Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2024
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, January 9, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Kevin Gibbons, Louie Wargo, William Moore, Marty Auxter,
Mary Jane Porozynski, Jack Madison, Dorothy Baker, and William Baker
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the December 28, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes and the January 2, 2024, special meeting minutes as presented. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay final bills from 2023 in the amount of $2,399.16 and payments related to the first payroll of 2024 in the amount of $41,419.53. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from maintenance employee Jakeb Aldrich requesting use of the Community Hall on January 27, for a family gathering.
Trustees agreed Jakeb Aldrich can use the Community Hall as requested and waived the rental fee.
A letter from the Catawba Island Club requesting to reserve the Community Hall and parking lot for four special event weekends in 2024 including: April 26-28, May 24-27, July 3-7, August 30-September 2 and Saturday, July 27.
Trustees agreed to rent the Community Hall and parking lot to CIC as requested for $1,300 total.
An email from Lyndsey Lucas regarding poor cell service in the Gem Beach area for the past year and a half.
Matt Montowski said he responded to the email and said utility companies pay Township Trustees no mind and recommended Lyndsey Lucas check with the Federal Communications Commission for guidance.
Annual notification from the Ottawa County Recorder, regarding the filing of newly enacted zoning resolutions and amendments per the Ohio Revised Code. The fees are $50 and $20 respectively.
A letter from Jannah Wilson of the Park District of Ottawa County, reminding officials that the 2024 Parks and Trails Improvement Grant Applications are due Monday, January 8.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw provided the December 2023 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Karen Shaw presented the Annual Appropriation Resolution for the Fiscal Year 2024.
William Rofkar made a motion to adopt the Annual Appropriation Resolution for the Fiscal Year 2024 as presented by the Fiscal Officer in the amount of $6,700,000. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. Vote on Motion: Diane Belden, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Matt Montowski, aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to allow the Fiscal Officer to create Blanket Certificates in 2024
not to exceed $15,000 at any one time assuming adequate appropriation amounts are available. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Karen Shaw said a scrap metal rebate in the amount of $1,532.01 was received from Republic Services from metal collected at the spring and fall clean up events in 2023.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said a one ton truck needs brakes so he will take to Port Clinton Ford for repair. He also said they are picking up Christmas trees curbside through January.
Fire
Kevin Gibbons reported CIVFD members responded to 19 EMS calls and made 7 fire runs with a total of 26 calls responded to in December. He said for the year there were 80 fire calls and 262 EMS calls responded to for a total of 342 calls responded to in 2023.
Diane Belden said CIVFD members also participated in two community outreach events in December including visiting neighborhoods with Santa on Saturday, December 23, and they took an apparatus to the Walleye Drop in Port Clinton on New Year’s Eve for the kids to Touch a Truck.
Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with FireCatt for hose testing in the amount of $5,000 per year for three years. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to retrofit fire truck 221 with an estimated project cost of $66,000. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve purchases from Atlantic Emergency Solutions totaling $20,624 per four provided quotes: MaxiForce Air Bags and related equipment, $12,044; Fire Research Spectra Lamps Heads, $3,415; Tele Lite Generator, $3,460; and Tele Lite LED “15000 Lumens”, $1,705. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were four zoning permits issued in December and one variance with a total of $1,568.92 collected in fees. He said there were 39 permits issued for new homes in 2023 and in total 127 zoning related items handled with a total of $17,203.40 collected in fees for 2023.
New Business
Trustees agreed to advertise for the open position on the Parks Board.
Matt Montowski said he received a message from Val Rosiar asking if the township would like a couple iron benches that were in front of the General Store. He said she would like to donate the benches.
Trustees agreed to look at the benches and consider where they might work in the township.
Diane Belden made a motion to contribute $3,250 to the Ottawa County Drug Task Force as requested. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she received a call from Chris Boyd of Resurrection Lutheran Church requesting permission to install an electronic sign in front of the church.
Matt Montowski said electronic signs are not permitted in the township because it is a residential area and the multiple colored lights can create traffic problems. He said the issue has been brought up in the past by the church and other businesses and the zoning board and Trustees have always been in agreement on the matter.
William Rofkar said anyone can go before the Board of Zoning Appeals to request a variance but it has always been denied in the past.
Diane Belden said today, January 9, is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and recognized John Gangway, Jim Stewart, Todd Parkison, and Austin Troike for their hard work and for keeping Catawba safe. She said their sacrifice and service is appreciated.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer