June 4, 2024
City of Townsend
City Council Meeting Draft Minutes of 06.04.24
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.
Attendance: Mayor Rauser, Council Members Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Nate Brown, & Doug Sitton, (Valerie Baraza was absent) Also in attendance were Georgia Wilde, Eric Crusch, Kari Williams, Adam Six, Laura Obert, and TJ Graveley.
Minutes: JB moved to approve the minutes from May 21, 2024. Vivian seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Public Comments:
Street Closure Request for Broadwater Rodeo Parade, August 2024
Angie moved to approve the street closure for Broadwater Fair & Rodeo August 4th, Doug seconded that. All in favor, motion carried.
Letter to Water Rate Payors:
Letter will go out to all water payors to notify of a public hearing on a resolution to increase water rates. The public hearing will be on June 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Working Committee and Committee to Review City Ordinances:
It was suggested at our last council meeting that the council review the city’s ordinances. Mayor Rauser asked if the council president,Angie Wintrow would create a priority order for review. She agreed, and Council agreed.
Budget Amendment for 2023: As part of the audit process, the city needs to process several amendments to the FY2023 Budget. They are as follows: 1. Fire Protection Fund 2381 $1408.26 #83; 2. Solid Waste Fund 5410 $600 #84; 3. SID #6 Fund 3410 $150.00, SID #5 Fund 3420 $41.87, SLD Fund 2400 $9000 for a total of $9191.87 #85; 4. Comp Insurance Fund 2190 $7.00 #88; 5. Urban Forestry/Tree Board Fund 2410 $18,050.
JB moved to approve the Budget Amendments as proposed for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year; Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Budget Amendment for current year FY2024: Urban Forestry/Tree Board requested an increased budget amendment for the current budget year due to increased rentals, purchased trees, and tree watering. The funds are available, and Mayor Rauser stated that it’s a reasonable request. 1. Fund 2410 $25175.00 #80.
JB moved to approve the Budget Amendment; Angie seconded the motion. All in favor motion carried.
Water Usage Agreement: Effective June 4, 2024, between Broadwater County and the City of Townsend. The City and County desire to enter into an agreement whereby the County will provide to the City certain road maintenance services as consideration for the City temporarily permitting the County to continue using City water on a metered basis for County road maintenance.
Mayor Rauser invited both council and public comments regarding the agreement. Angie moved to approve the Water Usage and Grading Agreement; JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Townsend Rotary, Adam Six and Laura Obert: Adam Six spoke regarding a Street Closure for the Car Show Sunday October 6 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The request to close Broadway from Front Street to Walnut. Mayor Rauser explained to him that he’d also need to complete the Department of Transportation request since it’s a state highway.
Mayor Rauser stated that this request is pending the receipt of the Dept of Transportation’s approval. Angie moved to pre-approve the Street Closure for the Car Show on October 6th, 2024, asking the city staff to make sure the request paperwork is complete. Nate seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Laura Obert spoke about Fall Fest Solicitor License Moratorium and Vendors: Laura stated that she’d like to speak on the importance of a moratorium during the fall fest in order to protect fall fest’s vendors. She also said that yard sales, garage sales, and business sidewalk sales are welcome and adds to the comradery of Fall Fest. She went on to say that one of the reasons for the moratorium is due to limited parking. JB asked why the city cannot host other events during Fall Fest weekend. Laura stated that the town is full during Fall Fest. Fall Fest already creates limited parking, limited garbage cans, limited garbage pick-up, limited portable potties, limited security, and ultimately, limited public dollar. Several events the same weekend would cause a problem with too many vendors because the vendors will not make enough money and will not return. Laura gave an example of a vendor who sells kettle on the corner of Front St and Broadway. This vendor hurts the sales for the vendor who’s selling kettle corn at Fall Fest. Adam stated that the Fall Fest is free to the public, and a lot of the money raised from the Fall Fest is given back to the community. Nate asked how much money the community receives from Fall Fest funds. Doug stated that approximately $100,000 is given to the community each year. Peter stated that amending the existing Solicitor’s Ordinance should work until the Event Ordinance is complete. Angie asked if the City could honor the solicitor licenses that were purchased as a one-year license if those vendors were distanced far enough away from the Fall Fest. Laura and Adam stated that might work. Angie asked if Rotary members would be available to meet once Event’s Ordinance is complete, and they said yes, anytime
Adam stated that the biggest stress is parking and dogs. Adam stated that they need to figure out how to enforce a “no dog” policy. Discussion was held amongst council members, rotary members, and city attorney, Peter Simon. Mayor Rauser stated that it’s reasonable that since the City has granted Rotary the use of Heritage Park, they have the right to set the policy for the event. Nate asked if they have the same problem with dogs with the Slice of Summer event. Adam stated that that it’s the out-of-town people who travel from all over that tend to bring their dogs with them. Peter stated that they might reach out to Helena and Bozeman about their public space/parks and dog policies. Many ideas and solutions were discussed; however, no decisions were made on the enforcement of the no-dog policy.
Mayor Rauser introduced Tommiejo Steele to talk about the pool schedule. JB suggested putting all of the information in the newspaper and on the website.
Montana Community Reinvestment Act Planning Grant has been awarded to the City in the amount of $24,000 from the Department of Commerce. Congratulations to the grant writing crew!!
Mayor Rauser stated that another grant is open. The second phase of the Community Development Block Grant applications are being accepted through June 28th. There’s up to $50,000 available to use as a planning grant. JB moved to form a committee with himself, Angie, and Doug to work on this grant. Angie seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Georgia spoke on the Cat Ordinance and the Dog Kennel upgrade. She stated that she’s working on the Cat Ordinance and the dog kennel upgrade is on hold for a bit as the contractor was ill. However, she recently picked up 13 dogs in one week and had six dogs in her 3-dog kennel recently.
Fireworks Ordinance Committee: Next meeting July 15th at 6:00 p.m.
City’s Website: Mayor Rauser had a great conversation with the current web designer, Jessica Crusch. There are a number of improvements she’s going to make and also allow the city staff to put information on the website as well.
Water System: Peter is finishing up some documents with Chris Hayes.
Garbage Cans on Broadway: Mayor Rauser stated that they still can’t find a decorative can that allows for easy pick-up and discourages people from placing household garbage in the cans. Plan B has come into play.
Round Table: No comments
Claims for May: Nate moved to pay the May Claims. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Eric: Public Works Report: He announced that the pool is running and functioning well. It will open June 10th. He stated he and the crew are going to address chip-sealing and some alley repairs on several alley ways. They also did some digs, and the new employees are doing great.
Adjournment: Nate moved to adjourn the meeting. JB seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Budget Meeting: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.