December 6, 2022

CITY OF TOWNSEND**110 BROADWAY**TOWNSEND, MT 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

DECEMBER 6, 2022

Call to Order: 

Mayor Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members present were Vickie Rauser, Angie Wintrow, Nate Brown, Ken Urich, Matt West, & Christina Hartmann.  Others present were City Attorney, Peter Simon, Public Works Supervisor, Tim Rauser, Coleen Ward, Kari Williams, Eliza McLaughlin, Ed Shindoll, JB Howick, and Cliff Wrobetz. 

Pledge:  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Minutes:  Vickie Rauser stated that there needs to be a spelling correction in the minutes.  Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, Angie Wintrow seconded, motion carried.

  • Mayor Evans asked if there were any questions regarding the Noise Ordinance 2022-02, hearing none, Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the Noise Ordinance 2022-02, Matt West seconded the motion, and motion carried. 
  • Peter Simon said he would like to postpone the First Reading of the Solicitor Ordinance 2022-03 pending further review and after another Solicitor’s Committee (Matt, Angie & Ken) meeting. 

Correspondence from Jeremy Fadness was as follows:   the Notice of Public Hearing for the Update to the City of Townsend Subdivision Regulations.  The subdivision regulation updates consist of revisions to the regulations based on changes in Montana State Law regarding subdivision.  The Townsend City Council will hold a public hearing on December 20, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at Townsend City Hall.  Written comments may be directed to the City Council.  The public comment period ends on December 20, 2022, at the time of the Council Meeting.   Several comments were made stating that a copy of the changes in the subdivision regulations need to be viewed. The mayor requested that we get a copy of changes that Jeremy is referring.   JB Howick asked how long public comment typically is allowed, as it states up until December 20, 2022, and that is the Hearing date.  There should have been a copy of the changes for the Council and public to read at the time of the Notice of Public Hearing.  *(City Hall now as hard copies of the draft Subdivision Regulation Updates can be viewed at Townsend City Hall. Further, an electronic copy can be requested by contacting Jeremy Fadness, WWC Engineering, 1275 Maple Street Suite F, Helena, MT 59601, 406-443-3962.) 

  • Coleen Ward stood up and thanked the Council for allowing her to serve and work at the City of Townsend.  She is retiring effective December 14, 2022.
  • Peter Simon addressed the Unfinished Business items on the agenda, with the following updates:  He is updating information per the Law Enforcement Committee and will have information ready for the next meeting.  He is also working on the Pool Employee Manual.  The pool manual needs to be edited to apply to only the pool.  He is also waiting for information on the White Annexation.   Mayor Evans said that we are waiting to hear back from both the engineer and the developer. 
  • Water Court lawyer Brianne Johnson will be holding a zoom meeting at the City Hall December 8, at 11:00 a.m.  The Water Court Committee (Matt, Ken, Angie) will be in attendance, Mayor Evans and City attorney, Peter Simon will also be there. 
  • Solicitor’s Committee meeting December 8, at 10:00 a.m. and again on Monday, December 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the City Hall. 
  • New Business—starting in January.   

Mayor’s Round Table: 

Christina:  Thanked the city for sanding the school’s track.  It was very icy prior to that, so it was much appreciated. 

Matt:  Asked about a follow-up to the Distillery’s bill that was disputed; Mayor Evans said that the bill has been settled.  The engineer had charged for each call/email that the distillery.  He also asked Tim Rauser about the pool and the fracture in the pipe.  Tim discussed how the pool will be fixed.  It was brought up that with all the repairs needed with the pool, the pool liner, the pool deck, and the building, that we need to ask for a bid on the extent and the cost of the repairs. 

  • Christina made a motion to have Tim Rauser call an engineer for an estimate for the cost of the repairs to fix or replace the parts to fix the pool.   Matt seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The council also asked about the kiddy pool, and Tim said that it has sat for years without water.  It was discussed that it would be nice to have a filter in that pool that spouts water so the smaller kids could use it. 

Claims: 

  • Motion was made by Ken Urich to pay the claims, seconded by Nate Brown, motion carried. 

Adjournment: 

  • Ken Urich made a motion the adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nate Brown, motion carried.