Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2021
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway,
Kevin Johnson, Ernie Wylie, Dan Barlow, Dave Belden, Pearl Bird, Frank Bird Jr., Randy Riedmaier, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the July 27, 2021 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as received. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last regular payroll, in the amount of $33,624.11. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
An email from Craig Koerpel of the Catawba Island Historical Society requesting use of the Community Hall on Wednesday, October 20, for the CIHS Annual Membership Business meeting.
Trustees agreed the Catawba Island Historical Society could use the Hall and waived the rental fee.
A letter from Lee Bowden and Gaylord Bowden expressing they would like to donate the remaining six cemetery spaces in their family lot back to the township and in return they would like a receipt for the current value of the six spaces.
The Trustees expressed appreciation for the donation of six spaces back to the township.
Karen Shaw said she consulted with Ottawa County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Davia Kasper and it was confirmed that the township can only recognize the $11.25 that the family would be entitled to if the gentlemen were to sell the spaces back to the township. The lot of eight graves was purchased in the early 1900’s for a total of $15 and cemetery spaces can only be sold back to the township for the price that was paid for them regardless of the current value.
A note of thanks from Boy Scout Troop 360 for the opportunity to camp close to home.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the July financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Karen Shaw said the township received the second half real estate property tax settlement with a net distribution of $608,978.93.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were twelve zoning permits issued in July and eight variances with a total of $3,268.24 collected in fees.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said the new sign is installed at the compost facility entrance. He said the backhoe will be out of service for a week or two while being repaired.
Kevin Johnson presented two estimates for piling wood chips and compost on perimeter mounds and grading so they can be mowed: C.L. Fox Contractors $6,900 and Molnar Construction $11,000.
William Rofkar made a motion to contract with C.L. Fox for $6,900 for the work as described at the compost facility. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said he presented Sergeant James Stewart a letter of congratulations the first week in August on his anniversary of 25 years of service to the Catawba Island Township Police Department.
John Gangway said overtime is being scheduled for the upcoming Bash on the Bay events and Labor Day weekend. He said large crowds are anticipated for the Bash on the Bay events.
Fire
Diane Belden reported CIVFD responded to 6 fire calls and 25 EMS calls for a total of 31 runs in July.
Matt Montowski made a motion to accept applications from Martin Auxter and Brad James as new members of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department for a one year probationary period each having completed a background check and physical. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Pearl Bird and Frank Bird Jr. expressed concern for their safety when exiting Fairway Villas with the heavy traffic on West Catawba Road at the intersection of Beach Club Road. They asked Trustees when another road will be constructed to help eliminate some of the traffic entering and exiting from the development.
William Rofkar said there is a road mapped out on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and suggested checking with the developer to find out more information and when it might be constructed. William Rofkar said West Catawba Road is a county road and the Ottawa County Engineer has the final say regarding speed limits and signage on West Catawba Road.
Pearl Bird also asked about emergency medical services and how long it takes Port Clinton EMS to get to Catawba.
William Rofkar said the average response time was 9 minutes and 45 seconds during the second quarter this year.
William Rofkar said the 1985 Ford Ambulance has been put on GovDeals.com. He said sale of the surplus ambulance was approved by Trustees last fall.
Trustees acknowledged receipt of the independent auditor’s report of the financial statements for the years ending December 31, 2019 and 2020 and commended the Fiscal Officer for continued good standing of township financial reporting and compliance.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer