Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, August 12th, 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, Lisa Murphy, Mary Jane Porozynski, John Gangway, Jack Madison, William Baker, Dorthy Baker, Nancy Oreskovich, Kim Mulholland, Chris Cellier, Cindy Gunderson, William Hablitzel, Dan Barlow and Ann T. Rumpf.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the July 22nd, 2025 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including payroll, in the amount of $102,507.82. This amount includes payment to Vance’s Law Enforcement for the new department side arms and accessories it also includes a payment to Valley Ford Huron in the amount of $4,469.21 for repair of the ambulance. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Ottawa County Board of Elections sent a notice of the upcoming election that will be held on November 4, 2025. Copy given to Kevin Johnson so he can have the community hall ready for them on that date.
An email was received from Marty Winning stating how much he appreciates the Catawba Island Township Maintenance Department and the great job they are doing.
Received a request from Denise Wargo wanting to use the community hall for a family event and asked that the fee be waived. All trustees agreed as her husband is on our Vol. Fire Dept.
Received a request from Sergeant James Stewart requesting use of the community hall for a family function and asked that the fees be waived. All trustees agreed to his request.
John Davenport submitted a handbook for the PC Rotary Family Sports Festival that will be held on Sept. 20, 2025 and asked the trustees if they would allow them to paint (touch up) the shuffleboard courts. The trustees do not have issue with this request.
Todd Bickley submitted notice that the township Zoning Commission met on July 23, 2025 to review the zoning request submitted by Robin DeGraff. The request is to rezone two parcels from A “Residential Low Density” to R-1 “Residential”. The Zoning Commission voted to recommend to the Trustees approval of this request.
There were a total of 13 letters of opposition to the rezoning of DeGraff Farms and the Catawba Landing Marina Development Plan that were read at the meeting. The following residents submitted letters in opposition:
Toni DeLuca, Mary Beth & Brian Schroeder, Drew Bauer, Kersten & Mike Pietrowski, Patti Renner-Hoying, Gary Gearhart, Tim Neal, Douglas Newcomb, David & Jacqueline Jasinski, John Hall, Nora Conley, Dave & Cindy Peltier and Heidi Cline.
Nick Clabaugh submitted a request for a copy of the zoning application for the DeGraff property and stated that he was in full support of this zoning change as it will promote more families to enter the area while not allowing condos and small cookie cutter homes to be built.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia provided the July 2025 financial reports and bank reconciliations. There were no questions or concerns.
Maintenance
Supervisor Kevin Johnson stated that Lake Erie Tree Service has finished the grinding project at the compost area, and they are now working on hauling it all out.
Diane Belden stated that she was notified of a grant for bike racks for Catawba Island Parks or anywhere that might need one. Diane stated that she spoke to Kevin and he stated one could be used at Heigel Park. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Diane would follow up to see if this was a free grant or if the township had to match money given. It was also decided that we would take a couple bike racks if they are free. Diane will follow up and advise.
Police
Chief John Gangway stated that he received donations in memory of Todd Holcomb who was a part-time officer for the township from 1992-2002. He stated these donations will be used for “stop the bleed” kits for the department. He sent a thank you to those who donated.
Chief Gangway stated that the new patrol car was delivered last week and they are working on getting the decals put on along with the radio installed. He provided the trustees with a quote for the in-car camera from Motorola which includes a 5-year licensing fee, unlimited cloud storage, software, and an extended warranty. The quote is for $11,340.00 for the camera and all accessories.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the Motorola quote in the amount of $11,340.00 as presented. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chief Gangway stated that he received a request from Erin Lucas to close Carolina Street from 10a-11a for the annual 5K race that will be held Sept. 14th. The trustees stated that they have done this several times before and see no problem allowing it again this year.
It was brought up again regarding signage at Catawba Point Preserve. Chief asked if the trustees would like to pursue this request to try to eliminate ferry parking in the nature preserve. After discussion the trustees thought that a “2 Hour Parking Limit” sign would give leverage to the police department to write tickets to those who are using it as ferry parking.
The Miller Boat Line is requesting an officer be present at the ferry dock on Saturday’s from 3p-10p. They would like this for the rest of this year and next year (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend). They understand that it will be based on officer availability, and are happy with whatever the department can supply. Chief Gangway stated that he will get with the Fiscal Officer to see how she would like to set up invoicing for extra duty officers.
Fire
Diane Belden gave the July Fire Department run totals. There were a total of 34 runs (12 Fire and 22 EMS).
Diane Belden stated that Chief Gibbons sent an email stating that Frederick (Rick) Gwin has passed his physical and background check for the CIVFD application. He has been approved by the board and Chief Gibbons would like the trustees to approve him as a vol. fire fighter, and to also approve his volunteer fire fighter class in Sept. with a cost not to exceed $900.
Matt asked if there would be a six-month probation as usual. They agreed there would be.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve Frederick Gwin as a volunteer fire fighter with a six-month probation and approval of the fire fighter class not to exceed $900. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Matt Montowski stated that he got a new quote from Corso’s for mulching of the Heigel Park playground and the area behind the fire station. This was brought up at the last meeting but the quote did not include the area behind the fire station. This quote is for $4,892.00 and includes 50 yards of playground mulch 3” depth, labor and the skid steer.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the quote from Corso’s in the amount of $4,892.00 as presented. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski gave the June Zoning Report. There were 9 permits and 2 variances for a total of $1,246.40. There is a total of 29 new home builds on Catawba Island year to date.
Matt Montowksi spoke about department heads from time to time needing to have emergency funds for repair of their vehicles or township buildings. As it is now, they lose time by having to come to meetings to ask for money for the repairs or parts, and then that vehicle is down for a week or two and out of service. Matt is asking that the Police, Fire and Maintenance Dept. heads have a $10,000.00 emergency fund where they can go ahead and authorize such repairs right away. They would then bring it up to the board at the next meeting, but this would allow them to get the repair work done immediately. All trustees agreed.
Matt Montowski made a motion to allow the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Maintenance Supervisor to have an allowance of $10,000.00 for emergency repairs on vehicles or buildings on behalf of the township which allows them to proceed without first coming to a trustee meeting.
Diane Belden seconded the motion, all voted aye. Motion carried.
Lisa Murphy asked the trustees if they would change the August 26th zoning hearing time to the evening as she stated there may be individuals that would like to come but can’t make the 10:30am time. She also asked if the trustees will be allowing people to speak at this meeting or if it will be like the meeting Port Clinton recently had where they didn’t allow anyone to speak. William Rofkar stated that they have never had a meeting where they didn’t let people to speak. He also clarified that city government is different from township government. Matt Montowski stated that the time for the meeting on August 26th has already been advertised for 10:30 a.m. and they will be keeping it at that time.
There was also discussion regarding development on Catawba Island. William Rofkar explained that the trustees cannot stop development, and its not even legal for them to. He stated that you cannot shut down private property rights. He stated that everything the trustees do is dictated by the Ohio Revised Code, and an in depth explanation of this took place.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday August 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. There will also be a zoning hearing meeting following the regular trustee meeting at 10:30 a.m.
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Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer