Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2024
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, April 23, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, Mary Jane Porozynski, Kevin Johnson, Dan Barlow, Leonard Lammlein, Lisa Murphy, Marty Auxter, Louie Wargo, Ann Rumpf, Dorothy Baker and William Baker.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the April 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 payroll, in the amount of $122,201.78. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Vicki Wheatley requested use of the township hall for her Speaker Series on May 9, 2024. This is for a presentation that the Parks Board would like to share with the community. She has invited Bruce Buckingham to present on a project he has been involved with, the banding of Herring Gulls. The Trustees agreed to waive the fee for this presentation.
William Rofkar also suggested that they allow the Historical Society and CIT Parks Board to use the township hall as long as it is available without coming to the trustees each time for approval. They sometimes run into timing issues by needing to request approval each time. All trustees agreed to allow them to use the township hall and waive the fee as long as it is available.
Louie Wargo submitted a “working” proposal for New Engine 224. The proposal wasn’t attached to the email that was sent and the board was not able to review this information. They will review and discuss at the next meeting.
Frank Harmon from Ohio Insurance Services Agency would like to come and discuss the Townships Health Care Coverage. Dates of either May 6th or 7th. Trustees stated Tuesday May 7, 2024 at 11:30 would work to get all the employees together to meet with Mr. Harmon.
The Solid Waste District will have someone at the recycling area to conduct a survey with our residents for education and possible need for other types of recycling opportunities purposes. The survey will start on Wednesday.
Bryan Baugh submitted a suggestion that we add speed limit signs to the boat launch area. He stated people are driving very fast down that ¼ mile long drive.
Chief Gangway stated that he was not sure if it was legal for us to put up speed limit signs but suggested we can put up slow moving signs. He will get back with the trustees and let them know what options there are for this.
Matt Montowski had a phone call with Eric Schramm regarding the PC Youth Soccer Program. It has grown 50% in the past few years and they need additional fields to play on. They were to get back with the Trustees regarding possible use of land at Heigel Park or area next to the basketball court. The Trustees are not opposed to this, but will discuss further once they hear back from the Soccer Program.
Ottawa Regional Planning Commission submitted Text Amendments that were initiated by the CIT Zoning Commission on April 16, 2024. The Commission voted to recommend approval of the text amendments.
A final plat for Peachtree Subdivision was submitted. The applicant is proposing to plat 10 lots and create two new private road right-of-ways. This was forwarded on to the Zoning Inspector.
Fiscal Officer
ODOT Salt Participation Submission is now due for the 2024-2025 season. This contract is due by May 3, 2024. Per Kevin Johnson, we should order what we ordered last year. This was 150 tons of salt. William Rofkar made a motion to approve the contract through ODOT for road salt of 150 tons. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Reminder that the clean up is this weekend.
At Heigel Park Maintenance Supervisor, Kevin Johnson, would like to put two picnic tables over by the pickleball courts. He will take two that are already out there and move them so people playing pickleball have something to set their stuff on. Eventually he would like to purchase something more permanent.
Fire
Fire Training is scheduled on May 11, 2024 in Port Clinton. This will be an all-day event and 6 people from CIVFD will be attending. They will be taking an engine for this event.
Fire Cat will be at the station on May 18, 2024 for hose testing.
The ICS Auction was a great success and the Fire Truck was auctioned off for over $300. May 13, 2024 is the date for the winning family to ride on the truck and walk through the fire station.
Speaker Microphones were ordered a while ago with Cleveland Communications. There were a total of 12 (7 of one type and 5 of another). Seven have been delivered, but the other 5 are no longer available. The Fire Department would still like to purchase 5 additional ones at some point once a quote is received.
CIC Fireworks are May 26, 2024 and the chicken BBQ is July 13, 2024
New Business
Matt Montowski stated that he received a proposal from the Police Chief with suggestions on Fringe Benefits that other departments offer as an incentive for employment. Some of these benefits are: vacation time, personal days, shift differential, longevity pay and life insurance just to name a few. We do offer these benefits, but other departments have added to each of these to make them more appealing.
He also stated that eventually he would like to see the Township have six full time officers.
The Trustees all agreed that our benefit policy could use some updating and will look into such updates in the near future.
Matt Montowski stated that there have been many complaints regarding Omni Fiber. Trustees ask that if this is on private property, please contact your HOA. You can also contact PUCO to file a formal complaint.
William Rofkar stated he has been advised that the siren on Muggy Road has failed. Cleveland Communications has been contacted regarding this issue.
William Rofkar stated that the old police SUV has sold on govdeals.com and they are currently working on the transfer.
Leonard Lammlein spoke to the Trustees regarding the deterioration of the access road between Linda Dr. and Moore’s Dock Rd. He stated that it is deteriorating due to heavy traffic with trash haulers, boaters and school buses. He stated in the past he has been taking care of this private road himself, but as he is getting older he can no longer maintain it and would like to know what can be done and who can help with the maintenance issues.
William Rofkar stated that this is a private drive and the Township does not have a say so on what can be done with it, nor can it be responsible for any maintenance of it.
Lisa Murphy questioned use of golf carts on Catawba. Matt Montowski stated we do not allow golf carts and are not looking to change this for Catawba Island Township.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer