Last business meeting of  the year  of Catawba Island Township Trustees was held December 28,2004 in the conference room with all present;  also Pat Cerny, James Stouffer and Jeff Hickman.

      Chairman Robert Schroeder opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. William Rofkar stated the minutes should be corrected to read “replace two police cruisers with a Ford Explorer and one new car in 2005”.  A motion was made by William Rofkar and seconded by Gary Mortus to approve the minutes  of the last meeting submitted with the correction. All voted aye.  Gary Mortus made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $61,572.06.  William Rofkar second and all voted aye.

Correspondence included  letter from Ohio Government Risk Management Plan regarding feedback on the survey mailed to customers, Bob Ruhe Ag Service including signed agreement for aerial spraying for gypsy moths and Hardy Aviation Insurance acknowledgement of insurance for spraying, three letters from Adelphia stating new channels,  information regarding local cable operations,  adjustments implemented and  effective 2005 price changes, Auditor of State’s information on the Local Government Officials’ Conference on March 23 & 24 in Columbus and fax to the Trustees  from Roger and Monette Garn commending the maintenance department on snow removal.

      Jim Stouffer stated State Route 163 and Portage Township roads were awful and when you got to Catawba the roads were great.

      Pat Cerny received a thank-you letter from the Cheerleaders for use of the Community Hall.

      William Rofkar checked with Fire Department and there is an ongoing contract with Breathing Systems so they should be paid.  Clerk talked to them and was advised it has always been paid in advance and in checking it was paid in advance in 2003. Asked  about the letter from Paul Patterson and was advised  his term is up this year.

       A motion was made by William Rofkar and seconded by Robert Schroeder to purchase a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser for $20,147.00 and a 2005 Ford Explorer for $20,649.00 from Statewide Ford Company thru State purchasing program.

       Gary stated the Township has never needed a four-wheel drive vehicle and another thing would be the liability being it would not be a police cruiser.  Just don’t see any justification with putting it on the road as there would not be very many times this kind of vehicle would be needed.

      Bob stated could have used it when the guy on Weyhe Road  took off in the woods and have given it a lot of thought.

  The vote: Robert Schroeder-aye, William Rofkar-aye, Gary Mortus-no.

         Clerk received call from Volunteer Energy in Gahanna, Ohio stating they have a variable gas rate which always is lower than Columbia Gas.  Board agreed to keep their contract with Interstate Gas. Community Hall for 2004 as follow:  Front Room- 22 rentals- $550.00, Direct cost-7 rentals- $420.00, Friday night- 5 rentals $50.00, Saturday- 14 rentals- $2800.00 for total of $3820.00

       Robert Schroeder stated Dan asked about  flag system on the fire hydrants and feels they are needed in some places but  maybe not the whole Township.  There was leak from the roof inside the station from the ice and snow pushing back under the roof.  They used Port Clinton’s ladder truck to remove the ice and snow.

     Meeting was turned over to the Clerk to reorganize for fiscal year 2005. Dorothy asked for nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman,  A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to nominate William Rofkar as Chairman.  All voted aye.  Robert Schroeder made a motion to nominate Gary Mortus as Vice-Chairman.  William Rofkar seconded and all voted aye..

     Chairman William Rofkar asked about duties and it was agreed as follow:

                William Rofkar - Roads, Buildings, Cemetery

                Robert Schroeder - Police and Fire Departments

                Gary Mortus - Zoning..

Robert Schroeder will be representative to Ottawa Regional Planning Commission with Gary Mortus as alternate.

     Meetings will be the second (2nd) and fourth (4th)  Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m..

Community Hall rental rates will be the same as 2004 - $200.00 plus $100.00 deposit which is returnable if left clean and no damage. Front room will be $25.00 but will be rented only to Catawba Island residents.

Association/Subdivision meetings -$60.00 and Bereavement meal -$60.00.

    Cemetery rates will be the same as 2004 - Grave site for Residents- $225.00, Non-Resident- $400.00.

Open and close grave- $175.00, Saturday- $250.00, Sunday or Holiday- $400.00. Open and close grave for baby- $75.00. Open and close for cremation- $35.00, Saturday, Sunday, Holiday- $75.00. Footer for monument- $60.00 and Disinterment- $600.00.

     A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to pay mileage outside of Township at IRS rate for 2005,  All voted aye.

     Bob Schroeder suggested raising the gas allowance for firefighters but was agreed to talk to the fire-

Fighters about it first.  Also suggested each Trustee should bring in three or four names to form a committee to draw up a new Land Use Plan.

     Bill stated cost of living increase is 2.7% for year 2005 but would like to see a 4% increase to all full time employees being haven’t done much in the last couple years. Bob stated he would like to see the increase in wages done on a merit system.  Gary stated thinks merit system is good but would have to be done on a quarterly or yearly basis so person knows where he stands.  Bill stated he thinks it should be left up to the supervisors so should give the raise across the boarrd  and not put it off until later.

       A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to increase wages of all full time employees three per cent (3%) and continue to pay benefits effective December 27, 2004. All voted aye.

      Gary Mortus made a motion to adopt Resolution to approve temporary  appropriations of $471,700.00 for first three months of 2005. (copy attached)  Robert Schroeder seconded and all voted aye.

     Pat Cerny stated Tom Anslow’s term on Board of Zoning Appeals ends 2004 and Paul Patterson’s term on Zoning Commission.

      A motion was made by Gary Mortus and seconded by Robert Schroeder to increase the wage rate of William Fritz three per cent (3%) for 2005.  All voted aye.

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