Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
July 9, 2024
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, July, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, Mary Jane Porozynski, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Marty Auxter, Kevin Gibbons, David Howell, Eric Schramm, Kevin Baron, Ann Rumpf and Dan Barlow.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the June 25, 2024, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the payroll, in the amount of $181,761.59. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Letter from Ohio EPA regarding inspection of CIT Compost Site. This was a comprehensive inspection, and no violations were discovered. The inspection included a review of company operations and written documentation associated with facility operations.
A packet was received from Flint Heidlebaugh regarding possible future on-site (in-house) EMS operations for CIT. He prepared a 2023 analysis with attachments, including the August 26, 2021 Catawba Island EMS Business Plan prepared by Breann Christiansen. He is hoping that his analysis will help the township and residents navigate through this if or when the time comes to bring back on-site EMS to Catawba Island Township.
An e-mail was received from the Ottawa Co. Engineer’s Office regarding the upcoming round of SCIP and LTIP funding as administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission. It stated that the District 5 methodology and other forms are available on the OPWC website, it gave important dates to remember for funding and contact information.
A letter was received from Eric Schramm regarding installation of an AED machine at Heigel Park. In this letter he covered some of the concerns and misinformation previously raised regarding use of an AED. He stated that in his opinion, the Catawba Island Township Trustees have a responsibility and obligation to provide appropriate emergency equipment for township facilities. Trustee Diane Belden provided a quote from Bound Tree for an AED unit along with installation and a cabinet to store the unit. The price of the AED includes pads and a case. The cabinet comes with a fan/heater to allow to be stored year-round, and an alarm incase it is tampered with. There is also a sign that would be needed to be placed near the AED. Total cost of the AED unit, cabinet and sign is approximately $1,656.90 not including shipping and installation of a power supply. The fire department stated they will maintain this AED along with the others in the township that they already take care of. The maintenance department stated that they would be able to install the power supply for this unit.
Dian Belden made a motion to approve the purchase of the AED unit and accessories for Heigel Park, not to exceed $2,000. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Supervisor, Kevin Johnson, stated he will begin looking into grinding bids for the season.
Fire/EMS
Chief Gibbons gave the department runs for June and there were a total of 37 runs. 13 Fire, and 24 EMS.
He also stated that one of our engines is on loan to Put in Bay as they are down an engine.
New Business
Matt Montowski stated that we had to close down the recycling area again and requested from Republic three more containers to keep up with the heavy usage. He received an email from Jim Darr stating that they will leave three extra recycling containers from May – September when we have the highest volume.
Matt Montowski questioned if we have considered hiring another Police Officer (either full or part time). All trustees felt this would be a good idea. William Rofkar stated that it would be a good idea to start looking now since we had such a difficult time finding someone this last time around, and also it would be better to have an extra person then to be short one.
A discussion took place and all trustees were in agreement that hiring an additional officer would be beneficial. Chief Gangway was in agreement stating it would be good to have two officers on duty especially on the weekends, and that he will start looking in to a new hire.
Matt Montowski also stated that they looked in to increasing the life insurance for full-time employees from the current amount of $15,000 to either $50,000 or $75,000. He provided a proposal from Ohio Insurance Services Agency regarding the increase in monthly cost for both options. To increase to $75,000 the total monthly cost would increase by just $234.32. Matt stated that funerals are more then $15,000 and it would be a nice benefit to our employees. The trustees agreed.
Matt Montowski made a motion to increase the township Standard Life Insurance from $15,000 to $75,000 for full-time employees. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski stated that they have been looking at two additional computer monitors for the Administrative Assistant and Zoning Inspector. An estimate for the two monitors with battery back up surge protectors and installation is $1,152.00.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the estimate from Seacom LLC for the two monitors, 4 battery back up surge protectors (Admin. Assistant, Zoning Inspector and Fiscal Officer computers), and installation for $1,152.00. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Willaim Rofkar stated that on June 28, Mr. Howell and himself met with Black Swamp at the Cedar Meadows Preserve and everything was fine and they will be sending a letter to that effect.
Dorthy Baker advised the trustees that there are about three Bradford Pear Trees in the Preserve that should be removed in the spring as they are an invasive species of tree. The trustees agreed that they should run it by the parks board for their recommendation on removal of such trees.
Dave Howell wanted to commend the police department on going above and beyond their duties one night last week when he had lost his dog. He wanted to thank them and let them know they are doing a wonderful job.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday July 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer