July 15, 2025
City of Townsend
July 15, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Nate Brown, Vivian Boaz, and Doug Sitton. Also in attendance are Jerry & Sharon Davis, Nichole Simon, Adam Six, Debi Randolph, Shirley Wilson, Deanna Schoessler, Peter Simon, Terry & Melissa Smith, Jenny Barnett, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Public Hearing: Mayor Rauser opened the public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. Mayor Rauser stated that this is the budget that the council approved at the previous budget meeting. Kari stated new updates to the proposed budget are as follows: funds from the mayor and council raises were moved to the Fire Protection Fund as discussed, and the potential raise for the Building Inspector was removed. Mayor Rauser asked for comments from the public and comments from the council. Seeing none, the Public Hearing was closed.
Public Comment: Any items not on the agenda but under the City’s jurisdiction
Minutes from July 1, 2025: Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Doug seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Deanna Schoessler: She stated that she has questions about the meters and the metered rate. She stated that there is only one water line that goes into her duplex and her apartment complex. She stated that the City should pay to put in another water line if the City wants to charge her for each residence. Mayor Rauser stated that is how the ordinance reads. Mayor Rauser asked for any questions from the council. Seeing none, she moved on to the next agenda item.
Shirley Wilson: Asked about how to find out the size of the water line coming in to her building. Mayor Rauser stated that our Public Works can check that for her. She stated she also has the same complaint as Deanna Schoessler. She said that her building used to be one building, and now it’s two. She’s wondering why she has to pay for two. She also stated that it would have been nice to receive an advanced notice of increased prices. She stated that not everyone receives the newspaper or goes on social media. She suggested stamping the utility bills with a notice or providing separate mailings to notify residents and business owners. Mayor Rauser stated that the increased water rates from 2024 were done in three stages and mailings were sent out. Shirley asked if there are any future increases planned. Mayor Rauser stated not at this time. Shirley stated that the discontent from the public on the increased rates would be better received with proper notice. JB stated that we are desperate for a better way to communicate with the public, so if you can think of a better way to communicate, the council would love to hear it.
Adam Six, Townsend Rotary: Adam stated he’d like to request a street closure request for The Fall Fest Car Show, which is Sunday October 5th from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closing Broadway from Front Street to Cherry. Detours will be through Harrison, D, & 4th Street. Insurance has been sent to the City. Security Officers will be on hand. Mayor Rauser stated that the City approves first, and then the application is then sent to the Montana Department of Transportation since it involves a State Highway. Public Comment: Jerry Davis stated that every time there’s a detour to Harrison Street, the traffic is bad and the vehicles speed terribly. He asked if there would be extra signage and/or security officers? Adam stated that they are going to invest in more signage to slow down. Doug stated that Montana Department of Transportation will be stricter with detours and additional signage next year. JB moved to approve the street closure as presented from Adam for the Townsend Fall Fest Car Show. Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Peter Simon: Peter and two of his neighbors came to speak about the Fireworks issues this year. He brought in a tote full of fireworks debris. He stated that the people lighting off fireworks need to be responsible for cleaning up their mess. He said that we already have problems with microplastics. He doesn’t want plastics coming into his garden. He stated that anyone who’s driven by Bob’s Supermarket can see the remaining debris from the fireworks. He also stated that the fireworks have come close to housing, so they are a fire hazard. He said he has some ideas on how to handle the fireworks in the future. Fireworks could be banned within city limits, there could be a permitting process for fireworks, or there could be a designated area for everyone to light fireworks. JB stated that when he arrived to work on Saturday, July 5th, that Broadway looked like a battlefield. He stated that he and his wife had to pick up and sweep debris, and that hasn’t been necessary in prior years. He said the mess was extreme this year. Peter’s neighbors (Terry & Melissa Smith) also spoke and stated their dog was stressed for several days due to the fireworks. They also stated that they are afraid their house will catch on fire. Jerry Davis stated that they live across the street from McCarthy Park, and they have to clean up the park each year from firework debris. Eric Crusch stated that he and his family had a wonderful 4th of July lighting off fireworks, and they picked up their trash. He doesn’t feel it’s necessary to get rid of fireworks altogether. Doug asked how the City looked after the 4th of July weekend. Eric stated there was more debris from fireworks this year. Adam Six stated that he and his family also enjoyed setting off fireworks. Mayor Rauser thanked everyone for their comments, and stated that when the Fireworks Ordinance Committee meets again, she’s sure that the council will take the comments into consideration. She stated that enforcement is the biggest challenge.
Street Closure Request for Rodeo Parade: The request is for Sunday, August 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the detour is S. Harrison and N. Maple to D & 4th Street, respectively. The staging area is on S. Pine and heads down Broadway to Cherry Street, down to 3rd Street and back up on Oak Street. Angie pointed out two different time spans on the application. Angie made a motion to approve the request from the Broadwater and Fair Association for the Rodeo Parade for Sunday August 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Budget Amendment for FY2025-2026: Move $7000 of appropriation authority from SID #5 to SID #6. JB made a motion to approve the Budget Amendment as presented. Vivian seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Adoption of the 2025-2026 Budget: Mayor Rauser stated that the summary document of all funds has the total anticipated revenue for the next fiscal year as $1,283,635. The total estimated expenditures total $1,136,694.35. The bulk of which are from the capital projects with approximately $8.3 million in revenues and expenditures. JB made a motion to approve the FY2025-2026 Budget. Angie seconded the motion. Mayor Rauser asked for any questions or comments from the council and the public. Seeing none. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Rauser stated we will set the mills once we receive the valuation from the Department of Revenue. The funds receiving mills are the General Fund, Fire Protection, PERS and Comp Insurance.
Events Ordinance: JB stated that they are still waiting for a meeting with the attorney and asked if that could shift to an email communication instead of waiting for a Zoom Meeting? Mayor Rauser stated she will check on that.
Fireworks Ordinance Committee: Angie stated the Fireworks Ordinance that was in progress has been tabled for us to move forward in the Ordinance Review, but maybe after hearing tonight’s comments on the fireworks, and after the Telecommunications is done, the committee might look at it again.
Telecommunications: Angie stated she and JB have met and have a proposed draft and should be able to present to the council at the next meeting.
Title I: Angie stated the committee met and discussed the administration and personnel sections of the ordinance. She stated that they had good discussions with both department heads and got a lot of insights. Another meeting is set for July 24th at 3:00 p.m.
Garbage Cans on Broadway: Eric stated they’re bad right now because campers come through and put their garbage in the cans.
Public Comment: Jerry Davis stated that he also sees trash cans behind his residence full, however it’s better than throwing the trash on the road.
Kari-
Eric- He stated that the North Cherry Annexation is moving forward. The State is going to mandate an additional water test for each water source next year which will cost $800 per test. He’s hoping the State will have a program to assist with the costs.
Mayor Rauser stated that the next meeting she has asked the compliance officer to attend the meeting to give a report.
Nate-
Angie-
JB- He stated he’d like to add to next week’s agenda a brief update on Big Sky Rail Program and Southern Passenger Rail Route issue.
Vivian- stated that she and Angie would like to continue working on the Bulk Water Rate, but they are waiting on RPA and their water rate tables.
Doug-
Adjournment: Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Next meeting: Tuesday, August 5th