City of Townsend Council Minutes

August 6, 2024

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Attendance:  Mayor Rauser, Council Members Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Nate Brown, Vivan Boaz, Doug Sitton, and Heather Healea.  Also in attendance were Eric Crusch, Todd Rolfs, Jim Domino, Laura Obert, Adam Six, Cliff Wrobetz, Shawn Simone, Nicole Simon, and Kari Williams.

Minutes:  Council person, Heather Healea stated that her name was spelled wrong on the first page of the minutes.  Angie stated that the owner’s names of Lakeside Distillery were also spelled incorrectly in the minutes.  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from July 16,2024 with the corrections. Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from the Special Meeting held on July 30, 2024.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor motion carried.

Public Comment for items not on the agenda but under the city’s jurisdiction: 

Budget:  Preliminary Budget for the FY2024-2025 fiscal year presented to council.  Vivian made a motion to accept the preliminary budget and set the public hearing on the budget.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  Public Hearing on the budget is set for at 6:30 p.m.

Transportation Committee:  Nothing new to report

Water Rate Resolution:  JB made a motion to enact the Resolution No. 2024-R07.  Heather seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Addendum to Interlocal Agreement for General Law Enforcement Services:  Mayor Rauser read the entire addendum titled Addendum to Interlocal Agreement for General Law Enforcement Services:  Townsend Municipal Code Provision Enforcement.  The agreement stated the sheriff will enforce specific Townsend Municipal Code provisions:  Fire Department provisions,  Sexually Oriented Business, Noise, Dogs Deemed a Nuisance, Shooting within City Limits, Fireworks, Water Tower, Curfew, Social Host, Speed Limits, and Traffic on Streets.   Angie made a motion to approve the addendum to the Interlocal Agreement with the Law Enforcement.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Street Closure Request:  Jim Domino, board member of Broadwater Community Theater, is requesting a street closure for a Street Dance on September 13^th from 5-9:00 p.m. from Broadway and S Spruce Street to B Street.  The stage will be a large flatbed truck with lights on it.  There will be two portable toilets set up.  They will need several barricades.  Mayor Rauser asked for comments and questions. Angie asked if there was liability insurance and if it can be provided to the City prior to the event.  Jim agreed to provide that the day before the event.  Eric stated that there is one resident that would be affected with in/out access.  Vivian made a motion to approve the street closure.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Resolution No.  2024-R08:  Resolution of the City Council of Townsend, Montana to Temporarily Suspend Solicitor Licenses.  Mayor Rauser read the Resolution in full.  Townsend Rotary has requested the City to temporarily suspend of solicitor’s licenses during Townsend Fall Fest.  JB stated that he’d like to adopt the map as being correct and move to modify the description on the resolution from a simple two block perimeter to an actual “street”  based reference to match that of the attached map which defines the perimeter.  Vivian seconded the motion.  Discussion was held between council members stating that descriptions such as North, South, East, and West of the various streets will add simplicity to define the perimeter.  Peter stated that he can change the language in the resolution to match that of the map.  Angie asked if we can post the information regarding the perimeters to the City’s Facebook, Instagram, and Website.  Heather made a motion to approve the Resolution No. 2024-R08 with the provision that the language in the resolution match the map.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  

Guest, Todd Rolfs:  There is a home on Broadway and there has been no effort to preserve this historical home, so the homeowner can finish the project that they started.  They are being withheld from preserving that heritage.  Mr. Rolfs stated that all of the building material has been exposed to the weather now for over ten years and will need to be replaced.  He’s asking if the City can do anything to assist the owners on this.  The home is located at 612 Broadway.  Mayor Rauser stated that without the owners present, they can’t act on their behalf.  JB asked if the City of Townsend is involved in any legal matters with this property that would prohibit them from finishing the house, and Mayor Rauser stated no, but maybe the Historical Society could help shed some light on the situation. 

Unfinished Business: 

Mayor Rauser spoke on the Water System regarding proof of ownership and locating an existing easement of the lots in which City well # 2 and  City well #3 are located, stating that they are making progress with this.   

Eric spoke on the garbage situation on Broadway.  He stated that the garbage cans are not serving the purpose in which they were intended, and instead being abused with large items, overflowing garbage, and items that should not be placed in those cans.   He passed around pictures of all of the garbage in the cans, which doesn’t reflect light garbage from people walking around on the city streets.  Angie stated that she personally witnessed a local bar employee dumping a bucket of  cigarette butts into one of the garbage cans that was already extremely full.  Eric stated that one of the cans is full of cigarette butts every Friday when he dumps it.  Angie stated that the Events Committee should be aware of the overflowing garbage cans that occurred after the Rodeo Street Dance.  JB said that maybe we should get rid of the garbage cans altogether.  Heather stated that if there are no garbage cans it would affect our beautiful main street and there may be litter to deal with such as cigarettes, drink cups, and cans up and down Broadway.  Eric said he doesn’t disagree with her at all.  Discussion was held amongst council members.  When asked what Eric thought would be a good solution, he stated that he’d like the businesses to take responsibility for those garbage cans.  If the business owners don’t want to take the responsibility for this, the cans can be removed.  Public comment:  Todd Rolfs stated that the city could ask for volunteers to help with the garbage as well, such as boy scouts, girl scouts,   4-H, etc.   Heather made a motion to ask business owners to take responsibility for the garbage cans on Broadway.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Mayor Rauser stated that there are no further developments on the “Unfinished Business” items on the agenda. 

Peter asked for the members of the Events Committee and the Telecommunications Committee to send him their availability for a meeting late next week or the week after. 

Round Table:  Vivian stated that several residents asked her about the camera that sits on top of the City Hall that videos Broadway.  Mayor Rauser asked Adam Six from the public to address this.  Adam stated that the camera was working yesterday.  Vivian said that she also heard from residents that the water spicket at Holloway Park is not working.  Eric said that he has not turned it on, as he does not want the water flooding the skate park.  She also passed along from others that bathrooms there are dirty and out of toilet paper.  JB asked if there was any update on Massa Park and contacting the owners.  Nate asked how the Slice of Summer turned out in regards to the pool.  Eric stated that it went very well. 

Kari spoke about a fraudulent attempt made on the City’s bank account.  No money was lost, however new bank accounts had to be set up. 

Mayor Rauser stated that the water is pretty low in the Missouri River channel where the City’s affluent water runs.  It’s still in compliance with DEQ standards as of now.  She also stated that Georgia Wilde, the City’s ACO, has completed her six-month probationary period. 

Claims:  Nate made a motion to pay the claims for July.  JB seconded that motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

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