Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2026
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Shelly Garcia, Chris Cellier, Quintin Smith, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Barb Osterling, Robert Garcia, Ann Rumpf, Dan Barlow, DJ Litz, David Belden, Louie Wargo, Jean Hartline, John Gibson, Emily Gibson, Rick Smetzer, Lisa Murphy, Randy Riedmaier and Jack Madison.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden asked for a motion to approve the March 10, 2026 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes. Chris Cellier stated that he would like to add some wording on to a sentence in part of the minutes, while still moving forward with the approval. Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia stated that she would need to verify the additional wording with the actual recording of the minutes for accuracy. It was decided to hold off approval of the March 10, 2026 meeting minutes until the next meeting on April 14, 2026 to allow the fiscal officer to verify the requested changes.
Chris Cellier made a motion to approve the February 24, 2026 Special Zoning Hearing meeting minutes as presented. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including payroll, in the amount of $984,714.03. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. This total includes payment of $22,500 to Lake Erie Tree Services and $926,453.03 to HME for the new fire engine for the Vol. Fire Dept.
Correspondence
A request from maintenance employee, Jakeb Aldrich, was submitted for use of the community hall and waiving of fees for a family function. All trustees agreed to this request.
Letter from Louie Wargo regarding the 2026 ICS School Auction. He is asking the trustees to approve use of the fire truck for this event. In years past the trustees allowed the Vol. Fire Dept. to sponsor a “ride from school in a fire truck”. The trustees agreed to allow this again this year.
The Ottawa Co. Engineers Office sent over four approved permits to notify the trustees of work being done in the area. Three of the permits were for Frontier and one for Columbia Gas.
The insurance renewal plan was received from Hylant Insurance Services regarding township owned property. The current plan is up for renewal on June 15, 2026. Hylant asked that all department heads review the current property along with value and advise of any changes. The Police, Fire and Maintenance Departments all returned their completed forms and Hylant will be notified of any changes needed. They will then send the Fiscal Officer the renewal proposal and quote.
The Fiscal Officer notified Hylant about the new fire engine that will be picked up in the next week or so, and they have added it to the township policy.
The Fiscal Officer advised the trustees that the township insurance plan is up for renewal on May 1, 2026 and Frank Harmon from Ohio Insurance Services sent over three options for the trustees to review. Prior to the Fiscal Office beginning to explain these three options, trustee Chris Cellier stated that he consulted with legal counsel and believed it was appropriate to recuse himself from the participation in the township’s selection of a health insurance company due to the fact that he works in the health insurance industry and to avoid potential of an appearance of a conflict of interest. He excused himself from the room to allow the other two trustees to continue the discussion.
The Fiscal Officer then presented the three options she received from Ohio Insurance Services and the two trustees agreed that continuing with the current company (Anthem), selecting proposed option one would be best.
Quintin Smith stated that he would like to look into having local health insurance companies provide bids for next year. He stated that it is too late for this year, but possibly next year bringing in other companies to see if we can get a better deal for our employees. Diane Belden agreed.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve Anthem Insurance (proposed option one). Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion approved. Chris Cellier re-entered the room after the motion was approved.
The Ottawa Co. Engineers Office sent a reminder to the township regarding the 2026 Road Striping Project. The township participates in this program each year to allow the engineers office to get bids for striping of township roads.
Chris Cellier made a motion for Catawba Island Township to participate in the Ottawa Co. Engineers 2026 Road Striping program. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion Carried. The fiscal officer will complete the required resolution and send to the engineer’s office.
Chris Cellier then read the following:
Pursuant to ORC 121.22, I move to enter into an executive session:
To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing.
Chris stated it was specifically to discuss employment of a zoning inspector and appointments to the zoning commission, board of zoning appeals and parks boards.
Fiscal Officer, Shelly Garica completed a roll call vote:
Diane Belden aye
Chris Cellier aye
Quintin Smith aye
Executive session was entered into at 6:22 p.m.
At 7:17 the trustees came out of executive session and again a roll call vote was completed by the fiscal officer.
Diane Belden aye
Chris Cellier aye
Quintin Smith aye
Maintenance
Supervisor, Kevin Johnson, stated that the compost area is becoming very busy and it is being used by commercial companies. He stated they have noticed that many of these companies who are dumping in the compost area are not coming from Catawba. Kevin stated that standards need to be put in place as the township is spending a lot of money to grind everyone else’s stuff.
Many options were brought up as to what can be done. Gates, signs, key card, cameras, etc. Kevin stated that he will look into some options and bring them back to the trustees.
At the last meeting Kevin submitted a quote to the trustees for a new John Deere backhoe. On that quote there was a trade in value for the old one the maintenance department would turn in. Quintin Smith stated that he thought the township could get more out of the old backhoe if we sold it. Diane mention GovDeals as we have had good luck in selling other township vehicles/equipment there. They will discuss this at the next meeting when more information in obtained.
Kevin stated that he was also looking into getting bids for siding the community hall. He will advise when theses bids are received.
Police
Diane asked Chief Gangway what the status was on the Cyber-Security Policy. He stated that we have two options. The Ohio Township Association came up with a free policy that we can use or we can pay a company (Flacon Forge) approx. $1600 to do the work for us and ensure we are compliant with the policy. Chief Gangway stated that a representative from Falcon Forge would be willing to come and do a presentation. The trustees agreed that they would like someone to come to the next meeting if possible. Chief Gangway said he will get with them and let the trustees know.
Fire
Louie Wargo stated that he and Chief Gibbons will be going to Michigan on March 30th to pick up the new fire truck. He stated they will also be taking truck 226 to have some warranty issues looked at.
Chris Cellier asked Louie if the Fireman’s Association has had any discussions about potentially contributing to the SCBA equipment purchase. Louie stated that they did vote to approve a contribution to go towards the SCBA purchase, but he did not feel that he was at liberty to say how much at this time. He stated that the association was going to put together something formal to present to the trustees.
Chief Gangway stated that about five minutes before the meeting today that the SCBA equipment had arrived.
Parks
Jack Madison stated that Chris Cellier went to the Ottawa Co. Park District and made a case for trying to build a new relationship between the CIT trustees and the Ottawa Co. Park Board. At that meeting the Ottawa Co. Park District agreed to take $20,000 out of their capital fund and put towards the $20,000 grant that the township was awarded. The $40,000 total would be applied towards the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Heigel Park.
Chris stated that he is grateful for the Parks District in putting forth this money to apply towards this project. He stated the total project was $74,500. He stated the trustees would now need to approve to accept the $20,000 grant that was awarded, and a representative from the township would then meet with the Parks District to sign the contract.
Chris Cellier made a motion to accept the $20,000 grant money from the Park District of Ottawa County for the tennis court refinishing at Heigel Park and also to meet with them and sign the contract. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Quintin Smith made a motion to graciously accept the additional $20,000 from the Park District of Ottawa County. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Quintin Smith stated he met with Karl from Seacom LLC regarding the projector for the Community Hall. He presented a quote from Rzlynt for a 6500 lumen PowerLite Projector & cart. It comes with a 100’ screen, remote and includes labor. The total cost of this quote is $4,800. He suggests we proceed with this for the community hall and see how we like it and then make a decision to see if we would want one for the administration building or fire station, or it is mobile and can be moved from one location to another if needed.
Diane Belden asked if we should get a few other quotes to compare. Quintin stated that our IT person felt comfortable with this projector and the price, and he felt confident with this quote.
Quintin Smith made a motion to proceed with the purchase of the Rzlynt Projector as presented in the quote in the amount of $4,800. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Quintin Smith spoke about thoughts that he had for a future project for land that the township owned. He passed out maps of the location of land in question and then passed around AI renderings of a green house with retractable roof to grow peaches. He stated it would be a way to perpetuate Catawba peaches in years to come. He stated there may be grant monies to help with this future project. He stated that he will keep working on this project in trying to keep the history of peaches on Catawba.
Chris Cellier made a motion to hire Jean Hartline as assistant zoning inspector effective March 27, 2026, and then to zoning inspector effective May 4, 2026. Pay to start at $35/hour up to 24 hours per week with the possibility of additional hours as approved by the trustees. There will be a six-month probation period starting May 4, 2026. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chris Cellier then thanked all the applicants who applied for the zoning inspector position and to Todd Bickley for stepping in and serving the community for many years.
Chris Cellier made a motion to appoint Brian Caldwell to the Board of Zoning Appeals as a regular member for a term to expire December 2030. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chris Cellier made a motion to appoint Michael Schenk to the Board of Zoning Appeals as a regular member to fill the unexpired vacancy of Bryan Baugh. This term would expire in December 2027. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chris Cellier made a motion to appoint Flint Heidlebaugh to the Board of Zoning Appeals as an alternate with the term to expire December 2026. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chris Cellier made a motion to appoint Rick Smetzer to the Board of Zoning Appeals as an alternate with the term to expire December 2026. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden reported that she attended the annual meeting for the health department and has the annual report for 2025. She stated that it was very informative and she would leave it in the lobby if anyone would like to review it.
Diane stated that our office administrator, Mary Jane, will be back on April 6th, she thanked John Gangway and Shelly Garcia for filling in for the past two months to make this all go very smoothly.
Jean Hartline asked the trustees about the tunnel project that was presented at the last meeting. She asked who would be reviewing the engineering plans for that. The trustees stated that the county was here for the last meeting and they will be reviewing all plans regarding the tunnel.
Chris Cellier made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday April 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer