Minutes: January 26th, 2021

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

January 26, 2021

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Hall located at 3307 NW Catawba Road.

In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw,
Dan Barlow, John Gangway, Debbie Barlow, Mary Ann Nehls, Ann Rumpf, James Stouffer, Dave Belden, Randy Riedmaier, Jordan Davenport, Eric Schramm, Will Moore, Louis Wargo, Brian Washburn, and Jack DeVore.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve the January 12, 2021 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 regular payroll and CIVFD fourth quarter payroll, in the amount of $53,436.51. The total includes a contribution to the Ottawa County Drug Task Force in the amount of $3,250. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Proclamation

Dan Barlow was presented a Proclamation from Catawba Island Township Trustees honoring him upon his retirement after 25 years of service as supervisor of the maintenance department and continuous dedication to the community.

Correspondence

An email from Randy Riedmaier regarding the Veterans Memorial Highway sign and supporting information to request the addition of former Catawba Island resident, Lance J. Kohanke, to the sign.

A letter from the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District regarding the 2021 Tree Order and 10% discount offered to Ottawa County Townships, Villages, and Cities as an incentive to restore native landscaping.

A letter from the Officers of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department regarding the formal proposal for a replacement for Truck 226.

Police

Police Chief John Gangway said he made contact with a representative from Frontier and the telephone pole leaning across the road from the maintenance building is scheduled to be replaced.


Maintenance

William Rofkar made a motion to approve the removal of trees on Muggy and Chatham Roads by Lake Erie Tree Service not to exceed $1,300. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Trustees agreed to renew the contract with Republic Services for monthly garbage pickup for $103.46 up from $86.70. They also agreed to a new two year contract with Republic Services for township clean up days which include $80 for container delivery, $149 to haul away, and an additional $49.50 per ton.

William Rofkar said Spring clean up days are scheduled for Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24, at the compost facility on Cemetery Road and that the gate will be locked at the conclusion so no additional dumping will be permitted.

William Rofkar made a motion to contract with Bill’s Implement for the Mower Lease Trade In program for a total of $4,050 for two mowers; a 48” mower for the cemetery and a 61” mower for mowing other township property. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar made a motion to promote Kevin Johnson to Maintenance Supervisor following Dan Barlow’s retirement and increase his hourly wage $1.50 per hour effective with the pay period beginning February 1. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Fire

Will Moore reported the fire department responded to 60 fire calls and 96 EMS calls for a total of 156 runs in 2020.

Will Moore presented a proposal for a new Type 6 MUV fire apparatus for a total of $232,854. He said the vehicle is basically three vehicles combined into one multiuse vehicle that will be used as a replacement for the grass fire truck and will hold ice rescue equipment as well as EMS equipment.

William Rofkar said he likes the concept of the vehicle but the price is high for a vehicle that is not intended to put out structure fires as there are not many grass fires in the township.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the fire department and equipment.

Louis Wargo said this is the same truck the department has been talking about purchasing for over a year now and is not being presented without previous discussion.

Trustees agreed they would like to review the formal proposal presented and schedule a meeting in the near future with Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons since he was not available at the meeting.

Diane Belden said she has questions for Kent Johnson regarding the overage of $10,080 being charged for the final count of runs made in 2020. She would like to look into the matter before paying the final invoice for overage.


Zoning

Matt Montowski said there were 135 zoning permits issued in 2020 and 37 variances with a total of $21,388 collected in fees. He said there were permits issued for 48 new homes in 2020.

New Business

Matt Montowski discussed the documentation provided to the Trustees by Randy Riedmaier in his request for their consideration of adding another name to the Veterans Memorial Highway sign recently placed on State Route 53 with the names of veterans William E. Galloway and James M. Davenport who were killed in action. Although Lance Kohanke moved away his senior year of high school because of his father’s employment, he grew up on Catawba Island. He was drafted into the Army in March of 1968 and was killed in action on May 14, 1968 at the age of 20.

Matt Montowski made a motion to add the name CPL Lance J. Kohanke to the Veterans Memorial Highway sign. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Matt Montowski said the Catawba Island Historical Society is also planning to set up a memorial for all three individuals.

Trustees agreed they would also add a plaque to the wall in the Administration Building conference room to honor Lance J. Kohanke.

William Rofkar made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.




___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer