June 17, 2025

City of Townsend

Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members present were Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Doug Sitton, and Nate Brown.  Also in attendance were Nichole Simon, Todd Rolfs, Debi Randolph, Ken Urich, Eric Crusch and Kari Williams.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 

Public Hearing:  Mayor Rauser opened the Public Hearing on amending the FY2024-2025 Budget and read Budget Resolution No. 2025-R05.  The budget amendments are as follows: 

  1.  An increase in to the Fire Protection Fund in the amount of $4,000 (From Capital Fire)
  2. An increase in the ARPA Fund in the amount of $370,000 (From ARPA Revenue)
  3. An increase in the Sewer Fund in the amount of $200,000 (Reserves in Sewer Fund)
  4. An increase  in the Capital Fire Fund in the amount of $10,000 (Reserves in Capital Fire)
  5. An increase in the Capital Water Fund in the amount of $4,000,000 (From SRF Draws)

Mayor Rauser stated there needs to be an amendment to item #5.  This amount for the budget amendment was estimated at $2,000,000, however with work rapidly being done on the Townsend Water System, $4,000,000 is a safer number to make sure we can pay for the work done through the month of June.  Nate asked how much money we’ve paid for Schedule I and II Contractors.  Kari totaled the checks, and together we’ve paid out close a little over five million dollars.  Angie made a motion to amend line 5 from 2 million dollars to 4 million dollars.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  The Budget Resolution will be amended to reflect the change. 

Public Comment:  County commissioner, Debi Randolph, stated that there were two accidents on the sidewalk on Broadway due to the water curb stops.  Mayor Rauser stated that the city has been made aware of one of these.  Debi stated that she has a meeting with MDT, so she asked permission to talk to them regarding the curb stops that stick out above the sidewalk.  Mayor Rauser state that would be okay.  In the meantime, Eric will have the curb stops spray painted to be more visible to pedestrians. 

Minutes:  JB made a motion to approve the  minutes from the June 3rd meeting.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Correspondence:  Mayor Rauser read a letter from Broadwater Clerk & Recorder, Angie Paulson that gives notice of cancellation of the Primary election for the City of Townsend due to the number of candidates filed.  Mayor Rauser also read a letter from Montana Department of Transportation that stated that the City is in violation for not having the correct permitting in place for the sign on Front St next to the swimming pool that the Townsend Chamber put in last year.  JB stated  that he feels that MDT is being petty.  Doug stated  that Ben Toney with Yesco Signs will have this resolved in the next few days. 

Budget Resolution No. 2025-R05:  Angie made a motion to approve the Budget Resolution as presented.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Street Closure Request:  The Commercial Bar requested a street closure for August 8th and 9th  from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. for the annual street dance on rodeo weekend.  The application was complete for City approval.  Vivian made a motion to approve the street closure request.  Nate seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption, Resolution No. 2025 R-06:  JB made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  Mayor Rauser stated it is a big sigh of relief that this is done. 

Events Ordinance:  Attorney Ed Guza suggested a Zoom Meeting to discuss the Events Ordinance.  This will take place next week. 

Firework Ordinance:  Vivian stated that they will be setting up another meeting to work through some differences and come up with some compromises. 

Ordinance Review:  Angie stated that she is working on the Fireworks, Events, Telecommunications, Water Committee had one meeting and brought that information to the council, and they will schedule another meeting to go over the research they received from the last meeting.  And then Angie stated they’d  ask the council how they’d like to move forward.  Mayor Rauser asked about the tree ordinance and the animal ordinance.  Angie stated she’s waiting on modifications from the tree board, and John is still working on the animal ordinance, so she stated  she will move those down to the end of this year.  Angie stated they could move forward with the administration and personnel section for the code of conduct for the council.  There also needs to be a penalties and punishment fee structure.  (This is especially needed for people who live outside city limits and put trash in the city dumpsters.  Mayor Rauser stated that it’s a reality we’re facing because people are upset with the county fee structure  with solid waste.  We have an education issue on what is considered household garbage.  Mayor Rauser stated that when resident come into City Hall to sign up for city services, that we could give them an information packet on what is allowed in city garbage and what needs to go to the dump sites.  Vivian asked if there’s a plan to address growth as far as putting more garbage cans out.  Eric stated that there are two requests this week as tiny homes are being placed on city lots, so as residents increase and/or businesses change, garbage demands will need to be considered.  Angie stated there’s also a pay matrix in the administration section, so she asked Mayor Rauser what to do within the administration and personnel?  Mayor Rauser stated that ordinance should deal with hiring and references to disciplinary actions.  The pay matrix itself should be a separate document, and it will state in the ordinance that there will be a resolution with the council annually setting these kinds of things through resolution.  The Code of Conduct Committee is JB, Vivian, and Angie.

Unfinished Business:  Move Sewer Ordinance under the Ordinance Review Section

Public Comment:  Nichole Simon stated that Shawn is going  to email Mayor Rauser about a property on N  Oak that has a lumber business on  it, and that it’s a fire hazard.

Round Table:

  • Mayor Rauser stated that the water project is going well.  The swimming pool is good. 
  • Vivian asked about the dog kennel remodel.  Eric stated it’s done except for the heater. 
  • Nate asked Eric about some work he’s been doing today at the pool  and last week on N Harrison. 
  • JB stated he has three questions.  He stated there is conversation on social media about Northwestern Energy fee increases.  He asked why the City cannot use Vigilante Electric.  The next thing, he stated we’re getting closer to the  water project being done.  When are we going to inform the public about the water pressure and to install a pressure regulator?  He suggests a September 2025 date to get information out to the public.  The third question is regarding Chase Ragen, and the council didn’t come to a conclusion about what we wanted to do.  He asked if we should address it or put it on the agenda for the next meeting.  Mayor Rauser stated that we have water rates in place and our consumers need to be billed according to that rate structure.  Making a change at this point is inadvisable due to the funding we have and the revenue stream we need to maintain.  The council has already given Mr. Ragen selective treatment, and there are things that he can do on his business itself to mitigate those water charges.  Mayor Rauser stated she will visit  with RPA to determine how they came up with the rate structure, and that another analysis will be done eventually. 
  • Mayor  Rauser stated she is attending a Cyber Security Training this week. 

Adjournment:  Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting..  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion  carried.

Next meeting:  July 1, 2025