City of Townsend

City Council Meeting Draft Minutes of 12.5.2023

Call to Order:  Mayor Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Attending the meeting were council members Vickie Rauser, Nate Brown, Ken Urich, Angie Wintrow Valerie Baraza, and Vivian Boaz.  Also in attendance were Kari Williams, Tim Rauser, Eric Crusch, Todd Rolfs, Heather Healea, Nancy Marks, JB & Monica Howick, and Larry Wright.

The pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. 

Minutes from 11.15.23 and 11.21.23—Vickie made a motion to accept the minutes from the last two meetings.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

City-County  Airport Ownership review/discussion:  City attorney, Peter Simon discussed the information learned from a recent meeting with the county regarding airport land ownership, and the deeds that were researched by Rocky Mountain Title Company.  After some discussion, it was decided to discontinue ownership of the airport with the county.  From a financial perspective, according to Pater, this was the better choice.  The City of Townsend currently spends $14,000 per year for the upkeep of the airport, so the city would be able to discontinue this payment to the county.  Valerie made a motion to unwind the Interlocal Agreement outlined in Option 2 of the City-County Airport Summary Report.  Vickie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

First Reading of Penalty Revision Ordinance:  Vickie read the proposed ordinance that has been revised by the Penalty Revision Committee and Peter Simon.  There will be a Public Hearing and Second Reading on this at our next meeting on December 19^th at 6:30 p.m.

City-County Airport Lease Agreement with Wade Litton:  This is a non-commercial lease for an airport hangar only.  Vickie made a motion to approve the lease agreement with Wade Litton.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

RPA Correspondence/White’s Annexation:  New plans that are going forward to DEQ for the council to review.  Ken said that it looks pretty good as far as fire, water, sewer, and each residence will be charged for their own utilities.  He said that the alley way looks good as well. 

Dog Waste Stations in Parks:  Valerie requested to be placed on the agenda for tonight to discuss getting dog waste stations in all the city parks in Townsend.  She is still doing research on the costs.  Ken stated the one that he and his wife put up is simple and doesn’t obstruct any mowing.  It’s put in concrete.  Valerie said that it would be nice to have a sign on each of the dog waste stations stating that it’s a city ordinance for owners to pick up their dog’s waste.  More people may pick up their dog’s waste if there is a reciprocal.  Tim said it should not be much to maintain, it would just need to be put on a schedule to empty the waste weekly.   JB Howick asked if the city would consider sponsorship with a business or group/club because the incentive to place his business’s name on the sign would be incentive enough for him to cover the cost of it, for advertising purposes.  Ken stated that this is a great idea.   

Steve McCullough Land Lease (updated):  This was updated from the last meeting, but not received until late in the afternoon so it has been tabled.  JB Howick asked exactly where the land is located.  Tim said that it is south of the sewer lagoon.  JB is wondering why the public can’t access this.  The mayor stated that anyone can call Steve McCullough and ask to hunt deer, pheasant, and geese.  It is still public use.

Mayor Evans stated that McCullough sprays weeds on that property and pays the city $300 per year to lease the land. 

Public Works Director Announcement:  Eric Crusch has been hired to replace Tim Rauser when he retires.  Congratulations to Eric! 

Guest Larry Wright:  He stated that he’s concerned about the county raising their rates for the solid waste at the dump.  He’s wondering if the city council is thinking about how this will affect the city.  Vickie stated that every household already pays an annual fee for the solid waste, and that fee covers an average disposal of 3000 pounds per year.  The county will probably not pull back that fee and start charging a per item fee.  The city is dealing with people who put items in the garbage that are not allowed.  The city allows household garbage only!  Vickie asked Tim and Eric if they’d had conversations with the county that address Larry’s concern and they said no.   JB Howick asked that when the county increases their fees, does it automatically increase the city fees?   That answer is no.  Larry Wright just wants to make sure the city is aware of what the county is doing.  Mayor Evans stated that no decisions have been made yet, so let’s wait and see.  Vivian suggested that maybe the citizens could have one time a year where households can have a spring clean out and they set their extra leaves and trash outside to be picked up.  Ken stated that we’ll have to wait and see what happens and then we’ll go from there. 

Round Table: 

Valerie:  –

Nate: –

Vickie: – Announced that there is a mega load that will be coming through Townsend on Thursday/early Friday morning and will be in Townsend until Sunday night when it leaves for Helena.  It weighs one million pounds and travels 15 mph. 

Ken:  Will be working on the dog waste station in McCarthy Park on Harrison this weekend. 

Eric:  –

Tim: –  Announced his last day is the 15^th.  He thanked everyone and said it’s time to go.  Congratulations to Tim! 

Claims:  Ken made a motion to pay the November claims;  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

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

Next meeting:  Tuesday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m.