HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCSP Oversight Committee Minutes (26) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2002 MEETING
Members present: Johnson, Olson, Easton, Srrizich, Banmgartner, Walker, McCaan, and Cumin.
No previous minutes were noted as we met at the Chamber Building for a Chamber After Hours function.
Members of the OC, LRL, BSEDA, Montana Department of Commerce, Beartooth RC&D, and the City
met with MRL representatives to discuss working with MRL to develop rail service-oriented businesses
in Laurel. Howard Nash, Director of Marketing for MRL from Missoula, and Tim Van Ordcn, MRL
Trainmaster from Laurel, discussed MRL properties that could utilized for new industries. Also
discussed was what is involved with using MRL lands and how MRL could work with the City and new
industries. A potential light-rail manufacturing company in Seattle was discussed as a possible prospect,
and strategies were developed for coordinating with MRL to approach this business. Al Jones with the
Department of Commerce said there were seed monies available for developing a possible industrial site
that would be rail served. MRL left a map of their property with the group. James Klessons with the
Beartooth RC&D said there are also some leads dealing with malting barley facilities and food or tire
distribution that would work well in Laurel in conjunction with MRL. It was a good meeting.
The OC decided not to try and get a Business Improvement District going at this time. LRL has its hands
full with constructing the Town Square. The OC did support moving forward with a Development
Corporation for Laurel that would be a private non-profit organization that focused on developing
businesses, business properties, and funding economic development.
Following up on the MRL meeting, the OC decided to coordinate a trip to Seattle with MRL to meet thc
light rail manufacturer. It was suggested that maybe Al Jones, because &his knowledge about such
developments, might best represent Laurel on such a trip.
The possibility that other land might be needed to develop rail-related businesses also came out of the
MRL meeting, and Cai is to do some ownership research. Working with this kind of activity is where a
development corporation would be really useful.
The need to bring in Senator Baucus' office into our development program was talked about, and this may
occur at our next meeting.
Cai presented a Bike/Pedestrian Plan outline. This is the basic work that has to be done, and more details
will be shed at the next meeting.
Invoices were approved: Fischer and Associates for preparatory work for After Hours visuals: $296.99:
Cumin Associates for plan implementation work ($660.00) and After Hours expenses ($53.00).
The next meeting is October 17th at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. This is a week later than
usual due to the OC Chair and two councilmen being absent for the regular meeting.
Meeting adjourned.