Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
June 27, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, June 27, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room
of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dan Barlow, Jack Madison, Brad Schwan, William Baker,
Lisa Murphy, Ann Rumpf, and Roey Shessler
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the June 13, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $120,476.79. The total includes a payment of $41,432 to Hylant Administrative Services for property and liability insurance and a payment of $3,000 to DeAngelo Contracting Services for spraying weeds at various township locations. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A card of thanks from Diane Belden for the flowers sent to the funeral home at the passing of her mother and for support during her difficult time.
An email from Steve Busby requesting use of the Community Hall on Saturday, August 12, for a family gathering.
Trustees agreed Steve Busby can use the Community Hall for the family event and waived the rental fee.
A letter of compliance from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding the recent comprehensive inspection of the township compost site. No violations were discovered during the inspection.
An email from Steve Lovitt requesting permission to close the road from the Gem Beach Marina, Twin Beach Road Storage lot to the Marine Store at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, for the Gem Beach 4th of July parade. Trustees agreed to the brief road closure as requested.
A letter from the Ottawa County Board of Elections regarding the Special Election to be held on Tuesday, August 8.
A letter from Ottawa County regarding the electric aggregation program and opt out deadline.
A letter and price list from Oliger Seed Company.
The Fairway Villas Times Summer 2023 newsletter.
An announcement from the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce regarding the Classic Car Show to be held on Saturday, August 5.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said he is getting estimates to replace the air conditioning units at the Community Hall.
Trustees agreed to have the motor replaced on one of the units for approximately $1,400 and review estimates to replace all units in the near future.
Kevin Johnson said maintenance personnel completed road work on Crogan including changing a couple catch basins and completing tile work before paving begins. He said they also made some improvements in the roadway at Basin in Gem Beach. Kevin Johnson said gravel will be added at the chapel for parking.
William Rofkar said Craig Miller of the Engineer’s Office suggested paving wider around the catch basin on Crogan. He said to pave all the way to the fence will add about $3,000 to our paving cost. William Rofkar said township paving will begin any day.
Trustees agreed to pave the additional area for an extra $3,000.
Diane Belden asked Kevin Johnson if the large Do Not Enter sign can be removed in the cemetery because it appears very unwelcoming.
Kevin Johnson said they are having problems with people driving through the grass. He said the sign could be taken down now but would need to be put back up in the spring when the grass is wet. Kevin Johnson said visitors’ park at the columbarium and then people drive around the cars in that area. He said there are headstones in the area that could get hit and it is killing the grass.
Diane Belden said the sign is massive and seems very unwelcoming when people are paying their respects for a loved one. She said she did not realize people backing up was an ongoing concern but it is her opinion she would like to see a smaller sign or have it removed for a while.
William Rofkar said with signs if you do not make them obvious no one is going to pay attention.
Fire
Diane Belden said Saturday, July 8, will be the annual Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department Chicken Barbecue from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Parks
Brad Schwan presented quotes for repairing the two tennis courts at Heigel Park. The CourtSmiths provided quotes to repair the tennis courts for $16,400 and to replace the tennis courts for $94,800.
New Business
William Rofkar confirmed the Fall Clean Up Days are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23.
William Rofkar said regarding the property located at 513 NE Catawba Road, he called the owner and the grass has been cut. The poison hemlock complaint is resolved.
Matt Montowski said he received an email from Douglas Coppeler regarding the vacated development by Safe Harbor Development where old trees were cleared from NE to the NW Catawba Roads and now invasive plants and rodents are encroaching his property. Matt Montowski said he is working on sending the owners a letter to address the mowing issue.
Matt Montowski said regarding a complaint of a perpetual garage sale across from Twin Oast, the property is zoned C3 so there is not a lot that can be done.
Matt Montowski said a complaint was received about a camper hooked up to a house at 2009 NW Catawba Road and the house looks vacant. He said a letter was sent reminding the owner that recreational vehicles are not allowed to be used as dwellings on an individual house lot. He said vehicles can be parked on lots for recreational occupancy for not more 72 hours in a 30 day period.
Matt Montowski said a complaint was received about unlicensed vehicles at 2985 NE Catawba Road. He said the owners were sent a letter noting only one unlicensed vehicle shall be parked or stored on any residential zoned property and parking or storage must be in the rear yard.
Matt Montowski said Dan Barlow provided a quote from Franklin Monument, Ltd for two fourteen inch bronze circle emblems to add to the Veterans wall, one each for the Merchant Marines and Space Force, at a cost of $1,200 each or $2,400 total.
Matt Montowski said the other five military emblems to be placed in the new wall are concrete and need to be painted and maintained. He said he would like all the emblems to match.
Karen Shaw agreed to get a quote from Coldspring for the bronze emblems and Dan Barlow will get another quote from Franklin Monument for all emblems.
Matt Montowski said Patty Wildman is retiring Friday and applicants interviewed for the part time position were looking for benefits.
A discussion took place regarding making the position full time with benefits.
Trustees agreed to advertise the front office position again as full time with benefits at $18 per hour.
Matt Montowski said Vicki Wheatley offered to help out in the office until the position is filled.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve Vicki Wheatley as interim help in the front office at $18 per hour. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Lisa Murphy asked if the Fire Department meeting minutes are posted and if not, can they be.
Trustees agreed to look into the matter.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer