City of Townsend

Minutes 1/06/2026

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.  In attendance are council members Nate Brown, Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, and Peter Simon.  Also in attendance are Nick Rauser, Jalon Smucker, Shawn Simon, Andrew Herrick, and Kari Williams.

Minutes:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from December 16, 2025.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Public Comment:  (none) 

Guests: 

• Nick Rauser  – Sheriff’s quarterly report.  He spoke on the various calls they received.  Metal fence with barbe wire across the top.  Commissioners gave the Sheriff’s office money and it’s being used as an impound lot.  Cars and other items.  There will be cameras and very secure.  Concrete.   Justin and Jeremy are helping to get it ready.  DUI-New Year’s Eve/Day on North Cedar and 4^th Street.  JB asked about the number of ambulance calls.  Peter asked about the number of positions open.  Nick stated he doesn’t know what the future looks like.  He’s trying to get a grant to get the SRO back in the school.  They’re staffed where he feels comfortable.  Peter asked if the future refers to more jail members. Vivian asked if there’s an increase in crime from 2024.  Nick stated about the same in 2024 and 2025.  How do you make it work when the deputies are stretched so thin? 
• Jalon Smucker – Wondering what needs to be done to set up a hockey rink in the city park.  Hannah Rauser headed it up last year, however, the volunteers she had lined up didn’t work out so the ice rink didn’t happen last year.  Does anyone have any space to store equipment for the ice rink?  JB stated that there may need to be a liability agreement drawn up.  Shawn Simon stated that there were a couple of people that worked at the Lime Plant that had the equipment.  The Lime Plant donated the material.  Vivian stated that Rotary took possession of the equipment after the Lime Plant.  Jalon asked if there is a need for a city storage?”  The soccer crew got a new storage shed this year.  The request is to set up an ice rink in Holloway Park.  Vivian made a motion to authorize setting up the ice rink at Holloway Park.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Current: 

• Events Ordinance 2^nd Reading:  Ordinance 2026-01-Mayor Rauser read the Events Ordinance which has the suggested changes from the last council meeting.  JB made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2026-01 Events Ordinance.  Angie seconded the motion. 
• Council Committees for the 2025-2026

Parks/Pool:  Vivian, Nate, JB

Streets:  Nate, JB

Water:  Angie, Vivian

Water Court:  Peter, Vivian, JB,

Sewer:  Vivian, Angie

Garbage:  JB, Peter

Fire Committee:  JB, Peter

Law Enforcement:  Vivian, Angie, & Peter

Planning:  Angie

MBAC:  Vickie

BC Rec/Trust Board:  Vivian

Board of Adjustments:  Angie

The first person listed on the committee has typically been the chairperson, however JB stated that once Title II is complete, Title II would have the committees deciding the chairperson position.

Mayor Rauser stated that she doesn’t think the “Weeds” committees needs to remain in place, as weeds are sprayed within the city limits by public works, and county weeds are handled by the county weed employee.

• Visionary Communications, LLC – Mayor Rauser stated that she’s included the email correspondence with Visionary Communications, LLC.  This company is interested in doing work within the city limits.  They are wondering if they may begin work while council works on our Telecommunications Franchise Ordinance.  Their work would involve digging into the streets.  Currently, the draft telecommunications ordinance is with our city attorney for review.  JB asked if we knew what they wanted to do here as their email suggests a sense of urgency.  Angie stated she agrees that this company wants full control over any right of ways within the city, including parks. She stated that this is why she brought the initial telecommunications issue to council.  Vivian stated that she doesn’t understand why their agreement is being written as an ordinance to be put into our ordinances.  JB stated that it’s a common practice for franchises to want to make an ordinance out of their agreement, trying to guarantee that if anything ever changes, it’s a pain to do so. Peter asked if the companies who were coming into Townsend ever offered an agreement like this.  Is there anything stopping Visionary Communications from coming in and installing things like the previous companies did?   Mayor Rauser stated that any work would require a permit.  Peter said that not everyone remembers that a permit is required.    Mayor Rauser agreed and stated she is already concerned about the amount of cable, conduit, etc. that is already in our alleys.  She had the city attorney look at this request, and he stated it is a standard practice; however, council saw red flags with the request.  Angie made a motion to deny Visionary Communications LLC request to begin any operations.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Pending Business-

Ordinance Review-ready to schedule a meeting January 22^nd at 4:00 p.m.

Budget Process– Beginning March 2026!

Fire Committee-JB asked Peter if they could get together for a meeting next week.  Meeting is set for Monday, January 12^th at 2:00 p.m.

Fireworks-JB stated he’d like to work on other things that are more important first.

Round Table-

• Fire Department:  Added two more calls at the end of this year.  He’s trying to get the 501C-3 established.  JB stated that there needs to be two addresses -one for rural, and one for city. 
• Public Works- Eric absent tonight, but Mayor Rauser stated that the city is still operating on just one well out of three.  He’s getting a quote on garbage cans and moving forward with the purchase of a new pool cover.
• Clerk- Kari stated that there will need to be some budget amendments on the Comp Insurance Fund, the PERS fund, and the General Fund.  She will set a public hearing for the first meeting in February.   She also provided budget to actual in expenses and revenues with a cash report. 
• Mayor Rauser:  Asked for any further Public Comment—

She then reported on upcoming meetings that the council may want to attend. 

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