December 3, 2024

City of Townsend, Montana

City Council Minutes of December 3, 2024

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  In attendance along with Mayor Rauser were Angie Wintrow, Vivian Boaz, Nate Brown, JB Howick, and Doug Sitton.  Also in attendance were Keith Borror, Noah Borror, Deanna Schoessler, John Bleile, Eric Crusch and Kari Williams.

Pledge of Allegiance:  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Public Comment:  Guest/Property Owner, Deanna Schoessler spoke.  She stated she owns a duplex and has one side rented, and one side is vacant.  She’s asking if there can be an exception to the rule, that she doesn’t have to pay the water on the side that is vacant.  However, there is only one water service line for the duplex.  Mayor Rauser read the water ordinance that refers to this issue.  Because this was not on the agenda, no action was taken.  This will be on the agenda for the next meeting or the first one in January.   

Minutes from 11.19.2024:  Angie stated her name was misspelled under “unfinished business.”  Angie made a motion to approve the 11/19/24  minutes as corrected;  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Request for Legal Services Status Update:  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ve sent information out to two individuals and to the Montana League of Cities and Towns.    

Department of Military Affairs-Disaster Vulnerability Study:  Mayor Rauser spoke on this. There is a handout in the council packets for a grant opportunity.  The council will need to make the decision on who best to appoint as the City representative. 

Guests/Correspondence

McCarthy Park Playground Equipment:  Noah Borror spoke on this and said that Option 2 is the best way to go.  Eric stated that he really likes Option 3 because it’s further away from the baseball fields, and safer from foul balls.  Vivian made a motion to approve Option 3 for the installation of McCarthy Park playground equipment.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

John Bleile-McCarthy Park:  John brought in a map of McCarthy Park and explained where the new shed will be placed.  It’s a 12 x 24 shed.  Angie made a motion to accept the proposed plans for the shed and extended height on the chain-link fence at McCarthy Park.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Unfinished Business: 

  • Townsend Water System:  No significant updates
  • Events Committee:  JB will be contacting members for a meeting next week. 
  • Fireworks Committee:  Vivian spoke on this and stated their last meeting was good, and they are going to draft some new ordinances at the meeting in January. 
  • Broadwater County Hazard Mitigation: Mayor Rauser stated that she mailed out the document to the council members but has not read it herself yet. 

JB stated that stated as a general observation that there is a lot of unfinished business on the agenda and would like to recommend that council address and complete these by the first quarter of next year.  Mayor Rauser stated that there are six items that require legal counsel.  Mayor Rauser stated that the committee agenda items could move forward as quickly as the committees can meet and present updates.  She also stated that special meetings may also be called in order to move forward on a lot of the unfinished business.

Claims:  JB made a motion to approve the November Claims.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Public Comment-

Public Works:  Mayor Rauser stated that Eric is still waiting on a second quote for the garage door.                                                                                                                                                                           Clerk:  Kari stated that an RFP was sent out for a comprehensive affordable housing study through the Montana Community Reinvestment Program.  We received one proposal and that will be presented at the December 17th or the January 7th meeting.                                                                                                                                                                            Mayor:    Mayor Rauser spoke on another grant program that’s available in April 2025.  She will forward a newsletter and a document from Mountains & Plains Environmental Justice Grants Hub through the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. The grant is for  supporting a variety of local causes such as agriculture, creating community centers, weatherizing homes, public education on illegal dumping activity, and many others.  It is funding for small local governments and tribal communities.                                                                                                                                                                           Council:                                                                                                                                                                            Nate stated that he’d like to get the ball rolling to get more street lights on the south side of town.  He’s not asking for all of the streets, but he’s hoping that a couple of streets and alleys could be lit for safe walking at night.  Mayor Rauser stated that we may have to create another lighting district, and thanked Nate for bringing it up.

Vivian stated that she’d like to continue working on the dog waste stations in the city parks.  She also asked about the gas tax and if that money could be used on sidewalks.  Mayor Rauser said it’s in State Law and will look that up. 

 Eric stated that the county has a plow truck that is coming up for sale, and he said that is something for the city to think about, so we’d have our own plow.  Angie asked if the Interlocal Agreement is still current with the county.  Mayor Rauser will look into that.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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

Next Council Meeting with Public Hearing:  Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.