Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2021
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway,
Kevin Johnson, Kevin Gibbons, Ernie Wylie, Dan Barlow, Breann Christiansen, Genna Blakley, Michael Webber, Greg Rosenthal, Michael Voll, Keith Deters, Bill Verne, Rick Hunt, Patricia Hunt,
Randy Riedmaier, Renee DeVore, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the August 24, 2021 Public Hearing minutes as received. Diane Belden seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: William Rofkar, aye; Diane Belden, aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the August 24, 2021 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as received. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last two payrolls, in the amount of $102,089.25. The total includes a payment of $14,350 to Lake Erie Tree Service for mulch grinding and a payment of $9,555 to the Kreimes Company for resurfacing work on various township parking lots. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Amanda Bohlman lodging a complaint against the property owner of 2875 N. Trillium Lane for leaving trees, tree stumps, and large piles of wood chips on the lot. She said opportunistic weeds are now growing up to nine feet tall and rapidly growing into her lawn creating a nuisance.
Diane Belden said she spoke with the home owners association and they are taking care of the situation.
A letter from Lee Bowden and Gaylord Bowden rescinding their previous offer to donate six cemetery spaces back to the township. They have decided to retain the six spaces for now.
A letter from Roseann Hickman, President of the Fraternal Order of Police #3, regarding a campaign organized to raise funds for a memorial that will pay tribute to Ottawa County’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
A Certificate of Appreciation awarded to the Catawba Point Preserve for efforts in the creation and maintenance of a Monarch Waystation which contributes to monarch conservation and helps to assure the continuation of the monarch migration in North America.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were eight zoning permits issued in August and four variances with a total of $2,001.72 collected in fees.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the August financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Matt Montowski made a motion to receive the American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $184,833.25. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Karen Shaw said the amount represents half of the total ARP funds to be received. She said the township will receive the second half in 2022.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said resident Evelyn Albrecht sent the police a $100 donation and he responded with a thank you note.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said the backhoe is back in service and maintenance personnel are ready for the fall clean up September 23 through 25.
Fire
Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons said the department had seven fire runs and responded to seventeen EMS calls for a total of 24 runs the month of August.
Kevin Gibbons said the department will have two ladder trucks over Cemetery Road displaying the flag for the funeral of Ron Kochensparger, former member of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department and Chief for nine years.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve applications from Richard Adams Jr. and Jason Waggoner as new members of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department for a one year probationary period each having completed a background check and physical. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Old Business
Breann Christiansen asked the Trustees if they read the proposal submitted following her presentation at the August 24 meeting regarding her appeal to see Emergency Medical Services, currently contracted with the City of Port Clinton, return to the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department.
William Rofkar and Matt Montowski said they read the EMS proposal and had no further questions.
Diane Belden asked Breann Christiansen to discuss her ideas for community outreach that were mentioned in the plan.
Breann Christiansen named some of her ideas for the department to have a greater presence in the community.
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the proposed plan and services currently being provided by Port Clinton EMS touching on topics of manpower, finances, response time, and provided services.
Matt Montowski said before the Trustees consider revisiting EMS he would like to see a letter from the fireman’s association in support of bringing EMS back to the CIVFD.
A resident from Woodland Drive said he wanted to make the Trustees aware of a homeowner on Woodland Drive operating his house as a vacation rental which is a zoning violation.
Matt Montowski said the homeowner has been sent a cease and desist order for the activity in violation of township zoning.
New Business
A few gentlemen spoke in support of the addition of pickleball courts at Heigel Park or the option of converting the existing tennis courts to pickleball courts.
Trustees agreed the tennis courts at Heigel Park are utilized but said they would consider the addition of pickleball courts.
William Rofkar requested pickleball court dimensions and requirements and agreed to look into the matter further.
Trustees reviewed Section IV of the Employment Policies Manual regarding Time Away From Work.
8 Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
Catawba Island Township is a “covered employer” by the Federal Family and Medical
Leave Act of 1993. However, employees of Catawba Island Township do not meet the requirement of eligibility that requires the employer (township) employ 50 employees
at the worksite or within 75 miles. Benefits similar to those provided by the Act are
available to eligible employees upon written request to the Board of Trustees.
(Please see attached for complete details)
Matt Montowski made a motion to adopt the new language into the Employment Manual. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to waive the public hearing for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control regarding the managing members and voting interest for the permit holder for 1812 at the Island House, LLC. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to renew the OSFA Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy with Ohio Public Risk Insurance Agency dba VFIS of Ohio for $2,912 effective October 9, 2021 through October 9, 2022. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to increase the hourly wage for maintenance employee Chris Scott by one dollar, for a total of $19 per hour, effective with the pay period beginning September 13, 2021. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to purchase five trees for the North Point Preserve from Otto and Urban Landscaping including labor to plant the trees for a total of $1,202. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer