Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2026
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, April 14, at 9:00 a.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, Lisa Murphy, Mary Jane Porozynski, Dan Barlow, Jack Madison, Nancy Oreskovich, John Crisp, Eric Schramm, Scott Hines, Jim Stouffer, Kim Mulholland, Mike Antonyzyn, Emily Cellier, David Belden, Robert Wowk, Ann T. Rumpf, Bill O’Donnell, Claudia O’Donnell, Scott Tanner, Louie Wargo and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Chris Cellier made a motion to approve the March 10, 2026, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented as they were not approved at the previous meeting due to a question in some of the wording. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chris Cellier made a motion to approve the March 24, 2026, Board of Trustees regular 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 $206,577.78. This includes quarterly payroll for the Volunteer Fire Department and a payment of $131,252.00 to Fire Safety Services for the SCBA equipment. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia received the 2025 Ottawa County Engineer’s Annual Report. She will leave this information in the lobby for anyone who wishes to review it.
The Ottawa County Engineer’s Office sent permit #26-069 to notify the trustees of work being performed by Frontier within the township.
Officer James Stewart requested use of the community hall for a family gathering on May 2, 2026. Trustees agreed to this request.
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson requested use of the community hall for two family events. One on May 30th and then on June 20th, 2026. Trustees agreed to this request.
American Legion Post 113 is requesting a donation from Catawba Island Township to decorate graves and conduct memorial services over the Memorial Day Holiday on May 25, 2026. The Fiscal Officer advised that in years past a donation of $200 was given. Trustees agreed to donate the same this year.
A letter was received by the Catawba Island Volunteer Firemen Association. In this letter they advised the trustees and public that they have approved a contribution of $130,000.00 toward the purchase of new SCBA packs and air tanks. They also outlined other significant expenses that they have funded throughout the years. The trustees thanked all the volunteers and the Firemen’s Association for their contribution and for all they have done for the community.
Thomas Domotorffy sent the trustees and Fiscal Officer an email regarding township drainage issues. He stated that he has had firsthand knowledge and experience and advised trustees that it would be important to address this issue sooner rather then later. He stated his property is across from one of the major drainage ditches and pump stations on Catawba and the outflow runs underneath the road which he owns on E. Gardner Road. He stated it is getting worse each year. He stated the issue is the discharge pipe is entirely too small to clear the run-off which then causes back up. He sent pictures of the discharge pipe.
Quintin Smith stated that he has spoke with Thomas and met with Kevin Johnson from the maintenance department, and he too observed this drainage issue. He stated this issue does need to be addressed. He stated that he will continue to work on solving this problem.
William Baker stated that he thought at one of the Zoning Appeals Hearings that Breakpoint Catawba LLC said they would take care of any drainage issues and agreed to replace the pipe themselves. He stated this was one of the agreements they made to get their zoning request approved for the condos/townhouses. He stated that he had recused himself at that meeting but would go back in the meeting minutes to see what exactly was said and approved.
John Crisp from Falcon Forge was here to make a presentation to the trustees regarding the Cyber-Security Program that the township is required to have in place by July 2026. He stated that his company would come up with a Cyber-Security program for the township to meet compliance and pass our audits. He gave the cost of this program and the trustees all agreed that the township needs to get a Cyber-Security plan in place. They agreed to go over all the valuable information Mr. Crisp provided and will decide at the next meeting as to how to proceed.
At this time Diane Belden made a motion that the board enter in to executive session per ORC 121.22 to consider the appointment of a public official and to consider the purchase of property for public purposes where premature disclosure would give an unfair advantage. She stated that she would like to invite County Prosecutor James Van Eerten to join them. Quintin Smith seconded the motion.
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia completed a roll call vote:
Diane Belden yes
Chris Cellier yes
Quintin Smith yes
Executive session entered into at 9:55am.
At 10:57 the trustees returned from executive session. Diane Belden made a motion to come out of executive session. Quintin Smith seconded the motion.
Roll call vote completed:
Diane Belden yes
Chris Cellier yes
Quintin Smith yes
Diane Belden stated that she received a letter from Mr. Robert Wowk regarding noise issues. Mr. Wowk, who was in the audience, stated that his complaint is in regard to Boondocks that is in West Harbor located in Danbury Township. He stated they blast music constantly now that they have a liquor licenses. He stated he has called the Danbury Police Department many times and is now coming to the Catawba Island Township trustees as he lives in Catawba Island Township and is hoping they can help get this music to stop. Prosecutor Van Eerten was still at the meeting and advised Mr. Wowk that Catawba Island trustees do not have jurisdiction over this issue as it is in Danbury Township. He advised Mr. Wowk as to his rights and what options he has.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia provided the March 2026 financial reports and bank reconciliations. There were no questions or concerns.
Shelly Garcia presented the 2026 Annual ODOT Salt Contract and asked the trustees for a motion to participate in this program. Shelly stated that she spoke to Kevin Johnson to see the amount of salt he would like to request, and he stated to request the same amount as last year. Last years amounts were 175 ton for summer and 300 ton for winter for a total of 475 ton for the contract.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve participation in the ODOT Annual Salt Contract Bid as presented. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Shelly Garcia stated that she needed to adjust yearly appropriations due to the $46,000 grant money that the Fire Department received. She stated that she has already sent the information to the Ottawa Co. Auditor’s office and they have approved it. She is requesting a motion to increase the permanent appropriations to include this new amount.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve the township permanent appropriations as presented. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Kevin Johnson stated last week they went on their road survey and they came up with a plan for paving for this year and next. He stated this year they want to get Basin Dr. done and next year Bay Point Circle. He stated the county will get involved with the Bay Point Circle job as it is a county road.
Kevin submitted two bids for Basin Dr. The Kreimes Co. bid was for $76,044.00 and 7L Construction was $57,483.00. He also submitted a quote from Lake Erie Construction Co. for a guardrail on Basin Dr. that is needed as well. This quote was $19.220.00.
Much discussion took place between the trustees, maintenance department and members of the audience regarding this project and the trustees agreed that it is something that needs to be completed.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve the Lake Erie Construction quote as presented for the guardrail in the amount of $19,220.00 and to approve the 7L Construction quote for new asphalt on Basin Dr. as presented. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin stated that they are waiting to get fence bids for the Heigel Park tennis courts.
The welder for the maintenance department quit working and they need to replace it. Kevin estimates the cost for a new welder at approximately $5,000. He stated the welder he will purchase will be an upgrade that will do more then the one they currently have. Trustees requested Kevin to submit a quote for this purchase and agreed to address it at the next meeting.
Discussion took place regarding signage for the gate at the compost facility. Currently there is nothing stating that it is for residents only. Quintin stated that he thought the current gate has availability to install cameras in the future, but for now, we could put signs stating, “No Contractors, Residents Only”. All trustees agreed to start off with signs and see if that helps to stop commercial use and the misuse of what is being dumped. Chief Gangway stated that he will come up with wording for the signs and present to the trustees.
It was also mentioned that the clean-up days on April 24-25 are for residents only as well.
Diane stated that she received a phone call from the Ottawa Co. Board of Elections regarding a possible crosswalk from the parking lot to the community hall during election days, or maybe even a “slow down” sign. Chief Gangway stated he reached out to the County Engineer to see what they might have for signage that could be put out, and he is waiting to hear back from them.
Police
Chief Gangway stated the DEA Drug Take Back will be April 25, 2026, but reminded everyone that there is a 24/7 drop box in our lobby.
Chief Gangway stated that he is looking into replacement of their 2018 cruiser. He stated he will get a quote for a new one and present to the trustees at the next meeting.
There were three bids for the new phone system for township buildings. Forerunner, Omni Fiber and Amplex. Karl Scheutzow, with Seacom LLC, who has been working on this issue for the township gave his recommendation. He recommends Forerunner as they have done a great job already with the rewiring and switch project for the township and offer very responsive technical support. The bid for Forerunner was for a one-time fee of $4,219.59 and then a monthly fee of $396.93. Chief Gangway will get a current, exact bid with these numbers from Forerunner.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve the phone proposal from Forerunner as presented. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
FIRE
Louie Wargo gave an update on the new Fire Engine that they went to pick up a few weeks ago. He stated that the tunnel in the tank was not made to specs and it will now be another 8-12 weeks to get this corrected. He stated other than that, it all looks very good.
There were 19 total fire/EMS runs. 5 fire and 14 EMS
New Business
Quintin Smith stated that he made a mistake on the size of the screen they ordered for the community hall. He asked the supplier how much more it will be for the correct size (150”). He was told it will be an additional $360.00, and we can keep the original screen (100”) to use in the administration building. The trustees agreed to this request. Kevin reminded Quintin that they will also need microphones at the community hall. Quintin stated that he will look into this.
Quintin stated that one of the big topics continues to be getting EMS back on Catawba. He stated that he is looking to form a committee that could look into this issue and give their recommendation to the trustees as what options there are for EMS. Diane asked who will be on this committee. Quintin stated that he will get members from the community, police and fire departments as well as those who are experts on the issue. He stated that he will continue working on this issue and get back with the trustees.
Diane Belden gave the quarterly totals for EMS. For the first quarter of 2026 there were 44 runs in January, 38 in February and 46 in March for a total of 128. The average response time was 9 minutes and 33 seconds.
Chris Cellier stated that he signed the grant from the Parks District for the $20,000 to resurface the tennis courts. The Parks District is also giving an additional $20,000 for this project. The Fiscal Officer will work on getting the required documents together for this grant.
Chris Cellier made a motion to appoint Emily Gibson to the Park Board with term ending December 2026. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane received a letter from Gideon Owen in Catawba asking the trustees to submit a letter of support affirming historical significance. Quintin excused himself from the room at this time due to conflict of interest. Diane continued and read the letter that was received. She stated they are requesting a letter of support from the trustees for the 2026 Ohio Historical Marker Application. Diane stated that she was in favor of this request and wrote a letter in response. She read the letter and Chris stated that he would like to take a few weeks to review. He stated he will address it at the next meeting.
Quintin Smith returned to the meeting.
Quintin Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris Cellier seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer