HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 07.20.2020
MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
MONDAY, JULY 20, 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.
The Chair Called the meeting to order at 11:00AM
1. Roll Call
Mardie Spalinger
Don Smarsh
Daniel Klein
Judy Goldsby
Nicholas Altonaga (city of laurel)
Ken Olson
Richard Herr
Brief discussion on marking down if members are absent in the meeting minutes. Nick received emails
from Michelle and Janice that they would be absent for this meeting.
General Items
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: July 6, 2020
Board members reviewed the meting minutes from July 6, 2020.
Daniel Motioned to approve the Minutes from July 6, 2020.
Don Seconded.
Motion Carried.
3. Big Sky EDA Update
Dianne was not present for this portion of the agenda.
4. Beartooth RC&D Update
Steve Simonson from Beartooth RC&D was not present for the meeting.
Chair moved the Discussion on the Large Grant Program up in the agenda. Nick discussed the current
situation and the need to update the previously approved spreadsheet.
Ken Olson of the MT State Firefighters Memorial Park was present. He wanted the board to know that
he was unaware that they had previously received a grant. It had been two years and it had slipped his
mind.
He will be sure to check the status of grants and eligibility prior to submitting applications in the future.
The application of the 2020 Large grant was not intention and did not want to do anything untoward.
Ken wanted to stress that the work of LURA is tremendous and has a focus on the community. He
applauds the work the board has done.
Don remarked that LURA values the Memorial Park project and that they are in support of the continued
efforts.
Nick presented the updated spreadsheet with the updated removal of the MT Firefighters Memorial
grant. Members discussed the amendment.
Don Motioned the amend the previously approved LURA Large Grant decision with the updated amount
of $218,150.84.
Daniel Seconded.
Unanimous Vote in favor.
New Business
5. Yellowstone County Economic Recovery Plan Presentation
Nick presented the outline of the Yellowstone County Economic Recovery Plan. Diane Lehm had
arrived to provide additional comment.
Judy – Why are Railroad and Refineries not included in the Recovery Plan contents?
• Will the loss of demand lead to lay-offs in those industries?
• The question was raised about the statistics for “Leisure Activities”, what is included in that
definition?
• Is the economic recovery task force planning for longer term recovery? Months out?
Big Sky EDA has received funding to bring on SBDC funding to employ a staff member to help track
the recovery and see what the ongoing situation is.
• Seeking out funding for those hardest hit industries.
• Will be preparing information on this in the short term to get a better idea of the long term
impacts
Don asked if there are any additional programs left for people to utilize?
• The Governor will most likely seek out further options to use funding.
• Federal level discussions have taken place about the next round of funding.
Big Sky is working on Business stabilization plans for businesses. Steve Simonson at Beartooth also has
funding available through the RLF and other grants. There are also service grants through the state for
non-profit institutions.
The VFW has been displaced from its buildings and needs assistance to meet its obligations. Other
memberships organizations are in similar situations.
Old Business
6. Large Grant Program Discussion
Item moved up in the agenda.
Other Items
Judy mentioned that the Bridger Wind Farm project will be trucking turbine parts out of the Railyard for
the next few weeks/month. Roads will be partially shut down to accommodate these trips.
7. Budget Review
Nick will provide an updated budget at next month’s meeting.
Announcements
8. Next Meeting: August 17, 2020
Meeting was adjourned at 11:34AM
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