Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2022
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, August 23, 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, Kevin Gibbons, Dan Barlow, Marty Auxter, Bryan Baugh,
Jack Madison, Vicki Wheatley, Ann Rumpf, David Belden, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the August 9, 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 last regular payroll, in the amount of $82,375.02. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A note of thanks from Laura White of Project Noelle expressing appreciation for use of the Community Hall to hold a charity rummage sale.
An email from Darrell Clay, Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, requesting suggestions for a local facility to hold a ceremony to administer the Oath of Citizenship to new citizens.
Matt Montowski agreed to follow up with Darrell Clay regarding possible locations.
A newsletter from the Ottawa Soil & Water conservation District.
A Public Notice from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners with information regarding a public meeting to be held September 27 at the courthouse regarding Senate Bill 52 that became effective October 11, 2021 with regards to large utility facilities.
A solicitation from Nexamp expressing interest in leasing property for a solar energy farm.
An email from Vicki Wheatley noting the Catawba Island Parks Board approved a motion for a grant variance on the Park District of Ottawa County’s original grant proposal. “We support the idea of altering the original grant to allow stones to be placed in a more appropriate location due to the weather impact, we found trails in greater need.”
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw said notification was received from the Ottawa County Budget Commission that Catawba Island Township’s share of Local Government funds for 2023 is estimated to be $22,119.03.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said the pavilion at Heigel Park has been painted.
Fire
Matt Montowski made a motion to renew the Ohio State Firefighters Association Accident and Sickness policy with Ohio Public Risk Ins. Agency dba VFIS of Ohio for $2,130 effective October 9, 2022 through October 9, 2023. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin Gibbons said Put-In-Bay EMS requested to put a relay booster behind the Catawba Island Fire Department for improved communications around the PIB airport during the Bash at the Bay event. He said the antenna will be removed when the Bash at the Bay event is over.
Kevin Gibbons said the fire department will be present for the fireworks display at Catawba Island Club on Sunday, September 4.
Trustees agreed to hold a special meeting Monday, August 29, at 9:00 a.m. to review the new EMS contract. Diane Belden said Kent Johnson of Port Clinton EMS will be in attendance to answer any questions or concerns.
Parks
Vicki Wheatley said the Parks Board would like to host a Cedar Meadow Fall Walk on Saturday, October 8, at 10 a.m. and provide pumpkins, cider, and donuts as in years past.
Trustees agreed to reimburse expenses for the fall walk not to exceed $200.
Karen Shaw said the contract for the pickleball courts was agreed upon and signed that one third of the total project payment would be made after one third of the work was complete and one third payment would be made when the second third of the project was completed and the final payment would be made upon project completion.
Karen Shaw stated the proposal was written with 16 steps that can be easily divided into 3 phases of completion, but she has been given an invoice that now states one third payment is requested up front and she is not in agreement with providing payment up front. Karen Shaw said services should be rendered before payment is made.
William Rofkar said that sounded good at first but after talking with Brad Schwan he learned the contractor has $30,000 of fence to order and he doesn’t want to bind the contractor up.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve a payment of $53,900 to Gerold Construction, one third payment in advance for the pickleball court project at Heigel Park. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Zoning
Matt Montowski read a letter drafted by the zoning inspector to be mailed in response to a concern regarding political signs. He said political signs are a form of freedom of speech and as a result are not controllable by township zoning.
Matt Montowski made a motion to accept the resignation of Ron Wiseman from the Zoning Commission. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Trustees signed a letter to Ron Wiseman expressing thanks for his years of service on the Zoning Commission.
William Rofkar made a motion to appoint Kevin Howe to the Zoning Commission to fulfill the unexpired term of Ron Wiseman through 2022. Matt Montowski recused himself. Diane Belden seconded the motion. William Rofkar, aye; Diane Belden, aye. Motion carried.
New Business
Matt Montowski said Catawba Island Township will host the Ottawa County Township Association quarterly meeting on Thursday, October 27, at the Catawba Island Club.
Diane Belden agreed to ask D. J. Swearingen to be the speaker for the event.
William Rofkar said he reviewed the quote submitted from Focht Construction for the West Harbor Boat Launch project.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve a contract with Focht Construction for the West Harbor Boat Launch Improvement Project for $546,700 which includes the addition of a standing seam roof for $14,600. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to allow Focht Construction to act on behalf of the township to obtain the required permits, up to $4,000, for the West Harbor Boat Launch Project. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer