Catawba Island Township Park Board
Meeting Minutes for February 19, 2025
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:02P.M
People Present:
Brad Schwan, Brian Washburn, David Howell, Vicki Wheatley Guest: Matt Montowski
Reading/Approval of Minutes:
The December 18, 2024 minutes were read and approved.
Items Discussed:
Old Business:
Discussion took place regarding the Park District of Ottawa County 2025 Grant funding. The award amount of $20,000 was significantly •lower than what the project required. The following motion was made by Brad Schwan. We suggest to the Catawba Island Township Trustees that under the circumstances, we not move forward with accepting the grant funding. The motion was seconded by Brian Washburn. The motion passed unanimously by the members present.
Brad Schwan will work towards meeting with Jerry Davenport after he gets the layout completed for the kiosk.
Responding to a letter from a resident, the parks board discussed the signage in place throughout Cedar Meadow. Currently there are markings at every intersection. We talked about the possibility of having more frequent signage throughout the trails to avoid confusion. We agreed that when our brochures are placed out for the public, it will help avoid confusion.
After the weather breaks, the parks board members will do a walkthrough of Cedar Meadow to see if there are steps we can take to improve the signage identifying the trails.
The potential for tennis and basketball courts upgrades/refinishing will be revisited in the future, possibly 2026.
New Business:
Discussion took place regarding the entrance into Cedar Meadow. Presently, parking for Cedar Meadow is at the administration building. To help identify the trail opening, the park board would like to recommend to the CIT Trustees a small path be placed from the administration building parking lot that leads to the entrance of Cedar Meadow. Having the public know where to park should curtail the public from parking around the police and fire departments which has the potential to be a safety issue.
Vicki Wheatley shared that as a part of our collaborative efforts with the Catawba Island Historical Society, David Wonnell shared that their first speaking engagement will be May 21 at 6:00 P.M.
Vicki Wheatley is currently working on a speaker for April and one in June to start off the speaker series for the Catawba Island Parks/Township Trustees.
Decisions Made:
Share the two recommendations to the trustees 1) grant funding 2) path from administration parking lot to the Cedar Meadow entrance.
Adjournment:
Vicki made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 P.M., David seconded. The motion carried.