Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2017
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Kevin Wylie, Ernest Wylie, Lee Short, John Gibson, Mary Jane Gibson,
Jim Sass, Ken Landon, Craig Koerpel, Quintin Smith, Diane Belden, David Belden, Pat Adkins, Jordan Greider, Kaleb Wadsworth, Blake Magi, Keegan Wylie, Thomas Keville, Don Rhodes, Shad Gunderson, Cindy Gunderson, William Van Der Giessen, Theresa Spitler, Ed Spitler,
Kelly Fry, Randy Riedmaier and Lauren Falcone
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the April 25, 2017 Board of Township Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $58,884.24. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter of thanks from Jack Eaton to John Gangway and the rescue squad for the fantastic way they helped him out recently and expressing his gratitude for the service here on Catawba.
A letter from James Stewart requesting use of the Community Hall for a family function June 4.
The Trustees agreed James Stewart could use the Community Hall and waived the rental fee.
A letter from the Catawba Island Historical Society requesting use of the Community Hall to hold a meeting on June 12.
The Trustees agreed the Catawba Island Historical Society could use the Community Hall and waived the fee.
A letter from the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office regarding Levy of an Annual Permissive Tax – O.R.C. Section 4504.16. Two public hearings have been scheduled on the matter. The first hearing will be May 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. and the second will be June 1, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
A letter from Larry Fletcher, President Lake Erie Shores & Islands, inviting officials to attend a meeting May 11, where major plans for 2017 will be presented. A 2016 summary of activities and accomplishments was also enclosed.
A letter from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission regarding Quinstock Farms and Spitler Rentals proposed subdivisions. The plat will be considered at a meeting to be held May 16.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the April 2017 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow said two tires are needed for the small John Deere and one for the tractor for a total cost of not more than $700.
The Trustees agreed to the purchase of the three tires as needed.
Dan Barlow said the Community Hall chimney is not in use any longer and he would like to investigate removing the chimney completely. He said the siren housing at the old fire station may need to be removed as well.
Dan Barlow said the road resurfacing projects on Wine Cellar and Konker are complete.
Fire
Fire Chief Kevin Wylie said he would like to donate a 35 foot aluminum ladder no longer in use to the Erie Township Fire Department.
William Rofkar made a motion to donate a 35 foot aluminum ladder to the Erie Township Fire Department. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion Carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to pay W.W. Williams for emergency repairs made to the fire department tanker in the amount of $10,325.56. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were fifteen permits and two variances issued in April with a total of $1,188.10 collected in fees.
New Business
Craig Koerpel spoke on behalf of the Catawba Island Historical Society outlining why and how the group formed and became a 501C3 organization. He said they also formed an advisory committee and established an eight member Board of Directors whose membership includes: Craig Koerpel, Bill Van Der Giessen, Ken Landon, Cindy Gunderson, Quintin Smith,
Don Rhodes, John Gibson, and Will Moore.
Craig Koerpel said the Catawba Island Historical Society has two main objectives. The first objective is to enter into an agreement with Don Rhodes so many articles located in his facility can be transferred to the historical society. The second goal is to find a home or facility for the historical society to present said articles to the community. Craig Koerpel said the historical society would like to utilize the Union Chapel located on Porter Road and hope to enter into a lease agreement with the township for that purpose.
New Business (Continued) Page 3
Lee Short presented small scale drawings of the chapel and outlined proposed improvements deemed necessary to bring the building up to code.
Craig Koerpel presented a rough estimate of nearly $37,000 for the extensive improvements proposed for the project. He said a signed lease agreement would formalize the agreement and allow the historical society to utilize the township owned chapel assuming the township would pay for improvements to bring the building up to code and pay the utilities moving forward.
The Trustees agreed the Union Chapel would be a good fit for the historical society and approved the Catawba Island Historical Society’s use of the chapel subject to reaching an acceptable lease agreement in the near future.
William Rofkar thanked Don Rhodes on behalf of the Board of Trustees for his efforts in bringing a group together to form a historical society, his years of collecting Catawba Island artifacts, his generosity and for sharing his knowledge.
Lauren Falcone of Poggemeyer Design Group said she does economic development and community planning and was asked by Jamie Bier-Grant of the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation to discuss the advantages of a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) program. A CRA is a tax abatement program offered through the State of Ohio that is set up locally for commercial and industrial development. She said CRA programs are also offered for residential development but cautioned consideration. Lauren Falcone said the township would have to pass legislation if interested in participating in a CRA program. She said a CRA can be a good tool to use with lots of checks and balances and Trustees have the ability to establish the perimeters on a case by case basis.
Port Clinton City School District School Board President Dave Belden gave a brief report on Port Clinton City Schools. He said the Port Clinton Middle School was recently invited to the State House to receive recognition as a “Model School” one of only three recognized in the state.
William Rofkar made a motion to waive a hearing with the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a request related to Gem Beach Marina. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion pursuant to O.R.C. Section 121.22 to move into executive session to discuss a pending legal matter. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. Vote on the motion William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus, aye; Matt Montowski, aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to reconvene from executive session. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
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Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer