Minutes for the Livingston Urban Renewal Agency
December 19, 2013
6:30 p.m.
East Room City County Courthouse
The URA will allow public comment after each agenda item and before voting or action is decided. Public comment needs to be held to three minutes.
1. Call to Order – Karla Pettit called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
2. Roll Call – Karla Pettit, Ryann Rivard, Bob Ebinger, Jo DeVries, Kyra Ames.
3. Consent Items
A. Approval of the November meeting’s minutes, sent previously. Ryann Rivard made motion to approve minutes and
Bob Ebinger seconded the motion. Karla called for vote and all voted aye.
4. Financial Matters
A. Update on status – Jesse Hoggcould not attend this evening to discuss financing. Adam Stern was present for the
discussion. Adam as a city commissioner wants to see from the URA a given scope of money coming in and
financing available. He would like to see the URA avoid taking on a hodgepodge of projects willy nilly – said
the URA needs comprehensive long term strategic planning, before moving forward thru the life of the URA.
He and Jesse back in 2010 made modest projections with mild inflation increases & created a budget
alignment policy – the URA wascommitted to help owners update water lines and install basement sprinklers
and now have added sidewalk restorations. We have had massive tremendous increases in revenues from
2010 thru 2013; originally expected $60,000 and now up to over $200,000 revenues yearly. These increases
take money from other entities like the schools. URA is to sunset in 2018 (without bonding). We lose the tax
revenues but there will be sidewalk repayments coming in for several more years. Can make new URA
districts then. Eventually will zero out. See graphs. Nothing is scheduled after 2020. Fund balance cannot
go negative, has to stay positive.
Bond capacity – can borrow up to 1-1/2 million $ - cause that is the funds we might have. Adam said that the
URA can pay for more of the 50% of the sidewalks that we are currently paying. Can increase the
contribution to sidewalks – based ON ADAM’S NUMBERS, NOT OFFICIAL.
If we use $500,000 in 2015, we still have up to $300,00 in 2015-2018. Could use money for big projects at
that time without bonding. Adam would like the URA to make the decision based upon the balances, actual
and projected. Suggests letting this URA sunset and starting new URA districts, ie around the old hospital
area, the east entrance area, the western area from the freeway to the Shopko area.
5. Guest Patricia Grabow with presentation: ‘Saving the Livingston Underground’ Historic underground is
important as Livingston is unique. Underground includes vaults, living spaces, tunnels, offices, etc. Have a rich history,
existing foundations not engineered into ( CIP ??) plans. Tourism potential – want to maintain character. Preservation is
cheaper than infill (need stats). Minimizes liability, reduces construction risks. Can top a vault fairly easily – using a
corrugated sill. Not planning the vault – almost collapsed the foundation of the building on the NE corner of B &
Callender. A lot of history and tours can take place in vault areas. – Butte, Havre, Seattle, plus other communities have
preserved undergrounds.
Suggestions made:
Talk to design committee
Talk to city commission
Talk to Historic Preservation Commission
Grants possible
Only visual change would be keeping the two tier effect of the sidewalks on Callender between
Main and Second. Rail passenger service possible.
6. Progress Reports A. Old Dodge Dealership Property is suggested as location for a new Senior Center. Mel Friedman & Bob Meyer spoke
described Project scope. Just finished a renovation project on the current Sr Centerand looking to continue our activities
along those lines. Focused on sprinkler system as well as other discoveries like asbetoes, floor sagging, window
renovation, lead paint removal, etc. Foundation work, and had to raise ability to withstand seismic activity so have 3 giant
seismic beams inserted on bedrock. Have increased activities, entertainment etc for senior citizens.
Looking to expand their capabilities and continuing to improve the lives of our senior citizens and are now looking at
nd
renovating the old Chevy/Dodge building across the alley from the Center – facing 2 Str. Most recently known as Cranky
Ranky. Land approximately 86,000 sq ft; building is listed at 17,000 sq ft, currently valued at $242,000 (need the FIGURES).
$5000 of taxes for 2012 in default. Went over bulding construction and roofing materials. Engineering 2011 appraisal –
masonry walls are sound. Adding living units above is feasible. Senior commission authorized to promote activities and
environments for stimulation & entertainment of senior citizens. Would like to provide more housing for seniors and use
as a center of activities. Would utilize space for exercise, activities, housing, shopping, etc. Right now cannot provide
affordable housing for seniors. Would provide a shopping area for those living in the downtown area – the inner mall can
include druggist, grocery, market, retail space etc. There is an adjacent parking lot. Would also allow expansion of thrift
center and provide a garage for sr transport and thrift store storage. Could bring in up to $300,000 ???? The Senior
Center board needs to secure funding for a feasibility study (which they are asking for from us). What could the TIFD
financing provide? Not looking for constant grants – they are making money right now but need help for a project like
this. Senior Center pays property taxes – for the resident portion at a lower rate – but now pay full bore property tax on
any money making areas. Feasability study might cost $130,000; on whether it should be 2 or 3 floors.
B. For Information only – Historic Preservation Committee letter in support of sidewalk plates. Joel will submit this to
the commissioners and Ed Meece as coming from the VL committee. Plates not in the original plan, but have been revised
7. Action Items - none
8. New Business
A. Discussion with Adam Stern regarding city pool bathroom maintenance budget. Kyra wanted to open up discussion
on helping to fund new bathrooms and maintenance – Bob Ebinger asked Ed Meece if this is part of the city plan.
Ed said there has a pretty expansive CIP plan – It would be great if we looked at this – jumped back to Adam’s
presentation – the URA money IS the city’s money – when the URA sunsets, those increments will be added back
to the city coffers which money can then be used for such items as redoing the bathrooms. Concern would be
about the URA focus – if it becomes amunicipal project then funds should be returned to general fund and
administered under the city commisision. If the URA would like to fund projects like the pool bathroom
renovations but Ed thinks more appropriate in the CIP – next year’s CIP discussion will start on the commission in
January 2014. A lot of things aren’t on the CIP – don’t have the money to fund many health/safety projects. A lot
of general fund monies are spent on the city pool – is a black hole of about $70,000 a year. Not many pools pay for
themselves. So rankings are lower due to that – will be part of the CIP discussion – would prefer URA spend
money on other projects that would stimulate downtown and increase property taxes. Adam Stern respectfully
disagreed that making the city environment more family friendly is a part of renewal, but agrees with the position
that the URA should concentrate on downtown financial incentives. Need a cost estimate for the pool bathroom
renovation – Sandy has asked for that. 1950 equipment – sometime the pool will not be able to open. The pool
keeps kids out of the river which is definitely dangerous for them. Might be some private monies that can be
obtained to redo the bathrooms.
9. Consideration of Grant Applications –Kyra will email current application out to us and Jo will collate REVISIONS
AND PROVIDE a first draft for the January meeting.
10. URA Commissioner Comments Bob Ebinger suggested any changes to the next meeting’s URA agenda
have to be completed so that posting of the agenda can occur a week before the meeting.
11. Public Comments
Patricia asked about the Colemans and new swim center. Has a copy of a plan to have a new swim center as
part of the high school. Get that feasibility study to us.
12. Adjournment at 7:55 pm, Karla Petit called the URA meeting to adjourn. Ryann motioned we adjourn and
all seconded, and all voted aye.
Next meeting is January 16, 2014. 6:30 East room of the courthouse.
January Agenda:
For January. . There are independent "early learning stations" that offer 60 activities in math, literacy and
more that are developed for children 2 yrs.- 8 yrs. The programs are tailored for libraries and are in line with
the MT Library's "Ready to Read" curriculum. The Lewis & Clark Library in Helena is in the process of
purchasing 8 of these stations. Gov. Bullock is 100% in support of this program. Our library has a very
strong "books & babies/toddlers" program and attendance. There is also one preschool, that I know of, that
periodically takes field trips to the library. I would like to research how much a station costs and how the
URA could help our Library acquire 1 or 2 of these stations to help in our communities early education
investment and advancement.
For jan. pool bathrooms restoration – under discussion items/action items. Add discussion items to agenda.
Jan – discussion on when to finalize agenda.