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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 08.17.2020 MINUTES CITY OF LAUREL LAUREL URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 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. 1. Roll Call The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:07AM Don Smarsh Daniel Klein Mardie Spalinger Linda Frickel Judy Goldsby Michelle DeBoer (arrived late) Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel) Steve Simonson (Beartooth RC&D) General Items 2. Approve Meeting Minutes: July 20, 2020 Members reviewed the minutes from July 20, 2020 as written. Dan Motioned to approve the minutes from July 20, 2020 Don Seconded. Motion Carried 3. Big Sky EDA Update 4. Beartooth RC&D Update Steve Simonson with Beartooth RC&D was present for the meeting. Steve noted that he and Dianne from Big Sky EDA want to meet with Planning Director to discuss the West End Interchange regarding business and industrial development. Bridger Wind Project:  MRL is benefitting with the new traffic from parts for the Bridger Wind Farm.  Expecting another 300 workers on the ground for the Bridger Wind Project.  Bridger Wind Project is currently behind schedule by about 8 -10 weeks. This is due with the grace period added for Energy Tax Credits. General Updates on the Economy:  Beartooth RC&D received grant for masks., received 15,000 masks. Has some leftover if Laurel Chamber of Commerce wants to re-supply to send out to businesses.  Big Sky is receiving funding to support the economic recovery efforts.  Steve remarked that the status of current remote workers returning to offices or remaining remote is an interesting point  30% of businesses expected to shutter nationwide. Beartooth is concerned with helping the businesses who want to remain open. Especially want to help with Internet marketing services and adapting. Mardie had a question about the Wind Project. The timing of shipments of parts for the project. When are they coming through town?  Steve will follow up with project leaders on the timing of those shipments.  8 truckloads of material per windmill. Expect around 1,000 truckloads. Judy asked about the 300 workers, if this was in addition to, or on top of the estimated original workforce.  These are the bulk of the workers, they were expected at the beginning of July, but the timeline changed.  The Concrete bases are poured, and workers will be installing the structures. New Business 5. LURA Small Grant Application: Steven Kops 107 E Main Street Members discussed of Steven Kops small grant application for 107 E. Main Street. Daniel asked how the building permitting/technical assistance grants are reimbursed? Daniel motioned to approve Grant of $4,125.00 for Steven Kop’s Technical Assistance and Façade Grant for 107 E. Main Street. Don Seconded. Motion Carried. Old Business Nick provided a brief update on the upcoming vote on the Large Grants going in front of Council 8/18 Workshop Other Items 6. Budget Review Daniel asked about the status of the debt service amounts. Nick will get an estimate of debt service amounts for the next meeting. Nick presented that Chad Page from The Pelican Café requested an extension on his project approved in August of 2019 to allow him to ensure the funding was still available. Daniel motioned to extend the project timeline for an additional 18 months after the initial August 2019 approval. Don Seconded. Motion Carried. Daniel asked whether we should forward recommendations about increasing General Large Grant Program amounts. Nick will review the Large Grant increase approval resolution to see what specifically was mentioned for consideration of future increases. Michelle mentioned possibly having it pegged at inflation levels to keep it current. Nick will provide a fully/newly approved budget at the September meeting. Michelle provided a healthcare update: The industry is crazy right now. The Crossings has been closed to public since the Pandemic began. Daniel asked if there was anything that needed to be done to assist. The biggest need for The Crossings is reusable PPE gowns. Discussion of the difficulty of adapting to the pandemic with supplies, technology, etc. Discussion of masks. Don had donated their inventory to Billings Schools and Laurel Schools. The difficulty of locating 3-ply masks. Many 2-ply masks are available but not optimal. TIF previously made a $5,000 donation to the school. Talk about if we can support the school district in any way. Discussion of the changes to how the school day will operate and new challenges. Discussion of the Real Estate industry. Has been busy but limited in certain price ranges. Have there been many site unseen purchases? Red Lodge has seen many of these. Forms Committee is adding language to the buy/sell agreement to state clauses regarding Site Unseen purchases. Announcements 7. Next Meeting: September 21, 2020 Daniel Motioned to adjourn the meeting. Don seconded. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:47AM. 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