March 7, 2023
City of Townsend Council Meeting—March 7, 2023 6:30 p.m.
Attendance: Council members, Mayor Evans, Vickie Rauser, Nate Brown, Angie Wintrow, Ken Urich, & Christina Hartmann, & (Matt West was absent). Members of the community included Tim Rauser, Shawn Simon, JB Howick, Eliza McLaughlin, Tim Ravndal, Cliff Worazak, Sheriff Nick Rauser, Jim Burgess, Andrew Herrick, and Kari Williams
6:30 p.m.: Meeting opened, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the minutes of Feb 21, 2023, seconded by Ken Urich. Motion carried.
*Solicitor Ordinance 2023-01 First Reading (Mayor Evans read the Ordinance with all amendments)
Letter/Award ARPA Grant Program Specialist was read by Mayor Evans. The city of Townsend has been awarded $364,187 and a transfer from Broadwater County in the amount of $447,124 for the Townsend Water System Improvements Project. Total Minimum Allocation Grant award is $811,311.
Sean from Northwestern Energy will not be here to speak about the lights on the Highways. Northwestern Energy wants to put in new medal poles. (No cost to the City of Townsend) The council did not see any problems with this happening.
Resolution No. 2023-R04: Requesting Distribution of Bridge and Road Safety Accountability Program Funds Appendix A: The City of Townsend will use $53,298.06 of the Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Account to fund the City’s maintenance budget for the City of Townsend streets. For Fiscal Year 2023/2024, the city plans to maintain and repair several streets. Appendix B: For Fiscal Year 2023/2024, the City of Townsend plans to budget approximately $30,000 from the General Fund and $60,000 from the Gas Tax for this maintenance and repair project. The city’s match of $2664.90 will come from the General Fund. Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the Resolution with a change of the date to March 7, 2023; Christina Hartmann seconded the motion, motion carried.
Shawn Simon, City Fire Chief, spoke about getting new tires on the Fire Truck, and those will run close to $7000.00The front tires will be replaced first and then possibly in the fall, the rear tires will be replaced. The truck will also need a new invertor that ranges anywhere from $1200-$2000. Shawn will provide actual costs for these replacements.
Letter from Josh Clifford, Public Works at Town of Valier was read by Mayor Evans, praising Tim Rauser for his knowledge and hospitality showing him around the wastewater treatment facility.
Accelerate Montana invite from Jeri Bucy was read by Vickie Rauser. City Council Members and Mayor are invited to attend the free workshop (Workforce & Training Support in the Community) on March 15, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at the Lodge in Townsend. It’s free and open to the public. If interested, please call the City Hall to get registered as food will be included.
Peter Simon needs approval from the council to send a letter of termination to Montana Internet, in order to review the terms and re-negotiate a new agreement. The council agreed that this would be good to do.
Round Table Discussion: Christina Hartmann said she noticed 4-5 lights out on Broadway. Vickie Rauser wants to point out that the council members have the swimming pool analysis and quote so to please look at that for the next meeting. Vickie also stated that there is a meeting for Phase 2 of the Community Review on Wednesday March 8th. They will have another meeting on Thursday March 9th to conclude. Ken Urich asked for an update on the load of wood at 508 S Cherry. Tim Rauser stated that it had been all cleaned up as of this evening. Tim Rauser also said that he talked to Chris Hayes and is hoping to get together with the Water Committee. A committee meeting has been set for April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.
Claims: Vickie Rauser made a motion to pay the claims for the month of February. Ken Urich seconded the motion, motion carried.
Adjournment: Ken Urich made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Nate Brown seconded the motion, motion carried.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 21st at 6:30 p.m.