11/9/21 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
November 9, 2021
The November 9, 2021, 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, Kara Knutson, & Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and seven members of the community. Some community members attended via Zoom.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: CIC Resolution was added to Old Business; Committee Meetings was added to New Business.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to approve the minutes of the 10/12/21 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: Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $146.56; CLVTB – $4,967.27; Premier Electronics – $8,500.00; Lutefisk Tech. – $275.40; and Payroll – $998.29. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, 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: S.E.H. provided an Agenda & Minutes for the 10/21/21 Kick-Off Meeting. Gretchen Janssen provided the following notes from the meeting: October 21, 21 – 3:30PM a Kick Off community meeting was held, hosted by S.E.H. Present: Bob DeGross VNP, Katie Hildebrand ARI, Jason Chopp (admin) and Dan Hinzman (technical) S.E.H., Jim Janssen TWP, and committee members: Mark Anderson, Deena Congdon, Bruce Beste, Gretchen Janssen, community member Jody Driggs. S.E.H. will be writing formal minutes for each meeting, so this is a report on highlights for the benefit of committee recordkeeping, Township meetings, and to share with St. Louis County or other interested parties who could not attend. This Kick off meeting was primarily to review the project/project timeline and solidify means of communication. Items that came up for discussion included priorities of all in attendance as well as any updates in information from the Township regarding involvement of the DNR or connections to the DNR property. The following items were added to the “master list” (RFQ) of requests for both projects: Visitor Center: Space for VNP outdoor programs located near the Lake, Parking NOT on lake side, a display case built into the walls for limited retail, space for group gatherings outside, a building control system can be added to protect against freezing when building is not in use, maybe add keypads to locks and have memberships for community organizations, add a natural play space for kids with rocks/logs. Campground: Modern sites, some ‘high end’ with spaces as large as 40’ wide by 50’ deep, some pull through sites, restrooms cannot be shared with the Visitor Center, wi-fi is important (add starlink?), is a laundromat possible? We would like a campground exit on Bayside Drive. Upcoming meetings planned for Thursdays at 2PM: Nov 11, Dec 2, Dec 16.
Agreements: The Visitor Center ARI Architect Agreement and the Visitor Center S.E.H. Agreement were sent to Township Attorney Bob Ruppe for review. His reviews and comments were sent to the Board and forwarded to the Committee. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to forward the Attorney’s comments and suggested changes to both ARI and S.E.H. for incorporation into the Agreements. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: Jim Janssen represented the Township at a Zoom meeting on 10/15/21 with the Costin Group discussing the possibility of receiving funds from the state for upgrades to Bayside Drive. To receive funding, Bayside Drive would need to become a Township Road. Any comments from community members on the Township getting involved in roads would be appreciated. It was agreed that the Township’s involvement in roads should be on the Annual Meeting Agenda for discussion with community voting members.
Pathway/Road between the DNR Public Water Access and the Visitor Center: Trenti Law Firm has been contacted to review the Visitor Center property as to any existing easements.
Funding: The Township continues to wait for the approved LCCMR grant money.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – November 9, 2021
ATV Report: There will be a meeting tomorrow at Trails End beginning at 6:30PM.
Trails Report: Lori Sanborn reported that signage had been placed at trailheads in the area, and thanked Bruce Beste and Gretchen Janssen for their assistance with sign placement. It was pointed out that the trail by the Voyageur Statue needs a ‘bridge’ to cross the creek at the beginning of the trail.
Land Use Project: There was not a Committee Meeting since the last Township Meeting.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: The expenditure of funds is yet to be determined.
Broadband Committee Report: There was no report.
JPB Comprehensive Plan Comments – Tabled until Board had time to review.
CIC: The final draft of the CIC Amendment was received from Trenti Law Firm along with a resolution to adopt the amendment. The draft was received late in the day. The adoption of the resolution was tabled until the December meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Posting of CLWSD Manager Positions: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Kara, to post and publish the openings on the CLWSD Board of Managers. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Committee Meetings: The Township is holding many committee meetings that need to be posted and minutes need to be taken and filed. Committees will decide on meeting dates and times to be posted as required.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Nancy Ross, attending via Zoom, requested confirmation of no changes on the Pathway/Roadway between the Visitor Center and the DNR Public Water Access. There was no change.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting –December 14, 2021 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30PM.
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.
