June 7, 2022
CITY OF TOWNSEND
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2022
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Council members present were Christina Hartmann, Angie Wintrow, Vickie Rauser, Matt West, and Ken Urich; Nate Brown was absent. Others present were Clerk Coleen Ward, Public Works Supervisor Tim Rauser, Fire Chief Ed Shindoll, County Public Works Director Josh Obert, Commissioner Darrel Folkvord, Commissioner Debi Randolph, Commissioner Michael Delger, Levi Van Zee, Jessica Crusch, Kelsey Flynn, Shannon Cartwright, Julie Orourke, Daniel Trusdell, Public Health Nurse Margaret Ruckey, Community Development Director Nichole Brown, Amanda Hazlett, Dan Hazlett, and Adam Six.
MINUTES: Vickie Rauser moved to approve the minutes of May 17, 2022, as distributed, Angie Wintrow seconded, the motion carried with all council members voting in favor.
GUESTS and CORRESPONDANCE: Margaret Ruckey spoke to the council on the services offered through the Public Health office in Townsend, also the Covid Tests that show expiration of July has been updated to October.
Commissioner Folkvord spoke to the council about them not using the hydrant at the county shop for water filling, they have other options for obtaining water; therefore, they request to not be charged the $229 a month meter rate. Nichole Brown spoke to the council on the process for new addresses within the city limits, there will now be a $50.00 service fee associated to new addresses. Also, when a road is not an actual road (end of S. Walnut), then emergency services will not know where to go; Mike Delger is concerned that emergency vehicles may get stuck in the mud. Angie Wintrow spoke up stating the lot in question has gone through all the zoning and planning with our engineers and has been approved. As soon as the Subdivision Phase 2 goes in the road will be approved and he can start using the road, as of right now he has access to the lot through his adjacent properties. Commissioner Folkvord is waiting for the engineer to speak to the council about the Task Order Number One, Agreement to Furnish Engineering Services for Improvements to the Townsend Airport
Amanda Hazlett informed the council she has completed her training with the Lifeguard Pro Program to train Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors. She also completed the Red Cross training in Butte and felt the Lifeguard Pro was a much better program. On June 1st she certified 6 lifeguards and they are ready to go to work. Finally, she would like a job description for what is expected from her, the council said that Peter is working on all the job descriptions. Christina asked what we hired Amanda for, Clerk Ward replied Swim Instructor, Lifeguard Trainer and Swim Instructor Trainer. Kelsey Flynn stated she thought the change to ½ hour lessons for the younger kids was a great change, also having 2 instructors is also a good move, having someone here locally to train is great and we should train as many of those young kids that would want to do it.
Adam Six with the Broadwater Recreation Board, he has worked with the swimming pool for several years the cost of certifications runs about $300.00, so organizations have contributed toward these fees. He was wondering if the city would allow adjunct instructors. Does the council want the Rec Board and other service organizations to purchase shirts and other equipment this year? Amanda purchased some whistles for the lifeguard training, but they are not good quality, she would like to get some whistles for the Lifeguards. Mayor Evans said we would have to check with our insurance on others helping. Kelsey Flynn said she would be willing to get re-certified. It was suggested that this be brought to the Pool Committee for further discussion. Adam Six asked if the City had ever applied to the County for PILT monies for Parks and Recreation, when he as waiting in line for sign ups it appeared to be about 30% County residents and 70% City; perhaps the county can help out with PILT.
Daniel Trusdell has a couple of items, first he heard from a few different sources there are people coming in from other counties for swimming lessons, his concern is as a taxpayer here our kids should have priority. Perhaps having signups for in county on one day and out of county another day. He thinks it is a great program and the City has done a great job getting the pool up and going this year. Secondly, he is here representing Broadwater County Search and Rescue, we have a need for equipment and are planning a fund-raising event at the Slice of Summer where we would have a whipped cream pie throwing, we are looking for volunteer targets from community members; it is an opportunity to get your face out there. Christina Hartmann, Angie Wintrow and Mike Evans all volunteered.
Angela Hazelett also mentioned through the Lifeguard Pro she is certified to teach CPR and First Aid and through a grant she was able to secure CPR equipment for instructing CPR; this is another opportunity for the city for other community members to get trained.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Street Closure – Bike Rodeo The application is now complete with the insurance information, Angie Wintrow moved to approve the Street Closure for the Bike Rodeo, Christina Hartmann seconded, the motion carried with all council members present voting in favor. Adam Six asked if they could have the speed sign up so the kids can see how fast they are going, Tim said he would get it there.
Pool Repairs – Tim reported the gutters are worn and kids are getting scratched, he closed the pool, and they are putting material on the gutters, and it should be dry in 24 hours, hopefully that will help.
Cycle America – Clerk Ward spoke with the Pool Manager and Mayor Evans our thought was to charge $2.00 per person for showers between 4:00 – 6:00 pm, and $50.00 to cover Pat’s wages because he has to sit down there. They are planning to cater a dinner, I informed them to use someone local or they would have to get a permit to cater. Also, they will need the sprinklers turned off that day, Vickie Rauser moved to allow Cycle America to use the park overnight and the pool showers on Tuesday June 28, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 pm at a cost of $2.00 per person plus $50.00 to cover the cost of payroll for Pat to be there, Christina Hartmann seconded the motion carried with all council members present voting in favor.
Skatepark Committee – Christina stated they are looking at a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 13th, the permanent signage will not be ready by August 13th, they would like permission to put up a temporary sign with all the rules. Vickie Rauser moved to authorize a temporary sign with the rules at the skateboard park, Angie Wintrow seconded, the motion carried with Christina Hartmann abstaining and all other council members voting in favor.
Building Committee – Peter has sent out an email to everyone need to have the 1st reading at the next meeting.
Solicitor Committee – Need to schedule a time for a meeting.
Weed Committee – Vickie stated the committee met and discussed things, Jessica will draft a new agreement and get it back to the committee, which we will review and get it to the City Council and County Commissioners for finalization.
NEW BUSINESS: Pool Opening – A lot was already discussed, Christina asked if the council was interested in getting additional help for instructions, consensus was yes, they do not want to lose this opportunity.
Set Budget Meetings – Vickie suggested June 28, 2022, at 6:00 pm., everyone agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENT/ROUNG TABLE DISCUSSION: Darrel Folkvord informed the council the airport is looking at purchasing some property north of the airport, if everything checks out with the appraisal then we can proceed. This did not get on the agenda and therefore the council cannot vote. This will be on the next agenda.
Fire Chief Ed Shindoll informed the council that he has 6 new firefighters, two will be based out of Townsend. Also planning to put smoke in the air on June 11th on a planned burn.
Adam Six asked again about the button for donations, it was decided to let Jessica Crusch handle it.
Christina had a complaint about the weeds coming up in the tennis courts, Ken said he saw Paul over there. Tim will check with Paul.
Matt does not thing Mike Delger’s question was answered, is there liability if the emergency vehicles cannot get there. Should we talk to Peter about this, Christina would like to see the place in question.
Discussion ensued on the Noise Ordinance.
CLAIMS/FINANCE: Vickie Rauser moved to pay the claims, Ken Urich seconded, the motion carried with all council members voting in favor. Clerk Ward emailed everyone a copy of the Draft Audit Report, attached to the end of this package is the Corrective Action Plan on the Audit Findings, she would like everyone to review these and let her know if there are any questions; five of the six findings have been corrected. Vickie sent over some questions and suggestions on the audit report and does not think until we get a final report, corrective action plan is a draft.
ADJOURN: Ken Urich moved to adjourn, Christina seconded, the motion carried with all council members voting in favor.