April 18, 2023

City of Townsend Council Meeting—April 18, 2023

**(Budget Meeting from 5:30-6:30 Present were Mayor Evans, council members Vickie Rauser, Angie Wintrow, Matt West, and Ken Urich.  Absent were council members Nate Brown and Christina Hartmann.)**

Regular Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Attendance:  Council members, Mayor Evans, Vickie Rauser, Matt West, Angie Wintrow, Ken Urich, Nate Brown, and Christina Hartmann.   Also present were City Attorney, Peter Simon, City Clerk, Kari Williams, Tim Ravndal, Ed Shindoll, Shawn Simon, JB Howick, Andrew Herrick,  Ruby Taylor, Nichole Brown, and Keith Hartmann.

 6:30 p.m.:  Meeting opened, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.  Minutes:  Mayor Evans asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes from the last meeting on 04/04/23   Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the minutes from 4/4/2023.  Angie Wintrow seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

  • Resolution 2023-R02—A Resolution of the City of Townsend, Montana establishing a fee schedule for Solicitor Licenses.  Mayor Evans read the resolution as follows:  Annual License running from January 1st to December 31st $150.00, Short Term License (4-day) $25.00.                                                Vickie Rauser made a motion to adopt the Resolution.  Angie Wintrow seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.
  • Montana Land Purchase and Sale Contract between City-County Airport (Buyer) and Steve McCullough (Seller):  Mayor Evans stated that the county wants the city to go in on this land purchase for the airport.  The land is two parcels for $200,000;  However, once the FFA pays part of that, the city’s split is $13,330.  The airport construction will be different and they’re looking at $400,000 so $200,000 each for the county and city.  Angie stated that there is a grant from the FFA, so that would bring the total down to $200,000 with a local share of $100,000 each from the county and the city.  The county would like to know if the city is willing to join in this construction project, or step away from the airport altogether.  Vickie Rauser stated that the city does not have that kind of money for the construction project and possibly not even for the land acquisition.  Angie stated that the city would have to take out loans, and with a current water tower project underway, it would be extremely tight.  JB Howick asked the question, “What benefits are here and what rights would the city be walking away from?”  There was discussion regarding if there is a specific benefit to the city to remain a partner in the city-county airport.  There was a question regarding what happens to the money the city has put into the airport in the past if the city walks away from it.  Vickie Rauser stated that the city has a representative on the Airport Board, so the city would no longer have that position if we weren’t involved.  .  Christina Hartmann said that if the city is a joint owner of the  airport,  that we can’t just walk away from it.  Nichole Brown stated if the city does have any ownership in the city-county airport that we could sign a quit-claim deed as an option to step away from the it.  Keith Hartmann asked if the city receives any revenue from taxes by being an owner?   Vickie Rauser stated that the city would actually save money by not being a joint owner, because the city would not continue to make an annual contribution of $14,000.  The city attorney, Peter Simon, will review the city-county airport deeds and interlocal agreement and report on that next meeting.  When does the County need our decision?   Matt West asked if we could go ahead and vote on the land purchase and wait to decide on if the city wants to continue with their joint ownership of the airport. 

Matt West made a motion to decline participation in the Montana Land Purchase and Sale Contract, Vickie Rauser seconded the motion. Vickie, Matt, Angie, and Nate voted in favor.  Ken Urich and Christina Hartmann voted nay.  Motion carried.  Vickie asked for comments from the two people who voted nay.  Christina Hartmann said she voted nay because she felt that the decision to not be involved is moving too fast.  Ken Urich said he voted nay because he’d like to find out what Peter finds out after reviewing the city-county airport documents. 

  • Guest Nichole Brown spoke regarding the Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Plan, adopted by the Broadwater County commissioners in March of 2023.   Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board has two sitting members who are representatives of the city.  It’s up to the city if they want to adopt it or take it as information only.  If the city wants to adopt it, the cover will be amended to reflect Broadwater County and City Recreation Plan.  Kari Williams will email the document for the council members to review. 
  • Email from Allison Kostco—MSU Extension is hosting an in-person event on June 13th.   Mayor Evans said that he’d like to have someone on the city council attend.  The cost is $50.00.  Matt West if the city would cover the cost to attend, and Mayor Evans said yes.  Christina Hartmann volunteered to attend.  Matt West asked if this topic could be placed on the agenda after June 13th so Christina could report on it. 
  • Shawn Simon/Fire Chief stated that they submitted a claim for an oil change on two fire trucks.  That expense will be once every two years.  Tires and rims have already been purchased from Townsend Tire for Engine #3 for $2870.  Ed Shindoll wanted to go with a local business, and Townsend Tire is the only business that provides that size of tire, that is why there was not a second bid/quote.   Shawn has an estimate from Townsend Tire of $2500 for 4 back tires.  Vickie Rauser asked him to check the purchasing policy to confirm if a second and or third bid is necessary.   Shawn also said that he completed training to complete background checks on incoming applicants to the fire department. 
  • White Annexation meeting update:  Angie Wintrow spoke about this meeting.  The council reviewed copies of the latest site plans.  The plan shows that the Cul-de-sac still has not been moved to the end of the property which the council has requested.   In the rebuttal that Brad and Neal of RPA made with White’s architect, Steve Erban, stated that there should be curb and gutter on both the east and west side.  There was a heated debate where there was no curb or sidewalk on the driveways to the east.  They said that they’d comply with that and contact RPA about that.  The city requested that each service has its own water and sewer line.   The driveway to units #9 and #10 is very small, so the council asked why the cul-de-sac could not be extended to the end and the architect said because it would cost the White’s an extra $30,000 dollars.  Tim Ravndal asked if there is a deadline for the city to annex this property or is it just an ongoing process.  Angie stated that it’s been going on for several years. 
  • No pool updates at this time. 
  • Pool Committee Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 20th at 2:30. 
  • Mayor Evans asked if the council would like to place an ad in the newspaper for the mayor position and the three council member positions.  Everyone agreed it would be a good idea.  The ad will be placed this week. 
  • Solicitor Ordinance will be effective April 21, 2023.
  • Ruby Taylor, Director of Public Health brought in proof of insurance from Rotary for the street closure May 20th 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  for the annual Bike Rodeo.  Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the street closure request, Angie Wintrow seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Round Table:  Christina Hartmann asked if there was any additional information on the Hiawatha Railway.  There was additional information emailed on April 6th to the council, but it will be on agenda for May 2nd as Vickie attended a zoom meeting on it and she’ll report on that.  Christina also asked if there was any more information regarding Hwy 287.  There has not been any additional information since the April 4th meeting.  Christina also stated that they own the property next to the laundromat.  The alley is higher than the building, so in order to get the water away from their building, they need to slope it away from the building.  They need to do some kind of a drainage system to keep the water off the alley and out of their building.  Mayor Evans said he’d ask Tim Rauser about it, but since the drain will be on business property, there’s not much the city has to do with it.    Angie Wintrow requested that we get an updated rate plan from WWC, which Jeremy has provided.  Angie would like to suggest that the planning board meet again to discuss the rates.  Ed Shindoll asked if we need different signs for street closures.  Montana Department of Transportation is requiring additional detour signs, so Mayor Evans told him that he’d have Tim explain the changes to him. 

Adjournment:  Ken Urich made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Nate Brown seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Motion carried. 

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, May 2nd at 6:30 p.m.  &  Budget Meeting:  Monday, May 8th at 5:30 p.m.