Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
November 22, 2022
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, November 22, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Jack Madison, Lisa Murphy, Carl Sorgen, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the November 8, 2022 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 $72,914.69. The total includes a payment of $9,006.38 to the Ottawa county Engineer’s Office for road striping. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A donation and letter of appreciation from Andy and Marlene Benko for the superb maintenance of the cemetery grounds.
A letter from Tom Letterhos requesting use of the Community Hall in December for a family gathering.
Trustees agreed Tom Letterhos could use the Community Hall as requested and waived the rental fee.
A letter from Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney James VanEerten, Sheriff Stephen Levorchick, and OCDTF Commander Matt Gandee regarding Ottawa County Drug Task Force 2023 Funding and a request for a contribution proportionate to the population in our political subdivision.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve a donation of $3,250 to the Ottawa County Drug Task Force for 2023 Funding. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
A letter from Great Lakes Community Action Partnership regarding the Community Housing & Impact Preservation Program (CHIP) which provides home repairs for eligible homeowners such as ADA modifications, exterior repairs, electrical and plumbing system upgrades, and heating and cooling fixes.
Maintenance
William Rofkar reported that maintenance personnel have winterized the restrooms at Heigel Park and the Chapel and will pull the public docks in the near future from the West Harbor Boat Launch.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the purchase of two backhoe tires and mounting from Ohio Diesel for a total of $1,883.70. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said he will have a quote for a new police vehicle in early 2023. The estimated cost will be around $45,000.
Parks
Jack Madison said the Parks Board would like to see the tennis courts at Heigel Park get resurfaced next year.
Diane Belden said she was recently asked if it would be possible to plant a tree in Heigel Park in memory of a friend who had passed away.
Trustees agreed a memorial tree could be planted in Heigel Park as requested. William Rofkar said he and Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson will meet with individuals to discuss location and placement.
New Business
Diane Belden said the Wreaths Across America ceremony will take place at the cemetery on Saturday, December 17, at 11:00 a.m.
Matt Montowski said he recently spoke with Jannah Wilson of the Ottawa County Parks Board as she has requested a meeting to discuss the Catawba Islander Trail. He said he suggested she come to a regular Trustee meeting to give an update but encouraged her to first reach out to the Ottawa County Engineer regarding the feasibility of crosswalks on a street with no intersection and putting bike paths down Porter and North Haven. Matt Montowski said he feels the Ottawa County Parks Board has more homework to do before they discuss the plan with Trustees. He said he also suggested that they meet with Police Chief John Gangway, Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons, and Kent Johnson of Port Clinton EMS to get their thoughts.
William Rofkar asked Jack Madison to pass along to the Ottawa County Parks Board that he wants to see the proposed trail on a map.
Jack Madison said they are working on Phase I of the project but it is still not clear where the trail will be mapped.
William Rofkar said he has attended meetings and heard concepts but until the route is mapped out it will be hard for Trustees to weigh in on the project.
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board for the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Diane Belden and William Rofkar to the 2023 Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board for CIVFD. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Randy Riedmaier to the 2023 Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board for CIVFD. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar said he checked with legal counsel at the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office regarding a request to make Trustee meetings available via Zoom so as not to be in violation of the American with Disabilities Act and was informed that the township is not required to hold meetings via Zoom or to televise meetings.
Carl Sorgen discussed design options for a memorial wall in the township cemetery. He said a representative from Precision Monument is interested in the potential project and will likely attend a future meeting to discuss further.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer