Minutes: September 13th, 2011

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2011

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.

In attendance were Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Jack DeVore, Jack Zeigler, John Glaze, Kenneth Stumbauch, Drew DeConcini, Lawrence Holland, Bob Christiansen, Brittany Christiansen, Sean Rizor, Dave Boldt, and Douglas Cowan.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by a moment of silence for our troops.

The minutes were read from the August 23 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees. Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the August 23 meeting minutes as presented. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last two payrolls, in the amount of $80,493.74. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.


Correspondence

The following correspondence was received by the township and read:

A letter from Deputy Director Carol Ann Hill of the Ottawa County Board of Elections regarding the use of the Catawba Island Township Community Hall for the election on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

From Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Mulligan a copy of the Judgment Entry Bond for the case brought by the State of Ohio against a former township employee.

An invitation from the Ottawa County Sherriff’s Office to a farewell for Sheriff Bob Bratton on Wednesday, September 21.

A letter from Dennis Miller, Ohio Public Works Commission, District 5 Liaison regarding the Designation of Township Trustee Representatives and Alternates to the District 5 Integrating Committee.

An invitation from United Way of Ottawa County to “No Wrong Door” training in October.

A letter from Columbia Retail Energy offering a fixed-rate for natural gas.

A letter form Josh Gerwin, District Conservationist for the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District requesting local input for the fiscal year 2012 program.


A copy of a Petition for Special Relief in regard to Time Warner Cable from its attorneys for determination of effective competition.

From the Ohio Department of Natural Resources a Citizen Volunteer Pest Survey for the Asian Longhorned Beetle and an application for the Northwest Ohio Urban Forestry Seminar in November.


Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the August financial reports and bank reconciliation.
William Rofkar made a motion to accept and approve the August financial reports and bank reconciliation as received. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Karen Shaw said the second half real estate property tax rollback was received as budgeted.

Karen Shaw said the township received the estimate for Local Government monies for the fiscal year 2012 from the Ottawa County Budget Commission.

Karen Shaw said the township received the Tax Budget for Inside millage and Outside millage for the Fiscal Year 2012 approved by the Ottawa County Budget Commission.

Gary Mortus made a motion to adopt a Resolution certifying the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2012. William Rofkar seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Matt Montowski, aye; Gary Mortus, aye; William Rofkar, aye.

Karen Shaw said the township received estate tax estimates from Ottawa County Treasurer Robert Hille.

Karen Shaw said she contacted Mayor Hymore-Tester regarding the donation the township made last February to support the Officer in School Program. Karen Shaw said the program was terminated and she questioned if the township would be receiving a refund. She said it was confirmed the township will receive a prorated refund.


Fire and Safety

Fire Chief John Gangway said squad 227 is out of service and currently at Port Clinton Ford. He said they are waiting for parts.

John Gangway said Jennifer Knecht will be starting a basic fire fighter class September 27 in Marblehead. He said the training is through Vanguard Sentinel.

John Gangway said the Fire Department has meetings scheduled with vendors to get prices for new turnout gear. He said they have also talked to contractors regarding the new cabinet installation project.


Police

John Gangway said the 2004 police cruiser has been sold to Marblehead and they have picked up the vehicle.


Maintenance

Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow presented three bids for painting the pavilion at Heigel Park. They are Fox Painting $2,100; Prieur’s Painting $2,598; and Lakeside Interior Contractors out of Perrysburg $10,960. Dan Barlow said the pavilion was only covered under warranty for one year.

Gary Mortus made a motion to contract with Fox Painting for $2,100 to paint the Heigel Park pavilion. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Dan Barlow said he sent out bid specifications to David Price Metal Services and Barnes Nursery to do a raw grinding of our brush material. He said only the brush will be done at this time. Dan Barlow said they will wait until spring to grind the compost material.

Dan Barlow said he followed up with other fuel suppliers including the State Purchasing fuel supplier and found Beck’s, our current fuel supplier, is the best option.

Dan Barlow said Muggy Road is due to be resurfaced soon. He said the completion date is September 30. Dan Barlow said the township maintenance crew will berm Muggy Road when it is resurfaced. He also said the township road repairs to be completed by The Kreimes Co. will be done in the next 20 days or so.

John Glaze asked when Route 53 was scheduled to be resurfaced. Dan Barlow said the Ohio Department of Transportation is due to resurface State Route 53 from the causeway to Miller’s boat dock by year end after they have completed work at the intersection of Routes 53 and 163.

John Gangway said a representative from Gherkin Paving stopped in to let the police know they hoped to have all of Route 53 ground and a base coat down by winter and the surface coat completed early next year.

Jack Ziegler asked about the stop signs at Twin Beach and Schoolhouse Roads. He said the intersection is a tough one and he wondered if the visibility of the stop signs could be improved. Dan Barlow said the signage around the township is being replaced to meet new reflectivity requirements. He said when vehicle headlights hit the new signs they stand out and you can see the post and sign much better.


Other Business

Sean Rizor, Investigator from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, gave a presentation addressing the use of conventional golf carts and low speed vehicles on public roads.


Sean Rizor said a conventional golf cart has a maximum speed of 20 mph. He said currently there is no section of the Ohio Revised Code to address conventional golf carts. Sean Rizor said a low speed vehicle by definition under the Ohio Revised Code is a motor vehicle even though it has a maximum speed of 25 and a minimum speed of 20 it meets the definition of a motor vehicle. He said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines the requirements for these vehicles as having VIN numbers, headlights, taillights, brake lights, horns, seatbelts, windshields, and windshield wipers before they meet the requirements at inspection stations that the State of Ohio has put into place.

Sean Rizor said the difference between the conventional golf cart and the low speed vehicle is that only the low speed vehicle is preapproved by NHTSA. He spoke about the new Senate Bill 114 and said what they are proposing does not address speed and the vehicles are okay to drive on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less and can cross major highways. Sean Rizor said the proposed bill also allows local jurisdictions to impose stricter guidelines.

Gary Mortus said Ohio townships do not currently have the authority to impose stricter guidelines.

John Gangway said according to NHTSA summaries they state low speed vehicles are designed primarily for use within a retirement community, planned community, or in controlled environments. John Gangway said he does not feel West Catawba Road or any other public road in Catawba is a controlled environment. Sean Rizor said it is NHTSA’s recommendation and not a law.

Matt Montowski asked if low speed vehicles were allowed on Catawba Island roads.

Sean Rizor said under the current Ohio Revised Code the answer is yes because there is no definition that prohibits low speed vehicles. He said there are citations like impeding traffic or reckless operation that could come into play.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the issue.

Gary Mortus made a motion to pay Matt Montowski’s expenditures for attending the National Association of Towns and Townships Conference in Washington D.C. not to exceed $2,000. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve a supplemental appropriation of $15,000 from 1000-330-360 contracted services to 1000-330-420 operating supplies for the additional purchase of fuel. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Matt Montowski said there were 13 zoning permits and 1 zoning variance issued in August for a total of $1,214.33.

Gary Mortus presented a question regarding the activity going on at the mobile home near the intersection of NE Catawba and Muggy Roads. He said he wondered if it was a home occupation because it looks like an auto repair shop. Matt Montowski said he would ask the zoning inspector to look into the situation. Matt Montowski said he heard the mobile home has been sold and will be moved soon.


Gary Mortus said in regard to the Time Warner correspondence that there is a franchise fee the township could collect from residents up to 5% on top of the cable bills. He said many years ago the trustees elected to reduce that to zero and the township does not collect a franchise fee. Gary Mortus said other townships can collect up to 5%.

Gary Mortus said Allied Waste is planning to rollout a curbside recycling program beginning October 1.

Trustees confirmed Trick or Treat will be Monday, October 31, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.




______________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer

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