City of Townsend Council Meeting

February 6, 2024

Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.  Also in attendance were council members Nate Brown, Vivan Boaz, Doug Sitton, JB Howick, and Angie Wintrow.  Valerie Baraza was absent.  Also present were Kari Williams, Eric Crusch, Georgia Wilde, Mike Evans, Jane Gillette, Steve Erban, Dorothy Erban, Brad White, Adam Six, Steve Hoff,  Nichole Brown, John Rains, Nick Rauser, Jim Beck, Ken Urich, Cliff Wrobetz, and Nancy Marks. 

Minutes from January 16, 2024:  The word “painting” was corrected in the minutes prior to approval.   Angie made a motion to approve minutes as corrected, Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Vickie announced that Georgia Wilde is our new Animal Control/Compliance Officer.  Congratulations Georgia!!

Noth Cherry Annexation:  Steve Erban spoke regarding the ownership change of the property on North Cherry.  Steve Erban’s business, “Out of the Box, LLC” has purchased the property from Brad and Deborah White.  He stated that they had a purchase agreement and that they’d go through the process with the city planner and the city engineers.  It’s taken a little longer and they’ve changed courses in the process.  He brought a letter from the DEQ, and they are going to send a response to their proposal by the first of March.  He stated that what this means is that things can now proceed because they have gone through all of the hoops, so to speak. He said that there are also seven pages of engineering reviews given to the city for approval.  The name going forward will be transferred from Out of the Box, LLC to “The North Cherry Condominium Association”.   He stated that they have the possibility to have sixteen units and all of the units will have views of the Elkhorns and the Belts Mountain range from the same room.  He said that they’ve learned a lot and learned what Townsend really needs.  There will be a two-car garage for each unit.  The units will be either three or four bedrooms, and there will be an elevator for people not wanting to take the stairs.   Vickie stated that a new resolution will be drafted to recognize the new ownership, and that was agreed.  Angie asked if the application had been sent to the City of Townsend’s planner?  He stated that the condominiums are under the subdivision rules.  He stated that they’ve worked with the planner and engineer and that has been part of the process from day one.  Angie stated that none of this has been presented to the city’s planning board with the subdivision regulations.  JB asked if there is a permit for the third story, and Angie asked if they had a waiver for the third story.    Steve Erban proceeded to draw a sketch and stated that the structure will actually be partially underground, so technically it’s only two stories. He stated that the height code is thirty feet, and it is under that limit.  Mayor Rauser thanked them for coming and providing the council with an update and stated that a new resolution will be drafted reflecting the new ownership.

Nichole Brown—stated that she owns four parcels on South Harrison.  She’s worked with Schauber Surveyors regarding boundary relocation, to give each parcel an equitable amount of property.   She’s received DEQ approval for tracts B, C, and D, but no approval for tract A.  This approval would allow for two homes or one duplex on each tract, and that each tract would have one well and one sceptic for the two dwellings.  Angie made a motion to approve the boundary relocation; Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, except for Nate Brown who abstained from voting since he’s married to Nichole;  Motion carried.

Adam Six—stated that Broadwater Parks and Recreation Board is updating their by-laws to be consistent with other counties by-laws in an effort to improve communication, continuity, and paperwork.  Adam stated that he thinks that the city has a role in local recreation and thinks the city should have a voice in local recreation.  There is currently not a memorandum of understanding between the county and the city, and the Parks and Rec Board would just come to the city on a case-by-case basis, per Nichole Brown, who is also on the board with Adam.  There could be an annual memorandum of understanding, or a case-by-case one as it’s been.  Vickie stated that It’s been called a city/county recreation board, however there is no paperwork suggesting that the city is  part of the board.  Adam stated that it gets confusing when he receives a phone call from a youth group wanting to use a park for soccer practice, since the parks belong to the city.  Doug stated that he thinks that the city should be involved with Parks and Recreation.  It’s an advisory board, and it’s important to work together with the city/county.  Do the by-laws recognize the city council’s involvement?  JB recommended and made a motion that we table the issue until the by-laws have been received and reviewed.  Vivian seconded the motion.  Nate, JB, Vivian, and  Doug voted yay; Angie voted nay.  Motion carried. 

Heritage Park—Adam stated that there is a project goal of replacing unsafe and outdated swings and spring riders at Heritage Park.  Adam is asking permission to move forward with this project.   JB asked if the city is being asked to participate financially for this project.  Adam stated no.  JB asked if the city would be required to maintain the equipment in the future  Adam stated that typically the group who works to put in the equipment will maintain it, but he’s not sure.   Adam is seeking permission to take this project goal to the Rotary club.  Vickie stated that Adam can go ahead and visit Rotary regarding this project.  It will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 

Sheriff Nick Rauser—gave a quarterly update from the last quarter of 2023.   Vivian asked if the nature and number of crimes is about the same as last year, and Nick stated that the crimes have definitely increased from last year.  JB asked if there is a law against parking on the wrong side of the street as there seems to be an increase in people parking on the wrong side.  Sheriff Rauser said that there is, and it could fall under city compliance as well.   

Water Committee/Water Rates:   Angie gave a report on this.  A $59.40 total increase will take place over time.  It will be increased by 4 increments over the next two years.  The increase will be $14.85 every six months for two years.  At the end of the two years, the total utility bill will be $163.87.  Discussion took place about how to get the word out to the elderly population who have limited means of receiving information.  Everyone is on a fixed income, so that is why the rates will gradually increase instead of all at once. 

Pool Committee:  There is an ad that the city is seeking a Pool Manager, and that position will close on February 16^th.   

Local Government Review: Mayor Rauser stated that we are required by State Law to decide whether or not we will do a review, which we are required by State Law to do.  She has an example of a draft resolution calling for an election on the question of conducting a local government review and establishing a study commission.  The suggested budget for this review is $17,000.  It will require two  elections.  The primary election is a yes or no vote as to if the public wants a government review.  JB asked if the budget includes a method to educate the public.  Vickie stated yes and that we can take a look at the communication processes for the public’s knowledge.  The county will be doing this as well.  Vickie will talk to the clerk and recorder  regarding incremental costs.  Notice has to be given to the election administrator by March 11^th, so this will be on the agenda at the next meeting for the council to take action. 

Letter from Captain Mark Wood:  Requesting reimbursement for a paid bill totaling 1193.92, that will come from a training account that we have set up.   Angie made a motion to reimburse, JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Tennis Courts:  Vickie stated that for the last six years or so the thought of fixing the tennis courts has come up.  Eric reached out to get several quotes.The band aid option which is re-surfacing is $56,000, and this would be guaranteed for a year, however it would not fix any of the cracks.   The second option is to use the same kind of material that is already on there and re-do the surface of the tennis courts and basketball courts for $636,378.  The third option was put together by our engineers with a concrete surface for the tennis courts and basketball courts for  $1,050,400.  Eric stated that there is  a four-inch crack that is two inches deep that runs all the way through the tennis courts and the basketball courts.   Vickie stated that these quotes are for informational purposes at this time.  Doug asked if there’s any type of grant money available.  The U.S. Tennis Association may have grants available.  The U.S. Pickleball Association might be able to contribute, although generally this association wants dedicated courts; and Townsend Schools may be able to contribute as well since they use the tennis courts for practice and tournaments.  The Recreation Board may also be able to help.  Vivian asked what the lifespan is for the asphalt vs the concrete.  JB asked if we know what the liability is for this kind of issue?  Vickie said that we can find out. 

Garbage Truck:  Eric provided a garbage truck estimate for repairs that was received from SWS Equipment.  That  estimate is $17562.96.  Mike Evans asked if we’ve checked with Three Forks regarding a garbage truck.  Doug asked the year of the truck.  Eric stated that it’s a 2008 truck, and that’s the older one.  Angie made a motion to approve the estimate to get the garbage truck fixed.  Vivan seconded the motion.  Doug asked if we could go back and ask them to sharpen their pencil and adjust the quote.  Nate asked if we could get a lower price through a piggyback arrangement, that will be done.  All in favor, motion carried.   Ken spoke and said that fixing and maintaining the old truck might be more economical and easier to maintain.  The newer ones have more computerized parts and tend to be more expensive. 

Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act/Planning Grant Program:  JB thanked Angie and Doug for helping him write the proposal for the grant.  The grant application has two parts.  Exhibit 1 is the proposed schedule of the grant, which is to be completed by the end of 2024.  Through discussion,  several corrections were made to the timeline of the proposed schedule.  JB stated that Exhibit 2 is fairly straight forward as this is a simple grant, however Vickie and Angie questioned the “professional architectural and engineering services” because the city does not have professional engineers on staff, so the question was asked as to what are our in-kind city employees going to do? JB stated that he’d make a call to the Department of Commerce for clarification on that section.  The grant is $30,000, with the city having a 20 percent match.  The application is due to the Department of Commerce by February 9th.  Discussion was held regarding whether to hold off and submit the grant application next year, so submit it this year.  JB reminded everyone that the focus of this is grant is affordable housing.  He also stated that even if the city submitted the application for the grant and didn’t receive any money, that the city would only be out the cost for the cost of requesting a request for quote (RFQ) from engineers, so roughly a few hundred dollars.  The grant application could also be re-written as a grant for an Inventory of Available Housing instead of a Professional Architectural study.  Vicke stated that she would entertain a motion. 

Vivian made a motion to submit the grant application as is this year.  Doug seconded the motion; (Vickie stated that the motion will be amended to recognize that JB will make a phone call to the  Department of Commerce)  Vickie asked Kari to poll the council  by name.  Nate and Angie voted no, JB, Vivian, and  Doug voted yes.   Motion carried. 

Peter told Vickie that he has received some information with respect to ordinances regarding telecommunication franchises.  Vickie stated that she’d like two council members to work with Peter to come up with such an ordinance for the council’s consideration.  Angie and JB volunteered.

January Claims:  Angie made a motion to pay the January Claims.   JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Round Table Discussion and Public Comments: 

Vickie thanked JB for the article in the paper regarding the dog park.

Ken Urich stated that the dog station they have in McCarthy Park is working well. 

JB proposed a fun meeting April 2^nd after the regular meeting, having the public bring in their silliest  requests they can think of, and then judge those requests and have local businesses supply some prizes for the best request. 

Vicke stated that The Chamber is interested in putting up a sign that announces public events on the corner near the swimming pool. 

Adjourn:  Nate made a motion to adjourn, JB seconded the motion;  All in favor, motion carried.