November 15, 2022

City of Townsend

City Council Meeting

November 15, 2022 6:30 p.m.

Call to Order: 

Mayor Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members present were Mayor Evans, Vickie Rauser, Angie Wintrow, Nate Brown, Ken Urich, Matt West, Others present were city attorney, Peter Simon, Kari Williams, Nancy Marks, Elizabeth Mclaughlin, Tim Pool, Adam Six,

Pledge:   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

 Minutes:  Matt West made a motion to approve the November 1, 2022 minutes, Vickie Rauser seconded the motion, motion carried. 

Mayor Evans closed the meeting for the Public Hearing Copper Springs Major Subdivision:  The clients are requesting an extension for final Plat on Phase 1 to December of 2024.  The other two Phases will remain the same.  No one from the public made any comments.  Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the extension for Plat on Phase 1 to the end of 2024, Angie Wintrow seconded the motion, motion carried. 

Mayor Evans closed the Public Hearing.

Mayor Evans opened the meeting for the First Reading Noise Ordinance 2022-02:  The Council put together a Noise Ordinance Committee, and they have been meeting to get the Ordinance up to date.  Quiet time in the noise ordinance is 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.  Doris Mingay asked about the church bells fitting into this ordinance, and church bells have been determined normal noise and will not be restricted.  Tim Pool asked what kind of noise is being addressed.  Mayor Evans addressed the question saying that it’s been more party noise, loud laughter, etc.   The noise ordinance will include the Sheriff’s Office.  No further comment.  

Mayor Evans closed the Noise Ordinance 2022-02 First Reading. 

Guests and Correspondence:

  • Adam Six with BCDC spoke on the Mainstreet Montana Grant.  The City Entity is the Mainstreet Montana member, so the city needs to be on board and write a letter of support to the Montana Department of Commerce Mainstreet Montana Grants.  There will be an Impact Grant for $50,000 and a Planning Grant for $50,000.  Part of the funds will be to construct a covered pavilion that is enclosed with 3.8 sides at the Reading Leaves business, and part of the funds will be helping the Professional Building finish their project with curb appeal, painting a mural, and completing the front windows that are currently boarded up.   Adam brought up possibly using any excess money for the pool area, having more walk space for folks to walk around and observe the swimmers.  

City needs to draft a support letter for each of the grants and sign off on both.  This is a Department of Commerce Project.  BCDC or the City, or both would be responsible for handling the funds. 

Vickie Rauser moved to make a motion in support both of BCDC Grants, Angie Wintrow seconded the motion, motion carried. 

  • Letter from Neal Lavang, P.E. RPA maps and plans of the White Annexation:  RPA is now waiting on a response from architect, Steve Erban. 
  • Letter from Trisha Bodlovic of RPA stating that the City would not qualify for a water grant that they recently had the opportunity to apply for. 
  • Letter from the Department of the Airforce was read by Mayor Evans and Vickie Rauser.   This letter is requesting input on the proposed Environmental Assessment to establish and operate a helicopter aerial gunnery range and to establish restricted airspace at the Limestone Hills Training Area located near Townsend. 

Angie Wintrow made a motion to write a letter of support for the above request, Matt West seconded the motion, motion carried. 

Solicitor Ordinance Committee: Peter Simon addressed this information with the proposed changes.  Page 1 of the Ordinance 2022-03 added a definition was for the word “moratorium”—meaning a period of time during which specific provisions of this Chapter shall not be enforced, as stated in and authorized by a resolution of the City Council.   Page 3 section 5 of Ordinance 2022-03 —Issuance of the License there was clarification added stating that no short-term license shall be issued during or overlapping with any moratorium, such as the Fall Fest or Christmas Stroll.  Page 5 paragraph J of the Ordinance 2022-03 covers concerns regarding Farmers Market vendors. This group is considered “producers” as defined by the Montana Local Food Choice Act and are exempt from regulation of local government ordinances.  With these updates, Peter Simon stated that the City and Council are ready to schedule a First Reading on this ordinance. 

Angie Wintrow made a motion to schedule a First Reading of the Solicitor Ordinance 2022-03, at the next Council meeting.  Matt West seconded the motion, motion carried.  First Reading will be held at the December 6, 2022 Council Meeting. 

Council signed a “Certificate of Survey” for the approved relocation of boundaries for Jill Flynn.

Vickie Rauser made a motion to approve the Street Closures/Barricades for the Christmas Stroll, Ken Urich seconded the motion, motion carried. 

Ken Urich asked about the Water Rights Court Fees, and Mayor Evans said that $5000 has been paid to secure the legal service of DMS

Pool Maintenance:  Ken Urich asked about any updates on the Pool.  Mayor Evan’s said that there is nothing new to report on this topic. 

 Mayor’s Roundtable: 

Lakeside Distillery owner Jake Ballew addressed the Vouncil regarding a bill that he received from the City.  He stated that he paid $400 to the City for a Variance, and then recently received another bill from the City for an additional $620 with charges from the City’s Engineer, Jeremy Fadness with WWC Engineering.  A copy of the bill was made, and the City agreed to look into the charges on the second bill. 

Nancy Marks introduced a new employee of the MT43 Newspaper, Elizabeth Mclaughlin. 

Adjournment:  Ken Urich made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Nate Brown seconded the motion and motion carried.