Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
December 27, 2016
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, December 27, at 7:35 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were: Gary Mortus, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw, Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Kevin Wylie, Allen Stryker, Rick Smetzer, Tamara Waldemar, Reggie Langford, Randy Riedmaier, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the December 13 Board of Township Trustees regular meeting minutes and the December 13 Public Hearing meeting minutes as presented. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $69,740.09. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A note from Andy and Marlene Benko with a donation of $200 for the cemetery for the upkeep, plantings, or anything to continue the furtherance of its beauty and serenity.
The Fall 2016 newsletter from the Ottawa County Community Foundation.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway discussed his desire to move forward with the Lexipol contract. He said a one year contract for the police policy program is $2,716 and The Ohio Plan will reimburse the township 50% of the cost the first year, 30% the second year, and 10% the third year.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve a contract with Lexipol for $2,716. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Trustees agreed they do not want to fix the police car damaged by the deer collision as it has nearly 125,000 miles on it and instead will put the $4,399 insurance payment toward the purchase of a new police vehicle. Trustees agreed to sell the damaged 2011 Ford Crown Victoria on govdeals.com.
William Rofkar said the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria recently sold on Govdeals for $2,664.
John Gangway said he would like to hire a part-time police officer, possibly from the pool of candidates recently interviewed for the full-time position.
Trustees agreed they would consider hiring a part-time officer and asked John Gangway to present a candidate for hire at a future meeting.
Matt Montowski said Devin Pollock, newly hired full-time officer, was sworn in December 27, by Judge Hany.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow discussed the electrical quote from A.T. Emmett to upgrade service at the chapel.
William Rofkar discussed his meeting with representatives from Steeplejacks of America and their inspection. He said they feel the steeple is structurally sound at this time. William Rofkar offered to be a liaison with regard to the chapel and would like to talk to the building inspector and formulate a plan prior to making any formal decisions. He also agreed to meet with the Catawba Island Historical Society at their next meeting on January 26.
Gary Mortus said at minimum he feels the electrical service should be upgraded and then any further decisions can be made.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve a contract with A.T. Emmett for $4,375 to upgrade electrical service at the chapel. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief Kevin Wylie said he would like to send four firefighters to an eight hour safety seminar being offered by the Northwood Firefighters January 21, 2017. He said the cost is $50 per person.
Trustees agreed the four fire fighters can attend the eight hour training session at a total cost of $200.
Reorganization
Chairman William Rofkar turned the meeting over to Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw for the purpose of electing a Chairman for 2017.
Karen Shaw asked for nominations for Chairman for 2017.
Gary Mortus made a motion to appoint Matt Montowski as Chairman for the calendar year 2017. William Rofkar seconded the motion. William Rofkar voted aye, Matt Montowski voted aye, and Gary Mortus voted aye.
Karen Shaw declared Matt Montowski Chairman and turned the meeting over to him.
Matt Montowski asked for nominations for Vice Chairman.
William Rofkar made a motion to appoint Gary Mortus as Vice Chairman for the calendar year 2017. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. William Rofkar voted aye, Gary Mortus voted aye, and Matt Montowski voted aye.
The Trustees agreed the Township meeting dates and times will remain the same at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
The Trustees agreed to keep oversight of the following departments the same:
Matt Montowski, Zoning; William Rofkar, Police and Fire; Gary Mortus, Cemetery and Roads.
The Trustees agreed Matt Montowski will remain on the Regional Planning Board and Gary Mortus will continue as the alternate. Gary Mortus will serve on the Port Clinton City School Business Advisory Board. Chairman Matt Montowski will attend the Ottawa County Health Department annual meeting. William Rofkar and Gary Mortus will serve as Board Members on the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board and William Rofkar will service as VFDF Board Chairman.
Gary Mortus made a motion to reappoint Paul Shaw to the Zoning Commission for a five year term expiring December 2021. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to reappoint Dr. Greg Hart as an alternate on the Zoning Commission for a one year term. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to appoint Lewis Mindlin as an alternate on the Zoning Commission for a one year term. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to reappoint Sandra Erwin to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five year term expiring December 2021. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to appoint Tim McKenna to fill Jack DeVore’s unexpired term on the Board of Zoning Appeals with the term expiring December 2020. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to appoint Flint Heidlebaugh and Diane Belden as alternates on the Board of Zoning Appeals for a one year term. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to continue paying members of the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals a mileage and meeting allowance of $50 per meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to appoint Meredith Beck, John Smothers, Reggie Langford,
Brad Schwan, and Diane Belden to the Park Board for another one year term in 2017.
Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to continue to provide health care to all eligible township employees and elected officials in 2017. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to keep the current cemetery fee schedule, zoning fees, and community hall rental fees the same for 2017. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to keep the Fire Fighter and EMS gas allowance and stipend the same for 2017. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to continue to purchase police uniforms and related items for officers from approved suppliers or reimburse officers for said items with an annual allowance for full-time officers of $650 and part-time officer(s) $250. The unused balance of the annual allowance shall not be carried over from year to year. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to increase the hourly rate of all full-time and part-time employees (including recent new hires) by 3% effective the pay period beginning Monday, December 26, 2016. The casual labor wage rate will remain the same at $14.00 per hour. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
In addition, William Rofkar made a motion to increase the wage rate of Mike Woods by .30 cents per hour, Jim Stewart by .30 cents per hour, and Todd Parkison by .40 cents per hour above and beyond their 3% increase and in doing so eliminate shift differential for the police department. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve Ohio Edison as the townships provider of electrical energy for 2017. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. Vote on motion: Matt Montowski, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus, abstained. Motion carried.
Trustees agreed the mileage reimbursement rate will continue to be the same as the IRS mileage reimbursement rate. The IRS mileage rate for 2017 is .535 per mile.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
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