Townsend, MT City Council Meeting 2/7/23

In attendance:  Mayor Evans, Vickie Rauser, Angie Wintrow, Nate Brown, Matt West, Kenny Urich, Tim Rauser, Kari Williams, Nick Rauser, Nancy Marks, Jessica Crusch, Cliff Wrozak, Shawn Simon, Dan Davis, Jim and Amber Burgess

• The meeting was called to order by Mayor Evans at 6:30 p.m. 
• The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
• Mayor Evans asked if everyone had a chance to look at the minutes from last week. Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the minutes of the 1/17/23 meeting.  Seconded by Angie Wintrow.  All approved, motion carried. 
• Neal Lavang with RPA here to discuss White’s Annexation.  He provided a packet to the council that included correspondence between the developer and various people at RPA.   The Resolution states the developer needs to include a loop water main, street needs to be up to city standards, and there needs to be a right of way in that.   The original plans were to include a turnaround in a hammerhead design; Shawn Simon the city fire chief stated he’d like to see a cul-de-sac and the city council members also agreed there needs to be a cul-de-sac.  This will be communicated with the developer.  We are now up to 8 condominiums vs 5 condominiums, so the council wants to make sure the cul-de sac extends to all the condominiums.  The architect is stated that they’d like to provide a curb and gutter on one side of the street, however city regulations state there needs to be a curb and gutter on both sides of the street, so that is what the city engineer will convey to them.  The city does not typically plow snow, so that wouldn’t affect anything.  City regulations also state there needs to be a 4 ft boulevard and a 5 ft sidewalk.  The city council stated that there needs to be a separate water service to each condo.  The developer was trying to get away from this by stating if there is one owner for two separate condo’s, that there would only need to be one water service per owner.  The council agreed that this would not work well, as ownership changes.  The city engineer will tell the architect and developer that there will need to be water service for each condo regardless if there’s one owner who owns multiple units. 
• Angie Wintrow is speaking on the Airport Meeting notes from 1/18/23; There are two issues moving forward with the airport right now.  1.  The construction/major rehabilitation project funding will be available but not guaranteed at the moment.  After funding and grants, there will be a $200,000 balance for local share—possibly to be split between the county and the city.  The airport is also in the process of purchasing 50 acres of land next to the airport to expand the airport.  That has been appraised at $723,400.  FFA has grant funding for that to pay for 90% of this cost, which leaves a 10% or roughly $80,000 for local share to split between the county and the city.   The airport board had to decide if they wanted to move forward with the airport construction project slated for 2024 or work on the land acquisition for this year, 2023.  They have decided to move forward with the land acquisition.  This will push back the construction project until 2026.   If Land Acquisition does not go through, the Airport Board will move to the Major Rehabilitation/Construction Project, but it will then be pushed to 2024.  (There is roughly $150,000 in funds needed for the airport in the next two years)  Angie is not sure what the city’s financial responsibilities are on this.  Questions such as if the city is required to fund the local share, and when the funds would be required to be paid.  The council asked if we could find out why the city is co-owner of the county airport.  Mayor Evans said that he’d investigate this.  A lot of information needs to be looked at before deciding on funding this project. 
• Amber Burgess with the Fish Tale is asking for street closure on Broadway for July 1^st-2^nd from the Fish Tale to the Commercial beginning at 3:00 p.m.  (Angie brought up the various business owners would be losing 2 hours of business, and that she would be okay with the street closure beginning at 4:00 p.m.)  Amber agreed that 4:00 p.m. would work.  Their hopes are to have a motorcycle show and several bands playing throughout the evening.  Music would go until 12:30 or 1:00 a.m. and then the other two hours will be for cleaning and taking down the stage.   Revo Insurance will provide coverage for this event.  Garbage will be maintained similar to how they’ve done the garbage at the Dart Tournaments.  No glass will be allowed on the street.  There will also be 6 porta potty’s along Broadway.  Tim Rauser said that he doesn’t have a problem with it and can provide the bigger garbage cans from the city if the event is approved by the council.  Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the street closure request and use the city’s big garbage cans for the Fish Tale Tavern; Nate Brown seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 
• Mayor Evans said that the correspondence and objections for the Water Court are included in the packet.  There is a deadline of April 3, 2023, for any counter objections. 
• There is an email from Jeremy Fadness of WWC Engineering asking if we have any projects that would qualify for a Transportation Alternative Grant, and we don’t have any upcoming projects for this at this time. 
• There are copies of letters that our compliance officer mailed to several residents regarding the violation of the ordinance to have people living in an RV on their property. 
• Bob Hollister letter asking for approval on the City/County Airport Board for another term.  Angie Wintrow made a motion to accept Bob Hollister for another term to the City/County Airport Board; Seconded by Vickie Rauser, motion carried. 
• Election notification—positions will be open for Mayor Evans, Christina Hartmann, Kenny Urich, & Nate Brown.  (Filing opens in April)
• Fire Chief, Shawn Simon gave council some information on what is needed for the fire hall.   Shawn said that they are thinking about the longevity of the fire trucks and equipment.   He prepared a breakdown of what they might need soon and the cost and budget allotment.  No comments or questions were made from the council, stating they will need time to look it over and think about it. 
• Sheriff Nick Rauser discussed happenings withing the law enforcement.   They hired a new deputy, Chase Rasmussen and Mark Wood was promoted to Captain.  Detectives are looking at some sexual violence happening around town, Seth Anderson has been arrested for various crimes.  They also arrested more people at Town Pump that had 2 ounces of meth; and arrested someone else with an assault charge.  A couple tickets have been issued at the school for driving the wrong way down the street.  Lunch with a Cop Program has begun at the school, and this has been very positive.  Mayor Evans requested a quarterly report from the law enforcement to the city, to stay informed.    
• Round Table:  Vickie Rauser stated that the community survey will be held to narrow down some projects that they’d like to complete.  The Phase I report is complete and out; Phase 2 meetings will be held on March 8^th and 9^th which will be narrowing down & prioritizing projects.  There will be a Townhall Meeting the evening of March 8^th.
• Claims: Ken Urich made a motion to pay the claims; Nate Brown seconded the motion, motion carried. 
• Adjourn:  Ken Urich made a motion to adjourn; Nate Brown seconded the motion.  Motion carried.