City of Townsend Public Hearing & Council Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2024

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 

Opening of the Public Hearing on Resolution No. 2024-R06:  Resolution of Intent of the City Council of Townsend, Montana to adjust rates for the users of its Water System.  Mayor Rauser began by reading a letter from a resident,  Illa Adams, who addressed her concerns over the water increase.  She asked for a metered service or a discount because she doesn’t think it’s fair for one elderly person in a household to pay the same rate as a family in a household.  She stated that everything else has also gone up, and she doesn’t know where the money will come from.  James Tillman stated that he agrees with the letter.  Shirley Wilson asked what the residents are paying for.    Mayor Rauser stated that in 2022 they entered into an agreement with engineering to increase the amount of water that our water storage system can hold in order to increase pressure, the repair of some hydrants,  and add additional valves.  The new water tower will go up on a piece of land owned by the city east of town.  Jake Bellew from Lakeside Distillery asked what the estimate is for the project, and how much of that is just for the piping and installation of this going outside of town. Mayor Rauser stated that the current water tower will remain in place, but it will be drained.  Phil Moles asked why we couldn’t fill the old tower as well.  Mayor Rauser stated that the engineering report stated that it wouldn’t work to fill the old water tower.  Phil Moles asked why the old water tower couldn’t be used for additional storage.  Carolina Bellew asked if there were considerations to complete this project in stages in order to save on the costs to the citizens.  She also asked if there was an analysis done on the income of the residents based on a census.  Mayor Rauser stated that is a study outside of the engineering study.  Construction costs have increased from the time the engineers began looking at this project.  Mayor Rauser stated that it’s true that the water project has been postponed for many years by prior mayors and council personnel.  It is now time to complete this water project, so Townsend does not have the same thing happen that happened to Denton, MT.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ve also had several house fires recently, and that our public works director was hoping that our fire hydrants would hold up and put out enough water to douse the fires.  Jake Bellew stated that their business uses a decent amount of water, and he understands the need for increased water storage and water pressure, but he’s wondering if there is a more cost-effective location instead of being 8400 ft outside of town.  Mayor Rauser stated that they did look at a location within Holloway Park, however council decided that destroying one of the city parks was not the best option.  Carolina Bellew asked what the lifetime of this project will be.  Mayor Rauser stated that the estimated loan is approximately fourteen million dollars that will extend over twenty years.  The money will also be used to put into reserves for future repairs.  Carolina Bellew asked if the information has been synthesized down in order to give to the common person to understand.  Mayor Rauser stated that this has not been synthesized down.  JB stated that the city council has had many meetings, communications,  and notifications over the last two years, and that he was one of the few people to attend those meetings to learn about the happenings within the city.  He stated it’s not fair to come down on the council now, when people didn’t bother showing up until now.  Jake Bellew stated that he found that statement insulting.  He said the he and his wife are business owners, and both work full time.  They’re busy.  He said that he and the rest of the people are here asking what this money is paying for, and that not one of you can tell me where the money is going.  Heather Healea stated that the water infrastructure in this town is outdated, the fire hydrants need to be replaced, and there needs to be more water in storage.  She stated that there is a large fire north east of us, and if that fire comes closer to us and into town, she wants to feel safe that we will have enough water to fight that fire.  Phil Moles asked for the cost variations from the one location in town to the location 8400 ft outside of town.  Mayor Rauser stated that she can get those for him, but those estimates are two years old.  Phil Moles said that he thinks it would be a lot less expensive to have the new water storage system in town instead of having piping that runs east of town for 8400 ft.  Doug Sitton stated that we’re all feeling the cost increases, but this is something that needs to happen. We need water, it’s a precious commodity and southern Broadwater County is bone dry, and Northern Broadwater County is almost there as well.  The water availability is getting harder to get.  Vivian Boaz found information from the engineers that’s easier to understand, so city staff made copies for the public.  Sue Fairchild asked again about metering, as it may be fair for the single people in a home or the elderly not using as much water.  Mayor Rauser stated that metering is an option for the residents, but that there is a base rate, and most people use more water than they realize.   

Minutes from 7.2.2024:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from July 2, 2024.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Public Comment:  Phil Moles asked when the SID loans will be paid off.  Mayor Rauser stated in two years they’ll be paid off.

Jake Bellew asked if there have been any meetings on the growth of Townsend. Mayor Rauser stated that there is a grant for a growth policy currently in place that is a guiding document that will provide some assistance to the council to allow the city to be more proactive.  Some other questions have come up recently that would lead to capital improvement plans.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’re also in the middle of budgeting for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.   Angie stated that there is a planning board that is currently working through the growth policy.  There will be a  meeting  (Thursday) for anyone interested in coming. 

Transportation Committee:  JB spoke on this committee.  The purpose of the Transportation Committee is to work with the County and to work with the organizations at large as the development of  passenger rail gets closer so that we stay ahead of that and how it will impact the City and how the City might want to take advantage of the opportunity.  Mayor Rauser said that she will contact the county commissioners regarding this. 

Ordinance Review Committee:  Angie spoke on this and presented an ordinance review for a three-year plan for the council to review and welcomed comments or suggestions.  1.  2024 and current–Fireworks, Tree Ordinance, & Animal Ordinance.  New ordinances include Event Ordinance and Telecommunications Franchise Ordinance.  2. 2025–Administration and Personnel for an update to include Pay Matrix language and Council Code of Conduct & Ethics; Sewer/Water Ordinance, Water, with possible bulk water rates; Disposal areas for garbage; Buildings and Construction and Building Inspection; 3. 2026–Business Licenses and Regulations, Public, Peace Safety, and Morals, Vehicles and Traffic, Parks-Urban Camping and use of City property.  Todd Rolfs asked if there were any incidents this year that the fire department had to respond to due to fireworks.  Vivian Boaz addressed this question, and stated there was only one on July 2^nd .  The citizen set off fireworks which landed in some hay bales; however, the fire was put out with a garden hose.  Todd Rolfs asked if there are any programs that educate people on fireworks safety.  Vivian stated that she’s not aware of any programs that provide fireworks education and safety.  Todd Rolfs asked if there could be an article in the newspaper regarding Fireworks Safety.  Vivian also reported on the Fireworks Ordinance Committee, stating that there were only three people from the public in attendance, including Mayor Rauser.  She said that they’re talking about forming a neighborhood watch, however that’s difficult because they don’t want people taking things into their own hands if there’s a dangerous situation.  Doug Sitton stated that the committee is trying to be pro-active on the fireworks ordinance, setting necessary rules and restrictions and asking for public involvement.  Nicole Simon stated that it would be a good idea to teach people the safety of fireworks and how to secure them prior to setting them off.  Mayor Rauser stated that they’ve received some public input to outlaw fireworks completely vs others wanting no restrictions on fireworks, however city government is all about balance.  The committee will put together elements of information received and continue to ask for public participation, and that will lead up to a public hearing on the firework ordinance. 

JB Howick stated  that the council didn’t complete the Ordinance Review Committee and didn’t complete the formation of the Transportation Committee. Mayor Rauser stated that is true as JB had asked her to be the liaison with the county commissioners until an official committee is formed.   Mayor Rauser asked if he’d like to form a Transportation Committee.   JB made a motion to form a Transportation Committee.  No one seconded the motion, so it will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.  On the Ordinance Review Committee, just a reminder that its acceptable to council that existing committees will handle those topics and committees will be created if there’s not an existing committee.  JB asked if they could revisit the Ordinance Review Committee topic.  Mayor Rauser said she can re-open that.  JB asked Angie to go through the ordinances and note which committees can address each of the ordinances, so they know where to create additional committees.  Angie went through the ordinances and stated that most of them already have a committee with the exception of Administration and Personnel, which could fall under the Council Code of Conduct, which includes Angie, JB, and Vivian; Building and Construction, which could fall on the Planning Board, and Angie stated that the ordinances to review in 2026 can wait to have a committee formed closer to that time.  Angie suggested waiting for the new council person to come aboard before deciding on some of the committees that currently only have two members.  JB asked if it’s appropriate for a “board” to review the ordinances vs that of a “council committee”.  Mayor Rauser stated that it is fine because council would have to approve anything that a “board” recommends anyway.      

Insurance Rates:  Kari asked our insurance agent if all measures were taken to keep the rates low.  Vivian Boaz made a motion to approve the insurance provided from Centennial Insurance.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Open Council Seat from Ward I:  We’ve received one letter of interest, and will continue to receive letters of interest through July 26^th at 1:00 p.m.  Mayor Rauser stated that in order to vote on the letters of interest and appoint a council person to fill Ward I, there will be a special meeting held on July 30^th at 6:30, immediately prior to the already scheduled Budget Meeting. 

Moratorium on Solicitor’s Licenses–Rotary: Mayor Rauser stated that the current city ordinance says the city council can by resolution a temporary suspension of licenses and fees for licenses.  Adam Six was asked to speak about this.  Mayor Rauser stated that she suggests the council authorize a resolution for a temporary suspension for Solicitor’s licenses during the 2024 Fall Fest, which is October 4, 5, & 6.    Angie asked for clarification on which licenses and fees to suspend, because there are already solicitor’s that have purchased an annual license.  Adam stated that if geographical boundaries are placed far enough away from Fall Fest, that they’ve agreed to that.  He stated that this is the fifteenth time that they’ve requested this moratorium, so they’re not trying to change anything different.  JB stated that it makes sense to suspend the requirements of licensing within the boundaries of Fall Fest, however the complication is how far outside of that region are we willing to stop a vendor with a license.  Angie stated that Laura had agreed to  vendors setting up outside the “perimeter” of Fall Fest, so the question is what is the “perimeter”.   Adam stated there’s no formal  definition of the event boundaries.  JB stated that’s why we have an Event Committee to work out these details.  Mayor Rauser stated that there is a request to include B and Pine Street to the alleys.  Adam stated that traffic and parking also affects additional solicitors.  Council could come up with a perimeter that includes Heritage Park, B Street, and Pine Street.  Adam stated that there have been issues several years in a row with vendors setting up within the perimeters, that is why Laura suggested to go out a half a mile to a mile and a half.  JB stated that he has a problem telling a local business they can’t operate somewhere in the city just because there is an event.  He said that we love the Fall Fest event, but everyone wants to take advantage of it.  Is it less fair for the brick-and-mortar businesses to benefit from it than it is for a business several blocks down the road that has a food truck?  JB stated that he personally doesn’t believe that any local business operating within a block of Fall Fest would hurt the vendors at Fall Fest at all.  Angie stated that the Car Show location has to be considered as well.  Nate asked if local businesses could get into the event as a vendor within Fall Fest.  Adam stated yes, they can go through the application process to be a vendor at Fall Fest.  Mike Evans stated that the vendor wanting to set up outside of Fall Fest last year did not want to go through the application process and will meet with Adam and Laura to discuss the perimeter of the moratorium.  Mayor Rauser stated that since the City has allowed the Rotary to use Heritage Park for Fall Fest for three days, the Rotary is allowed to establish a dog policy.