City of Townsend, Montana

City Council Minutes of November 20, 2024

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  In attendance along with Mayor Rauser were Angie Wintrow, Nate Brown, Vivian Boaz, Heather Healea, and Doug Sitton.  JB Howick reported in absent.  Also in attendance were Stacy Sommer, Noah Borror, Todd Rolfs, and Kari Williams.

Public Comment:  Noah passed around an informational sheet on new equipment for McCarthy Park.  Stacy Sommer commented and said that they’d like to get a playground, and a swing set in place if possible.  Mayor Rauser stated that because this was not on the agenda tonight, we cannot take action.  Her suggestion is to show Eric these pictures so he can determine if this will work in the space.  Mayor Rauser stated that for the council’s information, Eric had a conversation with John Bleile about expanding the baseball field, and what John had proposed to the city council at the previous meeting is not going to work.  The playground equipment at McCarthy Park will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 

Minutes from 11.5.2024:  Heather made a motion to approve the minutes from 11.5.2024 council meeting.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Townsend Water Committee:  Heather spoke on this and stated she feels these bids are fair and accurate in her professional opinion.  The contractors are very well known and established in this state and they’re local, so she recommends moving forward with the bids.  Angie and Vivian both agreed.  Vivian made a motion to award contractor CK May Excavating for schedule 1 with bid amount $3,028,565, and contractor COP Construction LLC for schedule 2 with bid amount $8,232,000.  Heather seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  With the lower bids and the five-million-dollar loan forgiveness, the new budget is at $14,479.956.  Peter Simon also spoke on the lot that Well 3 resides on.  He spoke with Linda and Lloyd Poe, and Linda stated that if Lloyd signs the quit claim deed, she will as well.  Peter will then have it recorded and get it filed with the clerk and recorder and then make sure it gets put safely in the city’s vault. 

Request for Legal Services:  Mayor Rauser stated that we have the advertisement that went into the newspaper from when we previously advertised for a city attorney.  It provides the legal services scope of work.  Peter stated that he thinks it’s okay to leave both criminal and city/civil court services for the city on the scope of work that is needed for the city attorney job post, and then the city and county can have the discussion about the interlocal agreement for criminal services.  The ad will be placed in the newspaper with an application deadline of December 20^th. 

City Hall Garage Door Quote:  Mayor Rauser stated that Eric received one quote, and they decided it would be best to get two quotes since it’s over so this will be on the agenda in December and Eric will present both quotes. 

Montana Substance Use Resources link on City Website:  Mayor Rauser stated that she received a request from this website requesting the City of Townsend to put a link to their resources on our website.  Council discussed this and agreed it would be a worthwhile link that may help our residents.  Consensus of council on this is permission to allow the link to be placed on the website.   

Unfinished Business: 

• Ordinance Review Committee:  Ange spoke on this and stated that it stated in the minutes from the last meeting that the Ordinance Review  would be on track, however she’s not sure now.  They’ll be missing the Telecommunications/Franchise Ordinance with Peter’s exit, the Fireworks Committee is still in progress, and  they’re waiting for JB to schedule the next Events Committee meeting.  
• Fireworks Committee/Ordinance:  Vivian spoke on this.  She stated that the survey that was sent out received a better response than they thought.  The survey company would like to charge for their services now.  She asked if that was okay to go ahead and pay the $99 for the survey responses, or just take 25 responses that are free from the survey company.  Council discussed this and several people think that it’s important to hear everyone’s opinion and thoughts on fireworks.  Angie made a motion to pay the $99 for the month in order to receive all of the responses of the survey.  Heather seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
• Mayor Rauser stated that she received an email from Brittny Willis of the Broadwater County Hazard Mitigation Plan.  There are references to the City of Townsend, and the email was forwarded to the county. 
• Mayor Rauser stated that we sent out close to 500 letters to the property owners of homes that the city does not know what kind of pipes they have for their water service line.  The property owners have been calling the city crew to check the type of lines they have.  Mayor Rauser stated she’s happy to announce that both Doug and Braden completed their probation period with the city. 
• Heather Healea wrote a letter to the city council and resigned her position as a council member effective the end of November due to moving outside of city limits.  Heather currently holds the Ward I council seat.  The City Council will be seeking a letter of interest for the open position. 
• Nate  asked about the status of Masa Park.  Mayor Rauser stated that she hasn’t heard back from the owner.   He also stated that there is a light that leans towards Broadway.  Mayor Rauser stated that it’s been that way for quite a while. 

Public Comment- Peter stated that he ate at the new Mexican Restaurant and it’s good!  Please go there and support it! 

Adjourn:  Heather made a motion to adjourn.  Nate seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Next Council Meeting:  Tuesday, December 3, 2024