Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2024
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, March 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Mary Jane Porozynski,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Brad Schwan, Jack Madison, Scott Hines, Shelly Garcia,
Dorothy Baker and William Baker
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the February 27, 2024, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. Matt Montowski, aye; William Rofkar, aye; Diane Belden abstained as she was not present at the meeting. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the payroll, in the amount of $45,094.41. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Kevin Johnson requesting use of the Community Hall on March 30 for a family event.
Trustees agreed Kevin Johnson can use the Community Hall as requested and waived the rental fee.
An email from John Davenport requesting to reserve the pickleball and tennis courts at Heigel Park for a Rotary fundraiser, possibly June 22 or 29.
Trustees agreed John Davenport can use the pickleball and tennis courts at Heigel Park as requested for a Rotary fundraiser.
A letter from Steven May regarding the landscaping plan for the Cemetery Road entrance to the Fairway Communities of Catawba Island Club.
An email from Ilona Seaman of iPanda Designs regarding the townships website and a proposal to design, build, and manage the township’s website.
A letter from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission regarding the 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program.
A letter from the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce thanking the township for membership renewal.
A postcard from the Ottawa-Lucas East County Farm Service Agency and notification of accepting appointments for the 2024 ARC/PLC Program with a March 15 deadline for program sign up.
A letter from the Department of Commerce regarding Cable Television Complaints and a Consumer Hotline available.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw reported the Annual Financial Report for the year ending December 31, 2023 has been submitted to the state and notification has been published in the Port Clinton News Herald.
Karen Shaw reported the township received the first half Real Estate Property Tax Settlement with a net distribution of $1,159,507.23. She also presented the February 2024 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were ten zoning permits issued in February and four variances with a total of $2,055.67 collected in fees.
Matt Montowski said zoning is still dealing with an Airbnb on Woodland Drive and NW Catawba Road and is working with the Prosecutors office.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson presented a quote from Barnes Nursery for grinding mulch at the compost facility.
William Rofkar made a motion to contract with Barnes Nursery for grinding mulch at the compost facility for $27,500. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway presented a quote from Axon for replacing six tasers and two battery packs.
Diane Belden made a motion to purchase six tasers and two spare battery packs from Axon for a total of $8,583. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
John Gangway spoke about rules and regulations the police have the authority to enforce in parks.
Fire
Diane Belden reported Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department members responded to three fire calls and six EMS calls for a total of nine calls responded to in February.
Diane Belden said Brian Gutman, from Port Clinton EMS, said they will no longer charge the township for runs made to the Miller Ferry to pick up transfers from Put-In-Bay. She noted for the year 2023, transports from the Water Street address cost the township $7,875.
Diane Belden made a motion to accept an application from Dean Auxter as a new member of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department for a one year probationary period. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Parks
Brad Schwan said he reached out to Gerold Construction regarding the pickleball courts and asked if they would be interested in vacating the contract and the township will keep the $4,000 held back and finish the project. He said Gerold Construction was agreeable to vacating the contract.
Brad Schwan asked Trustees to consider ideas related to a community garden on township property.
Jack Madison said the Ottawa County Park District closed on the purchase of property at the north end of Catawba Island. He said the park is to be named “Islander Woods and Trailhead” because the property backs up to the Twin Oast property. He said they are in the process of hiring a consultant to do the engineering and design work and anticipate the park opening next year.
Matt Montowski asked Jack Madison if the Ottawa County Park District has a land use plan for Catawba Island because they have acquired property in multiple locations. He said putting land in conservancy takes away from the township’s tax base.
Jack Madison said the Ottawa County Park District does not have a land use plan for Catawba but if someone has property they would like to donate, the Park District is willing to accept the donation.
New Business
Trustees discussed the healthcare renewal as presented by Frank Harmon of Ohio Insurance Services Agency with an increase around 13%. Matt Montowski said Frank Harmon recommended we move the deductible to $3,500 and adjust our OPEC HRA Funding Plan to keep the benefits consistent for employees. Matt Montowski said we should see a net savings which would bring it to around a 5% renewal adjustment.
Matt Montowski made a motion to renew the township’s healthcare with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield through the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) Benefit Plan and increase the deductible to $3,500 effective May 1, 2024, for all eligible employees and elected officials as presented by Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to participate in the Ottawa County Engineer’s Road Striping Program for 2024 and stripe township roads as follows:
Sand Road from West Twp. Corp Line to County Road 30
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Muggy Road beginning at State Route 53 (Stop Bar at State Route 53)
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Follow Center Lines as shown)
Cemetery Road between County Road 30 and State Route 53 (Stop Bar at both ends)
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Schoolhouse Road between County Road 30 and State Route 53 (Stop Bar at both ends)
(Edge Lines Both Sides the full length. Follow Center Lines as shown)
Moores Dock Road between County Road 30 and State Park
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Follow Center Lines as shown)
Wine Cellar Road between County Road 30 and State Route 53 (Stop Bar at both ends)
(Edge Lines on Outbound Side Only)
Twin Beach Road beginning at State Route 53 (Stop Bar at State Route 53 only)
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Center Lines the full length ending past the parking lot)
Weyhe Road beginning at County Road 30 to the pole at private property
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Sloan Road beginning at County Rd 30 to Intersection of Route 53 (Stop Bar east end only)
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Linda Drive beginning at County Road 30 (Stop Bar at County Road 30 only)
(Edge Lines Both Sides terminating and starting at end of business parking lot. Double Yellow Center Lines stopping same as Edge Lines)
Beach Club from County Road 30 to club entrance (Double Center Lines all the way)
(Edge Lines Both Sides and Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Crogan between State Route 53 and Porter Road (Stop Bar at State Route 53)
(Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Porter Road between County Road 30 and State Route 53
(Double Yellow Center Lines the full length)
Barnum from County Road 30 to end of blacktop
(Edge Lines Both Sides terminating at parking lot)
Trustees authorize the Ottawa County Engineers’ Office to prepare the bid packages and open submittals. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she will attend the Ottawa County Health Department meeting on Thursday, March 14, and report at the next regular Trustee meeting on March 26.
Diane Belden said there will be a special meeting to discuss roads with the Ottawa County Engineer on Tuesday, March 19, at 8:45 a.m. in the conference room.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer