The regular meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by chairman Gary Mortus in the conference room. Present were Gary Mortus, Robert Schroeder, William Rofkar, Pat Cerny, James Stouffer, Reggie Langford, Dan Barlow and Jack DeVore. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as presented seconded by William Rofkar. Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus, aye. William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills with the exception of the First Energy bill seconded by Robert Schroeder in the amount of $84,656.49 including the payroll. William Rofkar, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Mortus, aye. William Rofkar made a motion to pay the First Energy bill seconded by Robert Schroeder. William Rofkar, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Mortus, abstained.
Communications included a thank you note from the Church of God for the new roof on the Chapel. Richard A. Levin, Tax Commissioner with the final determination for the exemption of real property from taxation in regard to the Cedar Preserve parcel. OPERS; stating there will be a contribution rate increase effective January 1, 2008 for local employees and local employers and the law enforcement employees and employers; Burnham and Flower Insurance Group offering the township reduced pricing for OTA endorsed bonds. Michael Wittman, Ottawa County Engineer’s Office with a price quote from Mcrill Drilling for $19,944.00 regarding the Carolina Street Drainage Project and a no bid letter from K.G. Myers Construction. Ottawa Regional Planning Commission referencing agricultural use. A request was prompted at a Zoning Commission meeting as to having agricultural use in residential areas as a conditional use. Inheritance tax notification; Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc., Frank Harmon, informing the township the Anthem Group Life plan rate for the upcoming year will stay the same; Solid Waste Management, re: Christmas Tree Recycling Program; Firelands Medical stating the different tests that will be available for employees; Anthem Blue Cross updates in coverage renewal.
Dan Barlow stated drainage must be addressed in the lower part of the new addition of the cemetery for next year. This will be discussed with David Brunkhorst. Kevin Wylie and Jordan Davenport have completed their instructor courses for the fire department
and the training can be done in-house. Dan Barlow also stated he purchased four air bottles. Dan Barlow also stated there is a large limb at Weyhe Road and Maryann Drive that needs to be removed and would like a Trustee to look at it.
Gary Mortus stated to remember we need purchase orders to make purchases unless it is under a blanket certificate.
William Rofkar gave a report on the cost of brush grinding at $65,000.00 for the past three years and would like to look into purchasing equipment for grinding from the State Purchasing Program. It would be roughly $130,000.00 and a bobcat could be used for loading and altogether we could provide our own equipment for around $165,000.00 to $275,000.00 through the State Purchasing Program. William Rofkar would like to see a demo unit and check if other communities are using this equipment. Gary Mortus also suggested getting prices from Barnes Nursery and Edwards on grinding.
Robert Schroeder stated the chapel roof is complete, the new police cruiser will be arriving in a week. Gary Mortus asked Robert Schroeder to check on the purchase of the 800 radio for the Police Department.
Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the payment of the additional change orders for the new fire truck in the amount of $2,616.88 seconded by William Rofkar. Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus, aye. Robert Schroeder made a motion that we donate the old fire truck to the Catawba Island Township Volunteer Fire Department seconded by William Rofkar. Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus aye.
Pat Cerny stated she needs to do a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department to move money from the telephone line item to other expenses for their uniform allowance in the amount of $2000.00. Robert Schroeder made a motion to move the money seconded by William Rofkar. Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Gary Mortus, aye.
Gary Mortus stated David Brunkhorst is requesting written requests for any surveys or drainage assessments and should we request this for the cemetery drainage issue. William Rofkar and Robert Schroeder agreed.
William Rofkar stated the last business meeting of the year is December 24th at 11:00 a.m.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn seconded by Robert Schroeder. William Rofkar, aye, Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Mortus, aye.