HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 02.24.2020
MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 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 1:00AM
Daniel Klein
Don Smarsh
Judy Goldsby
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: January 27, 2020
Don made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 27, 2020
Daniel seconded.
Motion carried.
3. Big Sky EDA Update
Diane Lehm from Big Sky EDA was present. She presented a few major upcoming items.
Business Healthcare summit this week, 2/27, Thursday at the Northern Hotel. Guest speakers will hold
sessions from 8AM-5PM. There is no attendance fee and lunch is provided.
Topics covered:
• Asset mapping,
• Economic impact of healthcare
• Roundtable discussions on healthcare, business, and their intersection
• Keynote from Mayo Clinic Discovery Square and how it came together
• MT Bioscience will be hosting a panel.
• Community Action Forum
Official closing of the MT Bank Building is happening on Friday, 2/28. Will then be able to transition
the first two floors into incubator and coworking space for entrepreneurship support.
Steve Simonson from Beartooth RC&D:
• Helped write a support letter for the MT Bank Building purchase for BSEDA.
• Promoting that project will be a good way to boost business experience and knowledge
• More wind power projects going on
o Public Service Commission is still reviewing projects
o Southern Carbon County project is putting together their gravel stockpiles for
foundation/pad build-out
o They will be building out a major fiberoptic line
o Will notify Council and Planning Board when tours will go through for the site
Will Fiberoptic lines be useable for area residents?
• Very few landowners nearby, but it makes sense to allow options for tapping into the system.
Joliet chosen as location for new Detention Center.
• Beartooth RC&D have been requested to put a USDA Grant for the project to help cover the
costs.
• Will be very helpful for the region due to overcrowding in area jails.
• Will be behind the USDA Service Center.
• 20-30 acre parcel under discussion.
• 80-100 beds is the sweet spot for a detention center
• Sweetgrass and Stillwater Co. have put in letters of intent to have spaces reserved.
New Business
4. Discussion: Laurel Grant Application Form Update
Nick presented the updated application form and information packet. Members discussed the changes
and if any other changes are necessary.
5. Discussion: Grant Program Info Packet Updates
Don: Can we update the reimbursable amount to $4,000 or $5,000 as a limit for Signage and Awnings?
• Any PROJECT that is over $5,000 goes in front of City Council, regardless of separate grants.
Create a new bullet point on front page of application for Signage, Awning, etc. (Separate headings)
Steve mentioned that Beartooth has a Revolving Loan Fund available that are competitive with bank
rates. Steve will send the Planner the contact info for the RLMF Manager. Will update forms to let
Laurel residents know about this separate opportunity.
Old Business
Other Items
6. Budget
Members reviewed and discussed the up to date budget. Had questions about the currently unused
funding in the Large Grant Account.
➢ Two outstanding reimbursements are Mtn Land Rehab and Pelican Café.
➢ Brian from Mtn Land Rehab stopped into the office last week and provided proof of payments
for reimbursement.
Other Discussions:
➢ Steve suggested that Beartooth would be happy to support projects with Gap funding.
➢ Discussion on Owl Café and redevelopment. Will be at auction soon.
➢ Discussion of parking availability in downtown area.
➢ Rumors about LURA, new businesses? Selling of Rimock Chevrolet to Ford has been done, and
there is a Wendy’s coming in in SE 4th St.
➢ A senior resource center will be going into the Laurel Trading Post lot?
Announcements
7. Next Meeting: March 16, 2020
Daniel motioned to a adjourn.
Don seconded.
Meeting Adjourned 11:43AM.
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, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel,
MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
DATES TO REMEMBER