Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2013
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Gary Mortus on Tuesday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Gary Mortus, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Carol Kubit, Brandi Taylor, Karen Crall, Cheryl McLaughlin, Jack DeVore, and Randy Riedmaier.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the September 10 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $36,443.17. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The following correspondence was received by the township:
A letter from Ohio Public Entity Consortium regarding an early renewal for benefits.
A letter from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources extending an invitation to take advantage of their Urban Forestry Assistance Program.
A notice from the Ottawa County Township Association for the quarterly meeting to be held October 24, 2013 at Clay Township Hall in Genoa. Program for the evening is Ottawa County Auditor Larry Hartlaub.
Notification from the Ottawa County Budget Commission that Catawba Island Township’s share of Local Government funds for 2014 is estimated to be $14,595.80.
A letter from State Treasurer Josh Mandel regarding the new CPIM exemption for STAR Plus participants.
The STAR Ohio Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2013.
The Ohio Plan Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2012.
A solicitation from the Gledhill Road Machinery Company.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief John Gangway said in addition to Breann Christiansen, approved at the last meeting, he would also like to send Jennifer Knecht to the Advanced EMT class at Vanguard this fall.
The Trustees agreed to the continuing education for the fire department member as requested.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow said the compost grinding is complete. He also said work on the wall at the West Harbor Boat Launch is now complete and lines at the marina were jetted out.
Dan Barlow said maintenance personnel would like to visit the compost facility in Genoa to see their entrance gate and required card set up for entry into their facility.
Trustees agreed to the visit and Gary Mortus said he will also be attending.
Dan Barlow presented an estimate of $800 to have Mullens Tree Service remove three dead ash trees and the stumps on Muggy Road.
Trustees agreed the trees should be removed.
Dan Barlow proposed a cooperative purchase with Danbury Township of a dual grade laser with remote control and accessories for mutual use within both townships. The total cost is $2,399.90 with both townships sharing the cost equally. The equipment would be housed in the Danbury Township maintenance shop.
Gary Mortus made a motion to enter into a joint agreement with Danbury Township to purchase a dual grade laser not to exceed $2,400. The purchase price is to be shared equally between Danbury and Catawba Island Townships at a cost of $1,200 each. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted no. Motion denied.
William Rofkar said he likes the idea of cooperative efforts with other townships but has a concern with employee and board member turnover occurring in the future that partial ownership will be forgotten. He said especially if the equipment is stored at another location.
Following a brief discussion it was decided the township should solely purchase the laser and share use of the equipment with Danbury Township similar to their current practice of sharing equipment with Catawba Island Township.
Gary Mortus made a motion to purchase a dual grade laser including remote control and other accessories as described at a cost not to exceed $2,400. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Police
Police Chief Bob Rogers said the transmission is out on one of the police cruisers.
Trustees agreed the transmission should be repaired.
Bob Rogers asked the Trustees if they had a chance to look over the application for a part-time police officer he had presented. He said he feels it is important at this time to consider hiring another part-time officer considering possible turnover in the future.
Gary Mortus and Matt Montowski said they are not in favor of hiring another part-time officer at this time.
William Rofkar said he agrees with Chief Rogers and has felt there is a need since a part-time officer resigned and was not replaced two years ago. He said he believes it is in the township’s best interest to utilize two or more part-time officers to establish a track record for the future. William Rofkar said if it is a budget issue he can point to areas where he believes the township could cut costs on items less important than the police department.
New Business
Representatives from the Catawba Island Garden Club said they would like to donate two park benches to the township for use at Heigle Park. Members said they would like to give back to the community with proceeds from their successful plant sales.
Trustees thanked the Garden Club for their generous donation and agreed the two benches would work best by the playground equipment at Heigle Park.
William Rofkar said the maintenance truck sold on govdeals.org for $3,824.
William Rofkar discussed a recent situation regarding rental of the Community Hall where the hall was left a mess and the key was not returned immediately.
William Rofkar made a motion to raise the Security Deposit to $250 for rental of the large room at the Community Hall effective October 1, 2013. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar said he received an email from Fire Chief John Gangway regarding a benefit being held for the family of an honorary fire department member.
William Rofkar made a motion to waive the rental for the Community Hall for the benefit. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to send a letter to the property owner of 5525 E. Channel Drive regarding mowing. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The Trustees agreed to reimburse Patti Cable the associated expenses of becoming a Notary.
Matt Montowski made a motion to maintain the current benefit structure for township employees and elected officials extending the renewal until December 1, 2014 and approve an early renewal date effective December 1, 2013 with Medical Mutual as presented by OPEC and Ohio Insurance Services. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Karen Shaw said all employees will receive the Exchange Notice - New Health Insurance Marketplace notifications by October 1, 2013 as required.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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Gary Mortus, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer