HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 01.21.2014 MINUTES
Laurel Urban Renewal Agency (LURA)
January 21, 2014 — Laurel Public Library meeting room
Meeting called to order by Chair Judy Goldsby. Attendance: Shirley McDermott,
Mardie Spalinger, Marcia Hafner, Steve Zeier (Zeier Consulting), Steve Arveschoug
(BSED), Dean Rankin, Richard Herr, Linda Frinkel, Janice Lehman, and Shirley Ewan,
Monica Plecker, Heidi Jensen, City of Laurel representatives
Introductions were made and Minutes were approved as submitted.
REPORTS: One facade improvement request was received and will be reviewed at the
February, 2014 meeting. It was announced that the Price Pharmacy building has been
sold.
Shirley Ewan reported LURA's current balance of $493,604.09. The South Laurel Water
Project loan payment was made for January, 2014.
Monica Plecker /Heidi Jensen: 45 Degree North submitted their latest logo draft for the
City of Laurel. No votes were taken but everyone present was pleased with their latest
draft. LURA's 2014 meeting schedule was submitted and reviewed. The Library
meeting room has been most convenient and where we will continue to hold most of our
meetings, but the Board continues to want to meet at various locations within the
downtown. Laurel/LURA has been awarded a Big Sky Trust Fund Grant of $26,000+ to
develop a master plan. A Request for Proposals (RFP) should be advertised next week.
Dean and Janice will have a report next meeting on the SE 4 St. street painting.
Steve Zeier submitted his time report. He has been primarily meeting to property owners.
The Board provided Steve with additional direction from LURA.
Marcia Hafner, Chamber of Commerce asked about the distressed building by the grain
elevators. With the recent winds, debris had loosened and it looked like a real hazard.
We discussed that to remove it may be expensive. The building is owned by Montana
Rail Link (MRL). Linda Frinkel asked if anyone knew what plans were next with the
railroad now that the new line was completed. Is there a chance to possibly put in a
parking lot. There was a suggestion that another line might be put down. Steve Zeier
will invite a railroad representative to our next meeting to give us an update. It was
announced that.Burlington Northern is planning to create/hire 9 -10 jobs here and about
400 positions total. Steve A. announced that Burlington Northern has established an
office in Billings to help with the expansion.
There being no further business, meeting was adjourned. (Lura021814)