Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
June 28, 2011
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Jack DeVore, Rich Zoyhofski, Joe Bires, Larry Hattan,
Amy Drummer, and Jim Sass.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The minutes were read from the June 14 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the June 14 meeting minutes as amended.
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 $197,530.00. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The following correspondence was received by the township and read:
A letter from Bob and Kathy Walls concerning the property located at 2009 NW Catawba Road. In the letter they stated the yard has tall grass and weeds and has become overrun with wild animals, etc. Enclosed were several pictures of the property.
A letter from Gary Woodley concerning the grass, noxious weeds, and blowing pollen on the lot identified as Parcel 0131634830751000.
The Trustees agreed to send letters to both property owners.
An invitation from Frank Gates/Avizent for the 2012 Group Rating Re-enrollment.
Notification that Ottawa County EMA Deputy Director Mike Drusbacky will be attending the Trustee meeting on July 26, 2011 at 7:30 to give a brief Emergency Management Update.
An email from Dave Robenstine, Secretary of the Ottawa County Township Association, reminding officials of the next Township Association meeting to be held at Put-in-Bay on Thursday, July 28. The Program will include reports from elected officials and updates on legislation/budgets affecting Township business.
An invitation from the Ottawa County Community Foundation to the 2011 Parade of Homes Kick-Off-Party at NorEaster Club July 5, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Ottawa County Annual Report from the Ottawa County Commissioners.
Presentation
Larry Hattan, retired engineer from Brush Wellman, presented his findings from the Catawba Island Township Energy Study he recently conducted at no charge to the township. His presentation included natural gas and electricity usage graphs from data he gathered from utility bills for each of the township buildings. A Summary Chart is attached.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief John Gangway said Engine 222 is back in service. He said a lot of work was put in by Louis Wargo and they appreciate his help.
John Gangway said Fireman Eric Heyob is on a 12 month military leave.
John Gangway said they have had preliminary meetings on turn out gear with two vendors.
Police
John Gangway said he spoke with Amy Drummer, Assistant Director of the Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District, about the township police department participating in the next county wide prescription drug drop off.
Matt Montowski said he would like to see a permanent prescription drug drop off area in the township police department. John Gangway said they are looking into the possibility of a permanent collection site.
John Gangway said they are getting close to a delivery date on the new police vehicle. He said the vendor has offered a trade in of $2,800 for the old vehicle.
The Trustees agreed to trade in the old vehicle for $2,800 and asked John Gangway to see what the vendor would be willing to give for the 2004 police car in storage.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow said he received three bids for replacing the maintenance garage roof. Randy J. Smith Construction and Roofing, $11,300; Gottron Construction, $14,500; and C.L. Deemer Roofing and Sheet Metal, $15,000.
Gary Mortus made a motion to award a contract to Randy J. Smith Construction and Roofing to reroof the maintenance building for $11,300. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Dan Barlow presented an estimate for $2,000 from Mullens Tree and Landscaping for the removal of six Ash trees and five stumps.
Gary Mortus made a motion to have the six trees and five stumps removed by Mullens Tree and Landscaping for $2,000 as estimated. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Dan Barlow presented a bid from The Kreimes Co. in the amount of $5,810 for the repair and patch of asphalt in eight township road locations.
The Trustees said they would like to see another quote or two for the work.
Dan Barlow said he would like to replace the tractor and presented two quotes from Bay Tractor Co. The first quote included the trade in of the Case tractor and two mowers for a total of $33,614.95. The second quote included options of a bucket and bush hog mower for a total of $41,198.42. Dan Barlow said the bucket would be larger than anything they have right now and could be utilized in the cemetery or for parking lot snow removal.
The Trustees agreed they would like to wait and discuss it further at the next meeting.
Dan Barlow said they have completed a portion of the cemetery drainage and they are still working on it hoping to eliminate a water problem in the cemetery.
Dan Barlow said he would like the Trustees to consider eliminating the dumpster at the boat launch ramp marina. He said he thinks it is being used by individuals who do not have trash removal service. Dan Barlow said it would also eliminate the dumping of fish refuse and the smell and flies that follow.
The Trustees agreed it would be a good idea to remove the dumpster. Matt Montowski said the State Parks have also gone to a Carry In Carry Out Policy.
Gary Mortus thanked Dan Barlow and his crew for berming Sand Road. He said they did a nice job and at a cost savings to the township compared to the contracted price.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw said the Sand Road repaving project invoice came in $42,000 under the estimated cost.
Karen Shaw said the township received a check from Lakecraft for reimbursement of repairs made to the maintenance truck.
Karen Shaw said the township received notification from the State Auditor of the filing of the final audit for the years 2009 and 2010.
Other Business
Amy Drummer spoke regarding growing concerns the township and residents are having regarding the township recycling station. She said Dan Barlow informed her the recycling containers are always full despite the current pick-up and drop-off schedule of three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
Amy Drummer said the current plan is to try and have two empty containers on Friday going into a weekend and on summer holiday weekends possibly have three containers available. She said they are also looking into the possibility of compactor bins for the township.
Gary Mortus said he would be interested in the possibility of a trial subscription service for curbside pick up. He said a representative from Allied Waste will attend the next township meeting on July 12 at 7:30 to discuss the issue.
Gary Mortus said the township appreciates everything that the Solid Waste Management District does for Ottawa County and Catawba Island Township.
Joes Bires said he read the recent newspaper article and asked the Trustees how it is handled when township funds have been used inappropriately.
Gary Mortus said individuals are innocent until proven guilty. He said if an individual is found to be guilty, recovery of those dollars would be sought. Gary Mortus said the individual in question was bonded and the bonding company has been put on notice. He said the township would not see a loss if there is a finding.
Joe Bires asked the Trustees if that was the final number.
William Rofkar said that was the final number by the State Auditor.
Joe Bires asked the Trustees what measures have been put into place to protect the township in the future.
William Rofkar said the Trustees follow the State Auditor’s program and are audited every two years. He said the Trustees and the Fiscal Officer are different elected positions. William Rofkar said the Trustees do not scrutinize every move that the Fiscal Officer makes because the Fiscal Officer is responsible. He said that is why the Fiscal Officer is bonded and the township financials are audited. William Rofkar said the Trustees oversee it to a certain extent but can not tell what is going on at all times and that is why the state conducts regular audits.
Matt Montowski said the Trustees review the status of the township financials on a monthly basis.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order to Frank Gates Service Co. in the amount of $1,845 and a Then and Now Purchase Order to Hylant Administrative Services in the amount of $49,184. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The Trustees discussed a few issues relating to Marine Max including a fence on their property falling toward township buildings nearby and the status of the temporary office building in front. Dan Barlow said he received word the fence would be repaired soon. Matt Montowski said Zoning has received communication Marine Max is constructing offices inside their main building and they plan to tear down the temporary building and pave the area for parking.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
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