March 19, 2024

CITY OF TOWNSEND Council Meeting Minutes

March 19, 2024

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance are council members Angie Wintrow, Nate Brown, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Doug Sitton, and Valerie Baraza.  Also in attendance are Eric Crusch, Kari Williams, Jeff Langlinais, John Hahn, Al Christopherson, Richard Tramp, Linda Kent, Jane Gillette, Kate Humphrey, Pat Plantenberg, and Amber Burgess-Sherman (Fishtale Tavern).

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

Minutes from March 5, 2024:   Angie made a motion to approve the minutes; JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Public Comment:  Mayor Rauser called for public comment for items not on the agenda but are under the city’s jurisdiction.  (No comment)

Current Business:

  • Amber Burgess-Sherman from the Fish Tale Tavern was in and requested a “Street Closure” for a special event that they and the Commercial Bar will sponsor on July 13th.  They want to have three bands and motorcycle show, as they did last year.  This year, they want to start the event earlier, and end the event earlier, beginning the street closure at 2:00 p.m. with the street being closed until 1:00 a.m. Mayor Rauser asked Amber from the Fish Tale if they have visited with other businesses on Broadway about this, as it will affect their business.  Amber stated that they had not visited other businesses yet.  Amber also stated that they’d like to expand the closure to include North Spruce Street so they could include things for kids to do, however that wasn’t part of the formal street closure application.  Mayor Rauser suggested that Amber re-do the application after visiting with the other businesses on main street and include North Spruce on the application.  The request has been tabled. 

Public Comment:  Mayor Rauser called for public comment. ( No comment) 

  • Telecommunications Zoom Presentation by Bob Duchen from Oak Rivers Telecommunications:  Mr. Duchen spoke to the City of Townsend about getting a Franchise Agreement in place.  He stated that Townsend needs to decide if they want to have something in place before an influx of providers from internet, cable, and telecommunication companies flood the area.  A formal code/ordinance is recommended to have in place before companies come in and try to impose on the city’s right of way.  Various questions were asked.  Angie asked if the franchise agreement would regulate companies who have already infringed on the city’s right of way.  Mr. Duchen stated that the city would need to visit with the said companies, but it would be beneficial for the said companies, as well as the city, to have the franchise agreement in place.  This will be tabled for future discussions with the city’s attorney, Peter Simon. 
  • BCDC Trail Committee Presentation by Al Christopherson:  This committee was formed through the Community Review process for establishing trails within Broadwater County, and since the City of Townsend is in the heart of the county, he is presenting the city with this information.  The trails they are working on are biking, walking, hiking, cycling, horse, and paddling.  They’ve brought in all of the land managing agencies for input including BLM, DNRC, Fish  Wildlife & Parks, and the Department of Transportation.  They want the trails to be safe, informative, welcoming, enhancing social connections, considerate to the business community, used for health education, and recreational activities.  The objective is to have a comprehensive plan with business opportunities along the trails.  Trails have been mapped for four months and it continues to evolve and grow.  Kate Humphrey stated that the trails can be used in emergency situations as well.  If there is ever a train wreck or flood and people need to escape on foot or push a stroller, the trails are vital not only for recreation but critical for safety.  The committee’s hope is to have a trail from the Broadwater County Fairgrounds to Townsend, a trail from the Silos area to Townsend, a trail on both sides of the river, and a trail all around Canyon Ferry Lake. JB asked if they had a chance to review ADA regulations for bicycles on roadways.  The response was that the committee has not read all about the regulations, but the city and highway department will have to consider this as well.  JB also asked if the trails committee has considered future growth, and if the committee will respect the city’s input on growth. Mr. Christopherson responded, “absolutely”.  He stated that city officials have a lot to say about this topic, and that is why he’s presenting this information, to keep the city informed.  Mayor Rauser thanked him for coming and presenting this to us.
  • Jeff Langlinais with Townsend Rotary:  Jeff asked if he could table this topic until the next meeting, April 2nd.
  • Tree Board:  Pat Plantenberg asked to get the contract for Teri Blahnik with Landscaping Unlimited approved for this year to begin watering the trees.  Normally they water from April to November, however this year they’d like to start watering in March.  Mayor Rauser stated that there is an updated contract that our city attorney put together.  Vivian made a motion to approve the contract with the noted revisions; Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  The contract will be written and Teri with Landscaping Unlimited will be notified to come in and sign.  Mayor Rauser reminded Pat that going forward that because of  new rules for committees and boards, the Tree Board will have to have an agenda, keep minutes, and be noticed. Also, the Tree Board was approved for a $10,000 spending limit for fiscal year 2023, however there is approximately $2000 remaining.  Anything over that limit would require a budget amendment.
  • Townsend Water System:  Mayor Rauser stated that our engineers are updating the cost estimates of our new water system and will more than likely go up, as material has gone way up.   Under the State Revolving Fund regulations, our rates and charges need to be in place at the time we close on the bond, so the water rate increase will need to be put in place sooner.  JB asked when the loan will close.  Mayor Rauser stated that they are thinking it will be in October. JV asked if the water billing will then need to be effective by October.  Mayor Rauser stated that we may be able to find a short-term loan to ease the community into the increase payments. Angie asked if it would be beneficial if we could implement a small incremental increase prior to October.  Vickie stated that there are other options as well to ease the pain of increasing payments all at once, is by increasing the length of the loan from twenty years to thirty years. 
  • Pool Committee:  We received five applications for the Pool Manager position. Mayor Rauser stated she would like to begin interviews this week.  If the pool committee members (Nate, Valerie, & JB) are available this Friday, Mayor Rauser will make some calls and get interviews scheduled.

Unfinished Business:

  • Events Committee-
  • Sewer Ordinance: 
  • Franchise Ordinance:  

Round Table

Public: 

Doug: 

Vivian: Asked if the fiber optics and broadband might become obsolete.

JB:  He stated that he sees Zoom Meetings happening more frequently, so he asked if it would it be feasible to put a white square on the wall to see the projection more clearly.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ll take that idea and think on it for awhile.   JB also asked in respect to the trail presentation if one of the winter committees could be an accessibility committee and weigh in on the impact of this on the city.

Angie:  Asked who is on the Telecommunications Committee?  Mayor Rauser responded that we will find out.

Nate: 

Mayor Rauser:  Jenny ordered binders for the committees in order for them to keep an agenda and minutes.  The agenda needs to be posted 48 hours in advance and the minutes need to be available to the public.

Clerk:  Presented the MMIA insurance contract and will be included in April 2nd meeting.

Public Works:  Talked about the old garbage truck and said that it got fixed in the nick of time, as the newer garbage truck blew a hydraulic line, so that will be getting fixed as well.  

Adjournment:  Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.