Minutes: July 28th, 2020

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

July 28, 2020

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, July 28, at 7:38 p.m. at the Community Hall located at 3307 NW Catawba Road.

In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw,
Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Ernie Wylie, Kevin Wylie, Kent Johnson, Chris Singerling,
Ann Rumpf, Tammy Manley, Loretta Hayes-Hill, John Pekar, Eileen Pekar, Andrea Kummero, Dave Belden, Jack DeVore and Randy Riedmaier.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

Diane Belden made a motion to approve the June 14, 2020 Board of Trustees regular 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 regular payroll and second quarter CIVFD payroll, in the amount of $80,761.84. The total also included a payment of $13,650 to Fire Safety Services for continued service of life of air bottles. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Correspondence

A letter from Ottawa County Deputy Engineer Craig Miller regarding an update and preliminary estimate for the installation of the new sheet pile wall and road reconstruction on Basin Drive. The preliminary estimate for all work to be completed is $277,818.

A letter from John Meister, President of the Gem Beach Lot Owners Association, regarding the Gem Beach development golf cart issue in which numerous residents within the Gem Beach development believe it should be made legal for golf carts to be driven on township roads within the development. In the letter, John Meister proposed again to allow golf carts in the community and questioned decisions made by Township Trustees at the previous regular meeting held on July 14. An unofficial petition with supporting signatures was included.

A letter from Port Clinton Fire and Rescue Chief Kent Johnson reporting a total of 113 runs to service Catawba Island for the second quarter.

Fiscal

Diane Belden made a motion to transfer $30,000 from Fire Fund 2192-760-740 Machinery, Equipment, and Furniture to Fire Fund 2192-200-323 Repairs and Maintenance for the purpose of covering repair expenses for the Fire Department including the continued service of air bottles. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.


Zoning

Matt Montowski said there were sixteen zoning permits issued in June and two variances with a total of $2,230.78 collected in fees.

Maintenance

Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow presented a quote from The Kreimes Company for asphalt repair of a 14’ x 12’ area at the old fire station and a 2” asphalt overlay for a portion of Converse Street for a total of $7,775.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve a contract with The Kreimes Company for $7,775 for asphalt repairs. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Dan Barlow presented quotes for an electrical service upgrade at the maintenance building from Stively Electric $2,750; Great Lakes Electric $4,843; and Duffett Electric/All Phase Power & Lighting $8,068.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve a contract with Stively Electric for $2,750 for an electrical upgrade at the maintenance building. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Dan Barlow presented an estimate from Selking International to repair the leaf vacuum truck for a total of $5,036.68.

Diane Belden made a motion to contract with Selking International to repair the leaf vacuum truck for $5,036.68. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Dan Barlow said the drainage work at the cemetery is complete.

Police

Police Chief John Gangway said he would like to hire Laurence Harkness as a part-time police officer. John Gangway said he would also need to purchase a ballistics vest for the new officer.

Diane Belden made a motion to hire Laurence Harkness as a part time police officer effective August 10, at a rate of $15.50 per hour with a six month probation period. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Trustees also agreed to the purchase of a ballistics vest with an estimated cost of $1,000 for the part time officer.

New Business

Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson spoke briefly about the extra precautions being taken by the department and additional expenses incurred for personal protective equipment and special equipment to disinfect squads after every run. Kent Johnson said he anticipates the department being reimbursed $15,000 from the CARES Act funding made available for COVID 19 related expenses, but will have more PPE expenses moving forward through the current health crisis.

William Rofkar discussed the issue of tall grass at 5525 E. Channel Drive and previous attempts to contact the owner of the property. William Rofkar made a motion to declare the property a nuisance and send a certified letter giving the property owner seven day notice to cut the weeds and grass and if the grass is not cut, township employees will cut the grass for $200 per hour and attach the charge to the property owner’s tax duplicate. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All votes aye. Motion carried.

Trustees agreed to eliminate the trash container at the Community Hall. The Community Hall has been closed due to the current public health crisis and individuals are using the container for illegal dumping of mattresses, etc.

Trustees agreed to recognize Meridith Beck and John Smothers on the township sign for their many years of service on the Parks Board.

Diane Belden said due to Meridith Beck resigning from the Parks Board there is an opening and the Parks Board would like the Trustees to consider appointing someone to the open position.

Matt Montowski presented an updated application for positions on the Parks Board, Zoning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals. He asked the Trustees to review the application and discuss at a future meeting.

Diane Belden said she received a call recently regarding a fence that had broken and fallen down behind the Dollar General. Diane Belden said she spoke with the zoning inspector about the situation and he contacted the owners of Dollar General and the fence has been fixed and it looks much nicer.

The Trustees agreed to continue to meet for regular meetings at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Community Hall to allow for social distancing.

The Trustees agreed the Community Hall will remain closed for rentals until at least November 1 due to the current health crisis. Trustees agreed to revisit opening the building at that time.

Chris Singerling, new Economic Development Director for the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation, introduced himself and offered support to the township if needed in the future.

Ann Rumpf thanked the Trustees for their continued work on Basin Road.

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



___________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer