Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, January 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Brian Washburn, Kevin Howe, Dan Barlow, Vicki Wheatley,
Brad Schwan, Jack Madison, Dorothy Baker, William Baker, Ann Rumpf, Quintin Smith,
David Howell, Paul Leidorf, John Keefe, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the January 11, 2022 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 regular payroll and the
CIVFD 2021 fourth quarter payroll, in the amount of $102,111.37. The total includes a payment of $31,185 to the City of Port Clinton for 2021 EMS runs above and beyond the contracted agreement. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Annual notification from the Ottawa County Recorder, regarding the filing of newly enacted zoning resolutions and amendments per the Ohio Revised Code. The fees are $50 and $20 respectively.
Notification from the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District regarding the Ottawa County Agricultural Community Breakfast scheduled for March 25.
An email from Craig Miller of the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office with a township road and paving update.
A letter from Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc. stating as of January 15, insurance carriers are covering at home COVID tests and how to order.
The Winter 2022 newsletter from the Ottawa County Community Foundation noting $152,197 in scholarships were awarded to 121 deserving students.
Fiscal
Diane Belden made a motion to use Coronavirus American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to pay for the 2021 EMS contract overage. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to transfer $31,185 from 2273-110-360 administrative contracted services to 2273-230-360 EMS contracted services to reallocate ARP funds to pay for the 2021 EMS contract overage. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order to the City of Port Clinton in the amount of $31,185 for the purpose of paying the 2021 EMS contract overage.
Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson presented quotes for grinding mulch at the compost facility from Lake Erie Tree Service for $14,500 and Barnes Nursery for $14,900.
Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with Lake Erie Tree Service for $14,500 for mulch grinding per provided estimate. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Fire
Representing the fire department, Brian Washburn reported the department is in the middle of ice rescue training.
Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with Box for cloud storage, a base subscription for the fire department with an annual fee of $480. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden clarified that Port Clinton EMS responded to 508 calls in 2021 for a total of 99 over the contracted cost.
Parks
Brad Schwan reported on Parks Board activities including information gathering for pickle ball courts and a possible community garden. He said they are investigating the possibility of a dog park and waiting for quotes to come in for a Cedar Meadow Preserve sign.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the purchase of $1,000 in lumber from Carter Lumber in order for township maintenance personnel to build the framework for a Cedar Meadow Preserve sign kiosk. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Dave Howell said he has been farming for 44 years he does not want to see the proposed bike path go through the center of the island. He said he sprays pesticides in his orchard and there are times when it is not safe to walk through or near the orchard due to the spraying and drifting of spray. He said some fruit cannot be picked for 14 days after spraying and he knows that people walking along a path would be inclined to help themselves to the fruit creating a safety concern. Dave Howell also said he is thinks golf carts and snow mobiles would travel the corridor down the center of the island. He said he does not like how property owners are being approached individually and would prefer everyone be gathered in one place and be told the same information. Dave Howell said he would like to keep agriculture alive, well, and safe on Catawba Island.
William Rofkar said the proposed bike path is not a Catawba Island Township project and that it is being proposed by the Ottawa County Parks District.
Jack Madison spoke on behalf of the Ottawa County Parks District and said plans are still preliminary and the exact path has not been determined. He emphasized that golf carts and snow mobiles would not be allowed on the trail.
Quintin Smith said he thinks the community would like to see the proposed path and maybe there is a way to all work together to find the best solution.
William Rofkar suggested the Ottawa County Parks Board have a meeting and invite property owners to discuss the proposed trail.
Matt Montowski said he recently attended the Ottawa County Emergency Management Mitigation meeting. He said mitigating catastrophes were discussed and he reminded the group if there were any funds available to please consider township flooding issues on Basin Road, as well as erosion concerns at Pebble Beach along Route 53 and at the end of Muggy Road.
Trustees agreed to waive the Ottawa County Engineer’s Road Review for 2022 and push back the township road resurfacing projects planned for 2022. The following will now be included in the 2023 resurfacing project: Catawba Woods Drive, Balliette Drive, Norma Drive, Porter Street, and Converse Street.
Trustees signed the Ohio Department of Transportation 2021 Township Highway Mileage Certification with a total of 12.705 miles in the township.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer