Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, November 14, at 9:01 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Mary Jane Porozynski, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Louie Wargo, Dorothy Baker, William Baker, Brad Schwan, and Lisa Murphy
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the October 24, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. William Rofkar and Matt Montowski voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the regular payroll and the third quarter CIVFD payroll, in the amount of $177,037.80. The total includes a payment of $42,187.50 to the City of Port Clinton for third quarter EMS services, a final payment of $31,400 to Masonry Construction for the Veterans Area in the cemetery, and a payment of $24,850 to Lake Erie Tree Service for grinding mulch. The total also includes a payment of $5,950.40 to Motorola Solutions for an in car police camera and a final payment of $7,940.50 to Republic Services for the fall cleanup. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. William Rofkar and Matt Montowski voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter of resignation from Police Officer Devin Pollock with an effective date of November 30.
Matt Montowski made a motion to accept Police Officer Devin Pollock’s resignation from the township police department with an effective date of November 30. William Rofkar seconded the motion. William Rofkar and Matt Montowski voted aye. Motion carried.
A letter from Tom Letterhos requesting use of the Community Hall for a family gathering.
Trustees agreed Tom Letterhos can use the Community Hall as requested and waived the fee.
A letter from Sara Hill of the Park District of Ottawa County requesting permission for a bonus Guided Walk on Wednesday, November 22, at 1 p.m. at Cedar Meadow Preserve. Jannah Wilson, Executive Director of the Park District of Ottawa County, will lead the walk.
Trustees agreed they are not opposed to the request but asked Brad Schwan of the Catawba Island Park Board to respond to the request following the Park Board’s meeting on Wednesday.
A letter from the Board of Park Commissioners, Park District of Ottawa County, in response to the Trustees letter regarding the Catawba Islander Trail and Greenway Phase One Master Plan. The Board of Park Commissioners noted they appreciated Trustees feedback and value Trustees concerns regarding use of the specified Township roads and property for the proposed trail and are revisiting possible routing options in Phase One to comply with stipulations noted in the Trustees letter.
William Rofkar said he would prefer the Park District of Ottawa County communicate directly with the Catawba Island Park Board regarding the Catawba Islander Trail and Greenway. He said the Parks Board understands Trustees concerns with the roadways and crosswalks.
Matt Montowski said the Catawba Island Park Board recently made the motion that the Catawba Islander Trail does not attach or go through the township park preserves. He said that is a big thing and thinks the Park District of Ottawa County should communicate with the Catawba Island Park Board and the Park Board can make a recommendation to the Trustees.
Brad Schwan said the Catawba Island Parks Board would be happy to communicate with Trustees and be the go between and communicate concerns.
Fiscal
Mary Jane Porozynski reported that Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw provided the October 2023 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Mary Jane Porozynski said that Karen Shaw reported Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc. is offering continued participation in the ACA Small Employer Reporting Program for the tax year 2023 for a fee of $50 plus $15 per covered employee.
Trustees agreed to continue participation in the ACA Small Employer Reporting Program offered by Ohio Insurance Services.
Mary Jane Porozynski said Karen Shaw reported the cost for Spring Cleanup was $9,995 and Fall Cleanup was $9,911 for a combined cost of $19,906 for 2023 Cleanup Days.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were fourteen zoning permits issued in October and six variances with a total of $2,967.72 collected in fees.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Mike Schenk as an alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals for the month of December 2023. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Kevin Johnson said maintenance personnel have been picking up leaves and will continue to do so a few more weeks.
Kevin Johnson said Kreimes will come again this fall and clean their driveway sealer with a 50/50 mix of water and spray on the compost road to keep the dust down. He said there is no charge.
William Rofkar made a motion to repair the overhead garage door at the maintenance building for $1,350 per proposal from JVS Garage Door. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Parks
Brad Schwan reported the Pickleball courts are nearly complete. He said some final painting will need to be completed in the spring.
Fire
Louie Wargo discussed a quote from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for parts needed for tanker 220 in the amount of $2,730. He said some work will be completed on the tanker in house and then it will be sent to W.W. Williams for additional repairs.
William Rofkar made a motion to purchase the necessary parts from Atlantic Emergency Solutions in the amount of $2,730. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Louie Wargo reported CIVFD members responded to six fire calls including four false alarms, a brush fire and an electrical fire, and 22 EMS calls for a total of 28 calls responded to in October.
Trustees agreed the CIVFD can use the lobby of the administration building annually to collect non-perishable food items for their annual food drive.
New Business
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the payment of expenses for the Township Trustees, current Fiscal Officer and incoming Fiscal Officer to attend the 2024 Ohio Township Association Winter Conference in February. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski said that Diane Belden received a complaint about the speed limit in Colony Club and a resident would like the speed limit lowered.
Matt Montowski said the speed limit is 25 mph and the speed limit is the lowest it can be in the township and he asked that police patrol the area a little more often for enforcement.
Lisa Murphy said she would like to recommend the Park District of Ottawa County put a fence or gate up at the property they are purchasing on NW Catawba Road to keep individuals out in the evening.
William Rofkar said when the property becomes publicly accessible the police department will patrol the area.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer