Minutes: May 12th, 2015

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

May 12, 2015

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Gary Mortus on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.

In attendance were Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw,
Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Bob Rogers, Diane Belden, Joy Roth, Rick Stechschulte,
Keith Carr, Jack Hilbert, Randy Riedmaier.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve the April 28 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 the last payroll, in the amount of $44,696.37. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Correspondence

The following correspondence was received by the township:

An invitation to the 2015 Police Memorial Day Ceremony to be held Thursday, May 14, 2015, at the Elmore Library.

A memo from the Ottawa County Budget Commission regarding additional funds requested by the Health Department. The Budget Commission will meet May 21, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in the Emergency Operation Center in the basement of the Ottawa County Courthouse to consider the request of the Health Department.

A postcard from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Oak Harbor regarding a presentation on May 12, 2015, by Bill Thompson, III Editor and Co-Publisher of Bird Watcher’s Digest.

Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the April 2015 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.

Maintenance

William Rofkar made a motion to approve Thomas Geisheimer’s request for 3750 North Appell Drive, Ottawa County Engineer’s Permit #15-003, to modify the black top at the corner of Appell Drive and Balliette Drive per the Ottawa County Engineer’s specification, at the owner’s expense. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow said the fence around the play area at Heigel Park needs repaired. He presented a proposal from Adkins Fence for $346.87 with possible additional charges when they get into the repair. Trustees agreed the repairs to the fence should be made.


Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with Randy J. Smith Roofing for $3,500 to repair the Community Hall roof. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Dan Barlow said the leaf vacuum is being repaired in house. He said the vacuum is not meant to pick up grass clippings and he believes it is causing long term damage to the vehicle. He requested the maintenance department stop picking up grass clippings.

The Trustees agreed to put out a press release effective May 31, 2015 township maintenance personnel will no longer pick up grass clippings left curbside. Grass clippings can be taken to the compost site during daylight hours.

Zoning

Matt Montowski said there were five zoning permits issued and two variances for the month of April with a total of $848.56 collected in fees.

New Business

Rick Stechschulte, Nor Easter Club and Marina, and Attorney Jack Hilbert presented detailed drawings and explained the request for a minor deviation to the approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) and their desire to provide dockage along the channel for Nor Easter Club members.

A lengthy discussion took place and Trustees expressed their concern for boater safety in the proposed area.

Matt Montowski made a motion to not approve the minor deviation submitted by the Nor Easter Club for reasons of public health and safety and open space requirements of the PUD. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The motion carried and the minor deviation request was not approved.

Matt Montowski made a motion to participate in the Navigational Aid Placement Agreement between Catawba Island Township and Gem Beach Lot Owners Association as specified in the Recital approved by Prosecuting Attorney Mark Mulligan. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Trustees discussed the township annual budget, reduction in Local Government funds, and the elimination of the Estate Tax. Also noted, township expenditures have exceeded township revenues for the past three years. A couple decades ago, Township Trustees reduced the Inside Millage by one (1) mill at a time when it was determined the additional funds were in excess of the needs of the township.

Matt Montowski made a motion to adopt the following Resolution:

Catawba Island Township Trustees request the Ottawa County Budget Commission increase the Inside Millage by (1) mill in the General Fund.

William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to pass a resolution to proceed with the 2015 Roads Resurfacing Project and give the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office the authorization to prepare the bid packages and open submittals on the township’s behalf. Included in the project are Schoolhouse, Cemetery, Peachton, Barnum and Hanne Roads. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to remove the disability sick pay offset for the short term disability policy. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.



___________________________ _____________________________
Gary Mortus, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer

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