Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2011
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Christine Burris, Reggie Langford, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The minutes were read from the Special Insurance Meeting on January 24. William Rofkar made a motion to approve the Special Meeting minutes from January 24 as received. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The minutes were read from the January 25 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees. Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the January 25 meeting minutes as received. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $78,730.27. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The following correspondence was received by the township and read:
A letter from Frank Harmon of Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc. regarding the continued comprehensive programs and services Ohio Public Entity Consortium offers and their need for member dues in 2011. Ohio Insurance Services Agency, Inc is extending a complimentary membership to their clients including Catawba Island Township.
A memo from Ottawa County Sheriff Robert Bratton regarding follow up to his comments made at the Ottawa County Township Association Quarterly meeting held on January 27. He has established a meeting date of March 24, 2011 at the Visitor’s Bureau for follow up discussion about fiscal issues regarding the State of Ohio and Ottawa County and is requesting Township Trustees and or Fire and Police representatives attend.
A letter from Intake/Outreach Specialist Jenilee Biehler of the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office regarding the non-profit organization Wreaths Across America. The Ottawa County Veterans Service Office is moving to take part in this organization by honoring all veterans buried in Ottawa County. They would like us to assist by informing their office of the number of veterans buried in Catawba Island Cemetery by March 11, 2011.
A memo from Todd Bickley of the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission regarding the 2011 Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). There will be a public hearing on February 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the Ottawa County Courthouse Assembly Room for those intending to submit a project for CDBG consideration.
An Annual Report from the Ottawa County Municipal Court.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief John Gangway reported Life Flight’s Annual Partners for Life Education Conference is coming up and they would have a few EMT’s attending the training. He also reported the first week in March is the State Fire School at Bowling Green State University and they would have a few firemen attending the continuing and extended education training being offered. John Gangway also said their newest member is taking training in Ballville Township in Sandusky County at this time.
John Gangway said utility truck 230 had to be taken to Port Clinton Ford recently due to an on going problem with the carburetor. He said the vehicle is the 1986 ambulance they use as a general purpose utility truck and for ice rescues. John Gangway said at some time it is going to become not practical to put money into the vehicle. He said hopefully Port Clinton Ford will troubleshoot the problem and get back to them with an estimate for repairs and a decision can be made at that time as to how to proceed.
John Gangway asked about the budget and the possibility of replacing the fire department turnout gear or remodeling the meeting room at the fire station.
The Trustees agreed the fire department should look into their turnout gear needs and the township could look into the cooperative purchasing program for purchasing the needed gear.
The Trustees asked John Gangway to come up with some figures for the flooring and countertops, etc. for the meeting room and general scope of the project and then get back with them.
Police
John Gangway spoke on behalf of the police department and asked if they could replace a police car this year. The Trustees agreed the police car should be replaced and when the paperwork from StateWide comes through the order can be placed.
John Gangway stated it is Catawba Island Township’s turn to host the Ottawa County Police Memorial this year. He said it will be held sometime in May with an attendance of approximately 120 people. John Gangway said there will be a service in the cemetery around the flag and Veteran’s Memorial area and a light reception will follow. He said in the past the reception was held at the State Park shelter house but he will look into other options. John Gangway said there will be a cost involved for the invitations and reception food, etc.
Zoning
The Trustees agreed the Zoning Inspector could be reimbursed for mileage at the standard mileage rate of .51 per mile for zoning related travel.
Matt Montowski stated Walter Wehenkel had a few questions regarding Zoning Procedures and Policies. Gary Mortus said he would like to see the Zoning Commission take a look at Walter Wehenkel’s concerns and amend the Zoning Resolution to firm up definitions of zoning items he has presented to the Trustees (i.e. tree houses, accessory structures, remodeling, and portable vendor equipment).
Gary Mortus made a motion to have the Zoning Commission review the four items in question for future recommendations. William Rofkar seconded motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski said he and Walter Wehenkel met with the Danbury Zoning Inspector to review their zoning operations and software program. He said it was nice to see how another township handles zoning but said our current process works and they saw no need to purchase additional software or change the way in which our zoning records are filed.
Matt Montowski said he and Walter Wehenkel met with Mike Furnas from Central Business Group, an office supply company with the state purchasing program. Matt Montowski said he would like the Trustees to consider a different filing cabinet system for Zoning. He said Walter Wehenkel recommended the filing cabinets based on his experience with the filling system at the Ottawa County Courthouse. Gary Mortus and William Rofkar asked Matt Montowski to bring the information back to the next meeting with specific needs and prices and they will make a decision at that time.
Other Business
Resident Reggie Langford asked the Trustees if they had any input on road paving on Route 53. Gary Mortus said no they do not have any input. He said the Trustees met with ODOT a couple of years ago and asked them about paving Route 53 and ODOT said it was not on the list. Gary Mortus agreed Route 53 should be paved.
Gary Mortus said Dan Barlow talked with the vendor regarding the defective beet juice as mentioned in the last meeting minutes. The vendor stated it was a processing problem that came out of the factory. Gary Mortus said Dan Barlow is going to get with Karen Shaw to determine the mileage and labor costs and the vendor is going to reimburse the township for those expenses incurred.
Gary Mortus made a motion to spend approximately $700 for the purchase of a laptop computer and printer for the Maintenance Department. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Jack DeVore asked if it would be possible for Police Officer John Gangway to write a letter testifying the paint damage to cars occurred and there were no cones being used at the time. John Gangway said he thought the Police Chief was working that day and may be able to attest that there were no cones used in the road striping process that day. Jack DeVore said he is building his case now and would like support from the township in the way of a letter. John Gangway said the police department would provide factual documentation of the occurrences reported regarding the issue.
William Rofkar said he received an email from a resident on Linda Drive about paint on their car. William Rofkar said the paint issue is related to the road striping and he wondered if there was any guarantee from the Ottawa County Engineer that this would not happen next year or in the future. Gary Mortus stated there is no guarantee it would not happen again. William Rofkar said his concern is that if Catawba Island is included in the county road striping program and if they go with the same contractor again with the same process he would want to opt out. He stated there have been several complaints of paint damage. Gary Mortus stated he agreed if Oglesby were to get the bid he would not want to participate and we would bid the striping ourselves and go with a more reputable company.
William Rofkar said he will draft a letter to the Ottawa County Engineer to let him know the Township Trustees are not pleased with the results of last year’s road striping and would not want to enter into the same contract in the future.
Trustee William Rofkar and Fire Chief John Gangway said they will attend the meeting on March 24, as requested by Sheriff Robert Bratton, for a follow up discussion about fiscal issues regarding the State of Ohio and Ottawa County.
The Trustees agreed township employees should work on communications and continue to report important information on a timely basis to the Trustee heading up each department. Gary Mortus is over roads, buildings, and the cemetery. William Rofkar is over police and fire. Matt Montowski is over zoning. The Trustee being notified will report information to the others as necessary.
Karen Shaw said she will get with Dan Barlow to confirm the number of veterans in Catawba Island Township Cemetery and report the information to the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office in order to participate in the Wreaths Across America program.
Karen Shaw reported the new Insurance Certificate of Coverage booklets and new insurance ID cards were distributed to employees. She also reported the new Wellness Program would be available online beginning March 1. Karen Shaw stated Ohio Public Entity Consortium was looking for someone to serve as a Wellness Council member. The individual would be responsible for distributing information to employees and would join in on a monthly teleconference. Karen Shaw agreed to serve as the Wellness Council member for this year.
Karen Shaw stated the road tour with the Ottawa County Engineer is scheduled for Thursday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m.
Karen Shaw said she recently met with William Balmat, Director, Risk Management Services for The Ohio Plan. She said he wanted to update his records for the township and asked about our day to day operations. Karen Shaw said he also met with John Gangway and Dan Barlow to discuss police, fire, and maintenance operations.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.
______________________________ _______________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
ks