Urban Renewal Agency Board

‭September 18, 2024, 12 PM‬ ‭Anaconda Deer Lodge County URA TIF Board -‬‭DRAFT Minutes‬ ‭Community Service Center 3‬‭st‬‭Floor‬‭Conf. Room‬ ‭Attendance:‬ ‭Board Members Present: Jim Davison (arrived at 12:40), Rose Nyman, Dawn Dee, Kristy McKay‬ ‭Board Members Excused: Carl Hamming‬ ‭Staff: Kathleen Tarkalson‬ ‭Public: Mike Reilly, Trevor Scholler, Marquis Matson, Lynette Foulger, Bob Wren, Wayne Hildebrant, Luke Nelson‬ ‭Tammy Mattson, Jim Schneider, Sue Konicek, Emily Skladany, Dave McCarthy, Heather Collins, Duane Brugman, Maryanne‬ ‭Brugman, Jeff Galle, Angela Galle, Debbie Dauenhauer-Hess (via telephone)‬ ‭I.‬ ‭Call to Order and Roll Call‬ ‭A.‬ ‭Meeting was called to order at 12:05 PM.‬ ‭B.‬ ‭Rose Nyman moved to allow Kathleen Tarkalson, as secretary, to lead the meeting until the Chair arrived.‬ ‭Kristy McKay seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭II.‬ ‭Approval of Minutes from February 21, 2024 Meeting‬ ‭A.‬ ‭Rose Nyman moved to accept the minutes with one edit, on page two AFFCO has two “Fs”. Dawn Dee‬ ‭seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭III.‬ ‭Financial Statement‬ ‭A.‬ ‭Kathleen Tarkalson reviewed current financials and available funds.‬ ‭IV.‬ ‭New Business‬ ‭A.‬ ‭September 2024 Application Review‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Anaconda Yoga‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Marquis Matson explained her request for signs and window coverings.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked for clarification on what sign types she was requesting. Ms. Matson‬ ‭clarified that they are window signs as well as a sign that will hang on the lamppost‬ ‭outside.‬ ‭2.‬ ‭Copper Village Museum and Art Center‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Sue Konicek explained that they have a Montana Historic Preservation grant for a‬ ‭sprinkler system. They have already had the planning of the system done. This request is‬ ‭for phase II of the project, which is installation. This grant would act as a match for the‬ ‭Historic Preservation grant.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked, if their grant application is not successful, how they would pay for‬ ‭the project. Ms. Konicek said they would have to do additional fundraising.‬ ‭3.‬ ‭Elks Electrical‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Duane Brugman explained that they received a TIF grant before to get an estimate of the‬ ‭entire scope of the electrical project. They have submitted an application for a Montana‬ ‭Historic Preservation Grant and that this grant would be the match. They should know in‬ ‭April whether they receive that grant.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Rose Nyman disclosed that she received a phone call about the grants and said the‬ ‭application for the doors qualified but she didn’t know what the board would do about‬ ‭the match request.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked if they were asking for approval contingent upon receiving the‬ ‭Historic Preservation grant. Mr. Brugman answered yes.‬ ‭4.‬ ‭Elks Facade‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Mr. Brugman shared that the back door to the building was difficult to open and cannot‬ ‭be repaired. The door and frame need to be replaced, along with the front doors.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Dawn Dee asked whether they received any local bids. Mr. Brugman said that nobody‬ ‭locally does this kind of work.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether the approximately $3,000 request was for both front and‬  ‭back doors. Mr. Brugman said yes.‬ ‭5.‬ ‭Galle Facade‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Angela Galle explained that this is their third time applying for this grant and that their‬ ‭previous applications lacked specificity. This project total is $51,000 and they are asking‬ ‭for $20,000.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether work has already been done on this project. Ms. Galle‬ ‭stated that it isn’t complete but that work is in progress.‬ ‭6.‬ ‭Galle Infrastructure‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Ms. Galle stated that this project is approximately $8,700 and they are asking for half.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether work has started on this project. Ms. Galle said one sidewalk‬ ‭has been done but not this one. Ms. McKay clarified that it is a requirement of the grant‬ ‭that work not be started before applying.‬ ‭7.‬ ‭Galle Structural‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Ms. Galle explained that the building was built in the 1880s so it needs a lot of work. At‬ ‭one point bricks fell from the building onto the sidewalk.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether there will be a four-plex upstairs. Ms. Galle said there will be‬ ‭two units upstairs and two downstairs.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked whether work had been started. Ms. Galle said the electrical work‬ ‭has not started, the foundation has not started, but that the decking and stairs were‬ ‭almost done.‬ ‭8.‬ ‭The Hangout Cafe‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Trevor Scholler explained that they need an A/C and heat unit. The building has no heat‬ ‭at all and A/C in only half of it. They have invested quite a bit of their own money to fix‬ ‭the building up.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay noted that the request on the application was adjusted to reflect 50% of‬ ‭the project cost and asked whether they have the match. Mr. Scholar said yes.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Ms. McKay then moved to push the Historic Resource Board application to the end as Jim‬ ‭Davison hadn’t arrived yet and there wasn’t a quorum. Peppermint Paddy’s also would‬ ‭be pushed to the end because they were told 1:00 for their presentation.‬ ‭9.‬ ‭JFK Bar‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Debbie Dauenhauer-Hess explained that she misunderstood the bid from her contractor‬ ‭regarding the sidewalk. She received a TIF grant for the sidewalk last round and thought‬ ‭the bid included the boulevard next to the sidewalk. When they poured the sidewalk she‬ ‭discovered the misunderstanding. This request is for the boulevard next to the sidewalk‬ ‭where cars park.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Dawn Dee asked whether the project is already done. Ms. Dauenhauer-Hess said no.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked whether TIF funded the sidewalk already and was answered yes.‬ ‭10.‬ ‭Mike Reilly‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Mike Reilly explained that he bought 509 and 511 E. Park. He is planning to redo the‬ ‭entirety of both buildings. He likes the look of Anaconda Outdoors and wants to do the‬ ‭same to these. 509 has an apartment above. 511 has tin stamp ceiling in great shape. He‬ ‭wants to do condos above or apartments if not. He estimates that the storefronts should‬ ‭be done by July 2025. The storefronts will cost between $160,000-$200,000 and that is‬ ‭what he is submitting for this grant.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Dawn Dee asked how it is one property but two addresses. Mr. Reilly said the previous‬ ‭owners combined them at one time.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Ms. Dee asked whether he could do two applications and a brief discussion ensued‬ ‭regarding the status of the building as one or two. Since there are two addresses and two‬ ‭storefronts, they are considered two buildings.‬ ‭d)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked for clarification on windows as there was slight discrepancy between‬ ‭the application and his narrative. Mr. Reilly said he prefers to do wood clad but will do‬ ‭whatever is required by URA.‬ ‭11.‬ ‭Thompson’s Bar‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Wayne Hildebrant explained that they need A/C and heating. They came up against a‬ ‭time constraint with the change in weather so had to get it done. They were not able to‬ ‭wait for this meeting. They are asking for help.‬ ‭12.‬ ‭64 Mile Distillery Extension Request‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Jim Schneider explained that the building is 100 years old and was mandated to have a‬ ‭fire suppression system. The first phase, which consisted of digging up the street to bring‬ ‭in a pipe, is done. Second and third phases are what the grant covers. The process took‬ ‭longer than expected. He calculates he is 4-6 months from completing the project.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether an extension had been granted before. No.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Rose Nyman asked how long the project has been going on. Mr. Schneider answered that‬ ‭he bought it three years ago. He is a one man show so it is taking longer than expected‬ ‭but that progress is happening.‬ ‭13.‬ ‭Copper Holdings Extension Request‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Dave McCarthy explained that approximately 1.5 years ago they started a gas line‬ ‭project. It has taken much longer than expected due to unavailability of contractors.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked whether an extension had been granted before. Yes.‬ ‭14.‬ ‭Historic Resources Board‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Rose Nyman stated that she spoke with the County Attorney and she can participate in‬ ‭the presentation but will recuse herself from deliberations and voting.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Bob Wren explained that the project will be a 6’ bronze statue of Marcus Daly on a 4’x4’‬ ‭marble pedestal. The board has secured $55,000 and, with the TIF award, would have‬ ‭enough to proceed with project. They received $5,000 from Irish government, through‬ ‭AOH. This project is important to the board and the citizens of Anaconda.‬ ‭c)‬ ‭Dawn Dee clarified whether the $55,000 was secured and what the total project cost will‬ ‭be. Mr. Wren stated that, yes, the money is secured. He was unsure of the exact total‬ ‭cost because it depends on the location selected by the Commissioners. Incidental costs‬ ‭vary by location so the exact amount won’t be known until then.‬ ‭d)‬ ‭Kristy McKay noted that a Butte artist was selected and asked whether the board had‬ ‭gone back to Fred Boyer to get a revised second bid. Mr. Wren said no, that the‬ ‭difference was too large and they didn’t want him to take that much less than what he‬ ‭felt his art was worth. Additionally, there are County bid requirements that allow them to‬ ‭only go up a small percentage for local contractors and Mr. Boyer’s bid was well outside‬ ‭that percentage.‬ ‭e)‬ ‭Rose Nyman explained that they received a $50,000 economic development grant from‬ ‭the County and they have an application into the Town Pump Charitable Foundation as‬ ‭well.‬ ‭f)‬ ‭Dawn Dee commented that there should be a way to keep the work local. This was‬ ‭stated several times.‬ ‭g)‬ ‭Jim Davison asked whether it would be an entirely original sculpture or would it look like‬ ‭the one in Butte. Mr. Wren said it will be entirely new. They used photographs to get the‬ ‭facial expressions correct.‬ ‭h)‬ ‭Mr. Davison asked why a complete statue and not a bust. Mr. Wren stated that the board‬ ‭wanted it to be lifesize. A bust is better for indoors but the board feels strongly about‬ ‭lifesize.‬ ‭i)‬ ‭Ms. Nyman pointed out that a prototype had to be created in order to present to the‬ ‭board but that no work has been done towards the statue.‬ ‭j)‬ ‭Tammy Mattson said that she is excited about the project because of the number of‬ ‭times she has been asked about whether there is a statue. Also, as a former educator she‬ ‭is aware of how few children, and even adults, know who Marcus Daly is. She feels this is‬ ‭a good way to share the proud history of Anaconda.‬ ‭k)‬ ‭Ms. McKay asked what the board’s preferred location was. Ms. Mattson said each‬  ‭location has its pros and cons. While many people want The Montana, that is private‬ ‭property, and you can’t ensure who will own it in the future. County property is‬ ‭important to them.‬ ‭l)‬ ‭Ms. Nyman commented that this is a community project. One that can bring positive‬ ‭headlines and good feelings for Anaconda.‬ ‭m)‬ ‭Mike Reilly commented that he believes it is important to keep as much work locally as‬ ‭possible.‬ ‭15.‬ ‭Peppermint Paddy’s‬ ‭a)‬ ‭Heather Collins explained that she had to get started on several of the projects that‬ ‭made up the grant request so she is now asking for only the prep kitchen rough out with‬ ‭Saltenberger Plumbing. The cost of that project is $10,790. She encouraged everyone to‬ ‭stop by and look at the work that has been done. They took it down to the studs and‬ ‭everything is brand new.‬ ‭b)‬ ‭Kristy McKay asked when they will reopen. Ms. Collins said she is hoping for one month.‬ ‭B.‬ ‭Scoring/Voting‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Jim Davison asked if any projects don’t meet eligibility. Kristy McKay said that two of the Galle‬ ‭projects were ineligible. It was decided to go through each project individually to determine‬ ‭eligibility and vote.‬ ‭2.‬ ‭There was discussion about whether window treatments fell within the grant parameters. Mr.‬ ‭Davison said the applicant mentioned it was for energy efficiency but it was decided that the‬ ‭intent of energy efficiency is more for heating/cooling and windows, not window coverings.‬ ‭3.‬ ‭Ms. McKay made a motion to only consider signage for Anaconda Yoga. Dawn Dee seconded and‬ ‭motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭4.‬ ‭It was reiterated that the funding for the Elks Electrical will be contingent upon their successful‬ ‭receipt of the Historic Preservation grant. If the grant isn’t received, the TIF funds go back into‬ ‭the pool.‬ ‭5.‬ ‭It was decided that the Galle Facade project was ineligible since the work is almost complete.‬ ‭6.‬ ‭There was discussion surrounding the Galle Structural project as one portion of the work was‬ ‭complete. The project total was reduced by the amount of the portion already completed. Due to‬ ‭the size of the project, the revised total did not impact the $20,000 grant request.‬ ‭7.‬ ‭There was considerable discussion surrounding the Marcus Daly statue. Mr. Davison asked‬ ‭whether it could be located at the courthouse since it is out of the TIF district. Ms. McKay asked‬ ‭whether an exception could be made for a community project since the decision was up to the‬ ‭commission. Mr. Davison said he would look at the statute. He then stated that he has an issue‬ ‭with spending this much county money on a statue. He worries it would set a precedent for‬ ‭other projects. Additional discussion surrounded the use of a local artist. Ms. Nyman commented‬ ‭that there was a question about the board’s application and that the county attorney is looking at‬ ‭it to ensure the board followed the rules.‬ ‭8.‬ ‭Ms. McKay questioned whether the JFK application was complete since the applicant listed “on‬ ‭file” for several attachments since she applied in the last round. As there is no policy at this time,‬ ‭this application is eligible.‬ ‭9.‬ ‭Ms. McKay made a motion to make an exception to the rule that a project couldn’t be started on‬ ‭behalf of Thompson’s Bar since the abrupt weather change that required them to install a‬ ‭heating system before grant award. Ms. Nyman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭10.‬ ‭Rose‬ ‭Jim‬ ‭Dawn‬ ‭Kristy‬ ‭$ Amount‬ ‭Anaconda Yoga‬ ‭14‬ ‭12‬ ‭11‬ ‭19‬ ‭$146.45‬ ‭CVMAC‬ ‭16‬ ‭17‬ ‭12‬ ‭17‬ ‭$47,000‬ ‭Elks Electrical‬ ‭15‬ ‭15‬ ‭17‬ ‭23‬ ‭$16,000‬  ‭contingent‬ ‭Elks Facade‬ ‭17‬ ‭14‬ ‭16‬ ‭19‬ ‭$3,696.04‬ ‭Galle‬ ‭16‬ ‭17‬ ‭16‬ ‭15‬ ‭$4,350‬ ‭Infrastructure‬ ‭Galle Structural‬ ‭16‬ ‭15‬ ‭19‬ ‭18‬ ‭$20,000‬ ‭Hangout Cafe‬ ‭18‬ ‭15‬ ‭20‬ ‭20‬ ‭$5,771‬ ‭Historic‬ ‭Abstain‬ ‭12‬ ‭10‬ ‭20‬ ‭$50,000‬ ‭Resource‬ ‭JFK‬ ‭15‬ ‭13‬ ‭13‬ ‭14‬ ‭$3,630‬ ‭Peppermint‬ ‭15‬ ‭15‬ ‭15‬ ‭15‬ ‭$5,395‬ ‭Paddys‬ ‭Reilly, Mike‬ ‭25‬ ‭19‬ ‭17‬ ‭18‬ ‭$20,000‬ ‭Thompson’s‬ ‭15‬ ‭14‬ ‭12‬ ‭16‬ ‭$8,720.50‬ ‭11.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to fund all projects in the amounts reviewed and listed above,‬ ‭totalling $184,708.99. Rose Nyman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭12.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to extend 64 Mile Distillery’s deadline by six months. Rose Nyman‬ ‭seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭13.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to extend Copper Holding’s deadline by six months. Rose Nyman‬ ‭seconded and the motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭C.‬ ‭Larger Comprehensive Projects Discussion‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Jim Davison proposed the idea that the board look at offering one larger sum for big projects‬ ‭rather than having applicants apply multiple times in different categories. It makes less work for‬ ‭the applicants and for the board. Additionally, it allows applicants to complete projects faster. All‬ ‭board members were in agreement. Rose Nyman asked what the award ceiling would be. There‬ ‭was much discussion on the topic, considering points such as the impact on smaller projects and‬ ‭what award amount would be required to incentivize larger projects. Additional considerations‬ ‭were the timeframe limitations as well as whether these projects would be eligible for an‬ ‭extension.‬ ‭2.‬ ‭Bob Wren's comment was to ensure that a certain amount of funds would be allocated for‬ ‭smaller projects.‬ ‭3.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to add a comprehensive project category that would award 15% of‬ ‭the project cost on projects up to $1 million. The project must be completed within 18 months‬ ‭and award is on a reimbursement basis. Rose Nyman seconded and the motion passed‬ ‭unanimously. Ms. McKay amended the motion to include that there would be only one project of‬ ‭this type selected each year. Ms. Nyman seconded the amendment and it passed unanimously.‬ ‭V.‬ ‭Old Business‬ ‭A.‬ ‭Revised Grant Applicant Contract‬ ‭1.‬ ‭The board reviewed the language added by the County Attorney. Jim Davison thought it gave‬ ‭the board more teeth.‬ ‭2.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to accept the updated contract. Dawn Dee seconded and the‬ ‭motion passed unanimously.‬ ‭B.‬ ‭Revised Grant Application‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Rose Nyman suggested the board look at the Town Pump and Northwestern Energy charitable‬  ‭giving sites to see good examples of a grant application. She recommended hiring someone to‬ ‭develop an online application and make the attachments not part of the initial application. It‬ ‭was decided that Kathleen Tarkalson would research online options and bring them to the next‬ ‭meeting.‬ ‭2.‬ ‭Kristy McKay made a motion to accept the revised application before the board at this meeting‬ ‭to be used while research on an online application is conducted. Dawn Dee seconded the‬ ‭motion and it passed unanimously.‬ ‭VI.‬ ‭Miscellaneous/Announcements‬ ‭A.‬ ‭Rose Nyman requested that a discussion around ghost signs be placed on the next agenda.‬ ‭B.‬ ‭Ms. Nyman requested that packets be available for all board members at the next meeting and suggested‬ ‭reducing the number of newspaper advertisements by one in order to offset the cost.‬ ‭C.‬ ‭Ms. Nyman commented on the lack of space downtown for retail businesses. She requested that a‬ ‭discussion around increasing the grant percentage for retail business be added to the next agenda.‬ ‭VII.‬ ‭Public Comment‬‭–‬‭This is the time for members of the‬‭public to comment on items NOT appearing on this Agenda‬ ‭that are within the Board’s jurisdiction.‬ ‭VIII.‬ ‭Next Meeting‬ ‭A.‬ ‭The next meeting to review grant applications will take place on January 8, 2025 at noon.‬ ‭Meeting Adjourned at 2:55‬