HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 12.16.2025 MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
TUESDAY,DECEMBER 16,2025
A Council Workshop was held in Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Dave Waggoner
at 6:30 p.m. on December 16, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x_Tom Canape _x_Heidi Sparks
x Michelle Mize x_Jessica Banks
_x Casey Wheeler _x Iry Wilke
x Richard Klose x Jodi Mackay
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brittney Harakal, Administrative Assistant
Kurt Markegard, CAO
Forrest Sanderson, LURA Coordinator
Public Input:
There were none.
General Items
1. Appointment of Peggy Pollock to the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency for a four-year
term ending December 31, 2029.
The 2025 Legislature made changes to the organizational makeup of urban renewal and TIF
districts. Both the school district and the county are to have representation. As a term becomes
available, it will be filled with one of those members. It is required to replace Cheryl, whose term
is expiring, with Peggy, who is a representative of the school district.
2. Appointment of Cheryl Hill to the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency -Advisory of a four-
year term ending December 31, 2029.
Cheryl has served on the board for several years and has been key in moving projects forward.
She makes the meetings and takes the minutes. She is willing to serve as an advisory member
while the ordinance is being processed to change the number of voting members.
Cheryl Hill commented that she is disheartened to need to step down to an advisory role;
however, she still wants to continue to see these projects through. When the ordinance is passed,
she wants to return to a voting role.
Executive Review
3. Mayor: Ordinance -An Ordinance Amending Title 20, Chapter 02 Of The Laurel
Municipal Code Related To The Laurel Urban Renewal Agency.
S133 drives this ordinance change, see attached. The proposal is to increase the board from 5 to 7
voting members. A County representative must fill the following vacancy.
Cami Story, LURA Chair, thanked the Staff for getting this item on the agenda. She is
disheartened that Cheryl has to step down to an advisory role, as LURA has been working on this
since September.
Council Issues
Reminder that next week, both the Budget/Finance Committee and City Council will meet on
Monday at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.
The Emergency Services Committee has been cancelled for December.
Other Items
Attendance at Upcoming Council Meeting
All Council Members plan to attend next week's meeting.
Announcements
4. Swearing in of newly elected officials on December 22, 2025, City Council Meeting.
An additional announcement was made regarding the Boards/Committees/Commissions that
Council Members sit on. It was requested that Council Members submit to the Mayor which ones
they would like to sit on. There will need to be a special meeting on January 6th for the Mayor to
appoint to the Boards/Committees/Commissions so that Budget/Finance can review the claims
and payroll prior to the following City Council meeting on January 13th
The council workshop adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfii submitted.
T
Britt nRa
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.
-2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 3
AN ACT REQUIRING A DISTRICT THAT USES TAX INCREMENT FINANCING TO CREATE AN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 7-15-4234 AND 7-15-4282, MCA.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 7-15-4234, MCA, is amended to read:
"7-15-4234. Urban renewal agency to be administered by appointed board of commissioners.
(1) If the urban renewal agency is authorized to transact business and exercise powers under this part,the
mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the local governing body, shall appoint a board of commissioners
of the urban renewal agency consisting of no fewer than five commissioners,including one representative from
the county or consolidated city-county government and one representative from a school district with
boundaries that overlap with the urban renewal area.
(2) The initial membership&4"must consist, at a minimum, of one commissioner appointed for 1
year, one for 2 years, one for 3 years, and two for 4 years. Each subsequent appointment must be for 4 years.
A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of a commissioner must be filed with the clerk of the
municipality, and the certificate is conclusive evidence of the proper appointment of the commissioner.
(3) Each commissioner shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and has qualified.
(4) A commissioner may not receive compensation for services but is entitled to the necessary
expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the discharge of duties.
(5) Any persons may be appointed as commissioners if they reside within the municipality.
(6) A commissioner may be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office."
Section 2. Section 7-15-4282, MCA, is amended to read:
"7-15-4282. Authorization for tax increment financing --advisory committee. (1)An urban
Legislative 1 Authorized Print Version—SB 3
Services ENROLLED BILL
�. Division
-2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 3
renewal plan as defined in 7-15-4206 or a targeted economic development district comprehensive development
plan created as provided in 7-15-4279 may contain a provision or be amended to contain a tax increment
provision as provided in 7-15-4282 through 7-15-4294.The local governing body shall approve the adoption of
a tax increment provision included in an urban renewal plan. The legislative body of a local government shall
approve the adoption of a tax increment provision included in a targeted economic development district
comprehensive development plan.
(2) (a) Before adopting a tax increment financing provision as part of an urban renewal plan or a
comprehensive development plan, a municipality shall provide notice to the county and the school district in
which the urban renewal district or targeted economic development district is located and provide the county
and school district with the opportunity to meet and consult in a public meeting with the opportunity for public
comment regarding the proposed tax increment financing provision and its effect on the county or school
district.
(b) Before adopting a tax increment financing provision as part of a comprehensive development
plan, a county shall provide notice to the school district in which the targeted economic development district is
located and provide the school district with the opportunity to meet and consult in a public meeting with the
opportunity for public comment regarding the proposed tax increment financing provision and its effect on the
school district.
(3) The tax increment financing provision must take into account the effect on the county and
school districts that include local government territory.
(4) U Except as provided in subsection (4)(b) the legislative body of a local government that
adopts a tax increment financing provision shall appoint an advisory committee to advise the local government
about the administration of the urban renewal area or targeted economic development district. The committee
Must include at least one representative from each incorporated city or town county or school district with
boundaries that overlap with the urban renewal area or targeted economic development district. The committee
may include representatives of other taxing bodies with boundaries that overlap with the urban renewal area or
targeted economic development district.
(b) An urban renewal area administered by an urban renewal agency created under 7-15-4232(2)
is not required to appoint an advisory committee as provided in subsection (4)(a)."
Legislalive - 2- Authorized Print Version—SB 3
`•!Services ENROLLED BILL
D visio?i
-2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 3
Section 3. Transition. If the urban renewal agency provided for in 7-15-4234 is composed of five
commissioners on [the effective date of this act], in the event of a vacancy or on the next appointment the
mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the local governing body, shall appoint commissioners consisting
of one representative from the county or consolidated city-county followed by one representative from a school
district with boundaries that overlap with the urban renewal area.
- END -
Legislative - 3 - Authorized Print Version—SB 3
Services ENROLLED BILL
Division
I hereby certify that the within bill,
SIB 3, originated in the Senate.
Secretary of the Senate
President of the Senate
Signed this day
of 2025.
Speaker of the House
Signed this clay
of 2025.
SENATE BILL NO. 3
INTRODUCED BY J. TREBAS
BY REQUEST OF THE REVENUE INTERIM COMMITTEE
AN ACT REQUIRING A DISTRICT THAT USES TAX INCREMENT FINANCING TO CREATE AN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE; AND AMENDING SECTION SECTIONS 7-15-4234 AND 7-15-4282, MCA.