City of Townsend, Montana

City Council Minutes of August 20, 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, Nate Brown, Heather Healea, JB Howick, and Doug Sitton.  Vivian Boaz was absent.  Also in attendance were Nicole Simon, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams.

Minutes from 8.6.2024:  JB made a motion to approve the minutes from 8.6.2024.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Public Comment:  Any matters that are not on the agenda but are under the city’s jurisdiction.  (No comments made.)

Floodplain Ordinance:  Mayor Rauser stated that tonight is the First Reading of the revised Floodplain Ordinance.  Mayor Rauser read the Ordinance.   Angie made a motion to pass the first reading on Ordinance 2024-01.  Doug seconded the motion.  JB asked if it’s appropriate to ask questions regarding the new regulations.  Mayor Rauser stated that if we can pass the first reading, she’ll entertain questions on the new regulations.   All in favor, motion carried.  Mayor Rauser stated that the Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations Document has been sent to DNRC and FEMA, and both have approved it.  JB stated that on page 9, section 1, it talks about the Floodplain Administrator, but the ordinance provides no default if no administrator is appointed.  He asked if there should be a default?  Mayor Rauser stated yes that there should be a default, and normally that default should be the mayor.  JB stated that would be appropriate.  Second question, on page 13, the buildings definition is specific about buildings that are primarily above ground, however there are buildings that can be underground.  Should there be a change in the definition to remove the expectation that  it’s only an above ground structure?  Angie stated that she’d be interested in the zoning regulations on something like that.  JB stated that it does state that certain zoning regulations would have to be met.  Mayor Rauser stated this made her think of the tunnels, and if anything goes wrong, they could be flooded.  JB’s third question:  On page 42 section 913.13 talks about levies, and if a developer were to develop a multiple plat site, and the levy was required to protect more than one plat, would that have to be publicly owned and maintained and does it obligate the city to become the owner of such levies?  Or does it put the city council in a position to cancel any development based on a desire to not own the levy?   Angie stated that’s a good question because White’s Annexation proposed request was to have condominiums built on a hill/levy.  JB’s fourth question on page 61section 14.1, states that an investigation may be initiated by the Floodplain Administrator or by a written request of three title holders whose land may be affected. Does this mean that no one else can initiate an investigation, including the city council?  Mayor Rauser stated yes, that’s what it’s saying.  Mayor Rauser made a note to include that city council could initiate an investigation.  JB’s  next question was on page 62 section 14.6, which is the section before the penalty section.  He asked if section 14.6 should refer to section 15, which is the penalty section.  Angie said that she thinks it states what those penalties could actually be, in the way of administrative, legal, or through the court system.  After some discussion, the mayor and council felt it was adequate.  JB asked one last question, and that was if the City could invest in an updated Floodplain map, as the current one is dated in 2000.  Mayor Rauser stated that we will have the Second Reading and Public Hearing on this ordinance at our next meeting, September 3^rd. 

Planning Board:  Mayor Rauser wanted this on the agenda to discuss what is and isn’t happening within this committee.  She stated that she understands that the board has been unable to get a quorum for recent meetings that were held, so have been unable to take action.  Mayor Rauser asked if there’s anything she can do to help facilitate this board and the meetings they schedule.  Angie stated that there is at least one or two members that haven’t shown up for several meetings, so it might be a good idea to contact them and see if they’re still interested on being on the board. Mayor Rauser asked if members could participate either electronically on the phone or computer if necessary, as long as one of the members was physically present to facilitate that option.  Angie said that should work.  Comments or observations from the council or the public?  None. 

Guest, Steve Cook, Townsend Elementary Principal:  Steve is requesting to get permission to temporarily close North Pine Street from 2^nd to 3^rd Street for about 15 minutes per day in the morning, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the school year from Monday-Thursday, or Tuesday-Friday.  He’s afraid that one of the kids is going to get hit by a car or bus, as there are so many pulling into the school to drop off students.  JB asked if the word “temporarily” is actually permanent?  Steve stated that it would be permanent during the school year, but a temporary time slot for 15-20 minutes. Angie asked why this request is only for the morning drop off and not the afternoon pickup?  Steve Cook stated because in the afternoon that the cars pull over and park vs trying to drive through and drop off.   JB asked how he’ll handle the residents who have a drive way in that area.  Steve stated that he’s talked to some of them and plans to talk to all of them.  Nate asked how many cars are going north and south on Pine Street.  Steve stated that he hasn’t done that research, but that he’s being proactive based on the information he’s received from teachers, bus drivers, and parents.  Doug stated that we could see how well it works temporarily and see if the plan needs to be adjusted based on how it works.  Mayor Rauser said that she will entertain a motion to allow the school personnel to temporarily close North Pine Street from 2^nd to 3^rd Street for a trial period of two weeks from the times of 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. on school days. and that Steve Cook will report back to the council on the first meeting in September to let the council know if the closure is working.  The temporary closure going forward will be based on the principal’s report.  Angie made the motion as stated by Mayor Rauser.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Unfinished Business: 

• Ordinance Review Committee:  Ange stated that the Telecommunications Committee and Events Committee met with Peter Simon yesterday to start moving forward with those.  Mayor Rauser reminded everyone that committee meetings are open to the public, so they need to be noticed prior. 
• Dog Kennel/Cat Ordinance-
• Fireworks Ordinance:  Mayor Rauser stated that commissioner, Debi Randolph, would like to participate in the next meeting.  She will let Vivian know, as she is the committee chairperson.
• Pool Committee-
• Sewer Ordinance-
• Townsend Water System:  Mayor Rauser stated this is a continual project, but we’re getting closer to finding a deed or evidence of ownership of the well on North Cedar.  We heard from the railroad with respect to well #2.  JB asked when we can put out a request for a bid.  Mayor Rauser stated that the engineers are still responding to questions from the Department of Environmental Quality, and the ownership of the wells needs to be resolved.  There’s been some issues with the recording of the deed, so hopefully that will be resolved soon. 
• Garbage Cans on Broadway:  Mayor Rauser and Eric have talked about taking a letter to each of the businesses to discuss the garbage situation and asking for their assistance. Also, emptying the cans on Broadway could be part of the approval process for a street closure.  For example, the rodeo weekend request.  Angie said that she watched Eric shovel the extra garbage that spilled out of the cans on Broadway. In regards to garbage, Mayor Rauser stated that Eric and his crew have been finding some interesting and heavy items in the household garbage cans that could ruin the garbage cans and garbage truck.  Mayor Rauser stated that she’d like to educate the public that the garbage cans should only have “household garbage” in them.  Part of that education should include that if the garbage truck breaks down due to large, heavy items, the City may have to purchase parts or an upgraded garbage truck.  Nate asked if we’re seeing more garbage because the county shut down the cannisters at the dump?  Eric said that yes, we are seeing the initial pains of that.  Nate asked what we can do about it.  Eric stated that there is a solution in giving each resident their own 90-gallon garbage can.  Angie asked how many garbage cans we would need to purchase in order to do that?  Eric said that he’d have to do some research.  Mayor Rauser stated that it would be approximately 800 cans to purchase because we have about 865 bills that go out.  JB stated that as a business owner, a 90-gallon can would not be big enough.  JB stated that now we could be looking at locking down the lids on all of the big cans.  The education needs to include how expensive this could all be if we have to solve the problem this way.  Mayor Rauser agreed and said expenses such as the cost of a new truck or an injured employee on worker’s compensation insurance should be considered as well. 

Public Comment-

Clerk-                                                                                                                                                                                                 Public Works-  Eric stated that the pool is in the process of being drained and shut down for the year.  There are some new items that will need to be purchased for next year including a pool cover and rebuilding the pump.  He said that they had a good crew and is excited that many of them have shown interest in returning, including the pool manager.  Eric stated that there’s one lifeguard who may be interested in being the assistant pool manager.  That way the pool manger could be relieved of having so many hours and keep the pool management in a continuous cycle.  Mayor Rauser stated that she was pleased with the pool operation this year.  Eric also stated that there were three emergency digs a few weeks ago.

Round Table

Mayor Rauser stated that the Rotary asked if they could spruce up some of the picnic tables in Heritage Park and also sand and seal the posts of the pavilion and do some work on the metal roof of the pavilion.   Mayor Rauser said she’s learned not to turn down volunteers!

Angie asked if we’re still replacing playground equipment at Heritage Park.  JB stated yes, that is this Saturday. 

Doug:  Stated that his aunt, Mary Alice Upton, passed away.  Mary Alice served as the City’s mayor for twenty-nine years and served on the city council as council president through six mayors prior to that.  Doug read her obituary to the council. 

JB: 

Angie:  Stated she’d be attending the Airport Board meeting because the city water tank is on their agenda. 

Nate: Any update on Massa Park?  Mayor Rauser stated no that she has not heard back from the owners. 

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

Next Council Meeting:  Tuesday, September 3, 2024,  at 6:30 p.m.