Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2018
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Gary Mortus on Tuesday, May 22, 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, Robert Hathaway, Michael Voll, Ginny Simonis, Jeffrey Harris, Lori Harris, Martha Lawitzke, Melanie Donnelly, Megan Shetter, Kevin Ryan,
Cathy Snyder, Alan Snyder, John Netherland, Linda Netherland, Alex Turner, Thomas Turley, Robert Lawitzke, Larry Holland, Duane Waite, Julie Waite, Ron Szabo, Andrea Szabo,
Larry Brown, Lou Clemons, Adam Ladd, Shawn Ladd, Darla Clemons, Adam Turinsky,
Amy Turinsky, George Fry, Jacquelyn Fry, Mireille Krempa, Roger Krempa, Peter Stokes,
Rick Smetzer, Randy Riedmaier and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the May 8, 2018 Board of Trustees regular 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 payroll, in the amount of $50,862.30. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Kevin Johnson requesting use of the Community Hall for a family function.
Trustees agreed Kevin Johnson could use the Community Hall and waived the rental fee.
Notification from the Joint Solid Waste District about the Competitive Funding Grant Program second funding round meeting to be held Thursday, May 31, in Fremont.
The Annual Report from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow presented a quote from Mullens Tree Service to remove two trees at the old fire station for $800 and an old siren and pole for $250.
William Rofkar and Gary Mortus agreed the two trees, siren, and pole should be removed by Mullens Tree Service for the total cost of $1,050. Matt Montowski abstained from the decision.
William Rofkar made a motion to proceed with the hot mix program for 2018 coordinated through the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office with bids totaling $256,096.15 for repairs to Hickory Ridge Road, Weyhe Road, and Twin Beach Road. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adopt the following resolution:
Maintenance
Whereas, the Catawba Island Township Trustees deem it in the best interest of the safety, comfort, and general welfare of said Township and its residents to make improvements to the cemetery in the Township, and
Whereas, the condition of the cemetery grounds are in need of drainage improvements and
Whereas, the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office has estimated the cost of the cemetery improvement project to be $91,495.65 and the funds are available in the General Fund and
Whereas, the Catawba Island Township Trustees agree to an advertising date of May 31, 2018, and a bid opening date of June 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved by the Township Trustees of Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio, to proceed with said Cemetery Improvement Project and give the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office, 8247 West State Route 163, Oak Harbor, the authorization to prepare the bid packages and open submittals on their behalf. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion Matt Montowski, aye; William Rofkar, aye, Gary Mortus, aye.
Gary Mortus said the cost could be reduced by approximately $10,000 if the road repairs are completed first and grindings from the resurfacing project can be used in the cemetery project.
New Business
Bob Hathaway of Norma Drive expressed concerns he has regarding the possibility of land near Heigel Park being cleared for a dog park. He said there are many Catawba Island areas that are dog friendly as long as dogs remain on a leash and are cleaned up after. Bob Hathaway suggested several areas that would make a better dog park location than a residential neighborhood that would require trees to be cut down.
Trustee Gary Mortus said the parcel in question is approximately two and a half acres that was gifted to the township several years ago. He said when discussing the possibility of a dog park the property was brought up because it has access to necessary amenities like parking and water. Gary Mortus said the Trustees recently asked the Ottawa County Engineer to do a site survey of the parcel and locate the property lines. He said the discussion is still in the infancy stage at this time.
Cathy Snyder expressed multiple reasons why she thinks a dog park is a bad idea in a neighborhood which included gates left open for dogs to roam about, flee infestation, excrement and the smell. Alan Synder said at the Bellevue dog park large dogs tried to attack small dogs and they eventually tried to regulate the park. He said the dog park put a burden on the police department and the recreation department as complaint calls poured in.
George Fry said he has researched dog parks and found that many places around the country are going to privately owned dog parks and charging a fee to belong like any other club. He said many are hiring individuals to monitor the park at all hours due to liability concerns. George Fry said in one case a dog got out of the fenced area and was hit by a car and the owners of the dog park were sued. He said often times dogs go after one another and he would hate to see a dog get loose and go after kids playing in the park.
Tom Turley said one tree provides enough oxygen for four people so we should save our trees.
Mireille Krempa said she does not believe everyone cleans up properly after their dog.
Larry Holland said he supports everything that has been said and feels there is no need for a dog park to be built on Catawba.
Lori Harris read a letter she submitted which highlighted her concerns for a dog park including: destroying habitat for wildlife, removing mature trees, construction noise, additional traffic, cost to create at Heigel Park location versus property already cleared near the township offices or other non-residential locations.
Pete Stokes asked the Trustees why they were considering a dog park in the first place with the added cost and potential legal responsibilities.
Trustee William Rofkar said because the Trustees were asked to consider the idea several years ago as they are approached often to consider various ideas. He said a dog park has not been high on the priority list but it has come up in conversation and they remembered the parcel located near parking and water.
William Rofkar said he was surprised so many people in attendance were against a dog park because the last time the subject was discussed at a meeting there were half as many people present that wanted a dog park.
Matt Montowski said the Trustees have been asked many times why we don’t have a dog park like Danbury. He said Trustees considered the donated piece of property with restrooms, water, and parking making it a feasible location.
The Trustees said they are not ready to push the project through at this time as further research is needed. Trustees agreed the input from residents is good and they will take the feedback into consideration.
Jacquelyn Fry said she is concerned with the potential loss of wild life habitat if the woods is cleared.
Bob Hathaway thanked the Trustees for the pickleball paint lines added to the tennis courts at Heigel Park as he had recently requested for residents use to play the game gaining popularity.
Bob Hathaway also expressed appreciation for the added berm width added to the portion of West Catawba Road from Cemetery Road to the point as it seems safer for walkers, joggers, and bikers to travel now.
Jeff Harris agreed and said the small portion that has been added is much appreciated as he and his wife bike in that area.
Matt Montowski acknowledged the exemplary work by the Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Bryan Baugh, members Sandra Erwin, Jack Zeigler, Tim McKenna, Doug Blackburn, as well as alternates Flint Heidlebaugh and Diane Belden as they recently heard and decided on five cases in one evening. He said they serve the township and citizens of the township well.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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Gary Mortus, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer