Catawba Island Township Trustees regular business meeting was held May 10, 2005 in the conference room with all present; also Pat Cerny, Reggie Langford, James Stouffer, Robert & Laurie Segaard, Robert Schraidt, Duane Duncan, James Davenport and Michael Prosser.

Correspondence included letter from Clark Hill PCL, Attorneys regarding Adelphia, two letters from Adelphia regarding sale of their business and new channels available, Ohio Lakefront Group announcing the sixth annual meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2005 at the Port Clinton Yacht Club, Ottawa County Commissioners invitation to attend presentation on Local Housing Authority on Thursday, May 12 at the Ottawa County Resource Centre at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., a thank-you letter for the donation of $500.00 from the Humane Society of Ottawa County, Ohio Insurance Services Agency celebrating their tenth anniversary with thanks for our business and support,  formal complaint letter against Robert Boyer, 5317 East Greenview from Mr. & Mrs. Donald Rizzolo, 5338 Greenview,

Zoning Inspector’s notice of rezoning adjoining property of James Rofkar public hearing of the Zoning Commission on May 25, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in Administration Building.

     Bob Schraidt asked if heard anything from the County Engineer?  Bill Rofkar stated he met with him this morning about the drainage issue in Rittenhouse Acres where the water drains from Meadow and Township roads to Bob’s pond and then goes on the Segaard’s property in catch basin but water started to back up.  Had Adkin’s Sanitation come out to pump it out which has taken care of it in the past and this time it didn’t and couldn’t find an outlet in the last catch basin.  County came out and did shoot the elevation of water in the catch basin and pond and had map that showed elevation of land that was involved and there is only about eighteen inches difference in elevation of water in catch basin and the pond.  Dave Brunkhorst felt there has never been an outlet in there and that is was a well type situation where water just went down into the earth and he recommended having a well company drill down to the catch basin and try to open it up that way.

     Mike Prosser stated there is an old WPA drain that goes from the catch basin on Weyhe Road to the pond and at one time they tried to flush it out but it is all rock.

     Bob Schroeder stated Paul Rofkar says there is a line from the catch basin that goes out to the lake and he is pretty good at remembering these things.

     Bob Schraidt stated the water is going down but more rain will make it overflow again.  Bill stated they looked at possibly running a new line but the problem is it would have to be about twelve feet down in the rock to get to the nature preserve. Thinks should have a well driller come in and drill to the bottom of either the catch basin on Weyhe Road or the one on Matta’s property.

     Bob Segaard stated there was a definite change in the drainage after all the sludge was dug out and water went down within a week.  Prior to this it took at least six weeks for the water to drain so whatever you did was in the right direction. Bill said all they did was clean two lines and thought that was the problem and maybe it opened some of it up but there is still a problem.

    Gary Mortus stated it must be about sixteen years since anything major was done and feels should get the County’s sucker that they use to clean out catch basins and clean out Matta’s catch basin.  Logic tells me it has been working for sixty years and to go in and drill holes doesn’t make sense at this point.  Could stop water inflow at Montowskis so could get to the bottom of the catch basin at Mattas to see if there is an outlet.

     Bob Schraidt asked if you would drill a well if the EPA would get after you?  Bill stated nothing was said about that and didn’t think to ask the Mr. Brunkhorst.

     Gary said he will see if the County will come down.

    Reggie Langford stated the gypsy moths are just coming out this last week due to the weather.  Will spray at the end of May or first of June but have to be very concerned about the weather that it does not rain for 24 to 48 hours after spraying.  Will come out in the Beacon on May 16 and everyone will be notified the day before they start spraying. Presented a map as to where they will spray and fliers are made up about spraying.

      Mike Prosser updated the project of which he is engineer on Muggy Road. Just got approval from the Sanitary Engineer on the pump station.  Request filing the plot the end of this week if Board would sign the plot rather than waiting two weeks for signatures. Ottawa Regional Planning Commission will not sign the plot until they are approved by the County Engineer and the Sanitary Engineer in writing. 

     Bill Rofkar stated could have a special meeting to sign them but it would have to be advertised twenty-four hours notice. Request meeting with the Police Chief and Fire Chief before any roads are shut down.

     Mike stated as soon as we get all the approvals and signatures will call so meeting can be set up, hopefully, next week. 

     Jim Stouffer stated there will be a fund raiser for the Red Cross along with a boat show this week-end. Police Department and Fire Department will participate and hope this event will be successful as this is the first year for it.  Updated their project and had some trouble with dust but will water it down tomorrow.  Asked the contractor to put up signs by the road for trucks coming in and out. Almost done with brush clearing and burning and golf course work will start soon.

     Mr. Duncan asked about the Colony Club situation?  Bill Rofkar said they would have an answer after it is discussed in executive session.

    Pat Cerny asked about the progress on the Prairie project?  Bob Schroeder stated he has been to his house and made many phone calls but has made no contact with him yet.

    A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to adjourn to executive session to discuss pending litigation.  All voted aye.

     Gary Mortus made a motion to reconvene to regular meeting. Robert Schroeder seconded the motion and all voted aye.

     A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to proceed with litigation against the Zoning violation for short term rental of homes. 

The vote:  William Rofkar-aye,  Gary Mortus-aye,  Robert Schroeder-aye.

     Bill Rofkar stated in answer to Mr. Duncan not much can be said until this is discussed with the Prosecuting Attorney.

      Robert Schroeder asked about getting some higher speed stuff on the computer at the Fire Station?  Would like to have Tom Whitted extend the antenna on the building which was approved and no problem for them to get update as the computer belongs to the fireman.  Trees are down at the Chapel. Meeting on the housing authority which we were encouraged to attend he is against low income housing and will not attend the meeting.  Has been working on a path for Heigel Park but Mr. Wiza is difficult to deal with being the Township has a law suit against him. Thinks maybe we could lease it for about $200.00 a year and same with Ed Stidom but Ed does not want money for it.

     Gary Mortus said he met with Dave Brunkhorst about Gem Beach water problem and one solution was to drill wells to get rid of the water and the other was to get easements from property owners as there is not enough road right-of-way to do anything.  Still working on a solution.

    William Rofkar stated would like to have Marty Svenson considered as a member of one of the Zoning Boards.

    Gary Mortus stated Paul Patterson is coming back but thinks there should be two alternates for each Board and will talk to the Boards about it.  Stated he thinks the RE request for James Rofkar property should be dropped since he has applied for R-1.  Am not in favor of Mark’s opinion being the RE is in referendum so advised Pat to call Jon Burton for an opinion.

    Clerk stated Becky Swisher from Hylant Insurance will be at the next meeting to explain renewal of policy.  Stated there are more than a hundred empty grave sites in the old Cemetery and would like to sell them.  Board advised they have never been sold back to the Township and someone must have the deed so don’t think they can be sold.

    William Rofkar asked about decision on purchase of the clamp addition to the backhoe for $2100.00 from Buck & Knobby?  Would have been useful for dump days.

   Gary stated  feels it is not useful as it will be the easy way out to haul brush down here and have someone else do the chipping.

    Bob stated it would not be bad if it was just brush pickup but now it is getting but now it is getting bigger and bigger pieces.  Let me think about it for a while.

     Bill stated the only thing is the machine is going in for service which is $450.00 to get it up there and back and thought could have the attachment installed at the same time.

     Gary stated he feels should go to pick up brush one week a month and advertise it that way so people would have their brush at the road that week. Thinks it is a wonderful service but are spending way too much time picking up brush.

      Bill thinks brush pick up is going well and thinks should do what we can to provide the service.  Can be handled more efficiently with this piece of equipment.  Discussion followed and not decision on the purchase was made.

     A motion was made by Robert Schroeder and seconded by Gary Mortus to adjourn at

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