City of Townsend

City Council Meeting Draft Minutes of 11.21.23

Vickie Rauser opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  (Mayor Evans was absent) Other council members present were Angie Wintrow, Ken Urich, Vivian Boaz and Valerie Baraza.  Nate Brown absent.  Also present were Shawn Simon, Heather Healea, JB Howick, Mark Boaz, Ava Boaz, Andrew Herrick, Chris Ravndal, Todd Rolfs, and Jenny Barnett. 

The pledge of allegiance was recited by all. 

• Vivian Boaz was sworn in as a council member. 
• Minutes from 10/24/23 and from 11/7/2023.  Valerie made a motion to approve the minutes, Angie seconded the motion with a date change on the agenda to reflect that the minutes are from 10/24/23 and 11/7/23.   Vivian Boaz made a correction to the Fire Hall Quarterly Report that stated the Fire Dept had an increase in phone calls to the “Emergency Dispatch had an increase in calls.” The council was in favor of the changes.  Valerie and Angie, who made the motions to accept and second the minutes, accepted and seconded minutes as corrected.  All in favor, motion carried. 
• Ken Urich is proposing a dog waste station in McCarthy Park.  Valerie asked if what the cost will be.  Ken stated that he and his wife are willing to cover the costs and maintain it. Various discussions were held.  Angie said that she wants it noted that there is an ordinance that states it is unlawful for an owner to avoid picking up their dog’s waste.  Valerie made a motion to accept the proposal for a dog waste station in McCarthy Park that Ken Urich and his wife will maintain until further notice.  Vivian second the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

**Valerie requested that she’d like to put the subject of installing other dog waste stations in other parks on the next agenda.

• Quote for painting the City Hall interior.  The council has requested that we get three or more quotes before they decide.  Tabled until more quotes are received. 
• Steve McCullough Land Lease:  Vickie requested to have Peter look at it and put it in proper format with a legal property description.    Ken said he’d like to do more research on this as well.  Tabled until Peter can review it. 
• Penalty Revision Ordinance:  Ken made a motion to approve the proposed amendments for the penalty revision for public hearing.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
• Townsend Chamber Street Closure Request for the Christmas Stroll December 2^nd from Front Street to Oak Street 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Angie made a motion to approve the request, Ken seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.  Shawn Simon with the Fire Dept stated that they are no longer parking fire trucks on Broadway to block the street.  They are now using cones. 
• Planning Fees—Tabled for further investigation.  This will be on the agenda for the second meeting in December.
• Vickie stated that there is an annual report with a map for the Railway—which is online. 
• The Fire Department Quarterly Report was given to the council for review. 
• Public Comment:  JB Howick stated that his opinion is for the city to get involved and present a plan to the Railway for planning purposes since it seems to be moving forward. 
• Round Table:  Ken stated that there should be a probation period in the job description for the Public Work’s position.  Angie and Vickie stated that there is a probation period in the policy manual that pertains to the probation period of the position.

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

Next meeting:  Tuesday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing on the Penalty Revision Ordinance:  Tuesday, December 19^th at 6:30 p.m.