Minutes: June 8th, 2021

Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Meeting Minutes

June 8, 2021

The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Diane Belden on Tuesday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room of the administration building.

In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Karen Shaw, John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Ernie Wylie, Kevin Gibbons, Dan Barlow, Jack Madison, Dave Belden, Ron Soltis, Tim Neal, Edward Spitler, Theresa Spitler, Ann Rumpf, William Baker, Randy Riedmaier, and
Jack DeVore

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve the May 25, 2021 Board of Trustees Public Hearing minutes as received. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the May 25, 2021 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as received. William Rofkar 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 $75,990.41. Included in the total is a payment of $38,035 to Hylant Administrative Services for the property and liability insurance renewal. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Motion carried.

Correspondence

A letter from the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation requesting completion of a Community Inventory/Planning Questionnaire to assist in updating their 2021-2023 Strategic Plan.

Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the May financial reports and the bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.

Zoning

Matt Montowski said there were fourteen zoning permits issued in May and four variances with a total of $1,860.44 collected in fees.

Police

Police Chief John Gangway said the police department needs to replace some Taser cartridges and batteries for the Tasers. The cost will be approximately $1,200.

Trustees agreed Taser cartridges and batteries can be purchased as requested.

John Gangway said the officers are out at the range for requalification this week and Rob Schraidt and Austin Troike will be attending driving school in Columbus on Thursday.
Page 2
June 8, 2021
Maintenance

Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said they are trying to get caught up from the storm damage. He said DeAngelo Brothers sprayed for weed control along Rock Ledge, at the West Harbor Boat Launch, and the ditch pump area off Route 53.

Kevin Johnson presented proposals for seal coating the following township parking lots: Chapel, Community Hall, Administration Building, Old Fire Station, and Cemetery as well as applying dust control on the compost facility driveway. The Kreimes Company $9,555 and Maintenance Systems of Northern Ohio $9,483.67 (the Chapel is not included in Maintenance Systems quote).

William Rofkar made a motion to contract with the Kreimes Company for seal coating and striping various township parking lots and applying dust contract at the compost facility for a total of $9,555. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Fire

Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons said the department had eight fire runs and eleven EMS runs for the month of May for a total of 19 runs.

Kevin Gibbons said the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department Chicken Barbeque is scheduled for July 10 and will be a drive-thru only event this year. Kevin Gibbons said he is coordinating a safe route traffic pattern with John Gangway.

Kevin Gibbons said CIVFD will be at the Catawba Island Club for the fireworks display on July 2.

Kevin Gibbons said Mark Wilhelm from Put-in-Bay Township has asked to borrow a CIVFD engine while their engine is in for service.

Trustees agreed to loan a CIVFD engine to Put-in-Bay Township for a week as requested.

Old Business

William Rofkar answered a question from the last meeting regarding a cut in the road across Twin Beach Road. He said the cut was made by the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer and they will take care of the temporary patch this summer.

William Rofkar said the trash container at the Community Hall was removed when rentals at the hall were halted last spring due to COVID.

Trustees agreed to put the container back into service now that the hall is being rented again but keep it locked to avoid illegal dumping and issue a key for the container when renting the hall for parties.

New Business

William Rofkar made a motion to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order in the amount of $38,035 to Hylant Administrative Services for renewal of our property and liability insurance effective through June 15, 2022. Matt Montowski seconded the motion all voted aye. Motion carried.

William Rofkar said he would like to order $188 of white Trillium, a spring flower, to be planted in the fall at the Catawba Point Preserve.

Trustees agreed to the purchase of the flowers.


Ron Soltis said he has a concern regarding a 60 foot tree located between 5543 and 5553 Helmsman Drive. He said the tree is located on his neighbor’s property however during the last storm a large branch came down and struck his house causing significant damage to his decking, gutter, and roof. Ron Soltis said he believes the tree is detrimental to the existence of the properties and life. He said if the tree had come down five or six feet over from where it fell it would have come through the roof and possibly down on him and his wife. Ron Soltis said he does not believe the tree has been maintained properly and he said there is a nylon type strap with hooks and a come-a-long located about 20 feet up that may be girdling the tree. He said the neighbor is using the strap to hold the two main trunks together and not split.

Matt Montowski said the township follows the Ohio Revised Code and this situation is a private civil matter that Township Trustees have no jurisdiction over.

William Rofkar said the Trustees have no authority to do a single thing and it would be illegal for the township to spend any money to do anything on private property. He said townships are governed by Ohio Revised Code 505.

Ron Soltis said he understands the position of the Trustees but he is taking the required steps necessary to proceed with the matter legally.

Edward Spitler discussed a concern he has regarding Twin Oast using the property located across the street for overflow parking. He said patrons end up using a private blacktop drive and parking and walking on his private property. Edward Spitler said he believes this is considered off-site parking and something should be done about the situation.

Matt Montowski said he does not believe the property across the street is considered off-site because it is adjacent to the property and part of agritourism. He said if it were located down the street and not directly across the street it would be different. Matt Montowski asked Edward Spitler to speak to the zoning inspector about the situation.

William Rofkar said it is a trespassing issue more than anything and maybe he should call the police.

William Baker expressed concern for the recent illegal dumping at the recycling containers.

Matt Montowski said recycling is a free service provided to the township by the Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Solid Waste District and they can no longer afford to bring additional dumpsters in for holiday weekends. He said illegal dumping is an ongoing problem and cameras have been installed.

John Gangway said since the cameras have been installed six individuals have been charged with littering which is a first degree misdemeanor.

Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.



___________________________ _____________________________
Diane Belden, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer