Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
November 26, 2019
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, November 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were: Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway, Kevin Wylie, Ernest Wylie, Paul Ochs, Randy Riedmaier, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the November 12, 2019 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 last payroll, in the amount of $180,787.81. The total includes a payment of $62,217.37 to the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office for the resurfacing of various township roads and a payment of $43,173 to Statewide Ford for the new Ford Police Interceptor. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Edward Wiza concerning winter snow plowing by maintenance personnel and his belief that the township should reimburse the cost of mailboxes he replaced in March of 2019 and February of 2018.
Gary Mortus said he talked with maintenance supervisor Dan Barlow and they do not feel the plow actually hit the mailbox but rather believe moving slush hit the plastic mailbox. Trustees agreed the letter, dated November 12, 2019, expressed concerns that were not brought forth in a timely manner. Trustees also agreed that when residents have called immediately they have on occasion replaced mailboxes with reasonably priced mailboxes, but would not consider replacement with excessively priced mailboxes.
An invitation to attend an informational meeting about the Farm Bill programs ARC and PLC on December 5, in Fremont or Oak Harbor.
A letter from Joyful Connections highlighting services offered and requesting financial support.
A letter from the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office regarding the fee schedule for subdivision reviews by the Ottawa County Engineer’s staff. The new rates effective January 1, 2020 were included.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were eleven zoning permits issued and five variances applied for in November with a total of $2,097.72 collected in fees.
Fire
Fire Chief Kevin Wylie said they had 4 fire runs and 27 EMS runs for the month of October.
Kevin Wylie presented quotes for replacement fire hose from Fire Safety Services $12,915.60 and Finley Fire Equipment for $12,490. Kevin Wylie said the Finley Fire quote was complete with everything they needed while the Fire Safety Services quote did not have everything included.
Gary Mortus made a motion to purchase hose and other incidental equipment from Finley Fire Equipment for a cost not to exceed $12,490. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin Wylie submitted a letter from PERSO, Public Entity Risk Services of Ohio, representing Danbury Fire Department, as it related to the Catawba Island Fire Department Horton Ambulance that was damaged by Danbury Fire Department personnel while offering mutual aid in response to a Catawba Island house fire in August. The letter stated that “under Ohio Revised Code 2744.02 full immunity applies to a member of a firefighting agency while operating a motor vehicle on an emergency call as it was in this loss. We must, therefore, respectfully decline to make any payment for Horton Ambulance on this claim.”
Trustees agreed the letter, police report, and estimate for repairs should be forwarded to Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten for review and then to Hylant claims processing.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said the new 2020 Ford Police Interceptor is on the road and the Village of Bayview Police purchased the old police interceptor for $5,500.
Maintenance
Gary Mortus said Barnes is working on grinding at the compost facility and the gate to the compost area will be completed soon. Gary Mortus said installation of the fence at the West Harbor Boat Launch is complete and work will begin soon on installation of the automatic door openers at the administration building and at the Community Hall in the next few weeks.
New Business
Jack DeVore thanked Trustee Gary Mortus for his years of service and wished him well in future endeavors.
Trustees agreed to change the date of the second meeting of the month from Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve, to Monday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer