Crane Lake Township

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11/14/23 Minutes

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

November 14, 2023

 

The November 14, 2023, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jim Janssen at 5:33PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall, with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jim Janssen and Jeanne Shuck; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 1 member of the community (via Zoom).  Supervisor Jerry Pohlman was absent.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda:  There were none.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 10/10/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report –The October Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: RAMS – $180.00; Lutefisk Tech. – $612.90; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; CLVTB – $6,702.52; Premier Pyrotechnics – $9,500.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $796.50; Braun Intertec – $14,474.80; S.E.H. – $4,200.00; CR-Building Performance Specialists – $3,795.38; and Payroll – $1,107.87. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, 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/Campsite:

Committee Report & Resulting Board Action:  Gretchen provided the following report:  Work on the campground is wrapping up.  Casper plans to be back moving equipment here in March before road restrictions are on.  They still plan a substantial finish date of the project by July 31, 2024 (Final completion date Aug 31, 2024).  The change order to include additional campsites (funded by the $1.9M direct appropriation) was processed/approved by the County last week.  In the minutes of September’s meeting, the change order was approved (contingent on County approval) but the final copy is available tonight for review and signature.

Visitor Center construction is progressing.  Roof trusses are on and sheeting and enclosures are next.  Windows should be in and the building air tight by end of November.

There was a proposed modification to the contract documents approved for the Visitor Center in the amount of $44,127.  This includes two water storage tanks with floats, booster pumps, and pressure tanks.  This expense was expected, as the appropriate size of this equipment was unknown until the well was drilled and piping was finalized. This PR did not require signature, only verbal approval by project representatives.

The County has requested a letter from the Township allowing them to pay bills in full which are eligible for DEED grant funding.  According to rules of the DEED grant, the Town has to pay half of a 25% match, so the County would like to pay the bills in full then invoice the Town for the rest. (We can submit these bills to IRRR for reimbursement).

Bills to Approve:

Visitor Center                                                                            Funding Source

Widseth Architecture                 $2700                                       LCCMR

Braun B361881                         $2246.25                                  IRRR

S.E.H   454842                         $8140.81                                  LCCMR/DEED

Braun B363811                         $1192.50                                  IRRR

CRB (B3 Commissioning)          $1360.00                                  IRRR

Widseth Architecture                 $2400                                       LCCMR

S.E.H   456793                         $3803.96                                  LCCMR/DEED

Max Gray                                  $189,551.74                              LCCMR/DEED

Campground

Braun B361883                         $676.25                                    IRRR

S.E.H   454843                         $32,931.54                               LCCMR

Casper Pay App 4                     $253,717.96                              LCCMR/IRRR

S.E.H   456794                         $39,052.91                               LCCMR

Casper Pay App 5                     $206,576.40                              LCCMR

Total to Approve.                       $744,350.32

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2023

 

Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)

Board Action

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve signature of Casper Change Order #1 including a time extension, costs for adding additional campsites, and increased expenses for fill and topsoil, to  be funded by the 1.9M direct appropriation.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve payment of the bills listed above totaling $744,350.32 – all reimbursable.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve and sign Max Grey Pay Application #3 for $189,551.74 and Casper Pay Application #5 for $206,576.40.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Road Maintenance:  Jeanne was concerned about the condition of the road accesses to private residences adjacent to the construction area.  Casper will be contacted to request that road accesses be in good condition before they depart for the winter.

Bayside Drive Upgrade:   The S.E.H. engineers are moving forward with the bidding process for the future work on Bayside Drive.  There will be tree removal work performed along Bayside Drive this winter in preparation for the road update.

 

American Rescue Plan Act Fund:  $1,111.15 in ARPA grant funds remains.

 

Jim McKie Easement Request:  Jim McKie is requesting an easement across Township land for dock access. The subject is currently under legal advisement. The Twp. is awaiting a response from the McKie attorney.

 

VNP Ice Road Management Plan:  The NPS has posted the public comment summary report related to the civic engagement process for VNP’s frozen lake surface access and use.  The NPS is currently reviewing the comments and developing alternatives through the National Environmental Policy Act process.  There will be two more public comment periods prior to a final decision.  The NPS does not anticipate any changes to winter access at VNP until a decision is identified and communicated to the public.

 

Bayside Drive Maintenance:  The Township will need to review options for road maintenance after the road improvements planned for spring 2024 are completed.

 

Dark Sky Crane Lake:  There was no report

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

CLWSD Manager Posting:  A notice will be posted and published for one position on the CLWSD Board of Managers.

 

Community Involvement Discussion:  Jeanne discussed the concept of involvement by the community for things like Toys for Tots, Food Shelf, Winter attire for those in need etc.  Gretchen suggested that this could possibly be done through the Events Committee.

 

Other New Business:  There was none.

 

Comments from Officers: There were none

 

Public Comments:   There were none.

 

Next Meeting:   Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – December 12, 2023 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15PM.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk                                                  Jim, Janssen, Vice-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.