Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, August 26th, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, Kevin Johnson, Mary Jane Porozynski, John Gangway, Bryan Baugh, Jack Madison, William Baker, Dorthy Baker, Nancy Oreskovich, Scott Hines, Lisa Murphy, William Moore Jr., Jean Hartline, Robert Garcia, Brenda Griffith, Nancy Caldwell, Brian Caldwell, Flint Heidlebaugh, Helen Fegan, Craig McCoy, Janda Combs, Frank Carchedi, Barb Osterling, Dan Andreasen, Mary Ann Gipson, Bob Osterling, John Brewer, Todd Jagucki, Pat Horn, Terri Green Ellin Shevchuk, Mark Urbanic, Kim Mulholland, David Jasinski, Jackie Jasinski, Linda Fox, Michael Hablitzel, Sue Piacentino, Erik Funfgeld, Chuck Gaskey, Dan Barlow, Heidi Cline, John Hall, DJ Litz, Mel Fenger, Kim Schaffer, Zsolt Veress, Glenda Ward, Jane Hermes and Ann T. Rumpf.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the August 12, 2025 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 payroll, in the amount of $52,527.99. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The final audit for years 2023 & 2024 was received by the Auditor of State. The report stated that Catawba Island Township met all obligations and the township was in compliance with the ORC policies, procedures, and guidelines, including accounting practices and the Sunshine Law. This was based on an independent audit conducted by Charles E. Harris & Associates.
A letter from Ottawa Regional Planning Commission was received regarding the meeting held on August 19, 2025. At that meeting they heard text amendments initiated by the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission. The text amendments were:
- Add a new definition for Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic.
- Amend multiple family dwelling building in the C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 districts to match the wording in the R-4 district by adding “containing one or more dwelling units”.
- Amend item c. in Sec. 7 prohibited signs.
- Amend Sec. 8 & Sec. 9 regarding notices for public meetings to allow for the use of website and social media account per recent passed legislation.
The Commission voted to recommend approval of these text amendments.
A letter from Commissioner Mary Gallagher (Lorain County) was received regarding the transformation of the Avon Lake Power Plant into a publicly accessible community asset. They are looking for support in this initiative.
Marty Scott (Colony Club HOA) submitted paperwork along with the Colony Club Declaration of Restrictions in regards to the property owned by Brian & Jenny Washburn. They stated in the letter that they have issued two notices (2024 & 2025) and have taken the homeowners to court regarding the upkeep of their property. They are looking for the trustees to help in getting this property cleaned up as the homeowners have refused.
Matt Montowski stated that township rules do not allow trustees to enforce these types of restrictions. William Rofkar stated that the only way they could step in was if the property was declared a nuisance, and this property does not fall under that definition.
Maintenance
Supervisor Kevin Johnson stated that the playground mulching has been complete, and the compost area should be done today. They will then begin getting ready for fall clean-up.
Kevin stated that he received a quote from Pavement Technology, Inc. for applying Reclamite on E. Colony Club Dr. (from NW Catawba Rd. to N. Carriage Lane). The quote is $5,457.00 for 4,280 square yards. This price includes traffic control, notification of residents, and all labor & materials.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the quote from Pavement Technology as presented in the amount of $5,457.00. Matt Montwoski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin stated that he received a quote from Streackers to replace the John Deere tractor. It was a total of $57,133.50 (all inclusive). He stated it will be about 6-8 months for delivery once ordered. This quote includes a government pricing with Sourcewell. Matt stated that he did not think we belonged to that co-op. William stated that he will look into the specifics of the government pricing and will discuss at the next meeting.
Diane Belden mentioned that they did get the bike racks through the health dept. grant. A total of three racks were received.
Police
Chief Gangway stated that they replaced the hot spots in the police cars and phones. He stated that Fire Fly will buy back the old ones from the phones at $15/each. There is a total of 5.
Matt Montowski made a motion to sell back the phones (total of 5) to Fire Fly at $15/each. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Parks
Matt Montowski stated that the next speaker series will be September 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Hall and will be titled “Nightlife in Catawba”. The speaker will be Brian Washburn.
The fall walk will be October 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
New Business
Matt Montowski stated that the zoning boards have requested some training. Some topics include: standard operating procedures, run-off water, deliberations, precedence, and other topics. Matt is asking the board for approval for such training (for approximately 20 people) and a small meal before the training. All board members gave the okay for Matt to set this up.
William Rofkar received a request from Dave Wonnell with the Historical Society asking permission to have the old “Union Chapel” sign removed so they can replace with a new one. All trustees agreed to having the maintenance department remove the sign and place in the annex for storage.
Craig McCoy gave a presentation to the trustees regarding issues with water drainage on Catawba, and the possible effects new development will have on this. Some of the issues he pointed out were old/undersized pipes, storm sewers backing up, and runoff water not being discharged correctly. He submitted a letter detailing these issues and stated that perhaps new development should be put on hold until an engineering study can be complete.
Much discussion took place on this topic, and many in the audience were in favor of what Craig was presenting with many asking for a moratorium on the DeGraff Farm rezoning.
William Rofkar stated that any new development that takes place in the township must have the plans approved by the county engineer who oversees water drainage of the new development. The county engineer requires the developer to make sure the plans correctly address such issues in order to get approval to build, and the trustees rely on their expertise. He stated that Catawba Island is also tied into state drainage lines and ODOT maintains those lines when there is blockage and issues, not the township. William agreed that things need to be looked at and it should be addressed with the county engineer.
Diane Belden stated that she has spoken to the county engineer, Dan Toris, and he stated that he would be willing to come to Catawba to speak about these issues and look at it more thoroughly.
Matt Montowski stated that all condos must follow EPA water regulations, and if it is a sub-division they follow EPA water regulations and the county engineers 25-year storm regulations.
Jean Hartline spoke in detail regarding the traffic issues that Catawba Island currently faces. She gave numbers of how much traffic will increase if more homes and developments are constructed. She stated that with additional traffic comes increased accidents, congestion, and safety issues.
William Rofkar stated that perhaps a special meeting would be needed to address the drainage and traffic issues as it clearly is a big topic with residents.
Diane asked if we could set up a special meeting and invite Dan Toris from the county engineer’s office. The trustees agreed to this and will advise.
Donna Meyers asked the trustees why there seems to be resistance to what the residents are asking the trustees for regarding water issues and new development. Diane Belden stated that she is not resisting at all. William Rofkar stated that the trustees need to look into the legality of all of this. They cannot take away property owners rights nor can they stop from them doing what they legally are able to do. William stated that they need to consult with legal council to see what the Ohio Revised Code states, otherwise it won’t hold up in court.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday September 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer