January 21, 2025

City of Townsend

Council Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council  in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Nate Brown, and Doug Sitton.  Also attending were John Hahn, Shawn Simon, Nichole Simon, Lauren McLaughlin, Jeff Langlinais, Cliff Wrobetz, Elizabeth Wishman, Birdi Kribs, Gordon Pearse, Makenzie Truesdell, Madelyne Truesdell, Daniel Truesdell, Alex Potter, Steve Cook, Linda Kent, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams. 

Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Public Comment:  Any matter not on the agenda, but under the city’s jurisdiction.   

 Steve Cook with Townsend Schools reported back to the council on the road closure in front of the school.  He stated that the street closure is a highly effective tool and is working very well.  He thanked the council for allowing this to continue through the school year, and stated he’d be back in the summer to make the request for the next school year.     

Minutes from January 7, 2025:  JB made a motion to accept the minutes as presented.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Fire Department Report:  Shawn Simon distributed an incident report.  JB asked how many actual incidents involved a burning building.  There was one, and one firework incident that caught some straw on fire.  Shawn stated that they purchased ten radios with their budget and now found out that they are not compatible with their system.  They only had 90 days to return the radios for any reason, and they surpassed that time frame.  The re-stocking fee is $1350, however that fee would go toward four upgraded radios that are compatible versus the ten they received. With this option they will only be out $100 to ship the old ones back.  The City Firehall found an old contract between the city and rural fire departments and found out that the building is owned in  joint ownership between the city and rural fire departments.  Shawn stated that they’d have the fire board look at the contract, as well as city council and get it resolved.  Mayor Rauser said that it would also need to go through legal counsel as well. 

Legal Counsel Status Update:  Mayor Rauser stated that she and two council members interviewed Ed Guza for the City Attorney. Mayor Rauser made reference calls to the other communities that he serves, and everyone was quite positive.  Angie stated that she and Vivian were part of the interview process, and she was impressed.  Angie made a motion to enter into a contract with Ed Guza from Bozeman for the City Attorney position.  Vivian seconded the motion.  Further discussion had JB question the compensation he’d be receiving, and Mayor Rauser stated that it’s approximately the same to Peter Simon’s compensation.   Mayor Rauser stated that if the motion could be amended to interject a time frame.  Angie stated she’d amend her motion to include a two-year time frame as stated in the proposal.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Animal Control Compliance Officer Position Update:  Mayor Rauser stated that they received one application and is in the process of checking references.   

Ward I Council Seat:  Mayor Rauser stated that several people have been contacted from Ward I, however no one has stepped up for this position.  It will be advertised in the newspaper again. 

Townsend Water System Status Update:  Mayor Rauser stated that CK May has started the work on schedule one with valve replacements.  Various streets will have the water turned off, and the shut off will be limited to eight hours.  A summary document will be printed and put in the paper to notify residents of a general plan.  JB asked if this project will eventually affect every household with water shut offs, and Eric confirmed that is true. 

Dog Waste Stations:  Council member, Vivian, gave a report on the costs associated with the dog waste stations.  She’s asking for a sponsorship or donation to assist with the initial cost of placing the stations in various city parks.  After the initial cost has been covered, the City of Townsend will have to maintain them.  She’d like to start with two parks, having two stations in Heritage Park and one station in Holloway Park.  Vivian made a motion to move forward with allowing the dog waste stations in Heritage and Holloway Park and looking for donors to help.  JB asked if the motion could be amended because the city is not responsible for acquiring the dog waste stations, so the motion should be to draft letters to send out to potential donors.  Discussion was held.  Vivian stated that she would amend the motion.  Vivian made a motion to draft letters to look for interested donors sponsors to purchase the dog waste stations for the two parks.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Guest, Madelyne and MaKenzie Truesdell introduced themselves as members of the Old Baldy 4-H Club.  They took turns reading a proposal and asking for permission allowing them to have two milk goats as their 4-H project.  For two months, each goat will have two kids (baby goats) with them.  JB asked what the address is that will host the goats.  They stated they live on N Cherry Street.  JB asked how long the goats will be at the residence.  Mayor Rauser stated that it’s a 4-H year, so typically they receive the animals in the Spring and keep them until the Fair.  Angie asked how big the goats will be.  The girls stated that the females are between 100-115 pounds.  JB asked if they’ve talked to their neighbors about having goats.  Their dad, Daniel Truesdell stated that one of their neighbors also has goats, so it should be okay.  Angie made a motion to allow the goats for a one-year trial period.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Guest, Lauren McLaughlin with Big Sky Big Leadership:  Lauren and some members of the group came to seek permission from the council to either repair or resurface the tennis courts.  Supporters included Alex Potter, Liz Wishman, Gordon Pearse, Jeff Langlinais and Birdi Kribs.  Liz stated that they’ve received several quotes.  Council comments:  Doug stated that Bill Kearns knows someone who has additional grant money that may be able to be used for this.  Gord Pierce asked if the City owns that piece of property, and if the City has any parts or equipment to maintain those grounds.  The courts have deteriorated immensely and they’re close to being a hazard and causing injury.  John Hahn spoke and stated that he has a neighbor that uses asphalt to re-do tennis courts.  He suggests filling the cracks to get by for this year to allow the school’s tennis team to use the courts.  Jeff Langlinais stated that he plays pickleball and he sees cracks, but doesn’t see the courts moving up and down, only side to side.  Mayor Rauser stated that the request is to grant Big Sky Big Leadership permission to look into the maintenance and future replacement of the tennis courts.  Vivian made a motion to grant permission to look into the maintenance and replacement of the tennis courts.  Doug seconded the motion.  Discussion was held.  After hearing more details of the groups goals, Mayor Rauser suggested that the motion be withdrawn.  Vivian withdrew the motion.  JB asked if he could make a suggestion, stating that the group should come back for the next council meeting and present more information and schedule of events that can be presented to the public.

AARP Community Challenge Grant:  Mayor Rauser stated that these applications are due March 5th.  She registered for a public Q & A Webinar, and there are project examples on there that other communities have done.  Mayor Rauser stated that it’s through AARP, so it’s a grant to help make communities livable for all ages.  A member of the public asked if this would apply to the tennis court repair since there are people of all ages who use the tennis courts to play pickleball?  Mayor Rauser stated yes, it might.  

Pending Business: 

  • Telecommunications Franchise Ordinance-needs review.
  • Events Committee/Ordinance-preliminary draft will be discussed next week at a committee meeting.
  • Fireworks Committee/Ordinance-Meeting  on January 22nd. 
  • Garbage Cans on Broadway-new catalog for cans. 
  • Broadwater County Hazard Mitigation Plan-Mayor Rauser stated that she received a 400-page document that was emailed to her for review.  Mayor Rauser will forward that link to the council.  This is an updated addendum to the mitigation plan that was done in 2016.  The addendum has identified certain hazards that are within the city limits that has identified and directed the public works director and city council as responsible people, and to date the City has had no input in that document. 
  • MCR Grant Proposal- We are still waiting for a revised submission from WWC Engineering. 

Public Comment:   None

Round Table Discussion: 

Mayor Rauser:   She stated that she received a phone call from the Water Rights Attorney and the City’s water rights have not changed; when the time comes, the City is in need of a fourth well and water mitigation may be necessary. 

Public Works:  There are shovels in the ground with contractors working on the Water Project.  Also, the garbage truck is showing some age and will need a new garbage truck in the future.  Money was put into the old garbage truck for about $10,000.  Vivian asked if people have still been placing non-household garbage in the garbage cans, and Eric stated yes, that’s still going on.  They try to catch the heavy items that could damage the truck and place anything too heavy outside of the dumpsters. 

Council:  Angie stated that they are in the process of reviewing their ordinances and she invited the public to come to the committee meetings. 

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

Next Meeting:  February 4, 2025,  at 6:30 p.m.