Minutes: November 12th, 2019

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

November 12, 2019

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

In attendance were: Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway, Paul Ochs, Kevin Gibbons, Bob Christiansen, Louie Wargo, Jordan Davenport, Randy Riedmaier, and Jack DeVore.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the October 22, 2019 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 two payrolls, in the amount of $73,049.04. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Correspondence

A letter from Tom Letterhos requesting use of the Community Hall December 14, for a family gathering.

Trustees agreed Tom Letterhos could use the Community Hall on December 14 and waived the rental fee as he is a member of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department.

A letter from Jessica Wallen requesting use of the Community Hall once a month on Sunday to host a bible study during the colder months.

Trustees agreed Jessica Wallen would need to schedule rental of the Community Hall as needed.

An email from Fire Chief Kevin Wylie noting he would not be in attendance at the meeting because he will be out of town and that as of December 31, 2019 he will be stepping down as Fire Chief.

A letter from the Ottawa County Engineers Office regarding the request from the Eagle Beach Wildwood Association for additional crossing signage on Sand Road adjacent to Eagle Beach.
Ron Lajti responded in part stating, “From a township perspective we would not advise the addition of any signs at the location. This is not a safe location for the public to be crossing and pedestrian crossing should not be encouraged. The guidance for the use of warning signs is provided in the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD) and the ODOT Traffic Engineering Manual. These documents state that signs intended to alert drivers that children may be present in an area have not been shown to have a discernable benefit to traffic safety. No factual evidence has been presented to document the success of this type of signing in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds or legal liability. If signs encourage children and or parents to believe that there is an added degree of protection, which the signs do not and cannot provided, this can result in a disservice. As a township, I would caution not to encourage people or children to cross at this location. For this reason we do not recommend the erection of any additional signage at this location.”


A letter from the Mental Health and Recovery Board requesting support for the .5 renewal levy on the November ballot.

A letter from Lafarge announcing a price increase for products effective January 1, 2020.

Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the October 2019 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.

Zoning

Matt Montowski said there were seventeen zoning permits issued and one variance applied for in October with a total of $1,296.64 collected in fees.

Matt Montowski made a motion to appoint Matt Gottron as an alternate on the Zoning Commission for the unexpired term through December 31, 2019. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Fire

Paul Ochs of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department discussed with Trustees options for choosing a replacement for the Fire Chief.

William Rofkar said he would look into a few options and be in contact with Paul Ochs in the near future.

Police

Police Chief John Gangway said the new police car should arrive in another week and Davenport Signs will work to get the township decals on the vehicle.

John Gangway said the Police Chief for the Village of Bayview would like to purchase the 2014 police interceptor.

Matt Montowski made a motion to sell the 2014 Ford Utility Police Interceptor to the Village of Bayview for $5,500. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

John Gangway said the police computer system was recently down, but it has been repaired and the necessary police software is working again.

Maintenance

Gary Mortus said two quotes were received for grinding at the compost facility, Barnes Nursery $8,970 and Lake Erie Tree Service $12,200.

Gary Mortus made a motion to contract with Barnes Nursery for $8,970 for grinding material at the compost facility. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.


Gary Mortus made a motion to contract with Toledo Mirror and Glass to install two automatic door operators with bollard post and wireless activations for the administration building front entrance and one automatic door operator with wireless activations for the Community Hall for a total of $7,125. The installation does not include the electrical work which will cost just under $2,000 from another vendor. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus said installation of the fence at the West Harbor Boat Launch is almost completed.

Gary Mortus said he spoke with Meridith Beck of the Parks Board and she said the opportunity to treat honeysuckle this fall has passed due to the freezing temperatures. Gary Mortus said the Parks Board is withdrawing their request for treatment this fall but would like the Board of Trustees to consider treating the honeysuckle in early spring.

Trustees reviewed quotes submitted for bi-annual spider spraying at multiple township locations; Certified Pest Control, $2,700 and Erie Spider & Pest Control $1,520.

Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with Erie Spider & Pest Control for a total of $1,520 for spraying twice in 2020. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

New Business

Matt Montowski made a motion to approve payment of expenses for the Township Trustees and Fiscal Officer to attend the 2020 Ohio Township Association Winter Conference in February. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Trustees agreed to purchase a complete set of Township Sourcebooks from the Ohio Township Association (1 Fiscal Officer, 3 Trustee, 1 Personnel and 1 Zoning) for $100 plus shipping.

Trustees agreed Administrative Assistant Patty Cable should be compensated for her occasional brief absences while serving on the grand jury. Trustees agreed that because she is paid $15 per appearance, and that is more than her hourly wage, she should be compensated her regular hourly wage for each hour of service beyond the first hour served.

William Rofkar said Craig Koerpel of the Catawba Island Historical Society approached him regarding directional signs in the township. The Trustees agreed the CIHS needs to go through the Board of Zoning Appeals for off premises directional signs as they do not qualify as an exempted sign because the township does not operate the museum.

Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.


___________________________ _____________________________
William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer