Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2024
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, January 23, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Mary Jane Porozynski,
Kevin Johnson, Kevin Gibbons, Marty Auxter, Jack Madison, Michael Prosser, Shelly Garcia, Dorothy Baker, William Baker, Lisa Murphy, and Ann Rumpf
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the January 9, 2024, 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 regular payroll and the fourth quarter CIVFD payroll, in the amount of $118,880.38. The total includes a payment of $42,187.50 to the City of Port Clinton for the fourth quarter EMS contract and a contribution of $3,250 to the Ottawa County Drug Task Force. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Dave Howell expressing interest in serving on the Catawba Island Parks Board.
An email from Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons regarding updating Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department Station Access Control.
An email from Michael Prosser regarding a request for the Marsh’s Crossing PUD duplex modification.
Fiscal
William Rofkar made a motion to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order to Lexipol for $3,526.30 for the Annual Law Enforcement Policy Manual & Training Bulletins and also approve a Then and Now Purchase Order to 795 Tire Service for $2,124.50 for three sets of Eagle Enforcer Tires for Police Interceptors. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Zoning
Michael Prosser presented a request for the Marsh’s Crossing PUD duplex modifications regarding a change to the garage locations and avoidance of an area on the site plan resulting in a reduction of the number of lots from 13 to 12. He said this will allow more space between lots and also previously the garages were 19’ x 20’ and will now be 24’ x 24’.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve Marsh’s Crossing PUD minor deviation as presented to reduce the number of lots from 13 to 12 and also change the garages for the duplex to expand them a little bit. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said they are going to replace the door changing the hinges and the way the door on the new restroom building at the marina swings open because it bends during strong winds and the door is bent due to wind damage and will not close all the way.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve a contract with JVS Garage Door for $2,950 to replace the steel door on the men’s restroom at the West Harbor Boat Launch. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said there is no sign that says “residents only” at the township compost facility and she would like a sign to indicate that at the entrance.
Fire
Kevin Gibbons presented two quotes for a new security system at the CIVFD station including cameras, locks, and installation: ADT Security $6,808.90 with a $128.62 monthly monitoring fee and Catawba Security $10,021 with a $60 monthly monitoring fee.
Diane Belen made a motion to contract with ADT Security for a new security system at the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department station not to exceed $7,000 plus a monthly monitoring fee of $128.62. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to purchase twelve microphones from Cleveland Communications for a total of $4,799.76. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin Gibbons said CIVFD members worked with Put-In-Bay Fire Department and the Coast Guard to rescue 22 people off the ice on Monday, January 22.
Diane Belden reported Port Clinton EMS responded to 53 calls in October, 42 in November, and 51 calls in December for a total of 146 EMS calls responded to the fourth quarter of 2023. She said PC EMS responded to a total of 528 runs in 2023 which is 78 runs over the contracted 450 runs so the township will be charged for an overage of 78 runs at a cost of $375 each for a total of $29,250.
Diane Belden said there were 21 EMS transports in 2023 from Water Street for incidents from on board Miller Ferry or at the dock location.
Parks
A discussion took place regarding Dave Howell and his support of the Catawba Island Parks Board in the past.
Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Dave Howell to the Catawba Island Parks Board. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Matt Montowski said he would like to reapply for a township credit card in the name of the township and asked the board to approve a resolution authorizing him to execute the agreement.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve pursuing a Catawba Island Township Credit Card through Huntington Bank with Trustee Matt Montowski making the arrangements. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she reached out to Tony Corona regarding the buffer between Fairway Cottages at CIC and the cemetery. She said he replied that they have engaged with a professional landscaper and developed a plan to have natural looking materials that provides a buffer between the cemetery west side and it will complement the entrance way. He said they have more plants to install and there will be trees and plants that provide a nice cover between the cemetery border and the area.
Lisa Murphy asked what the time frame is for ADT to complete the work at the fire station.
Marty Auxter said one to two weeks.
Lisa Murphy asked Trustees about approving Dave Howell for the Parks Board after saying they would look at all the applicants.
Diane Belden said according to Jack Madison two people that previously applied had moved and two were no longer interested.
William Rofkar said the Trustees review the applicants and make appointments to the Park Board.
Lisa Murphy asked what is with the uneasiness with not having a credit card right now.
William Rofkar said we need a credit card to run the township and they are appropriate.
Lisa Murphy said a couple weeks ago Trustees responded to a gentleman and told him to go read the fire department minutes. She asked where you can read the fire department minutes.
William Rofkar said he suggested the gentleman read the Board of Trustees meeting minutes on the subject of EMS. He said the Fireman’s Association is not required to provide meeting minutes.
Lisa Murphy asked why there is not more transparency in regards to the Fireman’s Association posting meeting minutes.
Diane Belden said the association is funded by private donations and memorials and not by tax payer dollars so they are not required to post meeting minutes.
Lisa Murphy said there should be a stipulation that if the township pays for an individual to go to EMT training they should have to remain on the department for a certain number of runs.
Diane Belden said it could happen where an individual decides not to stay following completion of training, but for the most part individuals do remain on the department for some time.
William Rofkar said the fire department is volunteer so the more restrictions and conditions you put on volunteers joining to help the community you are actually discouraging from them from joining.
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