The regular meeting of the Catawba Island Township Trustees was called to order by chairperson Gary Mortus on March 25, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.  Also present; William Rofkar, Robert Schroeder, Pat Cerny, Jim Stouffer and Dan Barlow.  The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by William Rofkar to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2003 meeting as submitted. Robert Schroeder seconded the motion and all voted aye.  Minutes will be posted. 

Robert Schroeder made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $36,868.71.  William Rofkar second, all voted aye. 

Correspondence included a pamphlet from Micro Mower, a letter from two fourth graders of the Brecksville School District requesting information on Catawba Island.  Pat Cerny stated she mailed them a copy of our new map.  The Auditor’s Office, state of quarterly apportionment of hotel taxes made with the County Treasurer for Catawba Township in the amount of $1,522.51, a letter from Walter Wehenkel in regard to the Catawba Bay subdivision final plat review on March 18, 2003.  Ottawa County District Board of Health meeting to be held March 20, 2003.(Gary Mortus attended).  Kalida Truck Equipment, Pogemeyer Design Group, meeting held on March 18, 2003 in regard to water valve bolt corrosion repair,  George Ballas Commercial Truck Division, memo from OCEMA in regard to March 23, 2003 as Tornado and Flood Safety Awareness Week.  ODOT in regard to TIPS program dates and times of meetings.  Letter from Regional Planning recommending the approval of the rezoning request by Davenport Real Estate Development LLC – R-2 district to the R-E district at the intersection of Muggy Road and N.East Catawba Road. 

Mr. Stouffer stated the Zoning Office has received six inquiries in regard to his application for a Planned Unit Development.  The meeting will be held March 31, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room.

Dan Barlow stated Dave Hirt spoke to him on March 24, 2003 in regard to chairs for the airport exercise.  Fire Department chairs will be used.  Dan Barlow stated the township is covered for fire and rescue calls due to the fact that members will be participating in the drill on March 29.  Dan also stated he provided the Trustees with a list of specifications for the pick-up truck and options after the truck is delivered. 

Robert Schroeder stated the distribution of the new Catawba Island maps by Dupps Printing would include labeling,  stamps and delivery to the post office (3100 copies)  for a price of between $800 to $900.  Bill Dupps would use his bulk rate postage.  Robert Schroeder stated another notice should be put in the newspaper regarding brush pickup to re-educate the residents about placing the butt ends to the street and not having a tangled mess to pick up.  William Rofkar stated there is an attachment that goes on a back- hoe that is a fixed unit to grab brush. ($2250.00)   Robert Schroeder stated, the maintenance department should not pick up the brush if it is in a mess or the ends not facing the street.  He also stated that it slows the brush pick-up process.  Discussion followed.  Gary Mortus suggested putting a notice in the newspaper with instructions or an insert in the map mailing.  Mr. Stouffer suggested leaving a note stating why we did not pick it up. 

William Rofkar stated they should be grinding the debris in the field and should be doing it mid to the end of next week.  William Rofkar has the paper work from  Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer’s office in regard to having water and sewer installed to the park for a restroom faciltiy with the equalization fee and other fees being $11,175.41.  Gary Mortus proposed that the Township talk to the Commissioners and tell them we are putting in a restroom in a public shelter house in a public park for the convenience of our residents and others.  Your equalization for part time use has cost us more than we would ever use it.  Mr. Schroeder stated maybe we could sub-divide it.  William Rofkar stated he would talk to Kelly Frey .  Dan Barlow does not think there is any sewer there.  We might need permission to tap into Catawba Woods Club sewer.

Gary Mortus stated as an example there is no sewer on Muggy Road but they want an equalization fee.

Gary Mortus stated leaf pick-up will be the weeks of April 7 and April 28. 

Pat Cerny stated Bob Fic, alternate on the Zoning Commission has asked for a leave of absence due to health problems and presented the Trustees with his letter.  Pat also stated she received a phone call from a person from the Heigel Park  area asking if a sign in regard to “no dogs in the fenced area” could be posted.  Someone puts their dogs in the fenced area and she feels it is not a healthy situation for the children playing in this area.  Two signs will be made and posted.

Clean-up week will be the week of May 5^th  through the 11^th.  Gary asked Pat to make sure a steel box will be provided or call Sandusky Steel.

Pat Cerny also stated the Board of Zoning Appeals heard two requests for variances.  Tom Owens of Harbor Park requested a variance for a rear yard setback but the request was tabled due to improper flagging.  Craig Stevens, Wildwood Drive, requesting a rear yard setback of 18 feet instead of the required 25 feet to build a deck and it was approved.

Gary Mortus stated he will talk to Kelly Frey about the bonding for the road cuts.  Gary Mortus made a motion to purchase a 2003 half-ton, two wheel, F-150 extended cab pick-up truck through the State Co-operative Purchasing through 32 Ford for $15,576.98.  It will have a larger alternator and battery and power locks and windows.  William Rofkar seconded the motion.  All three voted aye.  The old truck will be sealed bid auction when the new truck arrives.

William Rofkar discussed the fish shuttle and stated it is geared for businesses and  hauling tourists around to the ferry dock and marinas and sees no benefit to our regular residents and has lost interest and does not want to contribute any money towards it.  Gary Mortus and Robert Schroeder agreed.

Robert Schroeder stated he will not be in attendance at the next Trustee’s meeting.  Robert Schroeder also stated Paul Patterson, from the Woodlands Subdivision, would be interested in being on the Zoning Commission.

Robert Schroeder made a motion to adjourn and William Rofkar seconded the motion.  All voted aye.