Minutes: March 9th, 2010


CATAWBA ISLAND TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 2010

The regular meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by chairman Gary Mortus at 7:30 p.m. on March 9, 2010 in the conference room. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

In attendance: Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Pat Cerny, William VanDerGiessen, Tom Reinert, Arnie Milefchik, Tony Corona, Brian Snyder, Bob Snyder, Tom Ervin, and John Gangway.

Pat Cerny read the minutes of the February 23rd . Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the minutes as read seconded by William Rofkar. All voted aye.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills in the amount of $50,494.05 seconded by Matt Montowski. William Rofkar, aye; Matt Montowski, aye; Gary Mortus, aye.

Correspondence included: Ottawa County Board of Elections regarding the rough proof of ballot to be used in the May Primary Election, May 4, 2010 regarding the proposed electric aggregation and requiring our approval of the ballot language.

Invitation from the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office to the Annual Meeting of the Ottawa County Township Association being held on April 6, 2010.

Spoerr Precast Concrete, Inc. invitation to their 2010 Open House on March 31, 2010.

Letter from Dan Barlow to the Trustees acknowledging Karen Shaws efforts into putting the new Cemetery program together.

Gem Beach Lot Owners Association with concerns of Phase 1 of the Beach Towne Condominium Project.

Mark Mulligan, Ottawa County Prosecutor, expressing his gratitude for our contribution to the Task Force.

Robert Hille, Ottawa County Treasurer, notifying the taxing authority of the township intitled to share in the proceeds of four estates.

Todd Bickley, regarding the public hearing on March 23rd for the 2010 Community Development Block Grant Program.

Joint Solid Waste Management District survey to be completed regarding solid waste recycling for current and future waste and recycling programs in the District.

James Proffitt, News Herald, providing a brief questionnaire regarding the District Advisory Council and their role in voting new members onto the Ottawa County Board of Health.

Aaron Willoughby and Shannon Pitts representing the FC Titans Soccer Club requesting the township’s help in paying for the paint to line the soccer field at Heigel Park for the 2010 soccer season including three quotes for 20 cases of striping paint. Full Source, $719.80; Game Time, $779.00; Athletic Paint, $819.00.

Elizabeth Hermann from Municipal Publications asking if we would be interested in publishing another township map.

Tom Reinert, Peachton Drive, questioned the Ken Gill property on Northeast Catawba Road where the rocks are piled up. He thought it was only to be used for dredging material. A conditional use was issued for the development of natural resources including the extraction of sand, gravel, fill dirt or topsoil in 1999. Gary Mortus thinks it is a commercial use of the property and is an eyesore. William Rofkar stated we could ask him to remove or move his equipment. There was also discussion about 2545 Northeast Catawba Road which a variance was also granted.
William Rofkar stated, property owners apply for variances and they are granted and then we have to deal with the outcome forever and William does not have a problem discussing these issues with Mark Mulligan again.

John Gangway, Fire Chief, stated there are six members of the fire department going to Fire School in Bowling Green and he requested mileage reimbursement. John Gangway also stated there are some minor repairs that need to be done on some fire equipment. All approved by the Trustees.

William VanDerGiessen, current President of the Ottawa County Board of Health, stated he is in attendance to enlighten and answer any questions in regard to the Health Department. The appointment is the responsibility of the DAC and the DAC can act in accordance with your recommendation or they can appoint anyone they choose to appoint. Mr. VanDerGiessen stated he would characterize what is in the newspaper as being a ”witch hunt” and a concentrated effort to discredit a very hard-working employee that has done an outstanding job. William VanderGiessen also stated his main interest is Arnie Milefchik. He has been on the Board for eighteen years and he does an outstanding job. The Board of Health has done an outstanding job fiscally under his guidance. William stated seventeen percent of the budget comes from the various political subdivisions such as Catawba. One percent comes from the State of Ohio. The other eighty three percent is funded by the department itself. He also stated if Chris Redfern has a genuine interest in the Board of Health, he should make it known to the DAC. William VanDerGiessen presented favorable comments regarding Nancy Osborn, Health Commissioner and her long term existence with the Board of Health. Mr. Milefchik also spoke highly of the Board of Health and their duties. William VanDerGiessen also presented a letter that is a press release that was drafted to answer all of the issues that have been raised in the newspaper. Gary Mortus asked if any of the State Auditor’s recommendations have been implemented in the last two months. Mr. VanDerGiessen stated it is a management letter and the content of the management letter is confidential and it was leaked to the newspaper. The only item of substance in the management letter is that the terms of Nancy Osborn’s contract have been amended so that her vacation is a take it or lose it proposition going forward. Gary Mortus stated Arnie Milefchik should be on the ballot to be re-elected and if Chris Redfern wants to be on that ballot, the democratic process needs to work.

William Rofkar would like to invite Dan Barlow, Maintenance Supervisor, to the Ottawa County Township Association meeting hosted by the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office on April 6, 2010.

Matt Montowski has set up a training session/ work session for the two zoning boards for April 7, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the conference room. Todd Bickley, from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission will be conducting the session along with the Prosecuting Attorney, Mark Mulligan and pizza and a beverage will be provided. The Trustees are also invited.

Matt Montowski also received a call from Marine Max Attorney Richard Gillum on February 26 in regard to the parking along the buildings where a variance was granted and Matt replied to him they are still parking and not conforming to the township zoning requirements and there is still a bunch of leftover debris on the south side of the building. Matt received a letter from Richard Gillum, dated March 8th, stating he visited the Marine Max premises on March 4th and discussed the matter with Sam Lowrey. Mr. Gillum stated upon his visit he saw that the “No Parking” signs have been installed on the north side of the buildings and the junk on the east side of the building except for a few minor items has been removed and have not observed anyone parking in the fire lane since our last correspondence. He also stated his client would continue to police the area in question to make sure they are in compliance with the terms.

Matt Montowski stated at the last meeting we discussed the public records policy and he contacted Dr. Philip Russo, director of the Center for Public Management Regional Affairs at Miami University and he sent Matt a copy of their public records policy and he also talked to Mark Mulligan about the issue of e-mail retention and public record policy and he referred him to the Ohio Township Association and they also e-mailed Matt a copy of a public records policy. Matt suggested to review all of this when we redo our employee manual.

Pat Cerny presented a zoning report for January and February of 2010.

2 deck permits issued
6 addition permits issued
2 new home permits issued
1 home occupation permit issued
1 application for a variance

The Trustees agreed to renew their five-year contract with Cintas for the Maintenance Departments uniform service and the matt service.

Gary Mortus stated he will be working with the drainage issue on Poplar Street by the new condos as there is a larger catch basin moving into a smaller tile going into the harbor. Gem Beach was supposed to increase the tile size and it has not been done and he will do a follow up on this.

William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn seconded by Matt Montowski. All voted aye. 9:00 p.m.

Chairman Fiscal Officer

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