Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
December 28, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Thursday, December 28, 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, Randy Riedmaier, Dorothy Baker, William Baker, Mary Jane Porozynski and Tom Catalano.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the December 12, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the payroll, in the amount of $77,567.61. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Reggie Langford relinquishing his appointment to the Parks Board and resigning effective January 1, 2024.
Diane Belden made a motion to accept Reggie Langford’s resignation from the Parks Board. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
A letter from Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney James VanEerten, Sheriff Stephen Levorchick, and OCDTF Commander Matt Gandee regarding Ottawa County Drug Task Force 2024 Funding and a request for a contribution proportionate to the population in our political subdivision.
Trustees said they also received a letter from Police Chief John Gangway expressing the Drug Task Force has not been in communication with Catawba Island Township Police and therefore he is not in support of a funding contribution.
Trustees agreed to hold off making a decision until January.
A letter from the Ottawa County Board of Elections regarding the Primary Election to be held Tuesday, March 19.
A letter from Ottawa County Engineer Ron Lajti regarding the implementation of a new moving permit fee of $50.
A letter from Ron Lajti regarding the new permit form, guidelines and fees.
Trustees signed the 2023 Township Highway System Mileage Certification, provided by the Ottawa County Engineers Office, certifying the total certified mileage at the end of 2023 for Catawba Island Township was 12.705 miles.
The Winter 2023 Fairway Villas Times newsletter.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said personnel are done picking up leaves and will begin collecting Christmas trees left curbside in January.
There was discussion related to the construction, landscaping, and drainage at the entrance to the CIC property next to the cemetery. Kevin Johnson said a stop sign is needed at the construction exit.
New Business
Tom Catalano said he resides at Catawba Island Club and is President of Harbors Edge 3 Homeowners Association. He said there are about seven homeowner associations and they hold a meeting annually where Police Chief Gangway attends and shares community related information. Tom Catalano said the issue that keeps coming up is a concern with medical emergency services.
He asked Trustees to look into the situation closer to see what happens when 911 is called as he believes the ten minute projected time from Port Clinton is optimistic and he asked where people are then taken. Tom Catalano asked Trustees to consider 24/7 ambulance response from Catawba as it has been brought up many times at their homeowners association meetings. He said speaking on behalf of the homeowners associations, everyone would be in support of pushing a 1 mil levy to accommodate a paramedic on-site 24/7 with an ambulance.
Diane Belden said the average response time from Port Clinton EMS is ten minutes.
John Gangway said where patients are taken depends on patient need and staffing, as far as how many ambulances are available at the time. He said typically with a more serious incident such as cardiac or stroke, patients are transported to Firelands or flown out. John Gangway said if staffing is not a concern the decision of which hospital is based on where the patient’s doctor is located.
William Rofkar said these are all things that have been addressed and we are comfortable with. He suggested reading past EMS related meeting minutes to get a better idea of what has been said. William Rofkar said the number of calls do not justify the additional expense. He said Port Clinton has a good system in place and it works very well.
Matt Montowski said the average rural market response time is 18 minutes and we are rural market. He said the average response time for Port Clinton EMS is 9 minutes and our police and CIVFD first responders arrive on scene first. Matt Montowski said we monitor the situation and are doing the best we can. He said it comes down to money too.
Tom Catalano asked Trustee to consider that there is an appetite for supporting a 1 mil levy for emergency services expansion for the large community.
William Rofkar said when the call number gets to the point it is justifiable we could tell the public this is what has to be done but we are not there and we have a system in place that is working well.
Dorothy Baker asked what the call number would have to reach to be justifiable.
William Rofkar said that would be up to the Board but he looks at Danbury and Catawba similarly and they have twice as many runs as Catawba. He said right now he cannot say we can justify 24/7 million dollar coverage.
Diane Belden said Wreaths Across America was held December 16 and it was well attended. She said the new Veterans’ Area Wall was dedicated with State Rep D. J. Swearingen.
Diane Belden said members of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department visited Catawba neighborhoods Saturday, December 23, with a fire truck and Santa Claus to spread Christmas cheer.
Diane Belden said the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependent Fund Board met prior to the Trustees meeting on December 28 to meet the annual requirement.
Karen Shaw reported there were 49 burials in 2023 and 27 Deeds issued including the purchase of 33 graves and five Columbarium niches.
Reorganization for 2024
Chairman Matt Montowski turned the meeting over to Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw for the purpose of electing a Chairman for 2024.
Karen Shaw asked for nominations for Chairman for 2024.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Diane Belden Chairman for the calendar year 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried
Karen Shaw declared Diane Belden Chairman for 2024 and turned the meeting over to her.
Diane Belden asked for nominations for Vice Chairman for 2024.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint William Rofkar as Vice Chairman for the calendar year 2024. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried
Trustees agreed to continue meeting the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Trustees agreed oversight of township departments will remain the same: Matt Montowski, Zoning; Diane Belden, Police and Fire; and William Rofkar, Roads, Cemetery and Buildings.
Trustees agreed Matt Montowski will continue to serve on the Regional Planning Board and
Diane Belden will serve as the alternate. Chairman Diane Belden will attend the Ottawa County Health Department annual meeting. Diane Belden and William Rofkar will continue to serve as Board Members on the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board.
Matt Montowski made a motion to reappoint Doug Blackburn to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five year term expiring December 2028 and reappoint Flint Heidlebaugh and Michael Schenk as
BZA alternates for one year terms expiring December 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to reappoint Matt Gottron to the Zoning Commission for a five year term expiring December 2028 and reappoint Bill Barnes and David Wonnell as alternates to the Zoning Commission for one year terms expiring December 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to continue paying members of the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals a mileage/meeting allowance of $50 per meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The Catawba Island Township Zoning Land Use Plan remains in full force and effect through March 24, 2025.
Matt Montowski made a motion to reappoint Jack Madison, Brad Schwan, Brian Washburn, and Vicki Wheatley to the Parks Board for a one year term through 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Trustees agreed to keep the current zoning fees, cemetery fees, and community hall rental fees the same for 2024.
Matt Montowski made a motion to increase wages for the four police officers by $6 per hour and then an additional 3% effective the pay period beginning Monday, January 1, with a pay date of January 17, 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to increase wages for Kevin Johnson and Dave Behrens $6 per hour and increase wages for Chris Scott and Jakeb Aldrich $5 per hour effective the pay period beginning Monday, January 1, with a pay date of January 17, 2024. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to increase the wage for Ernie Wylie $5 per hour effective the pay period beginning Monday, January 1, with a pay date of January 17, 2024. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to increase the wage for Todd Bickley $6 per hour effective the pay period beginning Monday, January 1, with a pay date of January 17, 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to increase the wage for Mary Jane Porozynski $2 per hour effective the pay period beginning Monday, January 1, with a pay date of January 17, 2024. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Trustees agreed the Casual Labor wage rate of $20 per hour will remain the same.
Matt Montowski made a motion to increase the wage for Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons to $500 per month effective January 2024. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to provide health care coverage for all eligible township employees and elected officials in 2024. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to continue to purchase police uniforms and related items for officers from approved suppliers or reimburse officers for said items with an annual allowance for full-time officers of $650 and part-time officer(s) $250. The unused balance of the annual allowance shall not be carried over from year to year. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Trustees agreed to follow the IRS mileage reimbursement rate for 2024 which is currently .67 cents per mile.
Trustees will hold a Special Meeting with members of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss equipment needs of the department.
The first regular Trustee meeting of 2024 with be held Tuesday, January 9, at 9:00 a.m.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer