September 16, 2025

CITY OF TOWNSEND COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES                                                                                       September 16, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members in attendance are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Nate Brown, and Doug Sitton.  Also in attendance are Shawn Simon, Nichole Simon, Sheri Heavrin, Jan Hubber, Debi Randolph, and Kari Williams. 

Public Comment:  Jan Hubber stood up and spoke.  She would like to honor a volunteer and name a park after this person.  She’d like to get on one of the October agenda’s and have the council think about a space that could be used for this.    

Minutes from September 2, 2025:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Sheri Heavrin from Townsend Schools requested a street closure for the Homecoming Parade October 3rd.  There’s only a half day of school that day, so the time is earlier at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  She also asked if the school could paint paw prints on the city streets.  JB asked where the paw prints will show up.  Sheri stated that they’d be  around the school.  Vivian made a motion to approve the street closure for the Homecoming Parade.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried

Mayor Rauser stated that she received a letter from MMIA.  They are changing leadership, so the new CEO is Amanda Clerk.  She also received a letter from  Department of Transportation regarding the 2025 statewide improvement program. 

Determination of Tax Revenue and Mill Levy Limitation:  Mayor Rauser explained this year’s information from the Department of Revenue was not received until September 3rd, so that’s why we are completing this now.  The market value  went from 1.35% to .67%.  We found out we do not need to carry the PERS and Comp Insurance Fund, so we did not have to levy anything for these funds this year.  This year we will levy 68.42 mills with carry forward mills of 5.35, available for next year.  JB made a motion to approve the mill levy as presented.  Angie seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.

Fire Mutual Aid Agreement:  Mayor Rauser stated that the Fire Mutual Aid Agreement has been around for a long time and probably should have been reviewed quite a few years ago.  The City Fire folks put together equipment necessary for coverage and equipment nice to have, not absolutely necessary.  There is suggested modifications from City Fire.  Shawn Simon stated that the main thing City Fire relies on from Rural Fire is the rescue truck and equipment.  Shawn stated that they are trying to have their own rescue truck and equipment in the future.  Shawn stated that the mutual aid agreement that the Rural Fire put together caters to Rural Fire.  Angie asked where do they currently get water?  Shawn and Andrew responded at the City’s hydrant.  She also asked if tapping into those lines would cause a contamination risk.  Eric stated no.  JB asked about the replacement price for a truck that was listed.  Vivian asked if the fire department would be able to get rescue equipment and other equipment on one of the two fire trucks.  Shawn stated no.   JB stated if he remembers correctly that the property is owned by the City.  Mayor Rauser stated that she believes that the building is jointly owned.  More discussion was held.  JB stated we’d like to get everyone together and hammer out an agreement.  Mayor Rauser stated that Jenny will look at our files and see if there’s anything in past minutes to figure this out.  Debi Randolph stated that Angie Paulson (County Clerk & Recorder) is good at finding documents.  Eric stated that it was mentioned about splitting utility and electrical costs, and as long as the City Fire is using the Rural’s equipment, he doesn’t think it would be good to split hairs over that since it’s pretty nice to jump into a warm truck.  JB stated you’re absolutely correct and that we don’t want to make any unnecessary waves.  Mayor Rauser stated that the goal is to have a mutual agreement.  Shawn stated that right now they work great together.   JB asked Shawn how many times over the years the City and Rural fire has been called out at the same time.  Shawn said he can’t remember a time that happened, but it could. 

 Mayor Rauser suggested that the fire committee read both rural and city agreements and put together a draft for legal review.  Mayor Rauser stated that there was a question about funding during the budget, and the cash that is sitting in the PERS and Comp Ins Funds could be used in some of the areas where we’ve struggled.  This topic was tabled for now. 

Big Sky Rail Update:  JB spoke on this and stated this year’s conference was more informative than last year’s.  The program is moving forward with dates between 2032-2034 for a passenger train to move along the tracks.  Early in 2026, they move into the second phase for recreating this passenger rail service, which includes station assignment.  The Big Sky Rail told cities to focus on getting the passenger train to come through Townsend.  JB stated he created a document to show who and where Townsend could serve via the passenger train.  We need to look at what the City wants to become in the future.  We are unofficially in competition with other cities for having volunteers and workers for this extra service.  The idea is how do we make our City welcoming.  JB listed the benefits of this, besides being economical for the city.   Increased transportation choices, lowers transportation costs, improves air quality, and reduces traffic congestion.   Train stations become revenue generating assets.  JB stated he’d like to continue to be the liaison if the council agrees. (Council agreed)  JB stated that railpassengers.org/bigsky is an automated  system to let state and federal legislators know your desire for this to move forward.  They’re trying to get to work out the details and fund the larger program. 

Pending Business: 

  • Events Ordinance-has been revised and will be presented to council at the next meeting. It has been through a legal review. 
  • Fireworks Ordinance
  • Ordinance Review- Angie stated that Title II will have a meeting scheduled.
  • Telecommunications Franchise- waiting on input from Eric and Mayor Rauser. 
  • Garbage Cans on Broadway

Public Comment:  Shawn Simon stated that they put on a first responder appreciation dinner, and he nominated Doug Longfellow for the volunteer firefighter of the year.  JB stated that it might be nice to put a congratulations out to him on letter head.

Eric:  Asked if we could extend the probation period from six months to twelve months on the Public Work’s maintenance positions.  JB stated there is a little confusion on the Employee handbook vs Title II.  It was suggested to move that to the employee handbook because it’s more of a policy than a law.  Mayor Rauser will look into if there’s a resolution required. 

Mayor Rauser stated that BCDC is having a meeting at the Lodge regarding the Trails Committee and Al Christopherson will be there to speak on that. She asked if someone from the City could attend.  Vivian volunteered. 

Nate:  The clock on the wall is slow by three minutes

JB:  What is the status of Massa Park?  Mayor Rauser stated that the City does the upkeep of that park.  She hasn’t heard back from the owners of Massa Park, so she’ll try to reach out to them again, however there is an agreement there.   She would like to see the owners deed the park to the City.  JB asked about  the number of council members that constitutes a quorum.  Mayor Rauser stated that four council members is a quorum since we only have five members at this time.  JB also asked about the price of a gallon of water.  He also asked what the process for will be for informing the public about the Water System, and the water in the new tank being turned on.

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