Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, July 22nd, 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, Bryan Baugh, Jack Madison, William Baker, Dorthy Baker, Genna Blakley, Cindy Gunderson, David Howell, Richard Smetzer, Kim Schaffer, Bob Schanz, Chris Cellier, Dan Barlow and Ann T. Rumpf.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the July 8, 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 the July 11, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes as presented. Diane Belden 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 $102,759.94 which included the CIVFD quarterly payroll and payment to the City of Port Clinton for EMS services. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Letter received from Austin Rospert asking that the trustees reconsider allowing businesses to use the recycle dumpsters that are located at the township. He stated that he is the assistant manager of Midway Stop & Go and putting boxes and other recyclables in their own dumpsters causes it to fill up too quick and they would like to be able to use the township dumpsters. Matt Montowski addressed this issue and stated that after talking to the Solid Waste District, the whole budget is designed around residential usage only. He stated that there are options for businesses, they can reach out to Jim Darr at the Solid Waste District or Republic Services and they will be able to help businesses out with recycling needs.
Martin & Theresa Scott made a donation to the Police Department as a thank you for their service.
Letter from Ellie Schiappa from Black Swamp Conservancy was received. This letter is a follow up on items discussed during an on-site meeting with Matt Montowski and Jack Madison at Cedar Meadows Preserve. During that on-site meeting questions came up and Ellie addressed these questions in her letter.
Ottawa Regional Planning Commission sent a letter regarding a township zoning change request for two parcels of land located in Section 3 Lot 11 of Catawba Island Township. The owner is wanting to rezone the property from “A-Low Density Residential” to “R-1 Residential”. The Commission voted to recommend approval of this request.
Maintenance
Supervisor Kevin Johnson stated that the paving at Colony Club is complete.
Kevin submitted a quote from Corso’s to install playground mulch @ 3” deep in two playground beds at Heigel Park. This bid was for $3,492.30. Kevin stated that he thought this also included the area behind the Fire Station as well. The bid did not mention that area so the trustees all agreed to hold off on approval until Kevin can verify with them and get a new quote stating all locations that will be mulched.
Kevin submitted bids for compost grinding from Lake Erie Tree Service and Barnes. He stated that Lake Erie submitted two bids ($22,500 and $23,500) the difference being them hauling away all of the material as opposed to ½ of the material. He stated that there is also a cost of $4,000 listed on Lake Erie to dozer the top of the perimeter and make the hill mow-able. Kevin submitted a quote from C.L. Fox for this service for $1,520.00 instead of paying Lake Erie to do this for $4,000. The bid for Barnes was $21,200.00 and that did not include taking all material off site.
Matt Montowksi made a motion to approve the Lake Erie Tree Service quote in the amount of $19,500 ($23,500-$4,000 dozer work). Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the C.L. Fox quote as presented in the amount of $1,520.00 to grade mounds at township yard and dozer work to make mow-able. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin stated they are currently having issues at the marina and he is waiting for a call back from the plumbers. He will advise the trustees as to what needs to be done once they figure out what is wrong.
Police
Chief Gangway stated that they have towed about 8 trailers that were not attached to vehicles from the launch ramp since the new signs have been put up.
Sergeant Stewart will be attending a department public safety training class tomorrow and Officer Troike will be attending an internet crime against children class in August.
Chief Gangway stated that the software set up for the Flock cameras is complete and they are waiting for installation of the cameras to start the 60-day free trial period. At the end of the 60-day trial they will need to decide if they want to continue the service.
Chief Gangway is currently getting quotes for the new cruiser camera as Statewide Ford is getting close to delivery.
The Police Department was contracted by the Miller Boat Line for an extra officer at the dock to assist on Saturday as they were very busy this weekend. Chief Gangway also stated that parking was very bad with people parking in the North Preserve parking lot and down the trail. He asked if the trustees wanted to look into additional signage. The trustees asked that Chief Gangway get with Kevin to come up with something to post in that area.
Fire
Genna Blakley who is with the CIVFD and also an EMS instructor at EHOVE stated that they have seven certified CPR/AED instructors with the department and they recently just certified 23 community members. She is looking for ways to get the word out that the Fire Department will be conducting training sessions for the local community. Matt Montowski stated that she could get with Mary Jane once they had the training dates and put it on our administration sign out front. All trustees agreed that this is a wonderful service the department is providing.
New Business
Diane Belden stated that the Chicken BBQ was a huge success and very busy. She thanked all that helped at this event.
Matt Montowski brought up an issue that was presented at that last meeting by Matt Hollis. It was regarding the residents of Rockledge wanting to construct a bridge over Sand Road to allow them water access across the street. Matt read a letter written by former County Engineer, Ron Lajti in 2019 when the residents of Eagle Beach wanted to have a crosswalk installed close to the area in question. The letter addresses similar concerns, and addresses public safety.
William Rofkar stated that he spoke with Kevin Johnson who brought up additional concerns regarding constructing a bridge over Sand Road. Ann Rumpf asked what other concerns would prevent a bridge from being constructed. William Rofkar stated that the biggest one that comes to mind is the fact that there are only two highways leading in/out of the township and if there is a 15 foot bridge erected, then construction equipment or other machinery that is more than 15 feet high, will be prevented from traveling that road. You will limit that entire side of the township from service. William Baker stated that he has been down that new drive twice and that a bridge might be a visual distraction. All trustees agreed that a bridge going over Sand Road would not be a good idea.
David Howell stated that he had someone with a flat tire in front of his orchard. He wanted to thank the Police Officer that came out to help and stated that not only did he protect this car from traffic, but also changed the tire for her.
David Howell also stated that he had a medical emergency the other day and his wife had to call 911. He said within a minute of the call Sergeant Stewart arrived to assist, Dan Barlow arrived soon after. The EMS squad was also there within minutes. He just wanted to say thank you for the first responders and everyone who showed up to help him.
Dorthy Baker asked the trustees why they hired Vicki Wheatly as zoning inspector at 2/3 of the pay rate they paid the previous zoning inspector, and with four times as many hours. It was explained to her that Todd Bickley had over 30 years of experience and Vicki will need to learn the position. The trustees also stated that they wanted the zoning inspector position to have more hours but Todd was not able to provide additional hours. When Vicki agreed to the position, it was brought up about having more office hours, and she was in agreement. It was also stated that Vicki will have a 6-month probationary period, and the wage will be addressed again at that time.
William Baker asked why the zoning inspector position was not advertised. William Rofkar stated that we had an abrupt resignation and we have zoning cases that need to be tended to, and some of these cases already have hearing dates. Diane Belden agreed that it was a quick appointment, however, since it’s not union you can appoint whoever you want. In hind-sight, she stated that she would have preferred to wait since Vicki won’t be starting until August 1, 2025. She stated that she agrees there may be others on the zoning board who would have been a better pick.
Lisa Murphy asked what process was taken by the trustees from the time they received Todd Bickley’s resignation to the hiring of Vicki Wheatley. Also, why and who contacted Vicki and why she was offered the job and not someone else with more experience. William Rofkar stated that there are not trained zoning inspectors out there looking to fill these positions. He stated we hired someone, we did it legally and the board is confident that who they appointed will do a good job.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday August 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
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Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer