Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 24, 2022
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, May 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Diane Belden, Karen Shaw, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dan Barlow, Genna Blakley, Dan Blakley, Brad Schwan, Jack Madison, Ann Rumpf, William Baker, Dorothy Baker, Theresa Spitler, Ed Spitler, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the May 10, 2022, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $66,684.65. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Daniel Riley requesting to exchange a cemetery space previously purchased for a space in a different location.
Trustees agreed Daniel Riley can exchange grave locations and there is no additional cost as the price is the same for a single grave as was paid in 2021.
A letter from Connie Roe of the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center requesting support for the Summer Lunch Program in Ottawa County.
The Ottawa County 2021 Annual Report.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said supplies are purchased for the Cedar Meadow Preserve sign kiosk and they need to know the build location. Kevin Johnson said he is also getting a price for new tires for the tractor.
Matt Montowski said work continues on West Catawba Road as Reclamite, an asphalt rejuvenator, was applied to extend the life of the road. He said the coating dulled the road striping but they plan to come back in the fall and restripe the road.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said extra coverage is scheduled for the holiday weekend and for the fireworks display that is scheduled for Sunday evening, May 29.
John Gangway said there was a nice turn out for the Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony held on May 12, with a moving tribute by guest speaker Senator Theresa Gavarone.
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May 24, 2022
Fire
The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department recently hosted a Celebration of Life luncheon for Don Rhodes who passed away on December 26, 2021. An American Flag was draped from two ladder trucks across Cemetery Road for the funeral procession of Charter Member Don Rhodes in honor of his 65 years of active service to the department.
Township firefighter Dan Blakley suggested the township apply for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) First Responder Wellness, Recruitment, Retention and Resiliency Grant. Dan Blakley said the Fireman’s Association plans to apply with regard to recruitment.
Trustees agreed to look into the ARPA grant opportunity as suggested with regard to training reimbursement.
Diane Belden said Kent Johnson plans to present the new EMS contract for review in the near future.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there will be a zoning public hearing at 5:30 p.m. prior to the next regular Trustees meeting.
Parks Board
Brad Schwan said the Parks Board presented a speaker event at the Community Hall on May 18. He said there were about 70 to 80 people in attendance and Reggie Langford and Geno Barna offered residents advice on how to handle nuisance animals.
Brad Schwan said the Parks Board is considering a future speaker event on nature preserves and why they need preserved. He said the Parks Board is always looking for speaker event ideas.
Brad Schwan said the Parks Board will make a decision on placement of the Cedar Meadow Preserve sign kiosk.
Trustees previously agreed to purchase materials to build the sign for $1,000 from Carter Lumber and then it was noted the materials would be more than originally approved.
Trustees agreed to pay a total of $1,415.44 to Carter Lumber for the needed supplies.
New Business
Matt Montowski made a motion to contract with Hylant Administrative Services and Ohio Plan Risk Management for township property and liability insurance for June 15, 2022 through June 15, 2023 in the amount of $47,427 less an $8,292 Advantage Credit for a total renewal amount of $39,135.
Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden said she recently attended the ground breaking ceremony for Fairway Village Cottages. Diane Belden said she also attended the Tipping Point Workshop on April 27 hosted by Mark Messa.
William Rofkar made a motion to advertise in the newspaper two times for a Design-Build Construction Project to include restroom, lighting, and dock renovations at the West Harbor Public Boat Launch. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. William Rofkar said the documents will be posted on the township website for contractors to download or they can be picked up in the township administration office.
Trustees discussed Senate Bill 52 and a Resolution to recommend to the Board of Commissioners of Ottawa County, Ohio to designate all of Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio as a restricted area, prohibiting the construction of large utility facilities throughout the entire township as outlined.
William Rofkar moved the adoption of the following:
WHEREAS, the General Assembly passed new legislation regarding large utility facilities by way of Senate Bill 52 (“SB 52”), which became effective October 11, 2021 and has been established as Ohio Revised Code Section 303.57 – 303.62; and
WHEREAS, SB 52 allows for more local regulation of large utility facilities (wind and solar projects that produce greater than 50 megawatts of power), defined as economically significant wind farms as defined in ORC 4906.13; large wind farms, and solar facilities as defined in ORC 4906.01; and
WHEREAS, SB 52 vests local authority with the Board of Commissioners in the County where the project is proposed to be located; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners, Ottawa County, Ohio is interested in receiving recommendations from the Townships related to the location of potential projects; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio has considered the makeup in said Township and has determined that No areas of Catawba Island Township are suited for large utility facilities
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio that the trustees hereby recommend to the Board of Commissioners, Ottawa County, Ohio that all of Catawba Island Township be designated as a restricted area for large utility facilities;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fiscal Officer of Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio is hereby directed to certify a copy of this resolution, as well as a map depicting the recommended restricted areas or boundaries of the unrestricted areas, whichever is applicable, to the Board of Commissioners to consider in making their determination of regulated areas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is found and determined that all formal actions of the Board of Trustees relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and that all deliberations of this Board and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements.
Matt Montowski seconded the resolution. Roll call vote: William Rofkar, aye; Matt Montowski, aye; Diane Belden, aye.
Diane Belden asked Trustees to consider a donation in support of the Summer Lunch Program in Ottawa County.
William Rofkar and Matt Montowski agreed they were not in favor of spending tax payers’ dollars for donations.
William Rofkar said as previously discussed Trustees have the ability to opt out of HB 172. He said the new fireworks legislation does not become effective until July 1, and the Trustees will hold a special meeting on July 1, at 9:00 a.m. to vote on the matter. He said it is the intent of the Trustees to pass a Resolution banning the discharge and explosion of consumer grade fireworks as it pertains to Ohio Revised Code 3743 and as recommended by township police and fire departments.
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.
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William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer