The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Trustees was called to order by chairman William Rofkar at 7:30 p.m. on June 9, 2009 in the conference room beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present were William Rofkar, Robert Schroeder, Gary Mortus, Pat Cerny, Matt Montowski, Jack DeVore, Phil Gutkowski, Reggie Langford, Dan Barlow, Bryan Baugh, John Gangway, James Stouffer.
Robert Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting as received, seconded by Gary Mortus. Robert Schroeder, aye; Gary Mortus, aye; William Rofkar, aye.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve and pay the bills in the amount of $94,617.00 seconded by Robert Schroeder. Gary Mortus, aye; Robert Schroeder, aye; William Rofkar, aye.
Correspondence included: Thank you from Lawrene Montowski to Dan Barlow for taking care of her request regarding the cemetery. Reminder notice for the next meeting of Save Our Homes, June 11, 2009. Todd Bickley, Ottawa Regional Planning Commission, statement of the annual assessment. Rhonda Slauterbeck, regarding NACoPrescription Card Program by Ottawa County. Dick Holliday, complaining the fish smell coming from the Holiday Village is terrible. Mark Mulligan asking if the township is interested in regulating sexually oriented businesses and including a copy of the Attorney General’s materials referenced in his letter.
Sealed bids received for the truck package: Judco Truck Dquipment: $38,000.00 net per unit. Newell Equipment: $34,904.00. Kalida: $39,955.00. William Rofkar stated the bids will be reviewed and awarded at the next business meeting, June 23, 2009.
Phil Gutkowski spoke of a public nuisance problem with his neighbor, Douglas Alexander, owner of Holiday Village, the nuisance being a fish cleaning station and a dumpster. His complaint being Douglas Alexander lets his guests and outside charters clean their fish and put the remains in the dumpster, unfrozen, unwrapped.
The smell is deplorable, it brings flies and animals. The Health Department does come out and register a complaint and then in the next few days, it happens again.
Mr. Gutkowski stated Mr. Alexander refuses to correct this problem and the Health Department will not correct it. Mr. Gutkowski also stated Holiday Village stores other peoples boats on this property for fall and winter storage and also sells boats.
These are not permitted uses in the C-2 District. Mr. Gutkowski is seeking help from the township. Phil Gutkowski also offered some solutions. William Rofkar asked Pat Cerny if she had contacted Doug Alexander in regard to this matter and she has. Gary Mortus made a motion that the township cite Holiday Village for the illegal use of their parcel. Gary Mortus stated “let’s make the fishing cleaning the primary item to correct.” Robert Schroeder seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Reggie Langford stated he will be getting together with John Smothers as he has a few people to place traps around the island and show how to wrap the trees.
John Gangway stated regarding the fire department, Engine 222’s siren is not working and he is requesting $1000.00 to replace the siren. Request granted.
Police Department: defibulator has been serviced for eleven years and the battery has gone bad and the cost is $375.00. He would like to replace the unit for $1600.00.
Unit will be replaced.
James Stouffer thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their assistance in the Run/Walk event.
Robert Schroeder voiced a complaint about the noise from the motorcycles on Route 53. The police will look into sound levels.
Pat Cerny stated a complaint was received in regard weeds and the condition of a yard at a home on Weyhe Road. The caller will be advised to put the complaint in writing.
The Ottawa County Township Association Quarterly Meeting will be hosted by Catawba Island Township on July 30th, 2009 in the conference room. A meal will be provided and the speaker will be Larry Fletcher from the Visitor’s Bureau.
William Rofkar stated he met with Kelly Frey regarding Sand Road and Kelly Frey is going to meet with the contractor and the paving company. ODOT stated every patch needs to be redone. They will find out this week how to solve the problem. The County has also held back $50,000.00 from the contractor to make sure everything will be finished correctly and be taken care of the end of summer or in the fall.
William Rofkar stated the Vineyards on Catawba had an appreciation dinner for the Catawba Island Township Volunter Fire Department and William Rofkar stated he would like to recognize Dan Barlow for his twenty-three years of service as fire chief. A round of applause followed. A plaque was presented to Dan Barlow from the Board of Trustees on behalf of the residents of Catawba Island Township. The plaque was donated from Andy and Marlene Benko. It was beautifully done
and the Trustees appreciate their generosity. The residents of Catawba Island Township have a great appreciation for the fire department.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn seconded by Robert Schroeder. All voted aye.