Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, July 11, 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, Shelly Garcia, Lisa Murphy, Ann Rumpf, and
Roey Shessler
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the June 27, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as amended. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $48,042.79. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter emailed from Lisa Murphy expressing concern regarding the lack of transparency with the township meeting minutes and conversations that have occurred at township meetings and were not typed into the meeting minutes.
Certification from the Ottawa County Board of Health that the amount to be included in the Budget for our Taxing District for the support of the General Health District for the fiscal year 2024 is $73,762.94.
A letter from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Assessment for services in support of the ORPC for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 based on a population of 3,711 persons at a rate of $0.60 per person.
Matt Montowski made a motion to continue support of the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission for their services and pay the fee of $2,226.60. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
A letter from the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office regarding the next round of Ohio Public Works Commission applications.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the June 2023 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were seven zoning permits issued in June and two variances for a total of $1,330 collected in fees.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said road paving will begin next week weather permitting.
Kevin Johnson presented bids for replacing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units at the Community Hall. Ohler & Holzhauer, Inc. $24,615.10 (plus $195 for two WiFi thermostats and $350 for permits), Coppeler Heating & Electric, Inc. $30,181, and Gundlach $32,850.
William Rofkar made a motion to contract with Ohler & Holzhauer to install three Lennox HVAC units at the Community Hall for an amount not to exceed $25,000 including the cost of permits. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Matt Montowski said in regard to Lisa Murphy’s letter the township is audited and the meeting minutes are reviewed but only motions and actions made by the board are required to be included in the meeting minutes. He said the meeting minutes are also posted on the township website but that is not a requirement.
Lisa Murphy said the Trustee meetings are an open forum and residents should have input on what is included and approved in the meeting minutes.
Matt Montowski said Trustee meetings are open to the public, but individuals in attendance are guests. He said Township Trustees are responsible for approving the meeting minutes.
Dan Barlow presented a sample 14 inch military emblem and a quote from Franklin Monument Ltd. for seven bronze military emblems at a cost of $1,200 each for the new Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
Karen Shaw presented a quote from Coldspring for 16 inch military emblems at a cost of $655 each. She said a sample emblem is being shipped for comparison.
William Rofkar made a motion to pay Ernie Wylie $20 for a fire department training he attended in February. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
Diane Belden said the individual was visiting the fire department to see everyone but had not yet provided a return to work slip from his doctor and he did not sign the training sheet. She said she is uncomfortable with him being paid to attend fire department training when he had not yet been cleared by his doctor and he didn’t sign the sheet and our policy says that you sign for payment.
A lengthy conversation took place.
Karen Shaw said the township is liable if a firefighter attends training and is injured. She said we need to make the policy clear so that all the department heads are following the same set of rules.
Matt Montowski said the policy is clear, but in this case the individual was off on a seasonal leave.
Karen Shaw said he was not on seasonal leave from the fire department. We know for a fact that he was off for medical related reasons and he provided a return to work note from his doctor in April. Karen Shaw asked if we require return to work slips for fire fighters and all employees.
William Rofkar said we do.
Karen Shaw said the fire department did not in this case.
William Rofkar said people can get training without exerting themselves. He said what he learned was valuable to the township even though he can’t use it for months, it is something the township will benefit from in the future.
Matt Montowski said a motion and a second has been made. Vote on the motion: William Rofkar aye, Matt Montowski aye, Diane Belden opposed. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she would like the minutes to reflect she opposed because she does not feel the employee was back on active duty.
Former Fire Chiefs John Gangway and Dan Barlow spoke in favor of making the policy clear and requiring return to work slips before members are permitted to attend fire department training or go on fire calls.
Diane Belden made a motion to enter into a contract with Masonry Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $144,700 for the 2023 Veterans’ Memorial Update Project on this 11th day of July, 2023, with an agreement for completion of work in 120 consecutive calendar days. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she would like to have a ground breaking ceremony at the site as it is good public relations and lets the community know why we are tearing up the cemetery. She said Tom Evans is honored to be working on the project and would like to participate in a ground breaking ceremony. Diane Belden said it would be good to include Trustees or veterans from Catawba Island.
William Rofkar said he is not interested in something at this point. He said we are changing something that exists and he could see once the project is finished showing it off to the public.
Matt Montowski agreed said he would rather wait until the project is complete.
William Rofkar and Matt Montowski said Diane Belden can participate in a ground breaking for the cemetery project if she wants but they will not participate.
Matt Montowski said William Rofkar’s name is on the bid specifications as a contact and he does not want any confusion with Tom Evans or the board as to who is in charge of the project or in control of it. Matt Montowski said he has overseen the project thus far and if there are any changes he will inform the board.
Matt Montowski said Danbury Township is hosting the Ottawa County Township Association on Thursday, July 27, at 5 p.m. at the new fire station.
Matt Montowski made a motion to hire Mary Jane Porozynski as part time administrative assistant at $18 per hour with no benefits and not to exceed 30 hours per week. He said she can start as soon as possible. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer