Minutes: May 26th, 2009

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Trustees was called to order by William Rofkar at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.

Present were William Rofkar, Robert Schroeder, Gary Mortus, Pat Cerny, Jack DeVore Matt Montowski, Becky Swisher, Bryan Baugh, John Smothers, Meredith Beck and James Dubbert.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the Zoning Hearing minutes and the Board of Township Trustee Meeting minutes as presented from May 12. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. Gary Mortus, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye.

Gary Mortus made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $40,278.45. The motion was seconded by Robert Schroeder. Gary Mortus, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye.

Correspondence included:

An email from Lisa Seckler in response to the Trustees request for community feedback in the matter of a proposed dog park on Catawba Island. Lisa Seckler wrote she would probably not take her dog to the dog park due to road traffic at the proposed location, corner of Route 53 and Cemetery Road, and the possibility that a dog could get out of even a fenced in area if another dog had dug there. Lisa Seckler noted it is a great idea in theory, but she wished the money would be spent upgrading Catawba Island’s nature preserve and trails.

A letter from Medical Mutual referring to a benefit enhancement available as of April 2009. The letter states township employees that would benefit from the enhancement will receive a letter notifying them of their options.

A letter from the Ohio Plan Healthcare Consortium, a competitive healthcare program alternative for Ohio’s public entities.

A letter from Time Warner Cable concerning Free Account Policy Changes.

Another letter from Time Warner Cable regarding State Issued Cable Franchise.

William Rokar opened the discussion to the floor.

Becky Swisher spoke on behalf of The Ohio Plan. She talked about changes to the townships insurance coverage.
Meredith Beck, Catawba Island Park Board member, said the Park Board would like to see the old deteriorated pole barn removed from the nature preserve. Meredith Beck also said they would like to add a fourth member to the Park Board. William Rofkar said by state law the Park Board could consist of 3 or be expanded to 5 members. The discussion was tabled until further notice.

Gary Mortus asked Pat Cerny for a report of the Catawba Island employee’s time off, outstanding vacation and sick time they have not used. William Rofkar said he would also like a copy of that report.

Robert Schroeder asked if anything could be done about motorcycle noise. He said he would speak to law enforcement concerning the issue. Robert Schroeder also brought up concern about noise from racing boats when the Lake Erie Boat Race comes to Port Clinton Labor Day weekend. More details are needed concerning the exact location and course for the race.

Robert Schroeder stated he has heard there is conflict between youth softball and soccer teams using the local parks fields. Trustees agree teams will need to work together for a solution.

Pat Cerny stated the pretrial with John Moore has gone to a bench trial (with no jury). The bench trial will take place in the coming month(s).

Pat Cerny said she has received complaints about the smell of the dumpsters where Doug Alexander cleans fish. It has been reported he is allowing other charter boats to clean fish at his lodge as well. Pat Cerny will look into the matter further.

William Rofkar made a motion Catawba Island Township participate in the County Engineer’s Road Striping Program with the same roads they have done in previous years. Robert Schroeder seconded the motion. Gary Mortus, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye.

Bryan Baugh asked the Trustees if the county was going to look at Sand Road. William Rofkar said he has not heard back from the county even though he has asked them to keep him in the loop. William Rofkar said the county told him they would bring Sand Road to ODOT standards. An ODOT engineer was to evaluate the road and fix everything to their standards. William Rofkar said that was a couple months ago and he will check in with them again.

William Rofkar said at 6:30 next Monday evening, June 1, he will present Dan Barlow with a plaque at the Vineyard of Catawba Volunteer Fire and EMS appreciation dinner in honor of his 23 years as Fire Chief.

William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn seconded by Gary Mortus. All voted aye.