Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Special Meeting
August 29, 2022
Chairman William Rofkar called the Special Meeting regarding the Port Clinton EMS Contract to order on Monday, August 29, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building located at 4822 E. Cemetery Road.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw,
Kent Johnson, Brian Gutman, Dave Belden, and Randy Riedmaier
Kent Johnson introduced Brian Gutman as Port Clinton EMS Captain and spoke briefly about the EMS program.
Kent Johnson talked about the EMS contract being presented for renewal and noted Port Clinton City Council has already approved the contract. He said the renewal is a five year contract and the cost to the township is increasing from $315 to $375 per run with 450 runs contracted (an increase from 409 previously contracted annually) for a total of $168,700 to be billed annually at $42,175 per quarter. Kent Johnson said they made 508 EMS runs to Catawba in 2021. He said any runs over 450 made annually will be billed at $375 and a final bill for the overage will be provided.
Kent Johnson said a clause was also included for increased equipment and/or staffing if needed due to demand. He said the clause is needed with the run volume increase potential due to the number of new homes being built.
Diane Belden said her one concern is that in the old contract under 13.1 verbiage included that the city shall hold the township and its respective elected officials, officers, agents, and employees harmless and defend them against any and all claims, etc. was taken out of the contract. Diane Belden said instead new verbiage includes that whereas the township acknowledges and recognizes that the city shall in no case be liable to the township or any other person for failure to answer any EMS calls or for lack of speed in answering any such calls or for any inadequate equipment, negligent operation of equipment, or for any cause whatsoever growing out of the use of the EMS. Diane Belden said that troubles her.
Kent Johnson said he originally left the wording the same as the old contract but the law director said it had to be changed based on ORC and OAC. Kent Johnson said the same wording is in the Portage Township and Bay Township contracts.
William Rofkar said they will run the new wording past the Ottawa County Prosecutor for an opinion and then move forward.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.
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William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer