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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 07.05.2011 Laurel Urban Renewal Agency— Minutes July 5, 2011 Owl Cafe Members Present: Shirley McDermott Dean Rankin Bruce McGee Others Present: Tom Nelson Steve Zeier Janice Lehman Aletta Zimmerman Linda Frickel Heidi Jensen Shirley Ewan Chairman, Shirley McDermott called the meeting to order at 11:25 a.m. The secretary of the committee was not present, nor were the minutes. Reports: Linda Fricke) stated that Rock the Block, which was held on July 1, 2011 was a huge success. Janice mentioned that the Palace Street Dance was also a huge success. Part of the proceeds from Palace Dance will be donated to the Boy Scouts, the Fire Department and the Dodgers. Shirley McDermott asked who sponsored the parade this year. Linda stated that the Chamber did. Shirley stated that there were some real problems with letting vehicles stay parked on the parade route and the Chamber should look at making them move or be towed. Janice Lehman stated there really needs to be some kind of rule in regards to the size of the vehicles in the parade. Semis are extremely dangerous for the children and viewers. Linda stated that there was a lot of traffic congestion the night of the fireworks also and the City should look at either changing the lights to all red or place reserve police to direct traffic. She noted that there were some close misses with vehicles that were impatient. Bruce stated that the Police Chief has chosen not to take on the responsibility of traffic directing for that event. Heidi Jensen, City Planner, stated that the Department of Transportation has agreed to the sidewalk program on Main and has agreed to design, construct and administer the construction of the project. The project will go to the DOT workshop and will begin in August of this year. Linda asked that the trees, that are to be planted as part of the TIF beautification plan, be purchased locally. Heidi stated that they will probably be purchased through the State Surplus, but if they are not she will try to see if someone in town can order them for the project. • Heidi reported that the City has asked an architect to look at designing a parking lot on MRL property on Main Street. She hopes to have the design and plans back to LURA within a month. Heidi also mentioned that the City will begin a sidewalk repair program and that she is looking for volunteers to start. An article was to be in the paper 3 weeks ago and it has still not been published. She will contact the paper to find out when it will be printed. If the City repairs or replaces sidewalks, the homeowner or business owner will be able to pay for the repairs up front or will have the opportunity to place the amount on their taxes, as an assessment, for up to 5 years. Dean reported that the storm drain hook -ups have begun on SE 4 Street and the entire project should be done shortly. There may be some problems with the Quick Lube business as the business is up for sale. If the business does not hook up at this, time they will be unable to hook -up until the 5 year non - cut period has expired. The SID should be ready to go sometime this fall. Castlerock out of Billings is doing the hook -ups. Shirley Ewan presented the budget for the 2011 -2012 Fiscal Year and asked if there were any changes that the committee would like to see on the budget. None were addressed. Unfinished Business: It was agreed among the members present that Linda, Dean and Daniel will form a sub - committee to review the applications for the facade and technical assistance programs and bring their recommendations back to the committee. New Business: One application has been submitted by Zack Allred for technical assistance on his 6 unit apartments at the Marshall Apartments. Mr. Allred is looking for guidance on plumbing and electrical efficiencies. He is also looking for some help with parking for the rentals. Motion was made by Bruce, seconded by Shirley to accept Mr. Allred's application. Motion passed unanimously. Shirley will notify Mr. Allred in writing and Heidi will notify Nash at High Plains Architects) that Mr. Allred has been awarded 50 hours of engineering /architectural services. Dean stated that timely consideration should be given to each applicant and the sub - committee should review the applications and be ready for a recommendation prior to the committee meeting. Some of these applications need to go before the City Council and need to be on a workshop prior to the actual voting. If the sub - committee meets as soon as the application comes in, it will cut the process down by approximately 2 weeks. If the sub - committee approves the application, it will be delivered to the Council Secretary to be placed on the workshop agenda and LURA can approve the application after the fact if the timing is off. Steve mentioned that this process only needs to occur on facade assistance, not for the technical assistance. The sub - committee will meet this week and review Mr. Cooke's application for the committee's approval. LURA Committee Members' Comments and Discussion: Aletta asked how the flood mitigation was going at Riverside Park. Heidi stated that the City has met with FEMA and is working on a short term and long term fix for the levee as well as reimbursement for expenditures already incurred. Linda mentioned that the trash receptacles that are in Town Square can be made available for the rest of the downtown area. They are made by a local vendor, Carol and Grey Nelson, with Laurel Alive, and can be made for the rest of the area for a more reasonable cost than those purchased for Town Square. These could be part of the beautification project for downtown. Public Comment: No public comment was heard. For Next Meeting: Recommendation of Mr. Cooke's application for technical assistance. Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. The next LURA meeting will be held on July 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Owl Cafe. Respectfully submitted, Shirley Ewan