Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, May 13, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Lisa Murphy, Mary Jane Porozynski, Kevin Gibbons, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Chris Cellier, Kim Mulholland, Chris Graham, William O’Donnell, Kimberly Schuler-Schaffer, and Robert Crawford.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the April 22, 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 $121,760.50. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Notice from Catawba Island Zoning Commission regarding a rezoning request submitted by Mastercraft Development, Inc. to rezone a parcel of land from R-1 to R-3. The applicant proposes a residential community development. The Zoning Commission voted to recommend to the Trustees to disapprove this request (Case# 737674).
Public Hearing Notice: The township trustees will hold a public hearing regarding the rezoning request from Mastercraft Development on Monday May 19, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Catawba Island Community Hall.
Letter of opposition received from Michael O’Donnell regarding the rezoning request from R1 to R3 from Mastercraft Development. He asks that the trustees act in good conscious and vote to deny this code change.
Request from Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons to purchase a new iPad for new Fire Engine 224. This will allow use of the “I Am Responding” software on emergency runs. It will prove to be extremely beneficial to the township. The total cost is $1,100.00 and then $20 per month on our existing Verizon account for an additional line, and a maximum of $4 per month surcharge.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the purchase of the iPad in the amount of $1,100 for the Fire Department and the additional $24 per month that will be included on our existing Verizon bill. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Email from Alex Collins who is a Reserve Advisor requesting information from the trustees to allow him to work up a proposal to see if they would like to partner with his company to and if they can provide any benefit to the township.
Email from Robin Canale regarding the mowing along the ditch line and vacant lot at the Nor Easter Club. She stated that it has not been mowed or taken care of yet and is asking that the trustee look into this matter. Matt Montowski stated that he has been in contact with the new owner, and has made him aware of the issues. However, by Ohio Revised Code he is only required to mow twice a year. The new owner has also brought up that he may not even be the owner of some of the parcels referenced. Bill Rofkar stated that if it is not a township road, there is not much the trustees can do.
Letter from Angela Reineck requesting use of the township administration building parking lot. She is having a retirement party on May 17, 2025 and would like to have her guests park at the township parking lot to avoid congestion on Laurel Ridge Dr. for those few hours. The trustees all agreed that this would not be an issue.
Email to Mary Jane from Angie Krueger reporting that her model horse show on April 12, 2025 raised $1,433 for the Ottawa Co. 4-H Horse Dept. She thanked everyone for their help and was happy to report that they were able to give the full amount back to the community.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia provided the April 2025 financial reports and bank reconciliations. There were no questions or concerns.
Maintenance
Kevin Johnson stated that they finally have everything all cleaned up from the CIT clean up days, and they are currently working on getting the grass mowed.
He also stated that he is working on getting bids together for the maintenance department backhoe replacement. Bill Rofkar stated that this is something we certainly need to be looking into in the next few years. Matt Montowski asked if this was something that he would be wanting after the first of the year. Kevin stated that it is seven years old and they are continuing to put money in to it. Matt stated that it looks like they would be giving us a trade in value of $45,000.
Matt Montowski thanked Kevin and the whole maintenance department for their efforts and for working on Saturdays to take care of everything with the clean up and the cemetery.
Bill Rofkar also pointed out how great of a job the maintenance department did on the landscaping around the township building and that it was all done in house, and they are very happy with how it all turned out.
Police
The issue of street lights was brought regarding who owns and maintains them on Catawba. Matt stated that he will get with Fiscal Officer, Shelly Garcia and pull the Ohio Edison bills to see if the township needs to look into getting them serviced and clarify who is responsible for them.
Fire
Chief Kevin Gibbons reported there were a total of 6 calls (3 Fire, 2 False Alarms and 1 Gas Leak). There were also a total of 3 EMS runs.
The CIC Fireworks will be May 25, 2025.
Diane Belden stated that May 4, 2025 was Fireman’s Appreciation Day and she stated that they had a dinner for the department and that Catawba appreciates their Vol. Fire Dept.
New Business
Diane Belden stated that the Free Library Box is coming along and they would like to have a dedication ceremony on June 7th. They are dedicating the box to our Catawba Heros.
Matt Montowski gave the zoning report. There were a total of 17 permits issues and 4 variances for a total of $2,120.74 collected.
Matt Montowski brought up that the OSS Solid Waste District that might possibly be dismantled which would affect the township recycling program. They propose that the trustees put together a resolution in opposition which Matt did, and presented to the board. Resolution #05-2025 was presented to the trustees opposing the passage of Senate Bill 147 because of the detrimental effects it will impose on the township, its residents, and businesses. All Trustees and Fiscal Officer signed the resolution to try to stop Seneca Co. from pulling out of this which would cause the fees for the other townships to increase. Matt Montowski made a motion to accept Resolution #05-2025. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Willliam Rofkar stated that he met with the County Engineer regarding the paving of a section of Rockledge. He stated that they will do the estimating and bidding on this project and expected to be done in 2026. William Rofkar made a motion to provide a TRQ (Township Request for Assistance) to the County Engineer for this particular paving project. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar asked if anyone had a conflict of interest with the rezoning case that will be heard on May 19, 2025 at the Community Hall. Matt and Diane both stated that they do not. William Rofkar stated that he does. He has two relatives that own property adjacent to the property in question and he talked to the County Prosecutor and was advised to not vote on, discuss or participate in this case. He stated for these reasons he will not be in attendance for the rezoning hearing.
Dorthy Baker stated that Saturday morning (May 17th) at 11:00 a.m. they will be doing the dedication for the new community garden at John Braun Park. All are welcome.
Lisa Murphy brought up the issue of using the Parks Board grant money for a parking lot for the Cedar Meadow Preserve. She asked where the trustees stand on this issue. Matt Montowki stated that he would like to answer this question. He stated that originally the CI Parks Board put together a grant asking the Ottawa Co. Parks District for $50,000 for an outside excise trail at Heigle Park. The Ottawa Co. Parks District came back and only approved $20,000 out of the $50,000 requested. The CI Parks Board came to the trustees and asked that they do not accept the $20,000. They then came back to the trustees with a new plan to redo the parking lot by the salt bins and fire station pavilion. Matt stated that the trustees spoke to the maintenance dept. and Police Chief who stated that this would not be a bad idea as we would then have designated parking for Cedar Meadows Preserve. There are also signs for it already (however they are not in place yet). The estimate for this project is just under $11,000. The trustees then referred this back to the Parks District and they are to vote on it tonight.
Lisa Murphy asked if the trustees were not willing to put forth the additional $30,000 to make up the $50,000 that the CI Parks Board requested from the Ottawa Co. Parks District in order to create the outdoor exercise trail. Matt stated that Catawba is unique to other Ottawa Co. Townships as we have a Parks Board. The Parks Board makes recommendations to the trustees and they did not recommend that the trustees do that. The trustees respect the Parks Boards recommendations, and this (parking lot) was what they recommended.
Lisa Murphy asked who will maintain the upkeep of the parking lot. Matt stated that this would be up to the township.
Lisa Murphy stated that she did not feel this was a wise use of funds. She feels the funds should be used for something to improve the park. There is a huge parking area that can be used for the Cedar Meadow Preserve already and it is never fully utilized. Matt stated that this was a great idea and that she should share this with the Park Board as they are the ones making the recommendation.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday May 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
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Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer