The regular meeting of the Catawba Island Township Trustees was called to order by chairman Gary Mortus at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room with all present.  Also present were Marv Grover, Jack DeVore, James Stouffer, Meredith Beck and Pat Cerny.  The meeting proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting seconded by William Rofkar.  All voted aye.  William Rofkar made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of  $30,822.02 seconded by Robert Schroeder.  All voted aye to pay the bills
 

Correspondence included a thank you from the Drug Task Force and Mark Mulligan; Ohio Treasurer of State indicating Pat Cerny earned 6.25 hours of continuing education at the Winter Conference; Resolution from American Legion Post #113 in regard to 2007 Memorial Day Services and requesting a donation; Organic Marketing and Screening notice; invitation from Huntington Bank for a Open House on April 12, 2007.

Mr. Stouffer requested a meeting with the Trustees for April 26, 2007 for a hearing for the CIC Planned Unit Development request.  The Trustees agreed.  Mr. Stouffer also stated he would discuss with the County Engineer’s Officer about the striping in regard to the egress from the Fairway Villas and would also like to consider a sign with a blinking yellow light to slow the traffic on Northeast Catawba Road.  He has also had a traffic survey done. 

Meredith Beck, member of the Park Board,  requested the approval of the Township Trustees for the Park Board to remove 30 to 40 Norway Maples from the Nature Trail a test area.  She also discussed waivers for Park Board Members when they are working in the parks.  William Rofkar is not comfortable with non-employees, such as volunteers, of the township using equipment on township property and he is also against the girdling of trees and if it is approved, the township should have our employees or hire a tree service to take care of the trees.  Gary Mortus suggested talking to Mark Mulligan and the township’s insurance company.  Meredith Beck stated that John Smothers thinks it would be a good idea to have the Maintenance staff mow the trails under his direction.  William Rofkar stated the township employees are available to help but it should be under the direction of the Trustees.  This can go through Robert Schroeder if his tractor can do it and if not the township employees will mow.  The Park Board also approved spending $150.00 for lumber for building benches and other lumber.  Meredith Beck also stated the Park Board would like to remain at three members. 

There will be an Open House on May 20, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. sponsored by the Black Swamp Conservancy and the Bird Observatory at Cedar Preserve. 

William Rofkar stated he did meet with Dave Brunkhorst in regard to the bike path on Northwest Catawba and was provided with information from ODNR and ODOT on possible grant funding and the Engineer’s Office is reviewing the request.  ODOT stated a five foot bike path on each side would cost $182,000 per mile and if the Township receives funding it could cost the Township less than $200,000 and would take two to three years.  James Stouffer stated he would be willing to donate land for safety purposes if needed.   William also stated the Township must continue with the road sign issue and get our signs up to compliance with ODOT regulations.  The Township received a quote from Norwalk Landscaping for $8520.00 for grinding yard waste.  William Rofkar made a motion to approve this quote seconded by Robert Schroeder.  All voted aye. 

William Rofkar would like to advertise for bids for a precast concrete restroom for Heigel Park.  Gary Mortus suggested a metal roof that matches the shelter house and William would like the split block look verses the brushed concrete look. 

Gary Mortus suggested having an Employee Meeting to discuss direct deposit.  There will be a meeting set for Monday, April 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the conference room.  Pat Cerny has information to pass out to the employees.  William Rofkar stated he e-mailed  Mark Mulligan in regard to the signing of payroll warrants outside of a meeting and he stated it may be permissible but his recommendation is we approve our bills and pay our employees at the same meeting. 

Robert Schroeder stated the body is being built for the new pumper and Dr. Steve Jackson is the Fire Department’s new medical director.

Gary Mortus stated there was a question about a flag pole in Gem Beach and a print was obtained from Dave Brunkhorst that will be in Pat’s hands if anyone needs to see that the   pole is not in the road.  Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the girdling of 30 to 40 Norway Maple trees as a test area at the at the preserve to the north by our employees  under the supervision of the Park Board seconded by Robert Schroeder.  William Rofkar questioned if John Smothers is going to physically go down to the area and tell our employees what they are supposed to do because of the equipment being used.  Gary Mortus is not worried about John Smothers because he acts as an agent to the township but would be worried about John Q Public being involved.  Meredith stated a herbicide is applied when girdling trees.  John Smothers and Meredith are licensed to buy and apply chemicals.  This herbicide is applied with a paint brush.  Gary Mortus made a motion to amend his original motion until we receive approval from the insurance company that our Park Board is covered under our policy for applying chemicals or we hire a sprayer to do it.  Gary Mortus withdrew his second motion for more discussion.  Cutting down the trees may do damage to surrounding trees.  William Rofkar made a motion to put this to bed and deny girdling the trees at the Nature Preserve.  No second.  Motion not carried.  Gary Mortus stated he is in favor of girdling the 30-40 trees but is concerned about the herbicide issue.  Mr. Stouffer stated he feels cutting down the trees down is a safer method and not as difficult.  Robert Schroeder stated the stumps become the problem.  Gary Mortus suggested we will put this on the table and talk about it again in two weeks.

There was further discussion on how the Norway Maples arrived here.  William Rofkar stated he appreciates the work the Park Board has done and respects their opinions  and he appreciates the fact that the Park Board can bring these suggestions and thoughts to the Trustees even though everything is not always agreed upon. 

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