June 6, 2023

CITY OF TOWNSEND

City Council Meeting Minutes

June 6, 2023

CALL TO ORDER:  Vickie Rauser, sitting in for the mayor,  called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.   Other council members present were Angie Wintrow, Christina Hartmann, Nate Brown, and Matt West.  Also present were Tim Rauser, Kari Williams, JB Howick, Tim Ravndal, Adam Six, Amanda Hazlett, Vivian Boaz, and Cliff Wrobetz.   Mayor Evans and Ken Urich were absent. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

MINUTES:  Vickie  made the motion to approve the minutes of May 16, 2023, with the following corrections:   The $5000 grant that the Volunteer Firefighters received from the American Legion was for digital pagers.  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, Nate Brown seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

CURRENT BUSINESS: 

  • City-County Airport Lease Agreement:   Peter Simon, city attorney, was phoned and he advised on this.  There are a few minor differences from the old agreement.  One of them being the residential use of hangars is no longer permitted.  There’s also some moving around of some paragraphs around and cleaning up some of the archaic language.  The Lessee used to be allowed to make improvements, now there has to be an application to the Airport Board.  Peter will be sending back some suggestions to Jania Hatfield at the County to clean up the document since some of the language is at least fifteen years old at this point.   Angie made a motion to table the city-county airport lease agreement until the next meeting.  Christina seconded the motion. 
  • Employee Policy Manual:  Peter spoke on the “Authority for Personnel Action” and the mayor’s role and powers for this authority.  Peter said that the language on this can be cleaned up with a Resolution.   Matt asked for issues within the Employee Policy Handbook to be put in writing and addressed in the next meeting.  Vickie said that the discussion has been tabled until the next meeting.   Tim Rauser stated that he would get ahold of Peter in the next day or two to discuss other items in the Employee Policy Manual that need to be addressed. 
  • Angie reported on the pool interview committee.  They’ve hired Brian Barkhurst for pool manager, Madison Bauman for Lead Lifeguard,  and Amanda Hazlett for Water Safety Instructor.  They will interview lifeguards next week, and hopeful that the pool will open June 19th. 
  • FAA Entitlements:  Angie reported on this.  Angie made a motion, Matt seconded it.  Motion carried.  In May of last year, the airport board passed a motion to transfer $1 M of non-entitlement funds to West Yellowstone Airport for their project.  It was due to be paid back in 2023.  Due to the Airport’s project coming up, the FFA, Montana Aeronautics and RPA have recommended that they void the reciprocal agreement and allow West Yellowstone to lend the money to Butte and then Butte will pay it back in 2024.  We will need to void the reciprocal agreement for 2023 Angie made a motion to void the 2022 reciprocal agreement for payment in 2023 from Montana Aeronautics from West Yellowstone.  Matt seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.   Angie made a motion to accept the 2024 reciprocal agreement from West Yellowstone with repayment of $1M in 2024.  Matt West seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

GUESTS and CORRESPONDANCE: 

Adam Six:  Holloway Park now has most of a pavilion.  Adam is asking permission to build a sidewalk to connect the pavilion to the bathroom.  Matt asked if there were any plans for this project.  Adam said that he has pictures.  Vickie said that the council would like to see pictures before voting on it.  Adam will be back on June 20th for the next meeting. 

Trailhead Christian Fellowship:  Amanda Hazlett representing the church spoke on this and asked for permission to hang signs at Heritage Park advertising their Vacation Bible School scheduled for July 24-28th.  Angie made a motion to allow Trailhead Christian Fellowship to hang signs for their Vacation Bible School.  Christina seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Letter from Governor, Greg Gianforte announcing that the City of Townsend has received a Montana Coal Endowment Program Grant award for $750,000 to construct a  new water storage tank, install a new well, and construct a transmission main and associated valving and hydrants. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

  • White’s Annexation:  Tim received an email from Neil Lavang of RPA,  and they will be in touch soon with White’s updates.    
  • No other updates on Unfinished Business

Round Table Discussion

Matt asked about the Tree Board watering schedule.  Pat Plantenberg will be at the next budget meeting June 20th to discuss the Tree Board’s needs and watering schedule. 

Christina made a motion to pay May’s claims.  Nate seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

PUBLIC COMMENT/ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION: 

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

Next Meeting:  June 20th (5:00 budget meeting, 6:30 regular meeting)