Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Shelly Garcia, Chris Cellier, Quintin Smith, Kevin Johnson, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Mary Jane Porozynski, Kim Mulholland, Craig McCoy, Flint Heidlebaugh, Greg Strayer, Keith Fisher, Lisa Murphy, Sharon Allen, Michael Hablitzel, and Randy Reidmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Chris Cellier made a motion to approve the August 25, 2026, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including payroll, in the amount of $97,508.22. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The date for Trick or Treat this year will be Saturday, October 31st from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
A letter from Alison Perlaky was received requesting the trustees look into a zoning text amendment closing the “breezeway loophole” that allows an addition permit that falls outside of the zoning regulations to be constructed so long as it is attached to a home via a “breezeway”. She specifically names property at 1838 NW Catawba Road that has a 4,200 sq. ft, 28 foot tall commercial-scale garage that is attached to a tiny 936 sq. ft. home. She also stated that hiring additional zoning personal to help out would possibly alleviate things like this from falling through the cracks.
Much discussion took place between trustees and members of the audience. The trustees stated that they are already looking at getting another person to assist with the zoning inspector.
Quintin Smith asked if this particular approved permit had to go in front of the zoning appeals board, and it did not. It was approved and signed off by previous zoning inspector, Todd Bickley.
The trustees stated that they will look further into this matter.
A letter from Linda Creeger was received regarding ongoing issues at 111 NW Catawba Road and the maintenance of the property. She advised the trustees that, once again, the property owner has allowed his grass and weeds to become hip high. She is asking the trustees do their due diligence and monitor this property to ensure that ORC 505.87 is being enforced.
The trustees advised that each time the property owner is contacted, he has the property mowed. Diane Belden stated that she spoke to the owner last week and he stated that he had someone to mow on Friday but it rained. She stated that she was going to wait until after the holiday to contact him again.
Quintin Smith has been working on wording for a property nuisance resolution for the township. He stated that many surrounding communities have such a policy and he has been in contact with them to see how they handle these situations. He continues to work on this and will meet with the township attorney to ensure its legality. Once it is complete, he will bring it to the other board members for approval.
Breann Christiansen submitted a follow-up letter on the presentation from her and Chief Gangway regarding Catawba Island EMS. She states that she continues to work on this issue and continues to meet with medical billers and other companies to work on gathering information to get a more narrowed down cost for the plan that they have presented. She also stated that a third-party feasibility study would be beneficial to make a determination as to what is needed to make this plan possible.
Chief Gangway continues his talks with the Paramedic Foundation to see about grant funding for this project. He will advise the trustees after his next meeting with them.
Chris Cellier stated that he feels one of the trustees should be involved in these conversations and work with Chief Gangway in this process. Quintin agreed and stated that he will contact Chief Gangway.
Chris also stated that conversations regarding our current EMS contract need to happen sooner rather than later before the current contract expires in December 2027.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia provided the August 2026 financial reports and bank reconciliations. There were no questions or concerns.
Shelly Garcia brought up a quote from Catawba Security that was brought up last meeting but put on hold until this meeting. It is to convert the fire station to a stand-alone system to monitor the fire alarm devices. All trustees agreed this is needed for the department.
Quintin Smith made a motion to approve quote #6523 from Catawba Security in the amount of $1,299.90. Chris Cellier seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion approved.
Maintenance
Kevin Johnson spoke to Adkins Fence and they will have the tennis court fencing up this week.
He stated they are down a tractor as it is in the shop and will be there for a few weeks due to on-going mechanical issues.
Fall clean-up will be held Friday September 25th (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), and Saturday September 26th (8:00 am – Noon).
FIRE
Quintin Smith gave the run totals for August. There were 26 total runs (7 Fire and 19 EMS with the majority of these being lift assist).
At the last meeting, a quote was submitted by the Fire Chief for 28 new pagers for the department. This quote was from VASU in the amount of $22,548.96. It was put on hold at the last meeting so the trustees could gather more information.
There was no one at the meeting from the Fire Department, but Chief Gibbons submitted a letter to the trustees asking them to move forward with approving the VASU quote for the pagers.
Chris Cellier stated that he spoke to the Ottawa Co. Sheriffs Dept. and was told that our current system is out dated and parts cannot be replaced if they are broken. The current system will continue to degrade over time. He stated that it was the county recommendation to purchase the new pagers at this time.
Discussion took place between members of the audience and trustees. Many questions came up about if the current pagers are still usable. Branne Christensen stated that they use the same pager system at PIB, and all pagers do not need to be purchased all at once. The pagers (old and new) all still work on the same system.
Randy Reidmaier stated he has reviewed the quote and knows the history of the system. He stated the quote is very reasonable.
Lisa Murphy stated that she was under the impression that not many fire fighters are showing up to the calls. Diane gave the current numbers of how many showed up, and it was about 5-10 firefighters show up to calls. Lisa questioned why are they asking for 28 new pagers when there are 23 current members and only 5-10 show up. If the old ones still work, why buy all new?
Quintin questioned if we could only buy 10 or so new ones, and if more are needed later, then they can be purchased over time. The fiscal officer stated that if they want a number different then what is on the quote provided, then a new quote would be needed. She stated many times there is a discount if you buy a certain amount and the cost per unit may not be the same if you change the quantity.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the VASU quote as presented for the 28 new pagers. Quintin Smith stated that he wanted to have someone on the department answer a few of the questions that have come up before he made a decision, Chris Cellier agreed. Quintin Smith seconded the motion. Diane Belden voted aye. Quintin Smith and Chris Cellier voted no. Motion denied.
They stated they will contact the Fire Chief to get quotes on fewer units and also answer questions that have come up at this meeting.
New Business
Quintin Smith stated he continues to work with the county on drainage issues. He submitted a drawing of the Konker subdivision and their retainage pond. He stated he is working with the county to find ways to fix these issues
Chris Cellier gave the zoning report for August. There were 16 permits issued for a total of $1,065.12.
Diane Belden stated that she is working on revising the community hall rental application as the current one is very confusing. She will bring it back to the board once she has it complete.
Diane stated that she would like to recognize Police Sargeant, Jim Stewart for 30 years of service with the Catawba Island Township Police Department.
Diane stated the trustees will be at the MS4 meeting with the county on September 30th.
The fall walk will be October 10th.
Catawba Island will host the county meeting on October 22nd.
Sharon Allen advised the trustees that there is no guardrail along the docks at Basin Dr. Diane stated that they have just finished the paving project and are waiting for the company to install the guardrails and it should be completed very soon.
Sharon also stated that there are drainage issues at Gem Beach and attributes that to new structures that have been constructed. Quintin stated that this is all part of the issues they are addressing with the county.
Chris Cellier made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Quintin Smith seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer