Laurel City Council Workshop Meeting – 2026-09-15: Federal Representation and Cherry Hill Plat Review

On 2026-09-15 at 6:30 PM, the Laurel City Council held a workshop in Council Chambers. Mayor Bogley presided, and Councilmembers Jody McKay, Irv Wilkie, Sarah Naylor, Council President Tom Canopy, Brent Edgemond, Casey Wheeler, and Council Vice President Richard Closey were present. The workshop focused on two executive-review resolutions: a proposed federal government affairs services agreement with Smith Garson and an engineering services agreement with KLJ for final plat review of Cherry Hill Subdivision 4th Filing. The transcript shows no formal votes on either resolution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Gilg (1200 Cedar Crest Circle) expressed gratitude to the City Council and staff for the public comment packet and said the workshop presentation was clear and well done.
• During the Smith Garson presentation, public commenters asked about billing, prior clients in the region, large-project experience, grant application support, and funding “stacking.” Elizabeth Gilg asked whether services would be billed beyond the retainer; Smith Garson said the retainer covers all work, with no cap on hours. A commenter asked whether the firm has past or present municipal clients in Montana, Wyoming, or the Dakotas; the firm said it has not represented municipalities in those states but has many municipal clients elsewhere and a Montana-based team member. Laura Kirschman (939 West Fourth Street) described the water project as a major need and asked whether the firm had succeeded on projects of that scale and whether it would help with other infrastructure and emergency services; the firm said it has worked on large projects and in many federal policy areas. Another commenter asked if the firm would complete grant applications; Smith Garson clarified that it drafts congressionally directed spending requests but does not draft full grant applications, though it advises and supports them.

Discussion Items

• Smith Garson federal government affairs proposal: Dr. John Seck and Brett of Smith Garson presented. The firm, founded in 1981 and based near the U.S. Capitol, has 50+ clients and experience across eight presidential administrations. Seck described Laurel’s water system as the top need: one tower, no redundancy, a system at its limit every summer, and an estimated $30–50 million cost for water storage, looping, and expanding the place of use west of town. He also cited sewer and downtown lines dating to the early 1900s, wood water lines, growth pressure from county subdivisions and rural HOAs, the water-constrained moratorium limiting annexation, and the refinery drawing about 40% of raw water while already partnering with the city on stormwater routing. Smith Garson proposed a $7,500-per-month retainer from October 1 through June 30, totaling about $67,500, with a first-90-days plan to develop a phased federal agenda, introduce Laurel to delegation and agency staff, begin FY28 funding requests, bring congressional staff to Laurel, and plan a November trip to Washington, D.C. It identified congressionally directed spending and agencies such as USDA Rural Development, EPA, Bureau of Reclamation, EDA, and DOT as potential funding sources. Councilmember McKay asked how return on investment would be measured; the firm said success is typically seen within two years, though not guaranteed, and noted Shodair Children’s Hospital is under consideration for about $4.8 million in directed spending. Mayor Bogley said the engagement is already included in the budget in contracted services, primarily under water and sewer, with possibly some roads. Councilmember McKay also asked about references; Mayor Bogley said no reference information had been returned yet, and Smith Garson offered Lane County, Oregon as a reference and noted a client list in the packet. Council Vice President Closey asked whether other Montana communities would be part of the work; the firm said it would represent Laurel and that its experience is an advantage in the competitive annual process. Council President Canopy asked about timing; the firm said starting now is advantageous because FY28 preparation is underway and midterm elections are approaching. Councilmember Naylor asked whether city staff could handle grant applications; Mayor Bogley said there is no formal grant-writing training and the city would likely contract with experienced grant writers on a per-grant basis if needed. Mayor Bogley also stated that Smith Garson is a relationship-developing agency rather than the city’s grant-getting agency, and that relationships are the key value.
• KLJ Engineering agreement for Cherry Hill Subdivision 4th Filing: Mayor Bogley explained that the city needs an independent reviewer because Morrison-Maierle, the city’s engineer, is also the engineer for Cherry Hill, creating a conflict. KLJ, which previously served the city and knows the project, would perform the final plat review. No council questions or objections were recorded.

Council Issues & Announcements

• Councilmember McKay reminded the Council of the public works meeting on Monday, September 21, at 6:00 PM.
• Council Vice President Closey announced a special cemetery meeting the following Tuesday at 4:30 PM to discuss a columbarium at the city cemetery, and thanked those who spoke at the 9/11 ceremony.
• An announcement noted that a grant-writing class was attended in Red Lodge and slides would be shared, including a potential grant opportunity for the Riverside Park sign.
• Elizabeth Gilgorell announced that Driver’s Edge began its first class that day and asked drivers to be patient.
• Council President Canopy reminded everyone of the Yellowstone County City Planning Board meeting the following evening at 6:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote or final action appeared in the transcript on either resolution.
• If approved, the Smith Garson engagement would begin October 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2027; the Mayor indicated the council would discuss a possible continuation around March or April.
• The KLJ agreement would provide independent engineering review for the Cherry Hill Subdivision 4th Filing to resolve the Morrison-Maierle conflict.
• The Mayor said a preliminary engineering report (PER) for water is starting, building on the 2023 PER, and described looping and additional water storage as long-term investments to support growth.