1-7-2025

City of Townsend

Council Meeting Minutes

January 7, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council  in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, and Doug Sitton.  Nate Brown called in absent.  Also attending are Peter Simon, Eric Crusch, Nick Rauser, Kasee Clark,  Birdi Kribs, Shae Counts, Katie Erb, Brittany  Des Chene, AJ Kalaway, and Kari Williams.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Public Comment:  Any matter not on the agenda, but under the city’s jurisdiction.        Sheriff Nick Rauser stood up and gave the quarterly report on crime call outs within city limits.  He stated it’s typically quieter during the winter months, however they still see more weather-related accidents on the roads.  He stated that their Mill Levy expires this spring, so they are going to hold several meetings within the community to get the word out and educate residents where the money goes and for what it is used.  There will be one held in Townsend at the Community Room at the school on January 28th at 6:00 p.m.  There will be another meeting held near Winston and another on the south end of the county.  JB asked about the texting service for Broadwater County,  and stated this would be a great opportunity to send out a community wide text alert.  Sheriff Rauser said yes, he’ll have someone at the county work on that. 

Minutes from December 17, 2024:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Guest, Kasee Clark with Big Sky Big Leadership:  Kasee stated that they are trying to do a group project that is a “Blessing Box” that is like a food pantry that is always open.  They’d like to put it near The Bird’s Nest door on Pine Street.  She stated that there are people who aren’t comfortable going to the food bank, so this would be a good option for people to receive food.  They’d like to start with canned goods, and it will be the size of a “Reading Library Box.”   JB asked who will manage it.  AJ Kalaway spoke and said that they’re working on individuals and groups sponsoring it, however Birdi volunteered to manage it, and would accept donations at her business location.  AJ stated that she’d also monitor it and check in periodically with Birdi regarding the functionality of it.  Angie asked if the size will be big enough.  She stated that she didn’t know how many people they could help if it’s only the size of a “Reading Library.”  AJ stated that she thought it as well and was going to ask if they could go with a larger box.  It could be a maximum of a two-door cabinet.  Doug invited them to present this at the next Chamber of Commerce meeting, so they could get more businesses involved.    Vivian asked about the weather affecting the food.  They stated that the box will be insulated, and a person can give to the box or take from the box.  Eric stated that his only concern is about the side walk remaining ADA compliant.  JB stated that ADA accessible is 60 inches in all directions.  He also asked who the contact person is.  AJ stated that she’s happy to post her name and phone number on the inside of the box.  Mayor Rauser stated she’d entertain a motion.  Angie made a motion to grant permission Kasee Clark with Big Sky Big Leadership permission to place a food box near the Bird’s Nest on Pine Street.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Water Ordinance/Municipal Code 4.16.30 and 4.16.60:  Mayor Rauser read the pertinent paragraphs within the water ordinances.  4.16.30 :  “Service pipes shall be so arranged that the supply of each separate building, house, or premises may be controlled by a separate curb stop, placed within or near the line of the street curb, under rules established by the accepted City engineering standards.  This curb stop and box must be kept in repair and easily accessible.”  4.16.60:   “Full water rates must be paid for every part of a building in which water is introduced, and for all fixtures or outlets connected with the service pipes; and no deductions will be made for rooms not in actual use, or on the plea that some of the occupants do not use the water, or that some of the fixtures are not used.  The charge for the use of fixtures, as long as the water is turned on,  can only cease when they are permanently disconnected from the service pipe. “   Mayor Rauser asked council if they want to look at amending either of the sections in the ordinance.  JB stated that his family owns a separate building on Broadway used for storage.  He asked himself if it would be fair to ask the City to waive the monthly water bill just because the building is not occupied.   He believes there is an obligation for property owners in the boundaries of the City to support the City.  The idea that we can dismiss the obligations or expectations of the City at our convenience, suggests that we are not a part of the society that City is meant to support, so he cannot agree with the request of the landlords/property owners who are requesting fees to be waived based on occupancy.  Vivian stated that it would be difficult to make exceptions for some people, when there are other people affected by the increased water rates.  Mayor Rauser stated that about fifty years ago, there was this same issue that came up with a landlord, and council, at that time, decided not to make any changes to the city ordinances.  Mayor Rauser asked council if they’ve concluded not to make any amendments to the water ordinances at this time.  And that is yes, no amendments at this time. 

Options for Comprehensive Affordable Housing Study Proposal:  Jeremy Fadness with WWC Engineering was the only responding firm to submit a proposal, and when council read the proposal, it seemed as if there was a disconnect between the proposal and what the grant application and city were asking.  Jeremy is going to re-submit the proposal that will address the grant application. 

Budget Amendment to Urban Forestry and Capital Water Projects:  Mayor Rauser spoke on this and stated that the budget transfer of $15,000 that was approved for FY24 to the Urban Forestry Fund did not get done, so will be done in FY25.  This will require the City to hold a Public Hearing. The Capital Water Project budget also needs to be amended due to the contractors that are beginning on the construction of the Water Storage Tank.  This will require making some assessments as to how much of the contract will be paid out this fiscal year.  Schedule 1 Project is with CK May Excavating and they are starting their work on January 13th, and they will continue to work as long as temperatures are 10 degrees or higher.  Their bid total is $3,028,565, so Mayor Rauser estimates will need three-fourths of that total or $2,272,000 for this fiscal year.  The bid for Schedule 2 is with COP Construction and they are starting their work on March 1st.  Their bid is $8,232,000, so a portion of that will be spent this fiscal year as well.  Mayor Rauser stated that we need to increase the budget appropriation so that we have the authority to pay these bills for both schedules as they come in.   Mayor Rauser suggests a preliminary amount between two and four million for this fiscal year.  JB made a motion to propose increasing the appropriation authority for the budget to $4,000,000 to the Capital Water Projects.  The motion died for lack of a second.  Discussion was held and questions were asked.  JB stated that this motion is to approve the appropriation authority amount to present at the public hearing.  He made the motion again to propose increasing the appropriation authority for the FY2025 budget to $4,000,000.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  There will be a public hearing on the budget amendments on February 4, 2025, for both budget amendments.   

Townsend Water System:  Peter Simonstated that the quitclaim deed that he sent to Lloyd Poe was received and Lloyd stated he mailed it back.  Peter had not received it so he called the Cutbank Post Office, and they said it could be anywhere.  The reason this happened is because they could not prepay the priority mail coming back, however, Peter got in touch with the Townsend Post Office, and they stated there is a way to prepay the priority mail coming back, so Peter sent it out again with priority postage on it for a tracking number and received it back from Lloyd.  Peter then got in touch with Linda Poe here in Townsend, and she will meet Peter at the Court House this week to sign it. 

Events Committee:  There will be a meeting on January 13th at 2:00 p.m. 

Telecommunications Committee:  Peter stated that he will try to set time aside to work on this before he leaves his position.

Fireworks Committee:  There will be a meeting January 22nd at 5:30 p.m.

Round Table Discussion: 

Mayor Rauser:  

  • Legal Counsel (Status Update):  The City received one proposal for legal counsel and there will be an interview scheduled soon.  Mayor Rauser stated she’d like two council members to be part of the interview.  Angie and Vivian volunteered. 
  • The League of Cities and Towns recommends we have a representative at State Legislative sessions.  Suggestions are the Mayor or the President of the Council.  Mayor Rauser stated that she’s happy to do this on behalf of the City.                      Mayor Rauser stated that there is a website leg.mt.gov to stay informed.  Peter stated that you can submit written comment and participate if you register and set up an account through that website. 

Public Works: 

  • Eric stated that the engineers are almost done with analyzing the streets and alleys and may be ready to start with these projects that were approved for FY2025. 

Council: 

  • Vivian asked about the Cat Ordinance and Dog Kennel, and who is going to continue working on the these.  Mayor Rauser stated that the new animal control will pick that up.  Council approved the budget for the dog kennel, but whether that gets done depends on a number of factors.  She also asked who the Military Liaison for the City.  Mayor Rauser stated that she is the liaison.  She stated that she’d like to send letters to community groups to see if any are interested in sponsoring the dog waste stations in some of the other parks.
  • JB asked if anyone has stepped up for our Ward I vacant council position.  No one has submitted a letter of interest at this time. 
  • Mayor Rauser stated that we have not received any applications for the part-time Animal Control Officer position. 

Claims:  Angie made a motion to approve the December Claims.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

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

Next Meeting:  January 21st at 6:30 p.m.