Minutes: December 28th, 2010

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

December 28, 2010


The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Gary Mortus on Tuesday, December 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.

In attendance were Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Jim Stouffer and Jack DeVore.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

The minutes were read from the December 14 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees. William Rofkar made a motion to approve the December 14 meeting minutes, seconded by Matt Montowski. All voted aye.

The minutes were read from the December 28 special budget meeting of the Board of Township Trustees. William Rofkar made a motion to approve the December 28 special meeting minutes, seconded by Matt Montowski. All voted aye.

Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills in the amount of $40,226.34 seconded by William Rofkar. All voted aye.

Correspondence

The following correspondence was received by the township and read:

A letter from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources regarding the final designation of Lake Erie coastal erosion areas in Catawba Island Township.

A memo from Jo Friar, Director of the Ottawa County Board of Elections, notifying the township of the new filing deadlines for local candidates and issues being changed to 90 days before each election.

A letter from Kevin Joyce, Executive Director of the Black Swamp Conservancy regarding a recent visit to the Cedar Meadow Preserve on December 22, 2010. In the letter he stated an annual visit, made by Rob Krain and accompanied by park board member John Smothers, revealed an encroachment that appears to conflict with the easement and recommended all neighbors be made aware of and respect the preserve boundaries. Kevin Joyce also commended the trustees and the park board on their management of the preserve and efforts to eradicate non-native species while taking care not to negatively impact ecologically important habitats.

A letter from Frank Harmon, Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc., recommending the healthcare renewal underwritten by Medical Mutual of Ohio be renewed as is.

A letter from Ohio Plan Risk Management, Inc. thanking the township for their membership and reviewing the benefits of membership.

A request from Firelands Regional Medical Center to review the changes and sign a Letter of Agreement to renew membership with the Department of Transportation Consortium and continue all required drug and alcohol testing.

A quarterly meeting notice from the Ottawa County Township Association. The meeting will be held Thursday, January 27, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Ottawa County Visitor’s Bureau and hosted by the Portage Township Trustees and Fiscal Officer.

An email notification from the Ottawa County Safety Council reminding employers that the submission deadline for summaries of workplace illnesses and injuries to BWC’s Public Employment Risk Reduction Program is February 1, 2011. Also, included was notice of a PERRP Recordkeeping Training Program being offered January 13, from 1:30 until 4:30 at the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation Building.

A thank you letter from Shelly Stively to the township trustees expressing appreciation for the opportunity of employment with the township.


Fiscal

Karen Shaw reported $10,000 was transferred from STAR Ohio to Huntington Bank to cover Zoning Expenses.

Karen Shaw will attend the PERRP Recordkeeping Training as previously mentioned on January 13.


Maintenance

Dan Barlow presented new bids for drapes at the Community Hall. Josephine’s By Design submitted a bid for $4,979 and a second bid for $4,474. Young’s Floor Covering and Draperies, Inc. submitted a bid for $4,880. William Rofkar made a motion to purchase Community Hall drapes from Josephine’s By Design for the lowest bid of $4,474. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye.

Dan Barlow said the front entrance lights could not be set up on the same eye because each light is on its own separate breaker and are not wired together. After a brief discussion the trustees asked Dan Barlow to have an electrician take a look at the front entrance lights as well as the front sign lights.

Dan Barlow asked the trustees if they could enclose the office area of the maintenance shop in an effort to reduce dust and debris from entering the area because they will soon have a computer in the maintenance office. The trustees agreed it would be a good idea to enclose the shop office area.


Other Business

Jim Stouffer thanked the township trustees for their fiscal oversight and conservative way they handle finances. He also expressed appreciation for the services offered to residents of the township. Jim Stouffer said it has been a challenging year but they appreciate all the help and support they have been given by the township.

The township trustees agreed to continue on with Firelands Corporate Health Care for the township CDL pool.

A brief discussion took place regarding the wages for casual labor and their inclusion in the township CDL pool.

Matt Montowski said he would like to hire a cleaning service for the township administration building office areas. William Rofkar said he believes the maintenance department does a good job cleaning the offices. Gary Mortus and Matt Montowski agreed the maintenance personnel do a good job but would like to try an outside service and take a bit of the burden off the maintenance department.

Matt Montowski made a motion to hire Evelyn and Steve Heineman at $17 an hour for a maximum of 5 hours a week to clean the administration building with the stipulation they must provide proof to the township of being bonded and insured. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. Matt Montowski, aye; Gary Mortus, aye; William Rofkar, opposed. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus said he received a letter from one of the executors of the estate of Paul Rofkar inquiring if the township would be interested in purchasing 60 acres of farm land on Catawba Island for the purpose of land preservation. The Trustees agreed to look into the possibility and will continue to gather needed information.


Reorganization

Chairman Gary Mortus turned the meeting over to Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw for the purpose of electing the Chairman for the year 2011. Karen Shaw asked for nominations for Chairman. William Rofkar nominated Matt Montowski for Chairman. Gary Mortus seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations William Rofkar voted aye, Gary Mortus, voted aye, and Matt Montowski voted aye. Karen Shaw declared Matt Montowski the Chairman and turned the meeting over to him.

Chairman Matt Montowski asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. Gary Mortus nominated William Rofkar Vice Chairman, William Rofkar seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations Gary Mortus voted aye, William Rofkar voted aye, and Matt Montowski voted aye. Matt Montowski declared William Rofkar Vice Chairman.

The Trustees agreed the Township meeting dates and times will remain at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

The Trustees agreed to keep oversight of the following departments the same: Matt Montowski, Zoning; William Rofkar, Police and Fire; Gary Mortus, Cemetery and Roads.

The Trustees agreed Matt Montowski will remain on the Regional Planning Board and Gary Mortus will continue as the alternate. William Rofkar will remain on the Ottawa County 911 Advisory Board and the Port Clinton City School Business Advisory Board. Matt Montowski will attend the Ottawa County Health Department annual meeting.

The Trustees agreed William Rofkar and Gary Mortus will remain The Legislative Authority for the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependants Fund and William Rofkar will serve as Chairperson.

William Rofkar made a motion to appointment Jordan Davenport to a five year term on the Zoning Commission, seconded by Gary Mortus. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to appoint Larry Cline and Keith Fisher as alternates to the Zoning Commission for one year terms. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to appoint Jack DeVore to a five year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals and appoint Jack Ziegler and Sandra Erwin alternates for a one year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar made a motion to adopt the current IRS standard mileage rate of .51 per mile. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to continue with our current health care plan with Ohio Insurance Service Agency providing coverage to all eligible employees. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to keep the current cemetery fee schedule, zoning fees, and community hall rental fees the same. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar made a motion to increase Ted Day’s hourly wage by one dollar and then increase all full time employee wages and part time police and maintenance personnel wages by 3% effective January 3, 2011. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to increase the casual labor, including part time snow plow personnel and other casual labor as needed, wage rate to $14 an hour effective January 3, 2011. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

The Trustees agreed to keep the police clothing allowance for the township police department the same for 2011.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve temporary appropriations for the purpose of making the first payroll of 2011 as follows:

1000-330-190-0000 highway salaries $10,000.00
1000-120-190-0000 community hall salaries $500.00
1000-110-190-0000 other admin. Salaries $1,000.00
1000-210-190-0000 police salaries $15,000.00
1000-610-190-0000 park salaries $1,000.00
2041-410-190-0000 cemetery salaries $1,000.00
2181-130-190-0000 zoning salaries $1,000.00
2192-220-190-0000 fire levy salaries $1,000.00

Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by William Rofkar. All voted aye. Meeting was adjourned.



______________________________ _______________________________

Gary Mortus, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer

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