Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2023
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, August 8, at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room
of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Kevin Johnson, Jack Madison, Dorothy Baker, William Baker, Lisa Murphy, and Ann Rumpf
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve the July 25, 2023, Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $61,223.12. The total includes a payment of $24,924.10 to Ohler and Holzhauer for new HVAC at the Community Hall. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A note from Evelyn Albrecht thanking the police for all they do and a donation to the department.
An email from Casey Mathews expressing safety concerns with the recent improvements at the West Harbor Public Boat Launch with regard to unstable floating docks, lack of dock posts, and the new configuration rendering the northernmost dock inaccessible for launching and/or retrieving in his opinion.
An email from Sarah Riedmaier expressing objection to the possibility of chemicals being sprayed in the area near her home where property development on the south side of Konker Road has been delayed and a letter complaining about the weeds was forwarded to the property owner.
Matt Montowski said he reached out to Sarah Riedmaier and informed her there has never been any discussion by the Board of Trustees about weed spraying the property mentioned.
An email from Jim Dellinger regarding the property off Konker Road that his company purchased in order to continue development of the Groves project. He noted Dellinger Excavating will build as planned and approved, however, it is a work in progress. Jim Dellinger agreed to look into the neighbor’s concerns but does not feel the property is worse now than it was for a long time before.
A letter from resident Reggie Langford stating he recently donated funds to his hometown cemetery in Kilbourne, Ohio to have a flag pole installed and is requesting the old military emblems from Catawba Island Cemetery be donated to the Brown Township cemetery to be placed around the flag pole to enhance the project.
A letter from Leadership Ottawa County regarding the Class of 2024 application deadline.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw presented the July 2023 financial reports and bank reconciliation. There were no questions or concerns.
Karen Shaw said the Auditor of State has reviewed and accepted the Independent Accountant’s Report of Agreed-Upon Procedures of Catawba Island Township for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.
Zoning
Matt Montowski said there were three zoning permits issued in July and one variance with a total of $480 collected in fees.
Matt Montowski said Sandra Erwin submitted a letter of resignation from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Johnson said the International is in need of repairs.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve repairs to the International at Selking International in the amount of $1,286.62. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Kevin Johnson said the air conditioning at the fire station needs repaired and he is getting quotes.
Kevin Johnson said a quote for grinding was received from Barnes but he was expecting another quote.
Kevin Johnson provided a quote from Lake Erie Tree Service for $925 to remove a dead Hackberry tree in the cemetery.
Trustees agreed the tree should be removed by Lake Erie Tree Service for $925.
New Business
William Rofkar made a motion to donate five surplus concrete military medallions to Brown Township. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar said a representative from Black Swamp Conservancy will walk through Cedar Meadow Preserve later in the week for the annual review.
Diane Belden spoke briefly about a Catawba Island family with a young daughter who has an inoperable brain tumor and said the local communities are pitching in to help raise funds. She said the Mayor of Port Clinton has also reached out to the local police and fire departments for support. Diane Belden suggested the township lobby as a donation drop off site much like at Christmas time.
John Gangway said related details were discussed at the most recent fire department meeting and members are on board if Trustees approve use of the fire trucks for appropriate stationary locations on a specified date, possibly August 26.
Trustees agreed fire department personnel can head up supporting the local family by way of fire trucks at stationary locations and donation collection.
Lisa Murphy asked if the fire department meeting minutes can be posted.
John Gangway said he consulted the prosecutor’s office and the initial response was it is a private organization not subject to public information laws but they are looking into the matter further.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer