Townsend, MT City Council Meeting 1/17/23

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 1/3/23 meeting.  Seconded by Matt West.  All approved, motion carried. 

• Subdivision Regulations Resolution 2023-1 was read by Council Member, Angie Wintrow.   Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the Subdivision Regulations Resolution 2023-1 and was seconded by Angie Wintrow.  All approved, motion carried. 
• Mayor Evans spoke on MCEP and the Renewable Resource Grant & Loan Program.  (House Bill 11)   He will testify on the city’s behalf on January 19^th between 11 a.m. and 12 noon via zoom to ask for funds for the city’s water project. 
• Public Works Supervisor, Tim Rauser spoke about the Lead & Copper Rule, regarding various tests he must do to make sure what type of service line is used at each residence and business.  This is an EPA guideline that every town in the U.S. must follow to identify if there is any lead in the water systems.  Tim said that he feels very confident that there will be no issues with the Townsend water system.  He will need to put the results on a spreadsheet, and he has until October 2024 to get it all done. 
• Jessica Crusch spoke and said that she has started a new virtual assistant business, so anything having to do with virtual assistance will be operating under one umbrella for accounting purposes. Since Jessica oversees the city’s website, she needs us to sign a new contract.  She stated it will be the same service and same price.  
• Nichole Brown introduced herself as a member of the Townsend Rotary Interact advisor.  She would like permission to place the ice-skating rink at Holloway Park.   Rotary does not own the skate rink, but they are in possession of it.  The Rotary will work with the fire department to fill it and will maintain it.  She would appreciate a motion to place the skate rink at Holloway Park.  Angie Wintrow made a motion to allow the Rotary Interact Club to place and fill the skating rink at Holloway Park, Vickie Rauser seconded the motion.  All approved and the motion carried. 
• Mayor Evans read an email from Breanne Johnson, Western Roots Law PLLC regarding correspondence with Leisa McArthur on the Water Rights/Court. 
• Mayor Evans stated that he requested an updated agreement signed by our new sheriff, Nick Rauser giving authorization to our compliance officer, Eric Crusch, to provide city code enforcement on the city’s ordinances.  This signed authorization will be placed in Eric’s employment file as well as in the city’s documents. 
• Mayor Evans received a response letter from Shirley Wilson regarding an ordinance that she was asked to comply. 

Peter Simon gave updates on the following:   

• Penalty Revisions Committee Meeting met on January 10^th for approximately two hours.  Peter stated that he has cataloged every penalty.  The committee discussed Municipal Infraction, Criminal Penalty without jail, and Criminal Penalty with jail.  Another meeting will follow in a week or so to discuss further. 
• Solicitor’s Committee will meet Monday January 23^rd at 10:00 a.m. at the City Hall. 
• Peter made a spreadsheet on the collective agreements/contracts coming up for renewal.  Montana Internet is up April 15^th, 2024—they do require one year’s notice; Blackfoot Communications expires April 27^th, 2023.  It does require a two-month notice.  The Airport, City Judge, and Law Enforcement are all renewed on the fiscal year.  He would like to meet with the county on these and discuss.  The Weed Agreement does not have a specific renewal term.  The city will need to speak with the weed coordinator and a new agreement will be drafted. The Nelson-Ag Lease is up in April 2024, and it will need to be re- negotiated; There is also a question on the Sewer Lagoon Lease with Steve McCullough, and the city clerks will investigate the most recent agreement on file. 

Guests: 

JB Howick, owner of Townsend Hardware, spoke and said that he has an invitation to make.  He had the opportunity to attend the House Local Government Committee meeting today, (January 17^th) for the House Bill 198 that gives City’s the right to choose whether to remain on the Montana Department of Transportation’s permitting system for items on the sidewalks or to create their own ordinance.  He would like to invite the city to officially support the bill if it passes in the Senate.  Mayor Evans stated that the city will have something to think about if this bill passes. 

Shawn Simon the Fire Chief spoke to the city regarding a broken shaft on a fire hydrant right in front of the pump station. Tim Rauser said that he needs to be notified of this right away, especially if this ever happens again.  Shawn also stated that he would like to talk with the city about their budget.  They need to replace tires on a couple of trucks as well as replace air packs with newer ones.  He stated that there is a grant they can apply for, but they’d also like to see what their budget is and if they are getting their full amount that is allocated to them.   Vickie Rauser told Shawn that the Fire Dept needs to submit a budget request first, and then the council will determine if there is funding.  Shawn asked to be put on the city’s meeting agenda for next month. 

Round Table:  Vickie Rauser asked Tim Rauser about the pool liner.  Tim has received a quote on the pool liner for $127,491.  And if the gutters need to be replaced that could run another $20,000 to $40,000.

                          Matt West asked about Dog Licenses (Dog License Ordinance) Is that something we should look at each year to adjust the fees per license? 

                          Ken Urich said that 222 S Spruce has a Porta Potty sitting on the boulevard.  He asked if Eric would check it out. 

                          Angie Wintrow said that there will be an Airport Board meeting tomorrow 1/18/23, discussing the updates on the land acquisition and construction project at the Airport.

Adjourn:  Ken Urich made a motion to adjourn, Nate Brown seconded the motion.  All approved, motion carried.