanie Roe motioned to approve. Scott Miller
seconded. Motion carried.
Congressional Updates:
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
o Continue to see service issues with USPS throughout state. Lost packages are a huge
issue. Sen. Daines wrote a letter to Postmaster DeJoy about this.
o Possible government shutdown – Every year the Senator joins on the “no budget, no pay”
act to prevent members of Congress from getting paid if they can’t pass a budget.
o Biden admin came after MT way of life by delaying/halting funding to schools to teach
gun safety/hunter safety – Senator is pushing back.
o Safer Banking Act – will be considered for Senate Banking Committee next week to
protect MT businesses from liberal initiatives in the ESG movement.
o Introduced bipartisan bill to help promote cloud computing. Sen. was in private sector for
30 years with Gov. Gianforte.
o Introduced a bill to unlock public access and improve forest management on over
100,000 acres of public land.
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Josiah Porcel (Sen. Tester)
o Sen. Tester’s bipartisan defending hunters’ education act – would require Dept. of Ed. to
restore school dollars for school archery, gun safety, and hunter education programs.
Biden admin blocked funding for gun safety programs. Growing up in MT, hunters’
safety is a critical issue – we’re all proud of our heritage. Pushing back on that.
o Top of mind is avoiding a government shutdown. Lot of action right now on House side.
Over 1 million federal employees and troops overseas wouldn’t get paid.
o Sen. Tester and Sen. Daines both sent letters to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on
delays with post office, which is hitting Bozeman and rural areas hard. Trying to see
improvement with staffing and other issues.
Joey Grewell – here on behalf of Emily Schneller (Rep. Rosendale)
o Great to be here!
o Emily is sad to be absent – she is out on medical leave.
o Rep. Rosendale did 28 stops in a couple weeks – very busy.
Did Energy Tour with Rep. Andy Biggs & Eli Crane of Arizona. They went to
Sibanye-Stillwater Mine, Yellowtail Dam, Colstrip, the CHS refinery, ate at
Greycliff Mill, attended Billings Air Show, and many businesses.
o Continuing resolution to fund government. The DOD rule bill – voted on again today and
didn’t pass again. Planned to do CR right after and now will need to renegotiate. Rep.
Rosendale is a strong no on both bills due to spending concerns.
o Farm Bill – expires on Sept. 30th. Looks like new one won’t be passed, so there will
likely be some sort of continuing funding mechanism. Rosendale will support it.
Joel: What kind of timing? Joey said it could be a ways down the road – probably
6-8 months.
Treasurer/Financial Reports: Nan Knight (RC&D Financials / RLF Financials / RMAP) (Action)
RLF funds: right now we have 21 loans, over 1.7 million loaned out.
$352,000 available
Seeking more funding
We have $300,000 we can drawdown for microloan funds but need to deplete the $150,000 first.
2 SSBCI loans are out there; one has started paying back and the other has first payment next
month.
The RLF side of Beartooth has been extremely busy even with the higher interest rates.
Newest loan is for a garbage can cleaning business. Nan described the truck that cleans and
sanitizes garbage cans.
o Ryan commented on how much money is out there for RLF – and yet we are looking for
more to help more businesses.
Nan will be closing her 9th loan since starting at Beartooth.
o Melanie – who is the new loan? A garbage can cleaning business.
Beartooth books: p. 15
Where our books stand right now. Joel has been very active with Food and Ag.
ACTION: Scott Miller moved to approve financials as presented. Melanie Roe seconded. Motion
carried.
RMAP: We were awarded $12,500 for TA to do trainings and provide TA to small businesses. There will
be more coming in the next year. Nice feature of RMAP in addition to the $400,000 loan.
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IRP (Intermediary Relending Program) Resolution:
Revolving loan funds are getting depleted.
Last year the Board approved RMAP funding to loan out microloans of $50,000. But we need
more money to fund larger loans.
This will allow us to re-loan out money at a 1% interest to us. We are requesting $750,000 and
need board approval.
The previous IRP was for $1 million ($750K of USDA and $250K from MT Board of
Investments). Since we are reapplying, we don’t need to provide match money this time.
Dan Lowe said it sounds like we are in a good place for it.
o Nan said yes, we really don’t have much money left to loan out – technically less than
$100K at the moment.
o If we submit our application on Sept. 30th, we will have money to loan out in January.
Nan: currently can only loan up to $250K and this will allow us to loan $400K.
Nan asks businesses what works best for them since each fund is a little different. RMAP
equipment loan (typically can only go out 7 years but we can go 10 years).
How do we establish interest rate? If we come in 2nd position with a bank, we match the bank’s
interest rate. We are paying 1%, so that helps us. We don’t compete with banks, so we must have
a denial letter from a bank to fund. Closing costs are 1-2%.
Fixed 20-year rates vs. renegotiating in five years is a benefit, too.
Melanie Roe moved to adopt the resolution allowing Beartooth to apply for a $750,000 IRP loan.
Scott Miller seconded. Motion passed.
EPA Policy Updates:
Jacy is out. Joel explained that we need to update policies very specifically to comply with EPA’s
recommendations.
Nan: We do need to update our policies and procedures. We are meeting next week as a staff to
do that and then turn it in to the executive committee.
Joel: We get program audits from state and federal agencies all the time. There is a lot of lawyer-
speak that we normally sign to. But EPA wants us to implement those into our actual policies and
procedures. Jacy has spoken with others who have been through this process.
o Mel: How will they check that we are in compliance? There’s a lot of disadvantaged
language, etc – very heavy lifting for rural communities.
o Nan: A lot of the policies are financial. There will be cross-checks in different areas.
Tory: With all the different businesses in here, I’d like to set up tours with some of them. When Beartooth
applies for federal grant funding, reach out to Sen. Daines’ office and ask for a letter of support.
ACTION: Danny Choriki motioned for the policy updates to be approved by Executive Committee.
Melanie Roe seconded. Motion carried.
Staff Reports – Program/Project Updates
Joel Bertolino, Food & Ag Director
In Helena on Sept. 6th – twice a year face-to-face meeting on Food & Ag and Specialty Crop
Block Grant to discuss what’s working, what’s not, what’s new. They have some federal funds
they want FADCs to get on the ground. Dealing with the middle of the food supply chain and
wanting to expand infrastructure for that in MT. Not sure what the application process is going to
look like, but we’ll make that available to our clients.
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o Danny: What is food supply chain? Adding value – cleaning or milling of grain/lentils,
further processing.
o Tory asked if we ever get solicited by cannabis or hemp producers. Joel said he’s been
approached by hemp ones.
o We stay away from cannabis because part of our funding is federal. Joel has helped a
couple of hemp clients since hemp is legal federally.
S-Ranch Meats: applied for $250K VAPG grant. So far not approved.
Oswald Farms: 2nd year they applied for $250K VAPG grant, and this year they were awarded. Provide
beef for Edgar Bar and many other clients online. Built small business front at their operation on Hwy
310 and are starting to sell local produce as well.
Speedy and Flo’s Sweet Corn: sell their corn all over the region and counties around us. Based in Hardin.
Tina Toyne asked us to help with a small marketing grant and they received those funds. They plan to
apply for a 2nd grant coming up. Speedy and Flo own a lot in Hardin and hope to build a greenhouse and
business front.
J&D Meats: interested in RMAP funding. Joel and Nan will go to visit them next month to discuss
further. Meat plant who also has a lunch counter.
Yellowstone Pasta: hope to work with them on a GTA grant, which opens Oct. 2nd. Will be contacting all
GTA clients next week to alert them to this opportunity. Will probably start with wholesale and may do
retail, also. Looking for bigger equipment and grow. He doesn’t have a current storefront.
Danny spoke with owner of Yellowstone Pasta at recent farmers’ market – it’s his 2nd job, so that
makes it tough. He may want a bigger pasta mill, & they discussed locally sourcing some of his
materials and trying to keep it organic. Some other people are making their own pasta now, too.
Undammed Distilling – potential GTA grant for expansion.
Greycliff Mill: Nan has had more contact with them than Joel. They are always looking for potential
funding sources.
Ongoing Projects:
Montana Prime Meats: Lamont Hermann: Possible RMAP microloan coming.
Yellowstone Valley Farms: talking with Reuben Stahl about REAP grant/loan to cut down on monthly
energy bills; also looking at GTA and other grants to help get additional greenhouse space.
Primitive Meats: Still hoping to start on development of small meat plant; not started yet.
Becky’s Berries: developing process for packaging for new line of mustards. Working with MMEC to
connect her with resources.
FADC Outreach:
Helping Hands Food Bank & Community Garden: Hardin, MT – State Dept of Ag visited and Joel joined
them. Trying to use a lot of local foods in their food bank.
Special K Ranch: visited with school district recently; tremendous operation in terms of greenhouses,
cattle, sheep.
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Scott Miller mentioned that Carbon County Meats has contacted two commissioners. Joel said
that they went back and forth on Beartooth loans, and they found a private lender to fund them.
Thanks to Myrna for putting in for the funding to get these Owls. Hopefully will improve our
meetings.
Dept. of Ag applied for a grant to offer TA for the REAP applications.
Nan: Joel will be 1 of 3 for the State (train the trainer)
We got some funding through one of the other FADCs collaboratively to do more on Farm to School
initiative. May have Myrna assist with those efforts.
Jacy Head, Economic Development: Traveling back from her panel presentation at the IEDC
Conference in Dallas, TX. See her submitted report in the board materials.
Myrna Lastusky, Operations Support
Attended Leadership 32 yesterday in Stillwater County. Great event (1st of 5 monthly workshops)
with 10 women from Stillwater County. Discussed leadership, values, emotional intelligence, and
visited Tippet Rise.
Bozeman Trail mapping work – field work at end of August – checking mileage markers for
driving tour, taking photos, working through edits on the narrative and driving tour. Have begun
discussions on next step of having a phone app.
Marketing promo materials – have a couple items coming before our Expert Week booth at
BSED on Sept. 29th.
WAS involved in many meetings with our two RCDI grants, but am pulling back from those due
to time constraints.
IRP application – working with Nan to get this submitted next week in hopes of receiving
$750,000 more in loan funds to help area businesses.
Regional Roundup:
Lorene Hintz, Small Business Administration
New housing projects in downtown Billings; one multi-family project in Laurel; Jackson Court
LMI housing is almost complete.
Billings bypass, inter-belt loop, and Skyline Trail work are all in progress.
Anticipated conversations with Sun Country, Delta, and American airlines for expanded coverage
to Billings.
Rio Sabina’s is closing. Not sure why.
LURA plans to upgrade within the TIF District.
A group visited the new First Federal Bank and Trust.
New City Brew going up on 17th and Grand. Going up all over.
BSED is having annual meeting on Oct. 11th.
Check out The Vault – Kayla and Marcell are interviewing some great people on this podcast.
Healthcare Summit for students on Oct. 27th
Manufacturing Day to get students interested in these jobs.
Expert Week is next week – one day for attorneys, one for accountants, and one for marketing.
Can book a slot to ask questions of these experts. Then Friday is a trade show with booths with 16
different resource partners, including Beartooth RC&D. 70 slots for experts, and 75% are filled so
far. We got great feedback last year from the attendees. Last year the experts really enjoyed it and
the attendees loved it.
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Commissioner Don Jones, Yellowstone County:
Lorene covered most of it.
Interim Marijuana zoning laws have been working on; there are some in places they aren’t
supposed to be.
o City of Billings banned them, but there are pockets of County property within City that
haven’t been annexed in.
o Lot of misinformation out there . . .
o Danny said revenue from marijuana tax went down last year.
Yellowstone County News says Metra made $3.7 million. Not sure about the math since we
actually lost $2.6 million.
HB-819 bill for vertical, high-density housing – 2 bills in one
o 1st part is COR
o Go to Section 9 and there is funding for water/sewer/etc for high-density housing. Dan
Villa or Don can answer questions. MBOI will administer it.
Stephanie Ray, Stillwater County:
EDA road project on Fiddler Creek & West Rosebud is just about complete – slip roads are about
done.
Leadership 32 class. Steph participated in Leadership 49 in Park County and would love to get it
going in other counties including Carbon County.
City of Columbus: huge sewer main project happening and will be done second week of Oct.
Beaver Creek Wind Farm with 88 turbines will be breaking ground in late fall/early spring.
BSTF project will be wrapping up soon on the Industrial/Business Park and excited to compete
for some new business opportunities in Stillwater.
Very active leadership group in Stillwater – lots going on!
Old fairgrounds will become the new law and justice center. It is shovel-ready and just need some
funding.
Danny Choriki, City of Billings:
New airport director is amazing. Doing a lot of outreach. (side note: Kerri went to college with
him in Fairbanks, AK – crazy!). Cape Air got the contract.
Family Justice Center is coming together great. Core idea is to have one location where family
violence survivors could get all the services available. This has been a trend for about 20 years
around U.S., and we’ll be the first in Montana. Huge opportunity for all providers to use the same
data systems and be more connected. Will help to see where the gaps are and set better goals.
YWCA has room for us to start it there and City set aside $200K to get it started. There should be
serious traction on it this winter. www.AllianceForHope.org is where you can get more info.
Rumors of dark fiber around MT. Dark fiber is fiber laid underground but not connected. History
of companies who came in, laid fiber, then folded or sold. Trying to figure out how to map it. If
it’s in our right-of-way or abandoned, the City owns it. If you know anyone or know of the names
of people involved, let Danny know. Important for Billings to find that fiber and start using it,
especially in Downtown. Banks and other businesses can’t get enough bandwidth.
o Steph said the new Civic Center has to use Starlink because they have no internet – it’s a
big issue in MT. Starlink is working great for them.
o Danny: there is money floating around, but it’s a complicated issue.
Today’s technology can put a network out across the downtown area. You can connect to your
internet from other locations.
Dan Lowe, Big Horn County Conservation
On four boards including City/County Planning Board and Weed District.
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Managing aquatic check stations. Enlightening and challenging.
Our budget is about $30,000/month. Challenging to find workers who are willing to show up to
work for the paycheck.
310 permits – not too many this year.
Love coming to our board meetings and seeing all the energy.
Commissioner Scott Miller, Carbon County:
3 bridges being completed from flood and will be done in December.
West Rosebud Road ($20 million) should get done plus a boat dock. The lake will get used by
everyone, not just the people who live up there.
Some county bridges are 100 years old and want to convert them to culverts. Working with
engineers. Will be cheaper and will last longer.
Bridge getting put in at Chance across the Clarks Fork.
Amtrak is coming through in next 3-5 years. Big Sky Passenger Rail is likely going to happen
through Bridger and down through Wyoming. Line will extend to Denver and south.
Spent $1 million to buy Cedar Wood Villa Nursing Home. Carbon County has lived in 6 different
buildings for all offices. Will put all current offices in Red Lodge into one location. Residents can
park nearby and visit all offices and not walk all over town. 2- to 4-year project.
Health Dept. is doing great with schools and providing service to seniors and the county. Need to
hire nurses and are having issues getting that done.
Also looking for sheriff’s deputies. Good wage and healthcare, but not a lot of available housing.
Passed our county budget and stayed at average growth over the last 5 years (3%) – only went up
a bit due to flood. Trying to get FEMA to repay still.
Engineers and commissioners are fighting with Forest Service and others to get stuff done.
Increased budget for employee growth and road equipment. Need to make improvements.
Harvest time – farmers seem to be happy; trying to keep roads open to them.
Mill levy that Red Lodge Ambulance went for failed miserably, so their services will be
impacted. Won’t be able to support nearly as far or as fast.
Fromberg – City Council vote coming with no people on the ballot. Nobody signed up; just have
2 write-ins.
Fromberg – American Legion building has to be torn down and start over. Need some grants or
loans to help them. Send any ideas to Scott.
County sold Joliet property for $425,000. Signed paperwork today. Made money off of it.
Meeting adjourned at 2:33 pm.
Next Beartooth RC&D Board Meeting: November 16th in Stillwater County.
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Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc.
Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda
Meeting 1:00 P.M. Thursday, November 16, 2023
Sibanye Stillwater Conference Room
517 West 1st Ave Big Timber, MT
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Josiah Porcel (Sen. Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
Emily Schneller (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
1. Treasurer Update
2. RC&D Financials
3. RLF Financials
4. Audit
MOU’s
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
2. Revolving Loan Fund – Nan Knight
3. Economic Development/ CRDC – Jacy Head
4. Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
Regional Roundup – News and updates from regional
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories….
(see topics on next page)
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
January 18, 2023- Yellowstone County, MT
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Hauge/Knight
Bertolino
Bertolino
Knight
Head
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
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Page 2
Regional Roundup
CEDS SWOT
Our goals for the Roundup are to find out what’s happening in the area, keep the conversations
focused, inform the others attending the meeting, and to tie it all back to and reinforce the importance of
the CEDS. Please help us identify the projects in their area that fit into our CEDS categories:
Infrastructure
Housing
Transportation
Broadband
Economy
Upturns or downturns in industry sectors
New business openings (or closures)
Communication
Marketing and outreach
Services
Health care
Natural Resources
Agriculture
Energy
Human Capital
Workforce
Education
NOTES:
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Page 3
Beartooth RC&D
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting MINUTES September 21, 2023
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Josiah Porcel (Sen. Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
Emily Schneller (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
5. Treasurer Update
6. RC&D Financials
7. RLF Financials
8. RMAP
Resolution for USDA-IRP
EPA Policy Updates
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
5. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
6. Revolving Loan Fund – Nan Knight
7. Economic Development/ CRDC – Jacy Head
8. Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
Regional Roundup – News and updates from regional
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories….
(see topics on next page)
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
November 23rd, 2023- Big Timber/ Columbus, MT
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Hauge/Knight
Knight
Head
Bertolino
Knight
Head
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Information
Action
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
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Page 4
Beartooth RC&D
Board Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2023 – 1:00 pm
Roberts Fire Hall
Members Present:
Joel Bertolino, BRCD
Nan Knight, BRCD
Myrna Lastusky, BRCD
Dan Lowe, Big Horn Conservation District
Commissioner Scott Miller, Carbon County
Ryan VanBallegooyen, Billings Job Service
Commissioner Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
Stephanie Ray, Stillwater County
Lorene Hintz, BSED
Danny Choriki, Billings City Council
Tory Kolkhorst, Sen. Daines’ Office
Joey Grewell, on behalf of Emily Schneller, Rep. Rosendale’s Office
Kerri Crowe, Workforce Services Development
Commissioner Don Jones, Yellowstone County
Present on Zoom: Thank you, Sibanye-Stillwater Mine, for the grant to help us purchase our Meeting Owls!
Josiah Porcel
Brent Moore
Meeting Called to Order: Chair VanBallegooyen called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review March Board Minutes (Action): Melanie Roe motioned to approve. Scott Miller seconded.
Motion carried.
Congressional Updates:
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
o Continue to see service issues with USPS throughout state. Lost packages are a huge issue.
Sen. Daines wrote a letter to Postmaster DeJoy about this.
o Possible government shutdown – Every year the Senator joins on the “no budget, no pay” act
to prevent members of Congress from getting paid if they can’t pass a budget.
o Biden admin came after MT way of life by delaying/halting funding to schools to teach gun
safety/hunter safety – Senator is pushing back.
o Safer Banking Act – will be considered for Senate Banking Committee next week to protect
MT businesses from liberal initiatives in the ESG movement.
o Introduced bipartisan bill to help promote cloud computing. Sen. was in private sector for 30
years with Gov. Gianforte.
o Introduced a bill to unlock public access and improve forest management on over 100,000
acres of public land.
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Page 5
Josiah Porcel (Sen. Tester)
o Sen. Tester’s bipartisan defending hunters’ education act – would require Dept. of Ed. to
restore school dollars for school archery, gun safety, and hunter education programs. Biden
admin blocked funding for gun safety programs. Growing up in MT, hunters’ safety is a
critical issue – we’re all proud of our heritage. Pushing back on that.
o Top of mind is avoiding a government shutdown. Lot of action right now on House side. Over
1 million federal employees and troops overseas wouldn’t get paid.
o Sen. Tester and Sen. Daines both sent letters to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on delays
with post office, which is hitting Bozeman and rural areas hard. Trying to see improvement
with staffing and other issues.
Joey Grewell – here on behalf of Emily Schneller (Rep. Rosendale)
o Great to be here!
o Emily is sad to be absent – she is out on medical leave.
o Rep. Rosendale did 28 stops in a couple weeks – very busy.
Did Energy Tour with Rep. Andy Biggs & Eli Crane of Arizona. They went to
Sibanye-Stillwater Mine, Yellowtail Dam, Colstrip, the CHS refinery, ate at Greycliff
Mill, attended Billings Air Show, and many businesses.
o Continuing resolution to fund government. The DOD rule bill – voted on again today and
didn’t pass again. Planned to do CR right after and now will need to renegotiate. Rep.
Rosendale is a strong no on both bills due to spending concerns.
o Farm Bill – expires on Sept. 30th. Looks like new one won’t be passed, so there will likely be
some sort of continuing funding mechanism. Rosendale will support it.
Joel: What kind of timing? Joey said it could be a ways down the road – probably 6-8
months.
Treasurer/Financial Reports: Nan Knight (RC&D Financials / RLF Financials / RMAP) (Action)
RLF funds: right now we have 21 loans, over 1.7 million loaned out.
$352,000 available
Seeking more funding
We have $300,000 we can drawdown for microloan funds but need to deplete the $150,000 first.
2 SSBCI loans are out there; one has started paying back and the other has first payment next month.
The RLF side of Beartooth has been extremely busy even with the higher interest rates.
Newest loan is for a garbage can cleaning business. Nan described the truck that cleans and sanitizes
garbage cans.
o Ryan commented on how much money is out there for RLF – and yet we are looking for more
to help more businesses.
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Page 6
Revolving Loan Fund Books- August 2023
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $176,832.99
Stillwater 1 $144,938.45
Yellowstone 12 $891,049.76
Carbon 3 $370,629.62
Sweet Grass 2 $148,235.77 Total:
20 $1,731,686.59
One Yellowstone county loan paid off.
One new SSBCI loan in Yellowstone county for a start-up business.
loan in Hardin moved to October for closing.
Looking to applying for another IRP in September with board approval.
Bank Balances as of August 31, 2023 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- RMAP $ 150,728.49 $ 150,728.49 $300,000 (still waiting
to be drawn down)
Bank of Joliet – RMAP LOAN LOSS $ 2,500.00 $ 0.00
Bank of Joliet EDA $ 8,627.73 $ 8,627.73
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $ 69,232.95 $ 69,232.95
Bank of Joliet- IRP $ 198,388.94 $ 92,888.94
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $ 31,406.21 $ 31,406.21
Available: $ 352.884.32
Restricted Accounts Principal amounts paid back
FIB – SSBCI 2.0 $ 148,621.00 $ 508.23 BOJ-
SSBCI 2.0 $ 79,651.50
21
Page 7
Beartooth 2023 Budget
2023 Income 2023
Budget Actual
AG -FOOD AND AG CENTER 45,000 33,706
Specialty Crop Block 35,000 25,116
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR
DUES 56,979 43,382
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 419
BOARD-FOUNDATION
MONEY 3,300 3,641
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 15,000
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 2,093
CRDC 71,000 67,466
EDA - GRANT 70,000 55,000
BSTF ADMIN $ 4,000
RCDI ( Big Horn) 2,500 3,810
RCDI (Red Lodge) 4,000 1,125
Pass- Through 71,078
312,179 306,836
Expenses for 2023
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 244,441 160,807
COMMUNICATIONS 7,000 4,829
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 6,000 3,326
CONTRACTUAL 25,000 108,924
SUPPLIES 7,000 1,862
TRAVEL 7,500 3,243
OTHER 11,500 7,951
EXPENSE TOTAL 308,441 290,942
15,893
Statement Ending: 08/31/2023
Checking Account: $95,505.51
Savings Account: $65,073.30
Building Account: $4,488.53
22
Page 8
Revolving Loan Fund Books- October 2023
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $201,096.56
Stillwater 1 $144,466.74
Yellowstone 12 $889,437.20
Carbon 3 $367,769.38
Sweet Grass 2 $148,235.77 Total:
20 $1,751,005.65
One Yellowstone county loan will be paid off this month.
One loan in Hardin closed last month.
1st RMAP TA drawdown
2022 Daft Audit completed for review and approval.
Bank Balances as of October 31, 2023 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- RMAP $ 152,198.53 $ 152,198.53 $300,000 (still
waiting to be drawn down)
Bank of Joliet – RMAP LOAN LOSS $ 2,500.94 $ 0.00
Bank of Joliet EDA $ 8,877.47 $ 8,877.47
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $ 80,846.40 $ 80,846.40
Bank of Joliet- IRP $ 137,766.10 $ 92,766.00
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $ 31,441.83 $ 31,441.83
Available: $ 352.884.32
Restricted Accounts Principal amounts paid back
FIB – SSBCI 2.0 $ 148,621.00 $ 1,257.91 BOJ-
SSBCI 2.0 $ 79,651.50 $ 499.81
23
Page 9
Beartooth 2023
Budget
2023 Income 2023
Budget Actual
AG -FOOD AND AG CENTER 45,000 33,706
Specialty Crop Block 35,000 25,116
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR
DUES 56,979 43,382
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 419
BOARD-FOUNDATION
MONEY 3,300 3,641
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 15,000
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 2,093
CRDC 71,000 67,466
EDA - GRANT/ EIG 70,000 72,500
BSTF ADMIN $ 4,000
RCDI ( Big Horn) 2,500 4,398
RCDI (Red Lodge) 4,000 1,591
Pass- Through 97,503
312,179 351,815
Expenses for 2023
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 244,441 199,865
COMMUNICATIONS 7,000 5,793
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 6,000 3,991
CONTRACTUAL 25,000 118,131
SUPPLIES 7,000 8,521
TRAVEL 7,500 7,605
OTHER 11,500 8,765
EXPENSE TOTAL 308,441 352,671
-856
Statement Ending: 10/30/2023
Checking Account: $91,156.70
Savings Account: $65,261.56
Building Account: $4,488.53
24
Page 10
Beartooth RC&D Staff Project Updates
November 2023
FOOD AND AG DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROJECTS
Beartooth FADC
Beartooth FADC activities include a November 9th meeting with Department of all Food and Ag
Development Centers for a farm to school training as part of the federal funding received by the network to
increase the amount of local montana foods purchased for schools and in stitutions. Beartooth FADC staff
assisted businesses with the GTA grant pre applications in October. Beartooth FADC staff has been on
regular meetings and trainings on becoming a technical assistance provider for USDA Rural Energy for
America grant applications the funding was applied for and received through the Montana Dept. of Ag for
funding technical assistance for the USDA Rural Energy for America program.
Growth Through Ag Projects and USDA Projects
Beartooth FADC has worked with several businesses on Growth Through Ag and USDA VAPG grants some of
these will have an opportunity to be granted funding and we will continue to assist them in completing
their business expansion projects. –
S Ranch Meats
Location- Custer, MT
Contact- Hannah Knutson
S ranch meats is a family owned and operated beef business. The ranch operates a 6000 head ranch and
developed a USDA meat processing plant in Hardin, MT. They have developed their own line of packaged
meats sold at local restaurants and through Facebook and word of mouth marketing. Beartooth FADC has
been worked with USDA VAPG specialists to assist the business in applying for $250,000.00 in operating
funds to expand their direct to consumer branded beef business. They have not been selected for the
funding this round.
Oswald Farms
Location- Joliet, MT
Contact- Melissa Oswald
Oswald Farms operates a generational ag operation that raises cattle feeds them, has them processed at a
local USDA plant and sells their own branded beef products to local restaurants and locally through
Facebook. They have developed their own retail location to sell their meat products and other local foods
and it is located near the intersection of highway 310 and 312 both heavily traveled roads. Beartooth FADC
has been working with USDA personnel with the business to apply for a Value Added Producer Grant for
$250,000.00 to expand their direct to consumer beef business. Oswald Farms application has been
selected for funding these operating funds will help them grow their direct beef sales business and their
new retail store.
25
Page 11
Speedy and Flo’s Sweet Corn
Location- Hardin, MT
Contact-Flo Ramirez
Beartooth FADC worked with Tina Toyne of Big Horn County Economic Development to assist Flo
Ramirez and his wife. They started growing fresh produce and sweet corn for local sales over ten years ago
on a one-and-a-half-acre garden plot. Their business has grown and they now raise 25 acres of sweet corn
and have a 4-acre garden, they sell all of their fresh produce at locations in Hardin, several in Billings, Joliet,
Miles City and Absarokee as well as in northern Wyoming. Beartooth FADC and Tina Toyne assisted them
on developing a GTA Marketing Development Assistance Grant for custom made bags for their fresh
produce that will have their logo and Facebook information for their customers. The application for GTA
marketing assistance was successful and we assisted them in applying for the GTA program for the
development of their greenhouse.
J&D Meats
Contact- Jon Schneider
Location- Hardin, MT
Beartooth FADC was invited by Tina Toyne of Big Horn County Economic Development to visit with J&D
Meats a small meat processing operation that has a retail front selling fresh meats and lunches in Hardin.
The business was purchased in 2021 after years of operating as Buds Catering and has been refurbished. The
business is looking to continue to grow and is interested in the USDA RMAP micro entrepreneur funding
through our revolving loan funding. Beartooth will work with Tina Toyne to set up a time to visit further
about the RMAP funding.
Yellowstone Pasta
Location- Billings, MT
Contact-Henry Kennah
Henry is a former chef for Jakes in Billings that started making fresh pasta using Montana hard red durum
wheat. He was referred to us by our partners Kayla and Lorene at SBDC who are assisting him with business
planning. Beartooth FADC met with Henry and discussed his equipment needs for expanding his business
and the Growth Through Ag grant and loan program. Beartooth FADC assisted Henry in developing a GTA
application for equipment that would help him grow the business.
Undammed Distilling
Location-Billings, MT
Contact- Allen Hodges
Allen Hodges started Undammed Distilling in Billings approximately two years ago and utilizes Montana
ingredients in his spirits, he is looking to expand his business. Beartooth FADC met with him to discuss the
Growth Through Ag funding opportunity for equipment. Beartooth worked with Allen to develop a pre
application for the GTA grant.
26
Page 12
Greycliff Mill
Contact- Daniel Seylor
Location- Greycliff, MT
Beartooth staff has been in communication with Greycliff mill in Big Timber to discuss funding sources for
their value added ag operation. The value added business mills local grains used in the breads t hat are
served at their restaurant and coffee shop, they plan to use local milk to make a line of cheeses and grow
sweet corn, beans, apples and berries which will be utilized to be sold fresh and in jams.
On Going Projects
Montana Prime Meats
Contact- Lamont Herman
Location- Big Horn County and Billings, MT
Beartooth FADC assisted Montana Prime Meats with the development of a GTA grant in 2021 and have
continued to follow up with the business, they opened a retail outlet to sell their beef and lamb products
raised on the Herman Ranch in Big Horn County and it has developed a following. They ae now looking for
funding to expand their offerings to include fresh cuts of Beef and Lamb. Beartooth Staff visited their
business to discuss the potential use of the RMAP funding for their expansion project. Beartooth FADC
continues to work with Lamont on his business expansion.
Yellowstone Valley Farm
Contact-Reuben Stahl
Location-Laurel
Reuben Stahl has a family greenhouse business growing basil and selling to FSA and Sysco, he would like to
add another greenhouse to keep up with increased demand this last year. Beartooth staff visited
Yellowstone Valley Farms and discussed the Rural Energy for America Program for funding to improve the
energy efficiency of his greenhouse operations to lower the businesses energy bills. Beartooth RC&D
assisted Reuben with developing a GTA grant and will assist when he is interested in a USDA REAP
application for his greenhouse expansion.
27
Page 13
Primitive Meats
Contact- Kelsey Grice
Location- Worden, MT
Kelsey Grice and her husband are looking for funding assistance through the GTA grant to help them with
construction costs and equipment for their start up meat processing business. This Business also applied
for an ARPA Value Added Ag Grant, Beartooth FADC put the business in contact with a local engineering
firm to discuss the plans for their plant. Their application was approved for $150,000.00, Beartooth FADC
has been in contact with the owners now plan to sta rt construction of their plant this summer or fall.
Becky’s Berries- Absarokee, MT
Contact- Becky Stahl
Location-Absarokee
Beartooth FADC has been assisting Becky with locating specialized assistance in recipe development for a
new line of products she is currently working on. They have now completed their recipes for a line of
mustards and we are now helping them on developing a process for filling and packaging the products.
Beartooth FADC has worked with MMEC to get resources to visit Becky to talk about the equipment and
design for implementing this new process. Beartooth met Becky and Tim at the business with Nan Knight
and Lane Gobbs to discuss their new line products and what equipment they will need to develop an efficient
process.
Beartooth FADC initiated contact with the following businesses
Beartooth FADC Outreach
- Beckies Berries- Absarokee, MT
- Fishtail General Store – Fishtail, MT
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Page 14
11/9/2023
Economic Development/ CRDC / EDA PPG / EPA Brownfields
o BSTF- this will be changed to the Montana Growth Fund; program guidelines should be
announced in November
Stillwater County Industrial/Business Park Feasibility Study – another project
extension has been requested to MT DOC, this project must be completed by
12/30/2023
o USDA BHC RCDI Grant – training continues with Tina Toyne
o USDA RLACF RCDI Grant- training and communication continues with Angela Getchell
o Next reporting period will include:
-USDA RCDI Quarter reports (2)- Jan 2023
-CRDC Quarter report- the end of Jan2023
-EDA Partnership Planning Grant report- Jan 2023
-BSTF Quarter report- one final report at the end of the project
o Helping Hands Food Bank in Hardin- Phase II assessment is complete, waiting on next steps
o Former Rocky Fork Inn site in Red Lodge- Structural assessment occurred on August 30th; the
inspection occurred on the 31st; the Phase I assessment was conducted on September 8th. Once
the closing date is announced, the Phase I ESA will be conducted then the demolition and
disposal
o Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant- awaiting approval on pre-award compliance
review; then the RFP will be released for the QEP(s)
o MCF-MT Disaster Recovery Fund grant- all funds have been distributed; Myrna can give a
better update on recipients and amounts awarded
o DOC-Business Attraction – attending monthly check-in meetings & quarterly site selector
calls
o Additional Clients that were worked with:
One Health
Sandstone School
Little Big Horn Camp
Town of Lodge Grass
Sports Hut
Carl Hamming
29
Page 15
Frequently Used Acronyms
BIA – Bureau of Indian Affairs
BLM – Bureau of Land Management
BRCD – Beartooth RC&D
BSEDA – Big Sky Economic Development Association
BSTF – Big Sky Trust Fund
CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
CRDC – Certified Regional Development Corporation
CEDS – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
CTEP – Community Transportation Endowment Program
EDA – Economic Development Administration
EDD – Economic Development District
FADC- Food and Ag Development Center
GIS – Geographic Information Systems
GPS – Global Positioning System
GTA- Growth Through Ag Grant and Loan
HOME – Montana Home Investment Partnerships Program
HUD – US Department of Housing and Urban Development
IRP – Intermediary Relending Program
LESA – Land Evaluation Site Assessment
MBOI – Montana Board of Investments
MDOA- Montana Department of Agriculture
MDOC – Montana Department of Commerce
MDOL – Montana Dept. of Labor
MDOT – Montana Dept. of Transportation
MDFWP – Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
MEDA – Montana Economic Developers Association
MMEC- Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
NADO – National Association of Development Organizations
NHS – Neighborhood Housing Services
NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service
RBDG – Rural Business Development Grant
RC&D – Resource Conservation & Development
RCDI – Rural Community Development Initiative
RD – Rural Development (a division of USDA)
RCPP- Regional Conservation Partnership Program
REAP- Rural Energy for America Program
RLF – Revolving Loan Fund
RMAP- Rural Micro entrepreneur Assistance Program
SBA – Small Business Administration
SBDC – Small business Development Center
SSBCI- State Small Business Credit Initiative
TIFD – Tax Increment Finance District
TSEP - Treasure State Endowment Program
USDA – United States Department of Agriculture
USFS – United States Forest Service
30
Page 16
LSL- Lead Service Lines
31
File Attachments for Item:
8. Council Workshop Minutes of November 21, 2023.
32
33
34
35
File Attachments for Item:
9. Budget/Finance Committee Minutes of November 14, 2023.
36
37
38
File Attachments for Item:
10. Appointment of James Wise to the Laurel Airport Authority for the Remainder of a five-year
term ending June 30, 2024.
39
40
File Attachments for Item:
11. Resolution No. R23-87: A Resolution Of The City Council Approving A Memorandum Of
Understanding For The 2023-2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between The City Of
Laurel And Local Union 316, American Federation Of State, County, And Municipal
Employees, AFSCME Regarding Timecard Procedures And Boot Allowance.
41
R23-87 Approve MOU for CBA 2023-26 (Timecard Procedures and Boot Allowance)
RESOLUTION NO. R23-87
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING FOR THE 2023-2026 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUREL AND LOCAL UNION 316,
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL
EMPLOYEES, AFSCME REGARDING TIMECARD PROCEDURES AND BOOT
ALLOWANCE.
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel and Local Union 316, American Federation of State,
County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME (hereinafter “the Union”) have negotiated a
Collective Bargaining Agreement for Years 2023-2026 (hereinafter “the CBA”), which has
already been approved by the City and the Union;
WHEREAS, the City and the Union have agreed to memorialize certain additional
provisions of the Union employees’ employment by way of a Memorandum of Understanding,
attached hereto and fully incorporated herein (hereinafter “the Timecard Procedure and Boot
Allowance MOU”), and formalize them in the MOU;
WHEREAS, these terms specifically apply to Timecard Procedures and a Boot
Allowance for Union Members and do not modify any other terms and conditions of the CBA
or other MOUs entered into between the City and the Union; and
WHEREAS, City personnel and Union personnel have agreed that the MOU is in the
best interests of both parties.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana,
Section 1: Approval. The Timecard Procedure and Boot Allowance MOU between the
Union and the City is hereby approved and effective upon the date written herein.
Section 2: Execution. The Mayor is hereby given authority to execute the MOU on
behalf of the City.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of November, 2023,
by Council Member ________________.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 28th day of
November, 2023.
APPROVED by the Mayor the 28th day of November, 2023.
42
R23-87 Approve MOU for CBA 2023-26 (Timecard Procedures and Boot Allowance)
CITY OF LAUREL
___________________________
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kelly Strecker, Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
43
44
45
File Attachments for Item:
12. Ordinance No. O23-04: An Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapters 12.18.010 And
12.18.060 Of The Laurel Municipal Code Related To Special Events Permits.
46
Ordinance No. 023-04 Amend Title 12, Chapter 12.18 (Special Events Permits)
ORDINANCE NO. 023-04
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTERS 12.18.010 AND 12.18.060 OF
THE LAUREL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS.
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to keep the Laurel Municipal Code current by
modifying and updating Chapters, Sections, and Subsections to address situations and problems
within the City and to remain in accordance with Montana law;
WHEREAS, City Staff prepared, reviewed, and approved the following amendments to
the existing LMC § 12.18 et al, as noted herein, and hereby recommends the same to the City
Council for their full approval; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to the existing LMC § 12.18.010 and 12.18.060 are
attached hereto and hereby fully incorporated herein. See attached revised Chapters and
proposed Ordinance changes.
This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after final passage by the City
Council and approved by the Mayor.
Introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the
14th day of November 2023, upon Motion by Council Member Mize.
PASSED and ADOPTED by the Laurel City Council on second reading on the 28th day
of November 2023, upon Motion by Council Member _____________________.
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR on the 28th day of November 2023.
CITY OF LAUREL
___________________________
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kelly Strecker, Clerk-Treasurer
47
Ordinance No. 023-04 Amend Title 12, Chapter 12.18 (Special Events Permits)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
48
Created: 2023-10-23 14:37:20 [EST]
(Supp. No. 20)
Page 1 of 2
Chapter 12.18 SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
12.18.010 Requirement to obtain special event permit.
A. It is unlawful for any person to conduct any event in or upon any public street, highway, sidewalk, alley, or
other public way owned, controlled, or maintained by or within the city, or knowingly participate in any such
event, unless and until a special event permit to conduct such event has been obtained from the city.
B. It is unlawful for any person to conduct any event in or upon property owned, controlled, or maintained by
the city, or knowingly participate in any such event, unless and until a special event permit to conduct such
event has been obtained from the city if:
1. The event involves more than fiftytwenty-five people;
2. The event involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
3. The event involves the physical alteration to city property;
4. The event involves vending/solicitation; or
5. If fees are to be collected by the permittee for the event.
C. The following activities are exempt from the special event permit requirement: funeral processions, lawful
picketing on sidewalks when the number of participants does not substantially impede, obstruct, impair, or
interfere with the free use of the sidewalk or the conduct of business, and activities conducted by a
governmental agency acting within its scope of authority.
(Ord. 07-03 (part), 2007)
(Ord. No. O22-06, 11-8-2022)
12.18.060 Insurance and indemnity.
Sponsoring persons, organizations, companies, corporations, or other entities applying for a special event
permit shall hold the city harmless and indemnify from any and all claims, damages, loses and expenses arising
from the special event. Applicants for a special event permit shall agree in writing to hold harmless and indemnify
the city for any and all claims, lawsuits, or liability, including attorney's fees and costs allegedly arising out of the
loss, damage, or injury to persons or personal or public property occurring during the course of or pertaining to the
special event caused by the events sponsoring organizations, companies, corporations, or other entities, their
officers, employees, or agents.
The sponsoring organization shall carry appropriate insurance as required by the city, including
comprehensive general liability, automobile liability and/or designated premises liability in the minimum amount
of onetwo million dollars per occurrence and twofour million dollars aggregate per event or location, and when
deemed necessary, the City can require more insurance coverage for higher-exposure events. The city must be
named as an additional named insured.
The mayor has the authority to waive the requirements contained in this section. Additionally, the mayor
may require insurance coverage in a higher or lower amount based upon the type of special event, the number of
persons anticipated to attend the special event, or the anticipated number of person s participating in the special
event.
49
Created: 2023-10-23 14:37:21 [EST]
(Supp. No. 20)
Page 2 of 2
Each applicant shall execute a hold harmless agreement in a form approved by the city agreeing to defend,
indemnify, and hold harmless the city against losses and liabilities incurred from the conduct of the applicant or its
officers, employees, and agents. The agreement must be submitted to the mayor with the application for a special
event permit.
(Ord. 07-03 (part), 2007)
(Ord. No. O14-02, 7-15-2014; Ord. No. O22-06, 11-8-2022)
50
File Attachments for Item:
13. Ordinance O23-05: An Ordinance Amending Title 12, Chapter 12.32.050 Of The Laurel
Municipal Code Related To The City Tree Board.
51
Ordinance No. 023-05 Amend LMC § 12.32.050 (City Tree Board)
ORDINANCE NO. 023-05
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTER 12.32.050 OF THE LAUREL
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE CITY TREE BOARD.
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to keep the Laurel Municipal Code current by
modifying and updating Chapters, Sections, and Subsections to address situations and problems
within the City and to remain in accordance with Montana law;
WHEREAS, City Staff prepared, reviewed, and approved the following amendments to
the existing LMC § 12.32.050, as noted herein and on the attached, and hereby recommends
the same to the City Council for its full approval; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to the existing LMC § 12.32.050 are attached hereto
and hereby fully incorporated herein. See attached revised LMC § 12.32.050 changes.
This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after final passage by the City
Council and approved by the Mayor.
Introduced and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the
28th day of November 2023, upon Motion by Council Member _____________________.
PASSED and ADOPTED by the Laurel City Council on second reading on the 12th day
of December 2023, upon Motion by Council Member _____________________.
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR on the 12th day of December 2023.
CITY OF LAUREL
___________________________
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kelly Strecker, Clerk-Treasurer
52
Ordinance No. 023-05 Amend LMC § 12.32.050 (City Tree Board)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
53
Created: 2023-10-23 14:37:21 [EST]
(Supp. No. 20)
Page 1 of 1
12.32.050 Creation and Eestablishment of a Ccity Ttree Bboard.
There is hereby created and established an Aadvisory Bboard to the Ccity Ccouncil which will be known as
the Ccity Ttree Bboard for the Ccity of Laurel ("Bboard") which shall consist of seven (7) five members who are
residents of theis Ccity or who live within two miles thereof, and who shall be appointed by the Mmayor with the
approval of the City Ccouncil. The members shall come from different interest groups including homeowners, tree
professionals, street department, and city government.
(Ord. 05-1 (part), 2005)
(Ord. No. O11-04, 3-15-2011)
54