1/12/21 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING
January 12, 2021
Supervisors Kara Knutson & Jerry Pohlman took the Oath of Office prior to the meeting. Clerk Jo Ann took the Oath of Office a few days prior.
The January 12, 2021 Board of Supervisors’ & Reorganization Meeting was called to order by Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 5:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Kaci Nowicki & Shawn McMahon of S.E.H.; Supervisors Jim Janssen, Kara Knutson & Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; and Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman. St. Louis County staff involved in the Crane Lake Seaplane Feasibility Study and community members interested in the Kicker Blvd. annexation attended via GoTo.
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to nominate Jerry as Chairman. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Kara, supported by Jerry, to nominate Jim as Vice-Chairman. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Clerk Jo Ann turned the meeting over to newly re-elected Chairman Jerry Pohlman.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: – There were none.
Jerry introduced Kaci Nowicki and Shawn McMahon of S.E.H. to update those present on the Crane Lake Seaplane Base Feasibility Study.
Kaci distributed the updated draft Feasibility Study to the Board; a few copies will be at the Post Office. Kaci reviewed the draft addressing the current inventory at the seaplane base, updates needed, current and past seaplane use charts, right-of-way access (private/public), ownership options and ways to manage the seaplane base. Funding sources were also discussed. Next steps would be: Review and provide feedback on the updated draft in the next week, a meeting with MnDOT this spring, an open house meeting this summer with the final report being provided at the end of summer.
Minutes – A motion was made by Kara, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 12/8/20 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The December Cash Balances were read and the bills were presented as follows: RAMS – $150.00; IRS – $377.63; MN Revenue – $66.81; St. Louis County Auditor – $74.41; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $146.56; CLVTB – $2,390.94; Border State Bank – $4,577.00; and Payroll – $976.91. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Costin Group Report: There was no report.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:
Committee Report: There was no report.
Grounds Clean-up: There was no report.
Docks: There was no report.
CIC Covenants/Unit 13: The Board will wait until the February meeting for communication from the Shucks.
ATV Report: There was no report.
Trails Report: There was no report.
Land Use Project: Because the community is so involved in developing the Visitor Center/Campground area, the development of the Land Exchange area has been set aside. Kara expressed interest in forming a committee to begin working on the project.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2021
IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work: The project is on hold until spring.
Scott’s Seaplane Base: Subject was discussed above.
Neighborhood Watch Report: There was nothing new.
Helipad Report: The pavers were done this fall; they will be painted in the spring. Snow removal is being done as needed. Item will be removed until there is more to report.
Kicker Blvd. Annexation: The CLWSD has requested the VNP Clean Waters Joint Powers Board to further review the annexation and a second public meeting will be held next spring/summer prior to considering a resolution to approve the proposed annexation. The Township will do the same. Public Comment was opened at this time to those attending the meeting via GoTo. Comments included: A request was made to drop the item from the agenda by Mary Mehus. Jay Kanive said there seems to be a misunderstanding between the JPB and the District. He recapped the process thus far from the hearing in September until present. His understanding is that there is no evidence of a water quality problem in the Kicker Blvd. area, the fee offered by the District is expensive, 23 of the 26 properties in the area do not wish to be annexed, and that the JPB does not have authority over the District, but rather serves in an advisory and funding position. Kathy Slycord wanted to say that the annexation issue was not personal; the District Chairman stated at the hearing that the property owners at Kicker Blvd. needed to state that they do not want to be annexed and the District would respond. Others provided support to the above comments. Jay Kanive asked the Board members for their opinions on the annexation. Jerry understood their position and would talk to the District Chairman for an update on the process. Jim said he would rely on the science side of the issue and would want to hear more from the District; the Township usually supports the District’s endeavors. Kara agreed that studies may need to be done and reminded all that the goal is to have clean water. Kathy Slycord commented on the timing of meetings that don’t always accommodate summer residents. Jay and Kathy would be available for conversations.
NEW BUSINESS
CLWSD Board Appointment: The District still needs a Board Manager. Looking for a volunteer.
Tobacco License Renewal: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to adopt Resolution No. 2021-01 to approve the issuance of a tobacco products license for Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a/ Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2021. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Liquor License Approval: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to grant a request for a new 2021/2022 Combination On/Off-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxication Liquor License for Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Board of Audit Meeting Date: The Board of Audit Meeting is set for February 9, 2021 – 5:30PM at the Fellowship Hall.
Budget Committee Meeting: The Budget Committee Meeting was set for Monday, January 18th at 10:00AM at the Fellowship Hall.
Reorganization:
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to designate the following for 2021:
Town Board Meetings – Date & Time remains as the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM May through October and 5:30PM November through April, any changes will be posted.
Official Posting Places remain the same as one posting listing all meeting dates for the year at the Church, Post Office & the following businesses when open – Anderson’s, Crane Lake Bar & Grill, Handberg’s, Nelson’s, & Voyagaire. Changes will be posted as needed.
Legal Representative remains as Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe of St. Michael with the option to consult others on an as-needed basis.
Depository/Bank remains the same as any bank in St. Louis County may be used with Frandsen Bank designated as the primary bank.
Fellowship Hall Donation will increase to $800 for 2021.
Minutes Distribution & Posting Policy – Minutes are mailed to those supplying the Clerk with stamped, self-addressed envelopes. Minutes are posted at the Church, and on the Website.
Copy & Information Request Policy remains the same – Charge of 25 cents per copy (includes labor) for copy requests & $25 per hour for other labor requests.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2021
Reorganization: (Cont.)
Salaries & Meeting Rates change as follows: Supervisors, $50 per meeting; Clerk, $370 per month plus $50 per meeting; Treasurer, $235.00 per month plus $50 per meeting; Election Judges remain the same at $11 per hour and $12 per hour after 10PM.
Mileage Reimbursement remains the same to follow State guideline, which fluctuates and at this time is 575 cents per mile.
Official Newspaper will be the Timberjay as per motion by the Board in 2014 to alternate between the CNH and Timberjay each year.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, that Committees would be as follows:
Committees
Budget Committee – The Budget Committee will continue to be made up of One Supervisor, the Clerk, the Treasurer and two or more members of the community.
VNP Visitor Center/Campground Committee – Deena Congdon and Brenda Pohlman Co-Chair the Committee. Other members are Jeff Miller, Mark Anderson, Bruce Beste, Lori & Jeff Sanborn, and Jim Janssen as ex-officio. Others are welcome.
Trails Committee – Deena Congdon, Gretchen Janssen, Dee Kuder, Jeff Miller, Lori Sanborn & Jo Ann Pohlman. Others are welcome.
CIC Committee – Jerry, Deena, Butch.
Land Use Project Committee – Kara Knutson as Chair with others to be selected.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Kara, that Representatives would be as follows:
Representatives
International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Jerry Pohlman.
ATV – Bruce Beste.
Neighborhood Watch – Jeff Miller
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Above with Kicker Blvd. annexation.
Next Meeting: Board of Audit Meeting, Feb. 9, 2021 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting –Immediately Following
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jerry Pohlman, Chairman
This draft of the Crane Lake Township minutes has been posted solely for preliminary informational purposes. Minutes are unofficial and subject to change until they have been approved by the Crane Lake Board of Supervisors.
