HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 01.27.2020AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
i` LAUREL RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020
11:00 AM
LAUREL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the agenda. The duration
for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the committee
will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
General Items
1. Roll Call
Chair called the meeting to order at 11:OOAM
Don Smarsh
Sam Langmo
Janice Lehman
Dean Rankin
Judy Goldsby
Linda Frickel
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
Steve Simonson (Beartooth RC&D)
Diane Lehm (Big Sky EDA)
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: December 16, 2019
Members reviewed the meeting minutes from December 16, 2019.
Don motioned to approve minutes from December 16, 2019.
Dean seconded.
Motion carried.
3. Big Sky EDA Update
Steve Simonson from Beartooth RC & D was present.
• Stillwater county has a total of 12 wind farms in progress
1 under construction
• 1 front of Public Service Commission
• 10 in preparation stages.
Dean: When does the tax incentive terminate?
• The project in southern Carbon County needs to be operational by December of 2020.
• Beartooth has been in touch with Senator Tester's office to discuss the timeframe
Diane from Big Sky EDA discussed a new grant program.
Space to Place Grant Program: Small placemaking grants to help activate areas
• $500-$5,000 for individual grants
• MT Firefighters Memorial received funding in 2019 for benches
• Would like to see boosted community engagement for young residents including cub scout
groups, etc.
• Projects could include:
o Could be community garden,
o Painting projects
• Any applications with something creative are welcome.
o Installation of musical instruments at parks. Fashioned to look like flowers. (Wise
wonders in Billings)
• Applications that discuss gathering spaces, walkability are encouraged
Members discussed possible projects. Beautifying the Overpass and the last time it was done (Approx.
2010).
New Business
4. Discussion: Growth Management Plan - Economic Development Priorities
Don mentioned the HGTV opportunity "Home Town Takeover" to update storefronts, homes, etc.
Could be an interesting way to get a big boost to upgrade the city and especially the downtown
Application looks simple and easy to do.
Could we possibly get video and photos together?
Judy mentioned that there was some previous drone footage taken
Cami at the Chamber is interested in the application. But up until recently was busy with their annual
meeting.
The Laurel chamber is busy at the moment
Nick provided his opinion on some of the items included on the Goals for Economic Development.
Members discussed the goals and asked questions
Old Business
Other Items
Don asked about the status of the grant he submitted in December.
• Nick will be putting together the information to be processed.
Members discussed the old lighting project for SE 4a' Street. Has this project every come back up in
conversation? The last time LURA had heard of it, the old Admin Assistant was looking into lighting
bids. Has been around 5 years since the project has been discussed at length and worked on.
• Nick will look at the minutes and documents to check the status of this project.
5. Budget
Members reviewed the budget. They discussed the anticipated funding amounts, whether the Large
Grant will remain at $225,000, and what impact the bonding should have on their ability to support
grants.
• The bonding should come in lower than initially anticipated.
• Nick will check the status of the Large Grant funding.
Discussion on TIF Districts
• Steve let the board know that he had been in touch with the City Attorney for information on TIF
Districts and resources for local stakeholders.
• Diane discussed how Jenna Cornish had been brought in previously to help develop the TIF and
explain the TIF and its purpose.
• Kelly Lynch with MLCT is a great resource for information on how to develop a TIF and the
legal background.
Announcements
6. Next Meeting: February 24, 2020
Don Motioned to adjourn
Dean Second.
Motion Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:38AM
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person's ability to
participate in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk's Office to make needed
arrangements. To make your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Eat. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Bog 10,
Laurel, MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.