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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 12.02.2025 MINUTES CITY OF LAUREL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 02,2025 A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and called to order by Council Vice President Wilke at 6:30 p.m. on December 2, 2025. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: _x_Tom Canape Heidi Sparks x Michelle Mize Jessica Banks _x_Casey Wheeler _x_Iry Wilke x Richard Klose x Jodi Mackay OTHERS PRESENT: Brittney Harakal, Administrative Assistant Kurt Markegard, CAO JW Hopper, Fire Chief Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer Public Input: There were none. General Items Executive Review 1. Mayor: Resolution- Beartooth RC&D MOU Myrna Latusky with Beartooth RC&D introduced Nan Knight and Brad Eik. Together, they briefly reviewed what they have done within Laurel this past year and the programs they offer. One big project they are working on is a sight selector tool, so when a business is coming into the area, they have a database with information that can narrow down areas to look at that meet their needs. Council requested periodic newsletters throughout the year on their activities. Council questioned which businesses can apply for a revolving loan fund. It was clarified that as long as they are a registered business with the Secretary of State, they can apply. If they are in agriculture, they also have to meet the value chain requirements. One project worked on this past year was a funding research project on the Bozeman Trail. It is the most accurate research to date. 2. Finance: Resolution - Budget Amendment This budget amendment makes changes to the budget passed in September. The first item covers the bid for the new Ambulance. The second item is to allow the Fire Department to purchase new extrication equipment and reimburse the General Fund with the grant they have received from CHS over the next three years. The Fire Chief noted that the grant is to update their extrication equipment. One set of extrication equipment went down this past weekend. The new set will come with a lifetime warranty. They will need to be serviced every 5 to 6 years. The City does pay for the routine services. Council Issues Council questioned the recent announcement from the State regarding the Mental Health Facility coming to Laurel. Chief Administrative Officer Markegard reminded Council that it is the State's decision to choose the facility's location. As he had previously briefed Council, the City cannot be considered under their process because we do not have property within our jurisdiction to propose. At this time, the City has not received a request for annexation. City Attorney Braukmann stated that the City will need to preserve all feedback it receives on this matter. She reiterated that there is nothing before the Council at the moment. Council asked how they should convey verbal comments they receive. If those statements need to be written down and submitted or stated during a public meeting. It was clarified that they should be stated during a public meeting. Council and the public were reminded that the State is a separate governmental entity. The City does not control what the State does. The public was further reminded that just because the Council may not respond does not mean it lacks care. All information on the project can be found at hops://hb5.mt.,ov/. Council noted that they had received some phone calls and voicemails regarding this matter. It was questioned if those need to be preserved, too. It was clarified that both text and voicemails are discoverable and need to be preserved. Other Items A seminar will be held at the Laurel Senior Center from 5:30 to 6:30 on Aging Thinking Behavior. Is it just normal aging, or is it something more? The next Tree/Park Board meeting will be on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Rotary is selling Christmas trees from 12 to 6 in the Ace Parking Lot. Sunday is Pearl Harbor Day. There will be a ceremony at the Yellowstone National Cemetery at noon and the City Cemetery at 2 p.m. They will be placing Wreaths Across America starting at 10 a.m. Sunday is the Laurel Christmas Stroll. Reminder, there will be fireworks. Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting Council Member Mackay will be absent from next week's meeting—all other Council Members plan to attend. Announcements No additional announcements. The Council Workshop adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted. Brittney Haraka Administrative Assistant NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. MONTANA FOOD & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK $ 28e5 0 1, 101 MILLION 134 offered 1:1 TA and in secured funds for producers A trainings ranging from food & agricultural businesses business consulting to safety regulations and 1,101 businesses and through private, state, or understanding local food individuals. federallaws to federal grant application strategies and value-added ag opportunities. "The mission of the FADC network is to create stronger, more educated, agriculture focused businesses that are better positioned to access capital. By building stronger businesses we are improving the economic viability of our Montana communities." A I) ow MONTANA • OF partnershipFunded by and in AGRICULTURE Qullding Al fhenger eemmunNlao & _.�� l�earoofh R��►D MISSION - TO CULTIVATE RESPONSIBLE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION VISION - CONNECTING BUSINESSES WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY. IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY & REGIONAL INITIATIVES 1 Economic Community & Investment Regional Initiatives 5 RLF Loans Totaling $377,264 Facilitated a total of$408,264 in plus a$210K loan pending. funding(loans,grants,and technical r support)for businesses and projects - � Business Enhancement Program in the City of Laurel& $1,320,980 ✓; 4A grants supporting businesses with technical training and consulting 1 within Yellowstone County. �Og (4 training events held this year- Qk 991 $10K value). 2 Job Creation & Retention 2 Food & Ag: Cultivating Local Our clients were responsible for Growth creating and retaining 18 jobs, n Cultivating Growth:Our F&A .az contributing directly to the vitality of support provided$31,000 in direct the local workforce. funding and technical assistance to } stabilize and expand the City of ' laurel's food supply chain. 3 Local Reach 1 3 Regional Ripple Effect Provided hands-on support and Rural Success Fuels Urban technical assistance to 21 unique clients Growth: Beartooth's support for or in Laurel, including small businesses, businesses throughout our region value-added ag producers, LURA, and directly creates demand for non-profits,ensuring our resources commercial and financial services reached communities across the entire in Laurel,strengthening the region County. as a whole. BEARTOOTH RC&D: YOUR PARTNERS IN PROSPERITY Beartooth RC&D,a State-designated Certified Regional Development Corporation and Federally-funded Economic Development District, partners with the City of Laurel through an MOU that multiplies local contributions many times over. These funds help attract state and federal dollars that support business growth,foster job creation and retention,and strengthen the City's economy through targeted technical assistance and regional collaboration. Elm 3 Business Site t-�� Rural Energy for f Brownfields a Selector Tool America Program Program An online platform being developed to Bringing State Resources Home:By leading the Beartooth RC&D now controls$1.46 Million showcase available sites and attract new Eastern Montana REAP effort,Beartooth ensures ($460K Assessment Grant+$1 M RLF)in business investment across Laurel, that City of Laurel businesses have priority dedicated funding to clean up and redevelop Yellowstone County and the region. access to vital rural energy grants and technical neglected properties throughout our region. 'More info on the back expertise. Brownfield cleanup projects create business opportunities&healthier communities. Beartooth RC&D s HOW IT Site Sele for Tool BENEFITS THE initiative REGION • Promotes business attraction,retention, and expansion. What is the Site Selector • Creates a unified regional platform for OTool? property marketing. The Site Selector Tool is an online- • Ensures local communities are platform designed to showcase represented in site selection decisions. available properties,workforce data,, . Supports strategic redevelopment of and community assets across our • underutilized properties. five-county region.It connects businesses,investors,and • Strengthens economic resilience across Big Horn,Carbon,Stillwater,Sweet Grass, developers with the information they need to make location decisions and Yellowstone Counties. quickly and confidently. Key Features • Interactive property search by size,zoning,and readiness. • Workforce and demographic data to highlight talent pipelines. • Infrastructure and transportation mapping(utilities,highways, broadband). • Incentive overlays(Opportunity Zones,TIF districts,tax incentives). • Exportable,presentation-ready reports with maps and charts. • Integration with local and / regional data sources. Brownfields Redevelopment Showcasing A unique feature of our Site Selector / Tool will be a Brownfields layer, I Our Region. highlighting redevelopment-ready sites across the region.With available I t funding support for cleanup and ; 1 Attracting reuse,these sites represent new opportunities for growth and Bu s i n ebs• community revitalization. Creating Get Involved Growth. Be part of shaping the Site ;r , Selector Tool for our region. 1 Attend a stakeholder meeting, share local property I �- data, and help highlight the • j I unique strengths of your community. EXHIBIT A Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Fund 1000—General Fund-Transfer Original Appropriation 180,074.00 Amended Appropriation $ 460.750.00 Increase in Appropriation: $ 280,676.00 Increase Appropriations to the Interfund Operating Transfers Out, due to purchase of a new Ambulance made through donations and the purchase of extrication gear for the Fire Department though a grant from CHS over a 3-year period. Fund 4000—Capital Projects- Ambulance Original Appropriation $ .00 Amended Appropriation $ 250,676.00 Increase in Appropriation: $ 250,676.00 Increase Appropriation in the Capital Projects account for the Ambulance Department due to unanticipated purchase of a new Ambulance. Fund 4000—Capital Projects-Fire Department Original Appropriation $ 427,883.00 Amended Appropriation S 457.883.00 Increase in Appropriation: $ 30,000.00 Increase Appropriations due to receiving a CHS grant for the purchase of extrication gear. This grant will receive$10,000 each year for the next three consecutive years with the city receiving the first payment in November of 2025. Fund 4000—Capital Projects Original Revenues $ 180,074.00 Amended Revenues S 280,676.00 Increase in Revenue: $ 460,750.00 Increase Revenues to the Capital Interfund Operating from the General Fund,for the purchase of a new Ambulance and Extrication Gear. Li5 Creating connections to empower agriculture PO Box 909 Laurel, MT 59044 October 21, 2025 Laurel Volunteer Fire Department 215 W 11t Street Laurel, Montana 59044 Dear LVFD, On behalf of the CHS Energy Division,we are pleased to inform you of our commitment of support to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of$30,000.00 over a three-year period. Please find enclosed the first of three installments for $10,000.00. The remaining installments will be made in the Fall of each calendar year. We appreciate all that you do for our community and wish you continued success in all your endeavors. We have also enclosed an Acknowledgment of Gift form for you to review,sign,and return in the self-addressed stamped envelope. This is a requirement of our corporate reporting policy. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding the form. Sincerely, Shane LaCasse Shane Lacasse Vice President of Refining Enclosures