Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, February 14, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room
of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dan Barlow, Louis Wargo, Jack Madison, Craig Miller,
Ann Rumpf, William Baker, Dorothy Baker, David Howell, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the January 24, 2023 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as amended. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $58,011.31. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A letter from Andy and Marlene Benko and a donation in memory of John G. Papcun to honor his commitment to our community as County Engineer and County Commissioner.
A letter from Shawn Harrison of Custom Canvas & Upholstery stating they recently repaired two flags for Catawba Island Township and will not invoice the customary $75 for repairs and to please consider as a donation.
A letter from Jim Stewart requesting use of the Community Hall on Saturday, March 11, for a family event.
Trustees agreed Jim Stewart can use the Community Hall as requested and waived the rental fee.
A letter from Darrell Clay, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, requesting use of the Community Hall for the purposes of a naturalization ceremony to be held on May 11, 2023.
Trustees agreed Darrell Clay can use the Community Hall for the civic purpose as requested and waived the rental fee.
A letter from Jannah Wilson of the Park District of Ottawa County requesting use of the Community Hall on May 16 at 6 p.m. and December 19 at 6 p.m. to host regular public meetings.
Trustees agreed the Park District of Ottawa County can use the Community Hall for two public meetings as requested and waived the rental fee.
A letter from Frank Harmon of Ohio Insurance Services Agency regarding the Healthcare Renewal.
A letter from the Ottawa County Board of Elections regarding HB458 and Ohio voter identification requirements. Examples of the required ID are Oho Driver’s License, Ohio State Issued ID, Passport, US Military ID, Ohio National Guard ID, and US Veterans Affairs ID.
A letter from the Ottawa County Board of Elections informing us that there will not be a primary election at our polling location on May 2, but there may be a special election in August and there will be a general election on Tuesday, November 7.
A letter from the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce thanking us for renewing our membership with the chamber and encouraging use of the Chamber’s benefits.
A letter from Main Street Port Clinton encouraging Chamber members to volunteer.
Notification from the Department of Commerce regarding Ohio’s cemetery registration program and the need to update and confirm contact information with the Division at least every three years.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the January 2023 financial reports.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were six zoning permits issued in January and one appeal for a total of $720.76 collected in fees.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said they have spent some time in the cemetery getting things cleaned up.
William Rofkar said tentative dates for Spring Clean Up are April 28 and 29, but he will confirm by the next meeting.
Police
Police Chief John Gangway said he will be participating in a radiological and mass casualty table top at the Health Department Thursday, February 16, and will meet with Jannah Wilson from the Parks District of Ottawa County on Friday, February 17.
John Gangway said he would like Trustees to consider moving forward with the purchase of a Police Utility Interceptor.
Diane Belden made the following motion:
Whereas, purchasing a 2023 Ford Police SUV utilizing he State of Ohio purchasing program is no longer available and
Whereas, the 2024 State of Ohio purchase contract for 2024 vehicles has not been awarded and
Whereas, Statewide Ford can provide 2023 Ford Police SUV’s through current inventory at or below the 2023 state purchasing contract;
Diane Belden motioned to purchase a 2023 Ford Police SUV from Statewide Ford for $42,687 and in addition, purchase new equipment and labor to install on the 2023 Ford Police SUV for $15,659 and transfer existing equipment for $1,412, plus $30 shipping for a total of $59,788.
William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Fire
Lewis Wargo said the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department had four fire runs and 19 EMS runs for a total of 23 runs in January.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve the purchase of a hose tray for truck 226 from Sensible Products Inc. for a cost of $511, not to exceed $600 including shipping. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Parks
Parks Board member Jack Madison said they are working on the 2023 Parks and Trails grant application offered through the Park District of Ottawa County but the deadline is February 24 and Black Swamp has requested additional information. Jack Madison asked Trustees if they support moving the storybook trail from the Cedar Meadow Preserve to the Catawba Point Preserve.
Trustees agreed the Parks Board can consider the storybook trail at the Catawba Point Preserve.
Jack Madison said they will discuss it at their meeting on Wednesday, February 15.
David Howell said there are about twelve storybook displays at the Nehls Nature Preserve.
New Business
Ottawa County Deputy Engineer Craig Miller discussed a spreadsheet he prepared for each township in the county including a multiyear plan listing township roads and a long term budget estimate for annual road repairs. He estimates $150,000 for Catawba Island Township as an average annual expenditure.
Craig Miller said his recommendation for 2023 is to mill and fill Sloan for $59,801 and overlay the remainder of Converse for $8,145. He said they need approval as soon as possible if Trustees would like the Engineer’s Office to proceed with the road repairs.
William Rofkar said he is comfortable moving forward with the recommendations presented.
Matt Montowski said since we are able he would like to repair more roads.
A discussion took place regarding future repairs needed on Basin Drive.
Craig Miller said the estimates prepared for 2024 road repairs could be quickly put together but roads slated for repair beyond 2025 would take more time to put together estimates and may need to be bid separately at a later date.
Matt Montowski said he thinks Porter and Linda Drive are a mess.
William Rofkar said his only concern is if we repair roads earlier than when we have to then ten years will go by and the road will need repaired again sooner without gaining a lot of benefit. He said so in 30 years you may repair a road three times versus only two times and it would have been ok with two times.
Craig Miller said some of the issues with Porter Road is it will need to be milled and filled with two layers to build up more strength. He said that is why he bumped the repair of Porter back because it will be a bigger scale repair and the road has been maintained well and crack sealed and could last four more years. He said he is not comfortable with just an overlay on Porter right now.
William Rofkar asked if he wanted to do an in person road review this year.
Craig Miller said in light of the conversation he thought it would be a good idea.
Trustees and Craig Miller agreed they would meet and ride around to look at the roads on Tuesday, February 21, at 1 p.m.
William Rofkar said the West Harbor Boat Launch is moving along.
A brief discussion took place regarding pending projects in the cemetery.
Matt Montowski asked Dan Barlow to give Todd Bickley more detailed measurements related to the Veterans Memorial improvement project.
David Howell shared his concerns regarding the multi-use trail the Parks District of Ottawa County is planning and how information is being presented. He said he feels it is important to see the master plan in its entirety and not just Phase I.
William Baker asked the Trustees to consider buying the property across from the power plant to make a park.
Jack Madison said you can only pay fair market value so that idea cannot be considered unless the asking price comes down.
William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion.
All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer