10/8/24 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
October 8, 2024
The October 8, 2024, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 5:35PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jim Janssen, Jerry Pohlman & Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Campground Manager Serena Swenson; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and two members of the community (including Zoom).
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 9/10/24 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The September Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: IRS – $609.79; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; CLVTB – $51,248.22; Max Gray Const. – $178,785.43; Braun Intertec – $4,757.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $2,782.60; MATIT – $5,039.00; MN Dept. of Health – $480.00; TechBytes – $85.15; and Payroll – $845.76. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jim, 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 and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
VNP-Visitor Center/Campground:
Campground Manager Report: Serena Swenson provided the following report:
The picnic tables and fire rings for the campground are selected and ordered.
Blinds for all the office windows are selected and ordered.
Refrigerator purchased for the break room.
Phone plan research – Will have rates for available options at meeting. Does anyone have a phone they are willing to donate for a trade-in?
Recreogo and Stripe accounts created and are in the process of being set-up. Serena has another meeting with David on Wednesday (October 10th) to continue set-up and start training.
Camp host job description complete. Are we paying the camp host? Will there be a dock slip available for the camp host?
Questions I have/things that need to be addressed:
- Kate (VNP) should be receiving a PDF of the planned exhibits this week. Gretchen and Serena are meeting with Sara Zwier about the exhibits this week as well. They would like feedback on their proposed design. Will send them out as soon as I get them
- Jim met with the construction team. They were running through their final punch list. Plans are to have keys distributed this week?
- Using the building in the winter? Will the town be having their meetings there? What if someone in the community wants to use the building for something? Are we going to have them pay? How much?
- Flagpole location?
- Budgets?
- Soft opening/Grand Opening
- My thoughts are a soft opening in May, get the building up and running and then have a “celebration” opening with Voyageurs Conservancy in June. More people will be around, warmer weather, likely more people in the campground
- Make a decision on nightly rate for the campground. These are a few examples of what is in town as well as one in Duluth for reference.
- Headquarters is $50/a night
- Handbergs is $55/a night
- Indian Point Campground in Duluth is $55-$69/night (more expensive for pull through sites, they have wifi, shower and restroom facilities)
- Credit Card
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes –October 8, 2024
VNP-Visitor Center/Campground: Campground Manager Report (Cont.):
- Things I know we need:
- Cleaning supplies, vacuum, etc
- Office Supplies
- Printer
- I bought stencils and paint for the curbs with my Amazon account. I was worried the weather was going to turn and wanted to make sure it happened. How do I submit something to be reimbursed?
Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve an AT&T phone plan with the costs per month around $60 to be finalized by Serena. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to set the campground rental at $60 per night. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The Board discussed Camp Host options and tabled this item as it needs more research. Jim will work on lawn care. The Board agreed that Serena should work on marketing with a budget of $10,000.00. The Board agreed with Serena’s suggestion for a soft opening/grand opening in mid-June. Serena will look into post-construction cleaning of the Visitor Center.
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Gretchen provided the following report:
Campground – The budget allowed for the Town to hire Casper to pave the entire loop at the campground. This project and improvements to the shoulders of the road were completed last week. Signs were placed at each site, and water lines were winterized. We are ordering a gate to place at the entrance to the campground and will need to hire someone install that gate. The committee is in discussion with landscapers about planting trees, but otherwise construction is essentially complete. We have to apply for a recreational license with the state to be open for business.
Visitor Center – Casper cleaned up the weeds and filled in the missing spaces within the rip rap. There are several other items on the punch list with a goal of Oct 10th for completion.
VNP is ready to order furniture with us. Is our furniture purchase subject to sales tax?
Would the Town be interested in hiring Kathy Knox to clean the Visitor Center after it is complete and before furniture arrives? (Lead time is 5-6 weeks and orders will be placed this month)
Max Gray has put together a change order for us to submit to the DNR appropriation for reimbursement. Serena researched appliances and window treatments and Max Gray will order these and the furniture as part of the change order we recommend the board approve.
Bills to Approve
S.E.H 473678 9/12/2024 6,179.57 VC (LCCMR)
S.E.H 473679 9/12/2024 34,672.30 RV (LCCMR)
Max Gray Pay App #13 $57,133.71`VC (IRRR)
S E H Boat Landing 474785 $11,403.50 (DNR)
S E H Bayside Drive 474344 $3,204.68 (IRRR)
Braun Intertec $ 281.25 (IRRR)
CR-BPS $2,151.33 (IRRR)
Total = $115,026.34
Action items:
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve Max Gray Construction’s Change Order #4 for Furniture and Blinds increasing the Contract by $22,035.65. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve signature of Max Gray Construction’s Pay Application #13 for $57,133.71. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve the above mentioned bills totaling $115,026.34. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve the MN Dept. of Health Recreational Camping Area License Application and payment of $480.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: Construction on Bayside Drive is substantially complete. The Township is awaiting project closeout.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund ($1,111.15): The Board must find a way to spend the money by the end of the year.
McKie Easement Request: There was nothing new to report.
VNP Ice Road Management Plan: There was nothing new to report.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes –October 8, 2024
Bayside Drive Maintenance: The Board is preparing an agreement/contract for blading and summer maintenance with Rutchasky Enterprises. Couri & Ruppe will be consulted.
Dark Sky Crane Lake: There was nothing new to report.
Community Action Plan: Jeanne has begun the leg work on a pamphlet and plans a meeting in November.
NEW BUSINESS – There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jerry endorsed Scott Sanborn’s request to be a write-in candidate on the November ballot to fill his position on the Board. Jeanne thanked Jerry for his years of service and thanked Gretchen and Serena for their Visitor Center/Campground work. Jo Ann reminded everyone to vote on November 5th.
Public Comments: There were none.
Next Meeting: Board of Canvass Meeting – November 12, 2024 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – Immediately Following.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05PM.
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.
