City of Townsend Council Meeting Minutes

June 2, 2026

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Peter Simon, and Nate Brown.  Also in attendance are Pat Plantenberg, Mary Mistek, Shawn Simon, Mason Schmitz, Dustin Clark, Sharon & Jerry Davis, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams.

Public Comment: City Fire Chief announced two new recruits.  Council members welcomed two new members to the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department: Mason Schmitz and Dustin Clark have successfully completed their training and passed certification. Although they are not officially active until council approval, the council unanimously approved their addition with a motion made by the mayor and seconded by a council member. The motion passed with a unanimous aye vote and no opposition. The fire chief noted that 96% of the department’s runs have involved ambulance transport, with the remainder being emergency calls. He expressed appreciation for the Sheriff’s Office, which assisted during a recent storm by clearing tree branches, blocking streets, and aiding access. Their cooperation was described as invaluable. There was no update on mutual aid agreements at this time.

Minutes from May 19, 2026:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 19^th meeting.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

CURRENT

• Pat Plantenberg made a request to amend the Urban Forestry Fund budget by increasing appropriations by $10,000 for the current fiscal year. This increase is necessary due to an anticipated overspend, primarily to cover a payment for Terri’s watering contract which was extended due to warmer-than-usual weather this winter and a larger invoice than expected for stump grinding and burning services. The original urban forestry budget for the year was $30,425, and the fund currently holds $18,875 in operating cash, sufficient to cover the increase. The city clerk clarified the cash balance in the Urban Forestry fund.  A motion was made and seconded to proceed with the $10,000 budget amendment, which passed unanimously.                                             Council discussion included concerns about recurring budget surprises and the need for better long-term forecasting. A suggestion was made to collaborate with Kari during the ongoing budget process to improve accuracy. Since the amendment increases the city’s total budget, it requires publication in the newspaper twice and a public hearing before final approval.

• Big Sky Passenger Rail Association (BSPRA) Annual Dues                                                  The city’s annual dues of $400 to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Association (BSPRA) were discussed. Participation provides access to regional resources and voting input, coordinated through the county. There is strong confidence among stakeholders that passenger rail will pass through Townsend by the mid-2030s, though it remains uncertain whether the train will stop in the city. Council member J.B. advocated for continued participation to maintain influence over routing and service decisions. The dues were due around this time last year.  JB made a motion to renew the membership and pay the $400 annual fee.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  J.B. committed to attending the August annual meeting and providing a formal report afterward.

• May 2026 Claims:  Angie made a motion to approve and pay the May claims.   Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

PENDING/CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Investment Interest Rate Review:  A discussion was held on maximizing returns from city funds. The State Treasury Investment Pool (STIP) currently yields 3.8%, while Opportunity Bank’s sweep account pays only 1.5%. Council acknowledged a fiduciary duty to earn the highest reasonable return, though with a preference to keep some funds locally. Staff were directed to consult with Teena at Opportunity Bank to explore potential rate improvements. The issue remains pending, with a future proposal expected on reallocating funds between the two institutions.
• Fire Department Memorandum and Wage Review:  The mayor confirmed she is personally working on the fire department MOU and the ongoing wage and salary update. Mayor Rauser noted that she may consult with Council member Peter during the process.
• Ordinance Review Updates:  Angie provided an update on the comprehensive ordinance review effort.
• Titles I and II of the municipal code are nearing completion. A redline version was not produced due to the volume of changes, which would have made it impractical. Council and the public are encouraged to review the drafts alongside the current ordinances, which can be printed upon request.  A notable omission is the realignment of city wards, which are currently uneven in population due to development on the south side of town. This issue is on council’s radar but deferred until after the next census to avoid state compliance complications.
• Telecommunications Ordinance: The telecommunications ordinance has been finalized and submitted electronically. It addresses the city’s authority to regulate telecom infrastructure (wires, fiber, conduit) and defines rights granted under the federal telecommunications bill. It allows the city to charge a nominal fee for the privilege of operating within city limits, as permitted by law.  The ordinance spans 13 pages due to its complexity, clarifying responsibilities for installation, maintenance, and dispute resolution. The draft has been sent to Ed Guza the city attorney, who will coordinate distribution to existing telecom providers with infrastructure in Townsend to solicit early feedback before the public hearing. Council emphasized the importance of transparency and early engagement with affected businesses.                                                                  
• Animal Control Ordinance:  The animal control ordinance update is underway, with focus on expanding coverage to include fowl (chickens), rabbits, and other small animals. The committee reviewed ordinances from Belgrade, Hot Springs, and other municipalities. Belgrade’s extensive permitting system was deemed too administratively burdensome, but smaller cities offered consistent models for chicken coop standards, roosterrestrictions, and annual permits with small fees. The goal is to balance public health (e.g., avian flu risks) with support for educational programs like 4-H and FFA.  A GISmapping idea was discussed to track permitted animals during health emergencies, but concerns were raised about privacy and singling-out residents. It was suggested that only permit-requiring animals be recorded in an internal, non-public database to aid enforcement and emergency response.  A public records request regarding feral catmanagement, including funding and law enforcement activity, is being processed, with legal review by Ed Goose before response. Concerns were raised about overly punitive penalties in earlier drafts (e.g., creative fines), which will be aligned with existing Title I standards.

Public Works: Eric provided a comprehensive report on city operations:  Water System:  Well 1, the city’s largest water producer, is currently offline due to construction of a new building and electrical work.  Wells 2 and 3 are meeting current demand, with daily usage at 1 million gallons, though peak demand reached 1.5 million gallons. There is no issue with the well itself—only construction delays. The water tower painting is delayed due to rain affecting curing; 10–14 drydays are needed.  The tank pressure and disinfection testing has been rescheduled to June 22 to allow time for construction completion and to avoid leaving the tank empty for two months.  COP construction is delayed by 18 days, pushing the expected completion from early August to late August.  The city pool is scheduled to open on June 15.  All lifeguards are hired, and certifications are being completed.  Swim lesson dates are pending confirmation of swim instructor availability; two are confirmed, possibly a third. The pool liner leak remains unresolved; the issue has been managed through temporary fixes. The pool, built in 1965–1966, is aging, and no long-term solution has been implemented.  A major pipe leak from years ago was repaired, and most of that water was captured. New pool covers have been installed on rollers, replacing 15-year-old covers. Storing them indoors would extend lifespan, but space limitations require winter tarp wrapping.  Chip sealing will occur next week on North Cherry,South Cedar, and Pine streets.  The 100 block of North Cherry will receive special attention due to poor road conditions.  The state plans to repaint crosswalk signs on Broadway by August, including crosswalks and street corners, before school resumes. Adequate notice will be given for possible traffic control. The annexation project is stalled. RPA engineer Neil Levang reviewed submitted materials and sent feedback, but no further action has been received from the applicants. Despite the applicant’s assurance that funding is not an issue, progress remains slow. The delay was described as “bizarre” but not uncommon in development processes.

Clerk:  Kari stated that there is another Event Application that will be presented at the next meeting on June 16th, with the event already scheduled for June 20^th. 

Mayor Rauser:  A late event application for a street dance on South Cedar (hosted by the Lodge) on June 20 will be on the next council agenda. The event requires a street closure. Staff noted the applicant missed the deadline but emphasized the city’s willingness to be accommodating while enforcing ordinance standards. The Rural Summit will be held on June 10 at Watson’s, part of the Reimagining Rural program. The Municipal Summit in Helena is also on June 10; City Clerk, Kari, plans to attend.  A special meeting of county commissioners on solid waste is scheduled for Monday, June 8, at 10 a.m. to address public concerns, including improper disposal (e.g., mattresses in city cans). The transfer station is now operating inthe black for the first time in years, a significant achievement.  The mayor highlighted a $50 donation from an elderly resident whose roof and antenna were repaired by firefighters after a storm. The crew returned the next day to clear debris and haul it to the dump at no cost.  Council member Peter noted a clarification from T.J. Gravely regarding solid waste rules: small amounts of grass clippings are now allowed, though full garden waste remains restricted. 

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

**Next Meeting is June 16^th