February 17, 2026

City of Townsend Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2026

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members in attendance are Angie Wintrow, Vivian Boaz, JB Howick, Nate Brown & Peter Simon.  Also in attendance are Shawn Simon, Sharon Davis, Jerry Davis, Andrew Herrick, Dwight Thompson, Eric Crusch and Kari Williams. 

Public Comment:  Jerry Davis asked about the low water pressure some residents are experiencing and if the City is still running off of one well.   Mayor Rauser stated that we are running two wells now.  Mayor Rauser stated that if he has other questions or issues with the water pressure to speak directly with Eric, the Public Works Director.

Minutes from February 3, 2026:  Vivian made a motion to approve the minutes.  Peter seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

GUESTS

  • Dwight Thompson- stated that the airport board is hosting a “Fly-In” to dedicate the new airport on Saturday, June 13th.  He stated the fly-in seems to be growing, and they are wondering if they could use one of the city’s parking lots north of the new water tower if necessary.  Mayor Rauser stated that lot has been used in the past for overflow parking during the rodeo and fair week and that the water tower area is fenced off.  JB asked if the event will include a trash pick-up around the area.  Dwight said yes, garbage will be picked up.  Angie made a motion to give permission to the airport board to use the parking area if necessary.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
  • Pat Plantenberg- stated that they received a grant from an anonymous donor a few years ago to be used for a special project. He’d like to get the dead trees at Heritage Park carved by a professional.  He had the kids at the grade school come up with ideas of how to carve those.  They came up  with a squirrel house and a Townsend Bulldog.  He contacted a group out of Lincoln, MT and Nampa, Idaho.  The guys are artists and their quote for completing the carvings is $9775. Pat stated that we may have to adjust the appropriations in the Tree Board fund to do this work, but they do have the funds there to make this happen.  Peter pointed out some changes to make to the contract for the tree carving.  The first is the effective date to March 1, 2026. The next is the term to finishing the project within four months of the effective date.   JB asked if we need to worry about the specifics of the carvings.  How do we judge if they’ve done good work?  He asked if the group would be willing to provide a sketch for the carvings, so that the public won’t be surprised by the carvings.  Pat stated that he’d ask the group to provide a sketch.  Vivian made a motion to approve the motion accepting the changes that were made.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

CURRENT

  • Fire MOU-Mayor Rauser asked the council if there are any comments or questions regarding the document.  There are two representatives from the City Fire Department in attendance, so they were asked what they thought about the document.  Shawn and Andrew stated that they think that it’s more than fair.  Shawn stated that it is way less one-sided than the previous one, and it’s made clear there needs to be communication between the rural and city fire departments.  JB made a motion to approve the language within the MOU and continue negotiations with rural fire.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
  • Street Maintenance Quotes- Mayor Rauser stated that there are two quotes.  Eric stated that Hard Drive has worked with us in the past, however Montana Materials & Construction came in approximately ten thousand less.  This company proposed a “skin patch” on one area, so they are not true side by side quotes with the same services.  Eric is going to talk with the contractors to see if the two quotes can become more comparable.   Both quotes are under $80,000, which is a goal for budgeting purposes.  Eric would like to have all of Pine Street done because of the school on north Pine, and the grocery store on south Pine.  North Cherry needs some work, especially with the new subdivision going in there. 
  • Water Pressure News Release-Mayor Rauser stated that she had RPA Engineering look at these and give their input. The news release regarding the increased water pressure states that when the new storage tank goes into effect in August, it will cause increased pressure for pipes and appliances.  JB made a motion to approve the press release for immediate release.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  The press release will go out to the public this week. 

PENDING/CONTINUING BUSINESS

  • Ordinance Review- Angie stated that the Title II meeting will be re-scheduled as it didn’t take place on Feb 10th.
  • Telecommunications-The City Attorney is still in the process of reviewing this.  Tabled for now.  Peter stated that he’d like to arrange a meeting to ask questions  since it was primarily drafted in his absence.  He said it’s not his intention to change anything, he just wants to be informed. 

ROUND TABLE

Public Comment:   (none)                                                                                                                                                                                           Public Works- Eric stated that the second maintenance worker has given his notice, so we are now hiring for two positions. JB stated if there’s anything involving the reason why the employees are leaving, that it would be useful for the council to know.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ve received eight applications, so that is a good sign.  Also, Well #2 is still not in working order.  There is a plan involving DEQ, RPA and the contractors to get it shocked and ready for use.                                                                                                                                                                                            Clerk-                                                                                                                                                                                                 Fire Department- They’ve started the new recruit class and will add three volunteer fire fighters to the City.                                                                                                                                                                                      Mayor- She is having a meeting with the city’s building inspector this week regarding his contract/work.  She also has a meeting with a website design company to make our website ADA accessible.  The company’s name is “Revize” Reviand the county also uses them for their website.  Next, she is sending the council the draft Animal Control Ordinance Revisions done by past employee, Georgia Wilde.  She and current employee John Stenzel have looked them over and believe they are ready for council to view.  Mayor Rauser also asked Peter if he was going to work on the Massa Park agreement.  Peter stated yes.                                                                                                                                                                                                 Council -JB-asked about the Northwestern Energy contacting communities regarding running gas and switching from propane to natural gas.  Eric stated that it’s coming, but they don’t know when.  Peter- stated that he’s getting frustrated with the cross walks on Broadway.  People are not paying attention to the crosswalks and allowing the time for people to cross the street.  He’s wondering if we can set up a committee to change how the crosswalks are marked.  JB suggested calling MDT prior to setting up a committee.  Eric stated that this is an enforcement issue, rather than an MDT issue. 

ADJOURNMENT-  Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

**Next Meeting:  Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.