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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 03.16.2015 MINUTES LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY MARCH 16, 2015 11:00 A.M. LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Judy Goldsby, Chairman Dean Rankin Dan Klein Greg Nelson ADVISORY MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Frickel Janice Lehman Steve Arveschoug OTHERS PRESENT: Heidi Jensen Ken Olson Kent Harris Rick Herr Shirley Ewan Marcia Hafner Chairman Goldsby called the regular meeting of LURA to order at 11:10 a.m. The minutes of the February 17, 2015 meeting were presented and approved via motion by Linda, seconded by Dan, and passed unanimously. Old Business: Heidi asked when the LURA group would like to start meeting bi-monthly. It was decided that the bi- monthly meetings would start in April, the first to commence on April 6th Judy mentioned that Mardie will be gone for some time and asked Shirley to please take the minutes today. Judy would like to see a temporary appointment to Mardie's position until she is able to return as a LURA member. New Business: Heidi opened the new business with an application from Reese&Ray's updated façade. The total amount spent on the upgrades was $84,394 and the maximum amount of grant is $5,000. Heidi would like to recommend to the group that,because the project was so large, the group consider granting them$10,000 and will recommend it to the Council on March 31St. She would like to know if the group agrees. Dean made a motion to take the application to the Council in the amount of a$10,000 grant, Dan seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed. Heidi stated that the three highest priority projects were tallied by Monica and the choices were: 1)Washington Avenue storm water project; 2) SE 4th Street striping and pedestrian crossings; and 3)Conversations with MRL to form a better relationship. Heidi mentioned that the striping on SE 4th will be done this spring. The downtown diagonal parking will also be striped. Since these are both in the TIFD,the striping will be paid for out of the TIFD funds. The pedestrian crossings on SE 4th will be done at the same time with solar cross walk signs. The striping and the crosswalks are two large projects that will be highly visible to the community. Judy asked if the Main& 1 St Avenue speed bump outs will be taken care of this spring. Heidi said they will not be done at this time. In regards to the relationship with MRL,Marcia stated that since Linda has retired from MRL, the group should consider approaching Jim Lewis, the new Public Relations Representative for MRL. Dean stated that he feels that the south side of Main should be addressed as a separate project and would like to see one person dedicated to the chore of approaching MRL with what they would consider leasing and what they would allow on the property. He would like to see Kent work on this project and possibly see a water station or some form of business or beautification done in that area. 1 Heidi stated that she would more than welcome Kent's assistance. Heidi did mention that the last time the City contacted MRL in regards to the land south of Main, she was told that MRL would not be leasing any land there as they had plans for track expansion. Steve mentioned that, if Kent is unable to approach Mr. Lewis, he would consider contacting Larry Simpkin with MRL on our behalf. Kent mentioned that he would be approaching MRL in a LURA capacity and not as a Banker. Reports: Heidi let the group know that the applications for the large grant program were to be due on April 1st,but she and Monica have pushed the deadline date to April 15th. She would like to place a large ad in the Outlook to advertise the grant program. Monica has met with Jennifer from the Outlook and there will be an article in the paper next week in regards to the program. Dean inquired if the new brewery would qualify. Heidi mentioned that they could sure apply. She also let the group know that Taco Bell will be demolishing the old Pizza Hut building and putting up a new Taco Bell, as well as putting in a street, curb and gutter on what is currently Montana Avenue. This will give Taco Bell a one-way entrance and exit and fix the street for the City. Greg mentioned that he has been in contact with the owners of the Trading Post, is trying to establish a rapport with them, and will be meeting with them this afternoon to discuss the shape of the building. Shirley handed out the budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. She would like the group to consider adding another transfer out to pay for Heidi's work for LURA. The group felt that would be fine. She mentioned that there has been a miscalculation on the County break-out of the distribution of mill dollars and TIFD has received around$20,000 more than they should have. They will be revising the distribution and the amount we receive will be approximately$20,000 less than expected. They have already held back$6,000. Shirley let the group know that there is$959,689 available for large capital projects next fiscal year. Steve mentioned that he met with Heidi and Monica in regards to the Gateway Plan and has come up with 4 items that he will be working on for the TIFD. 1) He will be developing a Laurel TIFD Business Tool Kit that will be an advantage to TIFD projects. 2) He plans on building a relationship with MRL to help with projects that LURA would like to see done. 3) He is working on a business financing plan and would like to bring Brandon Berger to one of the meetings in May to discuss financing. 4) He would like to spend more time on bringing more industrial projects to the Laurel TIFD,as well as doing site visits. Heidi mentioned that while the new intake is being built, the City would like to add spurs to the lines for future development on the west side of Laurel when the new west end interchange is being built. These spurs will also have sewer lines. Marcia mentioned that there will be an open house at the Chamber for the Laurel Loco Express this Thursday,March 19th, from 5:00—7:00 p.m. There will be an open house for Rimrock Car Dealership on Monday,March 23`d, from 5:00—7:00 p.m. Both open houses are free. Dan inquired if Laurel Alive will be having the street dances this year. Brian(from the Palace)would like to talk to the group about bidding out the liquor licenses to different bars during each event. A different bar would host the dance each time. Linda and Judy are interested in his idea and will contact him. Being no further business, Dan moved to adjourn the meeting, Linda seconded, all in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Respectfully submitt f v Lon-1--1 Shirley Ewan, Clef-lc/Treasurer 2