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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 05.04.2015 MINUTES LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY MAY 4, 2015 11:00 AM LAUREL PUBLIC LIBRARY CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am by Judy Goldsby. ROLL CALL: Greg Nelson, Rick Herr, Linda Frickel, Patrick Klugman from BSEDA, Diane Lehm from BSEDA, Daniel Klein,Janice Lehman, Monica Plecker and Judy Goldsby were present. INTRODUCTIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: A motion was made by Greg Nelson and seconded by Dan Klein to accept the minutes as written. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: LARGE GRANTS REQUEST RECOMMENDATION TO LURA Monica spoke regarding the large grant requests received. LURA has allocated $75,000 to be distributed throughout the District. On April 24, 2015 a small group got together to review the applications and make recommendations to this board. The group consisted of Steve Solberg, Linda Frickel, and Ken Olson. The board reviewed the four(4) applications. 1) Cornerstone Plumbing—Jerrell Harris Facade Improvement,Curb, Gutter,Sidewalk Project total$38,705 Eligible$38,705 Requested$19,352 Recommended $11,000 2) High Plains Brewing—Dave Bequette Remodel of blighted/vacant building, Façade improvement Project total$20,000 Eligible$180,000 Requested$75,000 Recommended $30,000 3) Taco Bell Construction of Montana Avenue Project Total$60,873.22 Eligible$60,873.22 Requested$30,436 Recommended$30,000 1 4) 613 V2 E. Main—Jacob and Terry Lambrecht Remodel of blighted/vacant building, Facade improvement Project Total$21,566 Eligible $20,466 Requested $10,233 Recommended $4,000 Monica explained grant money is issued on a reimbursement basis. This requires the applicant to submit bills after work is done. The dollar amount of the work could vary but payments to the applicant cannot total more than their approved grant. The City reviews all requests for reimbursed to determine if they are eligible, prior to reimbursement. All funding is available in fiscal year 2015-2016 which runs July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Grant projects can start now but the funds cannot be paid out until July 1, 2015. This will be specified on the Resolution that the City Council approves. A motion was made by Daniel Klein to recommend approval of the four grant applications as recommended by the subcommittee with the corrected requested amount of$10,233 on application#4 from Jacob and Terry Lambrecht. Additionally,funding only be made available in fiscal year 2015— 2016,and subject to approval by the Laurel City Council. The motion was seconded by Greg Nelson. Board Discussion. Daniel Klein stated he hopes these applicants succeed with these projects and other businesses apply for grants in the future. Greg Nelson hopes this will kick start applicants for next year. The motion was voted on and passed by a vote of 3—0. NEW BUSINESS: Façade application for Daniel S. Mellor at 212 1st Avenue. Monica spoke. This is a technical assistance grant that was submitted by Daniel S. Mellor. This property is located at 212 ft Avenue for proposed businesses of MadDog Arms and Mellor Restoration. They would like to add an addition to the rear of the existing building and are looking for help with architectural and engineering services. They are suggesting that two businesses be able to operate out of the proposed space and would like to move in as soon as possible. They are currently working with Ryan at S Bar S Company which is based out of Lockwood. They are not one of the places the board has an agreement with but essentially LURA can't pay more than $80 an hour for those services. Daniel Klein stated that MadDog Arms is a retail gun store and Mellor Restoration is a vehicle restoration business. Dan wondered if there should be two separate applications for this since there are two businesses. Monica stated that based on this application and the way things are stated here she determined they are not eligible for both façade assistance and façade technical assistance. They are only eligible for the technical assistance up to 50 hours based on the addition in the rear of the building. They would only be eligible for$4,000 in technical services based on what the application states. If they want to come back for more on the facade they need to submit a new application for that. 2 Daniel Klein stated that Mr. Mellor does not own the property at this time. Daniel is not involved in the sale of the property. Monica stated that feasible studies for properties are eligible improvements whether it is a current or potential building owner,tenants,or developers within the TIF District. A motion was made by Greg Nelson to recommend approval for Daniel S. Mellor for up to a maximum of 50 hours of technical assistance funds. The motion was seconded by Daniel Klein. Discussion. Monica stated the City pays for technical assistance and it is paid directly to the Architect, not the applicant. So, if the applicant decides not to move forward with the proposed project the money doesn't get paid out. The vote was taken and passed by a vote of 3—0. NEW BUSINESS: Facade application for Timothy Casey for Red Neck Pizza at 11 S. 5th Avenue Monica spoke. Tim Casey,owner of 11 S. 5th Avenue would like to make improvements his front façade and install energy efficient windows and a door. Mr. Casey submitted photos and estimated the cost to be$9,420. This would make them eligible for$4710 in funding. A motion was made by Daniel Klein to approve the application for Tim Casey for$4,710 for 11 S. 5th Avenue.The motion was seconded by Greg Nelson. Discussion was held on who the new tenant of the building is and whether he plans to continue Red Neck Pizza. Monica stated the new owner of the business plans to continue the business known as Red Neck Pizza and is currently going through a Special Review application requesting the business be allowed to sell beer on the premises. At this time the motion was voted on and passed by a vote of 3—0. REPORTS: a. City Administration:Shirley Ewan. Shirley stated she was contacted by Northwestern Energy and they have sent the plan off to be designed. She requested decorative lighting but will have to wait and see what NWE comes up with. She is still waiting to find out if this will include the fixtures or not. The light district will have to pay for the installation but maybe not the fixtures. This hasn't been decided yet. It probably won't be another couple of month until they make a decision. b. Planning: Monica Plecker. Monica stated that at the May 5, 2015 Council meeting there is a variance request for an animated sign that is non-conforming.The applicant currently has two signs but is only allowed to have one sign. They are proposing to tear one of their signs down and replace it with a large animated 40 foot high by 17 feet wide sign that will face the interstate. Monica stated that LURA has put a lot of thought and effort into what they have envisioned the entryway district to look like.This applicant was told that he couldn't put the 3 animated sign up and then applied for a variance. Monica has the application in her office for anyone that would like to come look at. She encouraged LURA board members to attend the City Council meeting if they are interested in doing so. c. Big Sky Economic Development: Diane Lehm. Diane stated BSEDA will attend the May 18, 2015 meeting and give an overview of the projects they are working on. The next BSEDA pre-business work shop will be on May 23, 2015 for anyone wishing to attend. At the next meeting they will have information on the state of the workforce report they did recently. The Yellowstone County Commissioners have given BSEDA the OK to move forward with the second phase of looking at a targeted economical development district in the industrial park. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Topics: None. Next Meeting: May 18, 2015 Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Greg Nelson and seconded by Daniel Klein. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 am. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl und, Secretary 4