August 5, 2025
City of Townsend
Council Meeting Minutes August 5, 2025
Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
In attendance were council members Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Nate Brown, and Doug Sitton. Also attending were Nancy Marks, Pat Plantenberg, Mary Mistek, Connie Myles, Robin Kirscher, Jim Domino, Jeanine S., Jeff Langlinais, Steve Roy, Shawn Simon, Nichole Simon, Sharon Davis, Jerry Davis, Julie Thompson, Diane Brown, Pam Sample, Brian Obert, Laura Obert, Alan Wright, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams.
Public Comment-Anything not on the agenda, but under the city’s jurisdiction: (none)
Minutes from July 15, 2025: Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Guest: Jim Domino, Board member of Broadwater Community Theater presented a Street Closure Request for a street dance on September 19, 2025, from 4-9 p.m. for closure of S Spruce St from Broadway to B St. Vivian made a motion to approve the Street Closure Request as presented. Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Budget Resolution 2025-R07: Mayor Rauser read the resolution. She stated that the council passed the 2025-2026 Budget at the previous meeting, so this is the required resolution to adopt the budget. Angie made a motion to approve the Budget Resolution No. 2025-R07. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Water Restriction: Mayor Rauser read the proposed mandatory water restriction in place due to work on the City’s well #2, in conjunction with the City’s Water System Project. This will begin immediately until the end of September, which requires residents to alter days of watering. Even house numbers, water on even days. Odd house number, water on odd days except on the 31st of the month. Also avoiding watering during 1 and 8 p.m. JB suggested to omit the sentence regarding residents with underground sprinkler systems are exempt from the restriction. JB made a motion to approve the Water Restriction with the correction. Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Townsend Fall Fest: Rotary members were present to discuss the perimeter of any outside solicitors during the Fall Fest. Jeff Langlinais stated that it used to be that the City would place a moratorium on any outside solicitors, however now that the City issues annual solicitor licenses, there becomes an issue of the perimeter around the vendors who are a part of the Fall Fest, so they’d like to go back to the moratorium. Vivian stated that she does not think it’s fair for the solicitors who’ve purchased an annual permit to be denied the right to set up in town during Fall Fest. JB stated the there is a Resolution from what they did last year and would agree with Vivian to do the same thing this year. Angie asked about a letter that Rotary member, Laura Obert sent that stated the perimeter from last year caused safety issues, compounded parking issues, and confusion with the public that could have been disastrous. She asked how so. Jeff stated that there was a food vendor set up across the highway from Fall Fest which some people thought was part of Fall Fest, so people were crossing the highway without any controlled traffic. Both Brian and Laura Obert spoke and stated they felt that in various instances, the two-block perimeter did not work. They gave an example of a Food Truck cooking with an open-air barbecue being too close to the Car Show and possibly causing issues for the cars. Laura stated the liability of a damaged car would probably go to the Rotary and to the City. JB stated that the City’s liability ends with anything outside of the approved Street Closure. JB suggested that the City extend the perimeter by an extra half block north and south. Mayor Rauser stated that the Street Closure Request has already been approved by the City and State, and it runs from Front Street to South Cherry Street. JB made a motion to extend the boundary of the car show north and south to protect the vehicles in the Car Show. Mayor Rauser stated how do we address the solicitor’s with annual licenses that may want to set up during Fall Fest. Doug asked if the City tells the solicitors where they can set up. Mayor Rauser stated there is nothing formal that states where a solicitor can set up. Mayor Rauser stated we could suspend the solicitor permits during Fall Fest and then extend their permit by 3-4 days past their original expiration date. Mayor Rauser read the ordinance that states the City can suspend licenses or fees for licenses. JB stated that with the work happening on the Events Ordinance, he believes that we cannot violate a person’s civic right to set up their mobile business as long as they’re in compliance with the solicitor’s ordinance. People have the right to use an allocated City space. JB proposed that the City use the same Resolution that was done last year and then for the Car Show on Sunday, extend the perimeter by an extra half block north and south. Mayor Rauser stated we can visit with the City attorney regarding both of these options. Vivian asked if the Rotary could use the school parking lot instead of extending further down Broadway. Angie stated she thinks that’s a good idea for future growth. This topic has been tabled until visiting with the City attorney. The Street Closure request that Rotary presented for Fall Fest will be on the next City Council Agenda.
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority: JB stated this has been progressing, and they have secured considerable funding. The City of Townsend is the second largest unaffiliated city along the route that could be selected as a stop on the route. JB thinks that it’s time that the City of Townsend gains a seat at the table with a yearly membership fee of $400. This gives the City the ability to discuss various options instead of just listening to the discussion. This service will be provided through Amtrak. JB made a motion to spend $400 per year to participate in the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Association. Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Events Committee: Mayor Rauser apologized for not forwarding the City Attorney’s email with the draft ordinance. That will be done tonight.
Ordinance Review: Angie and JB are working on this and can present on Telecommunications Franchise. The committee working on Title I, after doing some homework, is meeting on August 14th at 3:00 p.m. JB stated he’ll get a draft of the Telecommunications Franchise to Mayor Rauser prior to presenting it to the council.
Animal Control/Compliance Officer, John Stenzel gave a report regarding the various things he’s working on. He spoke on parking tickets, abandoned vehicles and overgrown weeds in yards. He also stated that the dog kennel renovations are complete and came in under budget. JB stated that there are some people who want to work on a cat kennel. John stated that there is room, however Eric stated that he needs that extra space for his pipe, gravel, and equipment. Mayor Rauser stated that the number of dogs we’re dealing with is significantly less than last year.
Eric: The invoice for the street sweeper that was approved to purchase will be presented at the next meeting.
Jeff Langlinais asked if the committee meetings are public. Mayor Rauser stated yes, and they’d appreciate public participation.
Mayor Rauser stated that we still need more people to participate in the Housing Inventory Survey.
Shawn Simon, Fire Chief spoke and stated that everything is running smoothly and that there were no issues over the 4th of July, so he thanked everyone for being responsible.
Claims: JB made a motion to approve the July 2025 Claims. Nate seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Adjournment: Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m.