Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2011
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Gino Monaco, Dick Leonard, Larry Hattan, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The minutes were read from the February 22 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees. William Rofkar made a motion to approve the February 22 meeting minutes as received. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $41,706.54. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The following correspondence was received by the township and read:
A thank you from Patrick Adkins, Superintendent of Port Clinton City School District for the township’s generous contribution towards funding of the school district resource officer.
A letter from Larry Fletcher, Executive Director of the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, announcing the fifth consecutive year they have collaborated with the Erie County Visitors Bureau to produce a regional Travel Planner and a comprehensive marketing plan to promote our exciting part of Ohio. In the letter, Larry Fletcher states they anticipate another strong tourism year. Also enclosed, a 2010 Annual Report and copy of the new Travel Planner.
A letter from David Hoheisel and the Great Lakes Largemouth Series requesting use of the West Harbor Boat Ramp for their tournament this summer. The dates are June 26, July 24, August 14, September 11, and October 2.
A letter from Gino Monaco of the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineering Department regarding our request for a bulk rate adjustment of our March bill due to the recent water line break at the fire station. He noted in the letter the bulk rate water policy limits the application of the bulk rate to the amount of water passing through the meter and our consumption was less than the minimum for a one and a half inch meter (16,500 gallons). Also included was a detailed report of our water consumption at the fire station for the last two years.
A letter from Hylant Group in regard to the renewal of our commercial insurance program and request for updated information where necessary.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow introduced Dick Leonard, Sales Representative from Buck and Knobby Equipment. Dan Barlow said he discussed repair issues concerning the present backhoe with Dick Leonard and it was discovered the repairs would be a major expense. Dan Barlow asked the Trustees to consider replacing the backhoe taking into account its age and what it would cost to have it repaired. He stated the backhoe is used extensively in their day to day operations and has recorded 4,500 hours in the past 10 years.
Dan Barlow presented a bid of $56,238.28 for replacing the backhoe, including trading in the old backhoe. Dick Leonard stated the pricing is based off the State Bid Program. Gary Mortus said the new backhoe would be the next size up from the current backhoe with an extenda hoe which would help with the composting, ditch cleaning, and pump lifting at the ditch pump.
Gary Mortus made a motion to purchase a new John Deere backhoe through the State Cooperative Purchasing Program as proposed by Buck and Knobby Equipment for a total with options of $56,238.28 including trade-in. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Dan Barlow said as presented at the last meeting he has received quotes for a new heating system in the maintenance building. The quotes include Jones Electrical and Heating, $8,800, Firelands Mechanical, $8,990; Ohler and Holzhauer, $13,702.53, and Lakecraft Corporation, $6,707. Dan Barlow said he spoke with Lakecraft about their proposal and it is the same as what the other contractors are proposing. Gary Mortus stated he would be adamantly opposed to any change orders due to possible underbidding.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve a contract as proposed with Lakecraft Corporation for a new heating system for the maintenance building in the amount of $6,707. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief John Gangway said the department has four members going to fire school at Bowling Green State University the weekend of March 12. One of the members, Louis Wargo, will be continuing his Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification.
John Gangway stated Dale Gorka passed his Basic EMT class and Zack Hathaway passed his Basic Fire class.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented detailed February Month End Reports and the February Bank Reconciliation. Karen Shaw reported all employees will receive an individual year end benefits statement and presented a spreadsheet inclusive of all information to the Trustees.
Presentation
Larry Hattan, retired Engineering Manager from Brush Wellman, gave a presentation in regard to Energy Studies he provides as a free service to area businesses. He offered his services to the township stating he would study natural gas and electricity usage at each of the township buildings. Larry Hattan said he would like to collect gas and electricity data from the township bills, place loggers to gather temperature, and perform an infrared camera study. When his study is complete he will submit his findings to the Board of Trustees.
Larry Hattan said he does the work as a hobby and community service. The Trustees agreed to have Larry Hattan conduct an energy study at the community hall, fire station, maintenance building, and administration building at no cost to the township.
Other Business
The Trustees agreed the Great Lakes Largemouth Series could have use of the West Harbor Boat Ramp which is for public use.
Gino Monaco, Administrator for the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer’s Officer, spoke regarding the water line at the fire station. He stated the fire station’s monthly minimum of $74.64 is based on a one and a half inch meter and with that we are entitled to 16,500 gallons of water each month. He said our average usage is less than 7,500 gallons per month. Gino Monaco said the township could save money by reducing the fire station’s meter size from an inch and a half to an inch or possibly less. He stated with an inch meter the monthly minimum cost would drop to $36.52 with a monthly allotment of 7,680 gallons of water.
Gino Monaco stated only about once or twice a year does the fire station go above 7,680 gallons of water. He said you do get more flow with an inch and a half meter and perhaps that is why it was installed originally. Gina Monaco said if we dropped to a one inch meter the water flow would drop from 100 gallons per minute to 50 gallons per minute and perhaps that was taken into consideration at the time.
John Gangway stated the fire department used to fill the trucks with the station line but now they draw directly from a fire hydrant. Gary Mortus stated the meter was put in prior to city water when we had to draw from the well. Gary Mortus asked what the cost would be to change the meter. Gino Monaco said to increase the meter size could be substantial because you would need a larger pit. He said he would get a quote but he thought it would be minimal to decrease the meter size and they would probably trade back the used inch and a half meter for a new one inch meter.
William Rofkar asked John Gangway if he saw a down side to downsizing the meter size. John Gangway said he did not think it would be a problem.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve up to $3,000 for the costs associated with the Police Officer’s Memorial to be held in May. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The Trustees approved Zoning Inspector Walter Wehenkel’s request for two days off.
Gary Mortus said the Ottawa County Engineer presented a proposal of $197,309.51 for grinding and resurfacing Catawba’s portion of Sand Road. William Rofkar said he believes Sand Road is the highest priority of any of the roads the township is reviewing and since Portage Township is going to resurface their end we should resurface our portion of Sand Road. Gary Mortus agreed and asked Dan Barlow to consider how many loads of the removed grindings the township might use for the alleys at the compost area and let the Engineer’s office know.
The Trustees agreed the cost of the Sand Road project would more than likely mean foregoing the resurfacing of other roads up for consideration this year. Dan Barlow stated there are areas in need of repair and minor patching could be contracted out as in the past.
Gary Mortus made a motion to proceed with the Sand Road portion of the road contract coordinated through the Ottawa County Engineer contingent on the approval of Portage Township. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The motion was carried.
William Rofkar said he received a request from someone to use the chapel for a wedding in November. He said he spoke with one of the representatives from the church group who has a long term rental at the chapel and they said they would be willing to accommodate. William Rofkar said he arranged for the two parties to exchange phone numbers and they will discuss it further.
William Rofkar asked the Trustees to consider an agreement for use of the Community Hall by employees and volunteer firemen. He said he would like to see employees and volunteer firemen have free use of the community hall for their own personal family functions. Matt Montowski said he would not have a problem with such an agreement. Gary Mortus said he would like to see a written statement spelling out who is eligible and what immediate family consists of so he can make a decision based on straight forward information. He said it is important to treat everyone the same and fairly.
The Trustees agreed employees and volunteer firemen wishing to use the hall should complete a rental agreement and come before the Trustees to request free use of the hall.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.
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Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
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