Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, January 28, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Lisa Murphy, Scott Hines, Kevin Gibbons, Scott Hetrick, Philip Enderle, Brian Snyder, Jana Snyder, Mary Jane Porozynski, Michael Prosser, Tom Bartram and Chris Cellier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the January 14, 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 $191,291.50. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. These bills included payment of $42,187.50 to the City of Port Clinton for contracted EMS Services for the fourth quarter of 2024. A payment of $63,730.00 to Statewide Ford for the new police cruiser and the CIVFD payroll for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Correspondence
A request from Dave Wonnell with the Catawba Island Historical Society was received for use of the township hall for his speaker series on May 21, 2025 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. He requests the fees be waived for this event and asks the maintenance department set up about 75 chairs for their use. All trustees agreed the fees should be waived, and Kevin Johnson stated that had no issue with setting up requested chairs.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia presented to the trustees the Annual Appropriation Resolution for the Fiscal Year 2025.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adopt the Annual Appropriation Resolution for the Fiscal Year 2025 as presented by the Fiscal Officer in the amount of $7,061,200.00. Diane Belden seconded the motion. Vote on Motion: William Rofkar, aye; Matt Montowski, aye; Diane Belden, aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Supervisor Kevin Johnson stated that he received two bids for the township compost grinding project. Barnes Nursery was quoted at $16,685.00 and Lake Erie Tree Service was $15,800.00. William Rofkar stated that he saw no reason not to go with the lower bid. All trustees agreed, however, Matt Montowski stated that he would like Lake Erie Tree Service to include the contamination clause (as has been in the past) stating that they will try to find and remove contamination (concrete, metal posts, boulders, asphalt) from the piles prior to loading into the grinder. If contamination does cause damage to the grinder beyond normal wear, the township will be invoiced for those repair costs up to $2,500.00.
Matt Montowski made a motion to except the bid from Lake Erie Tree Service in the amount of $15,800.00 for grinding, double grinding, and haul away of ¾ of our waste pile for the mulch area but would like Lake Erie Tree Services to add the contamination clause as previously stated. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Fiscal Officer, Shelly Garcia will ensure that this clause is added to the quote prior to a P.O. being issued.
Matt Montowski stated that the new sign for Cedar Meadows Preserve has been received and Kevin Johnson stated that the new sign should be installed this week.
Police
Chief Gangway stated that the new police car has been delivered and Jerry Davenport will be putting the lettering on for it to be able to be in service. The maintenance department will be removing the markings off the 2017 police vehicle that this new one replaced and that will be ready to list on govdeals.com.
William Rofkar asked the other board members if they had issue with the 2017 police car being listed on govdeals.com. They did not.
Matt Montowski made a motion to list the 2017 police vehicle for sale on govdeals.com. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Chief Gangway stated that he would like to have Hobb’s Lock & Key come and service the Admin/Police Department locks as it has been a long time since the locks have had any routine maintenance done on them. The trustees all agreed that this would be a good idea.
Fire
Chief Gibbons stated that one engine has been sent to Lake Craft for metal fabrication for the retrofit project. It will be back in a couple days and will be kept in inside storage while there.
New Business
Matt Montowski stated that the Parks Board did not meet last month as there was no quorum. The Rotary Club was kind enough to provide windshield netting for the pickleball courts, however, Matt stated that he feels it best to consult the Parks Board regarding color and other decisions before he gives the okay to the Rotary Club. This issue will be held until the Parks Board meets again in February.
Matt Montowski stated that John Granzier for Marsh’s Crossing PUD (Planned Unit Development) submitted a request to the trustees for a minor modification, and was seeking the trustee’s approval.
Michael Prosser was in attendance to speak to the trustees regarding this request. He stated that there was an approximate two-month delay on this project already due to the fact that the county did not have an acting County Engineer. He is making a request to the trustees and zoning inspector for a minor modification in order to get a “model” duplex started prior to the recording of the Marsh’s Crossing Subdivision final plat in order to meet the summer selling period and expedite the construction schedule.
Mr. Prosser stated that models are set up all the time before it is recorded with the county and it is not uncommon.
Matt Montowski stated that he feels they are putting the cart before the horse and that the subdivision should be platted before putting up a model home. He understood that it is common for models to be set up, but that is on platted ground, and this is not the case here.
Diane Belden stated that she is not comfortable in approving this before the final plat is approved.
William Rofkar stated that putting up a model home before final boundaries are set is not something that he feels should be approved at this time.
Matt Montowski suggested that they get approval and have it platted by the county and then come back for this request. All trustees agreed that now is not the time for this approval.
William Rofkar stated that he and Kevin Johnson set up an appointment with the County Engineer for next month for a road review. They will look at what they already plan to do this year and build a list of projected road repair and repaving for the upcoming years.
William Baker asked that when they are out with the County Engineer looking at the roads, could they please look at considering a possible walking path from Porter to Crogan? William Rofkar stated that he will look at this along with several other issues they have to discuss.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday February 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
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Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer