May 19, 2026

City of Townsend Council Meeting Minutes 5/19/2026

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.  Council members in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, and Peter Simon.  Nate Brown called in absent.  Also in attendance are Nichole Simon, Pat Plantenberg, Mary Mistek,  Eric Crusch, and Jenny Barnett. 

April 21, 2026-Minutes:  Peter made a motion to approve the minutes from April 21, 2026.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

May 7, 2026-Special Meeting Minutes:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes from May 7, 2026-Special Meeting.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Guests/Correspondence

  • Rachel Brug was unable to attend tonight. 
  • Events Applications: 

1.  Slice of Summer (3 times during the summer)- The 90-day reservation time frame was not met, however that will be waived.  Angie made a motion to approve the three Slice of Summer events for June 17th, July 15th, & August 12th as presented.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

2.  Street Dance/Rodeo weekend August 7th & 8th at The Commercial Bar- JB made a motion to approve the event pending the completion of the application and receipt of the certificate of insurance.  Peter seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

3.  American Legion/Fourth of July Parade & Event- Vivian made a motion to approve the Fourth of July Event pending completion of page of the application and naming the City of Townsend as additional insured on the insurance.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  

4.  Rodeo Parade- JB made a motion to approve the Rodeo Parade Event pending receipt of the certificate of insurance.  Peter seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

5.  Military Convoy- JB stated that due to the short amount of time the military convoy will be here, it would be okay to waive the insurance & indemnity.  Vivian made a motion to approve this event request with a waiver of the insurance and indemnity requirements.  JB seconded the motion.  Eric asked if they were to unlock the restrooms at Heritage Park.  Mayor Rauser stated, yes.  (Make a note to unlock the outside restrooms at the park.)   All in favor, motion carried. 

Current Business

  • Water Usage for Grading Agreement- Peter asked Eric about the water meter readings.  He suggested to make changes to the language in the “Background” section of the Agreement.  JB made a motion to accept and approve the agreement with the changes.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.   TJ Graveley stated that this has worked out well for the county. 
  • STIP- Investing in the Department of Commerce pool.  Mayor Rauser spoke on this program.  Currently, our bank pays approximately 2% interest.  STIP pays approximately 4.7%.  Discussion was held if the City should invest our idle cash.  JB asked how easy is it to move money in and out of STIP.  Mayor Rauser stated that it can be purchased one day and sold the next. so relatively liquid.  The money at the bank is also relatively liquid.  JB asked if the bank’s interest rate would change if the balance was half of what it is currently.  Council will decide what percentage to invest with STIP, if any.  Mayor Rauser will get more information for the next meeting. 
  • GIS Water System-Eric spoke on this.  This will be a crucial tool for the Public Works Department to know where the water, sewer, and street work. This will keep a history of the work being done.  It will show where the shut offs are for residents and businesses.  Eric stated that Tim Rauser is willing to come work and identify the unknown areas that need to be documented.  Mayor Rauser stated that the initial funding source will be contingency money from the Water System Project.  The price is $17,500 one-time fee plus the cost of a handheld tablet for $1000 and a $400 yearly fee for multiple logins, a Mobile Worker license.  JB asked about how multiple logins to the system will work.  There is a request to modify Tim’s contract for his help on weird ones.  JB made a motion to proceed with the GIS system as described.  Vivian seconded the motion.  Peter stated to add pending the multiple licensing/login questions.  JB and Vivian  agreed to add that to the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  Pat Plantenberg stated that they are looking at something like this for the tree board inventory. 
  • Townsend Water System Improvement Project Status-Testing will be the week of June 8th.   The engineers will fill the tank and test for leaks that will take approximately two days.  JB asked if this will go out to the public, and yes we will get a flyer out and post on social media. Eric stated this is a “projected” date, so there’s always a chance for delays. 
  • Easement for new Water Tower-North Western Energy propane- This is to get propane to the new water tower site.  The language for this easement is still being worked out between our city attorney and Northwestern Energy.  Peter made a motion to allow Mayor Rauser to sign the easement once the language has been worked out between the City of Townsend and Northwestern Energy.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
  • Contract with League of Cities & Towns for Bank Reconciliation- Mayor Rauser stated that Kari and Jenny have exhausted their efforts on where to look within Black Mountain Software.  They charge $75 per hour plus mileage.  Angie made a motion to contract with the League of Cities & Towns for help with bank reconciliation.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
  • Website update-The City needs to have an ADA compliant website by next April.  There are two proposals included in the council packets.  The first one is from Apptegy, this is the website that Townsend School uses.  Their price is $5900 annually with a $3500 set-up fee.   The second proposal is from Revize, and this is the website that the County uses.  Their price is $4300 total with optional features with various prices.  Peter asked if the Tier One in the Revize proposal accomplishes the ADA requirements that we need.  It will be necessary for the City to pay significantly more for the website going forward.  Peter stated that one thing to compare is an application where the City can send out alerts to all residents and businesses. 

Pending/Continuing Business

  • Fire Mou- not complete
  • Wage/Salary Update-not complete
  • Ordinance Review-Angie stated that they will have three of the ordinances to present to council. 
  • Telecommunications-JB stated that the attorney sent back an alternative ordinance, and he and Angie have been reviewing that and then will either send to the city attorney for review or bring it to council to review.  Mayor Rauser stated to bring it to the council and send it to the city attorney to shorten the calendar time. 
  • Animal Control-Peter stated that the meeting they had scheduled this week had to be cancelled.  They will meet in June.  They are cleaning it up from repetitive wording.  Mayor Rauser suggested the committee involve our current compliance/animal control officer, John Stenzel. 

Round Table

  • Fire Department-Shawn Simon stated they received their flashlights and new hose.  He wants to report that the city/rural mutual aid is important because the rural engine would not start, so he jumped in the city engine and went to Kelly Lane for a fire, and that worked out well. 
  • Public Works- Eric spoke and stated that the work at the Water Tower is progressing.  They’ve been cleaning and the testing will occur the week of June 8th.  The Chip Seal project is supposed to occur the week of June 8th as well.  He’s talked to the school, Bob’s and the bank to let them know.  Water Tower painting is going well.  Well 1 is coming along great.  The garbage issues continue and a complete queen mattress was stuffed into a trash can.  He spoke to the transportation maintenance crew, and the cross walks will get painted this year.  Angie stated that every pole at the crosswalks have a cross sign and the sign is missing at the crosswalk by the courthouse.  Eric also stated that we may be one or two lifeguards short.
  • Mayor Rauser stated that there is a Department of Transportation mailing with an opportunity to comment.  She stated she will be out of town June 11-14th and the  17th -21st.   During her absence, Angie, who is council president will be available to sign documents needing a signature and to perform any other necessary mayoral duties.
  • Council- Angie asked if the Big Sky Rail fee is an annual fee.  JB stated yes, it is an annual fee.  The progress has been slow.  The membership payment will be on the next agenda.                                                                                                                                                               JB- stated that new home construction and water construction needs to be coordinated with Public Works for the new GIS system.   He also suggested sending out a mailer regarding the garbage, and what is and what is not allowed in the cans.  Peter stated that the County has removed many of the services they used to offer, so they no longer take cardboard, paper, grass or leaves.  The Solid Waste Advisory Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Flynn Building.  This is a good way to start the process with the frustration we’re all experiencing. 

Adjournment-Peter made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.