Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Minutes – April 14, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Trustees was called to order by chairman William Rofkar at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room on April 14, 2009. In attendance: William Rofkar, Robert Schroeder, Gary Mortus, Pat Cerny, John Gangway, Judy Thompson, Jenny Duffy, Bryan Baugh, Matt Montowski, Marvin Grover and Jack DeVore. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes as received seconded by Gary Mortus. Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Moftus, aye; William Rofkar, aye. Gary Mortus made a motion to approve and pay the bills in the amount of $64,744.99 including the last payroll seconded by Robert Schroeder. Gary Mortus, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye.
Correspondence included a letter from Mark Mulligan regarding Estate Tax Distribution and the requirements; Dan Barlow, Chief, CIVFD, informing Trustees of his decision to retire as Chief of the Catawba Island Township Volunteer Fire Department effective June 1, 2009 and his recommendation of Assistant Chief John Gangway as a replacement for that position. Larry Fletcher, Executive Director of the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau requesting a meeting with the Trustees to present the Visitors Bureaus plans for the upcoming season. LaFarge North America, Marblehead Ohio Quarry prices for limestone effective April 1, 2009; Mary Taylor, Auditor of State. Bulletin reporting requirements for all local governments receiving Federal Stimulus Funds; Ohio Department of Administrative Services; re: Office of state purchasing request to purchase process. Stephanie Miller, Urban Forester, ODNR, thanking the township for the invitation to Catawba Island to discuss our Gypsy Moth management efforts. Ottawa Water and Soil Newsletter; Erin Patton, Ohio Public Entity Consortium Fiscal Officer introducing herself and the township’s Delta Dental program.
John Gangway stated there are two SCBA units that need replacing. John Gangway stated they are still looking into a fireboat and Bob Danklefsen went to a grant writing course and if approved by the Trustees will apply for a grant. John Gangway asked for approval to spend $400.00 to replace a siren and light for one of the cruisers. The new police car should be arriving soon. John Gangway also stated the police department is participating with the Border Patrol doing four hour blocks per week and explained that the township will be receiving a check from the Ottawa County Sheriffs Department to pay the wages and then the state will reimburse the county. John may pursue his requests.
Judy Thompson and her friend Jenny Duffy stated they were at a trustee meeting about a year ago and brought up the idea of a dog park. Ms. Thompson requested to set up an e-mail here at the township and their group would do some publicity with the local newspapers and businesses and people could respond with the e-mail as there seems to be a lot of interest. William Rofkar stated you could go to Yahoo and get free e-mail. William Rofkar does not want it to look like it is a township project. They would like to have it done through the township website. Gary Mortus stated he would like to see how many people are interested in a dog park. Port Clinton is close to opening up a dog walk or dog park on State Street. Jen Burris can be contacted at City Hall in regard to this or Steven Dice at the Erie Metro Parks. William Rofkar stated to tell people to copy the trustees with their e-mail requests on the townships website.
Marv Grover stated he is still concerned about the school property and a tavern being built on the parcel or if the property would be sold in the future.
William Rofkar stated Mr. Stouffer’s plans do not include a tavern. The trustees tried to assure Mr. Grover there would not be a tavern as this is going to be a PUD
and the trustees are in control. The public hearing for this project to go before the trustees will be April 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and Mr. Grover should attend.
Matt Montowski stated the Zoning Commission will hear a request for the rezoning of a small parcel next to the Miller Boat on April 22, 2009 for additional parking. Pat Cerny stated there are two different zoning districts on these two lots and being that the boat line will be charging for parking, the lots must be zoned commercial to allow for this.
Gary Mortus stated Catawba Island Township will be hosting the county association meeting in July and it would be a good time for Larry Fletcher to talk about the Visitors Bureau. Pat Cerny will contact him.
Robert Schroeder stated Herb Roder is very happy with the truck he purchased from the township and anytime the township needs welding he will do it. Robert Schroeder also stated the park’s soccer team needs paint for the field at a cost of $432.00 through Matt Mueller.
Robert Schroeder made a motion to give Officer Robert Danklefsen a wage increase of $2.00 per hour seconded by Gary Mortus. William Rofkar stated he would be in favor of raising our part-time officer rate if the Police Chief thinks we need to adjust that rate. Gary Mortus stated this is a longevity and merit increase rolled into one. John Gangway stated Robert Danklefsen has done a good job and came to the department as an experienced officer in 2006. Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Mortus, aye; William Rofkar, nay. William Rofkar stated his decision is not because of this particular officers quality of work but he is not comfortable with choosing a arbitrary figure.
Pat Cerny presented the Trustees with CIMS software in regard to managing the cemetery for them to view. The Trustees will look at the software.
Pat Cerny has a request for a from the Department of Liqour Control for a liquor permit for the Islander Golf Course asking if the township would be requesting a hearing. Gary Mortus made a motion to waive the townships right
for a hearing seconded by Robert Schroeder. All voted aye.
William Rofkar stated he spoke with Kelly Fry in regard to Sand Road and an ODOT Engineer evaluate the patches and correct all the patches that do not
meet ODOT standards and keep the township informed.
William Rofkar stated an expenditure had been approved at the last meeting for tennis nets and mulch and his estimation with shipping was more.
The agreement was to spend $2000.00 and the revised quote is $2800.00. William Rofkar stated he is trying to obtain another quote from another supplier for the mulch but in the meantime he would like to purchase the nets not to exceed $475.00 for two sets of nets. All three agreed.
William Rofkar stated he had the County Engineer draw up specifications to improve a roadway between the cemetery and the compost area. William Rofkar would be in favor of receiving bids for a gravel roadway to the county specifications instead of asphalt and with the drainage tile. Gary Mortus and Robert Schroeder were in agreement.
William Rofkar stated in 1996, the Trustees decided to change things for the new section of the cemetery stating no elevated headstones and the township would pay for a urn for each site. The problem is no one wants to buy these plots because of the flush stones. William feels that it should be re-evaluated and made like the rest of the cemetery. Gary Mortus stated the flush headstones idea was because of the perpetual care as once the cemetery is full there is no income. More thought will be put into this matter.
William Rofkar stated the Resurrection Church would like to replace their sign with an electronic board sign that would not move or flash. Pat Cerny had discussed this with Tim Rink and will look into it again.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn seconded by Robert Schroeder. All voted aye. 8:50 p.m.