1/10/17 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING
January 10, 2017
Prior to the meeting, Jerry Pohlman and Jo Ann Pohlman took the Oath of Office.
The January 10, 2017 Board of Supervisors’ and Reorganization Meeting was called to order by Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 3 members of the community.
Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman: Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman for 2017. Butch nominated Jim Janssen. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jim Janssen as Chairman. Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Vice – Chairman for 2017. Jim nominated Jerry Pohlman. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jerry Pohlman as Vice-Chairman. Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jim Janssen.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: Lodging Tax Follow-up Letter was added to Old Business
Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 12/13/2016 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: Costin Group – $1,000.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $86.49; Border State Bank – $3,047.50; IRS – $409.19; MN Revenue – $197.25; CLVTB – $547.78; Hanft Fride – $452.15 and Payroll – $715.81. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Fund Transfers will be made in February.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson was not present to report. She will be asked if there will be a final report.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: Jodi Driggs contacted the Township with the suggestion that hanging floral baskets could be placed on power poles along Gold Coast Road using the memorial fund. There will be more conversation.
Costin Group Report: There was no report.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: A meeting was held at Voyagaire on 1/5/17 at 1PM to determine where the project is and where it is going. Attendees were: Gary Cerkvenik of Costin Group heading the discussion; Interim VNP Superintendent Bill Carlson, newly appointed VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross; DNR Parks & Trails Northeast Region Manager Scott Kelling; Jim Janssen and Jo Ann Pohlman. The meeting was an introduction of the project to VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross. Mr. Cerkvenik stressed the need for the Park and the DNR to let the Township know what their wants and needs are for the Visitor Center/Campsite to assist with funding options for site development should the funding for land purchase be approved. Another meeting is planned for April. It was suggested that the April meeting include the full Board. Deena Congdon reported to the Board that Mr. Braaten was not willing to sell his property for the $950,000.00 grant that the Township may be awarded. His request is for $1,050,000.00.
Frontier Internet: Upgrade of the service continues. Some residents have seen an improvement. Jim will email Frontier for an update and will also look into Verizon service that the Township has been expecting.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 10, 2017
ATV Use: Bruce Beste requested that the Board make the following supporting motion for a one-time appropriation of $150,000.00. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, supporting the Voyageur Country ATV Club’s request for a one-time appropriation for $150,000.00 from the ATV (183; 2102 Natural Resource Account) for the following: Finalize alignment for Phase 1 of the Voyageur ATV trail and develop tentative Phase 2 alignment; Hire contractor to complete wetland delineation on Phase 1 alignment and complete wetland permitting; Hire contractor to complete engineering design and cost estimates for an OHV/Snowmobile trail bridge over the Vermilion River as part of the Voyageur ATV trail; and Hire contractor to complete Master Plan for Voyageur ATV trail system to meet criteria for Legacy Funding. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Trails Report: Deena Congdon advised that there would be a Trail Committee meeting at Voyagaire on Friday at 8AM. All are welcome to attend. The concept of themed trails was discussed with the VNPA. The VNP is planning to update their trail on Mukooda Lake in 2018.
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: There was no update.
MN Dot Aeronautics: There was no update.
Lodging Tax Follow-Up Letter: The Board discussed options and agreed that the Ordinance should be reviewed for procedure prior to sending a follow-up letter.
NEW BUSINESS
Liquor License Approvals: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to grant requests for renewal of 2017/2018 Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for Anderson Outfitters, Inc. and Handberg’s Marine, Inc.; and 2017/2018 On/Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License for Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to grant request for renewal of a 2017/2018 Combination On-Sale/Off-Sale and Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor Licenses for Scott’s Crane Lake Bar & Grill and Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats. Jerry and Butch voted in favor, Jim abstained and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, knowing that he had a conflict as an owner of Nelson’s Resort, to grant a request for renewal of 2017/2018 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License and 2017-2018 Seasonal On-Sale/Seasonal Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Nelson’s Resort, Inc. Jim and Jerry voted in favor, Butch abstained and the motion carried.
Cook Library Donation: The Board agreed not to donate to the Cook Library.
Noxious Weed Report: An email was received from Kristin Fogard, County Ag Inspector advising that every township must appoint a Local Weed Inspector and complete and return an annual report. Traci Bak volunteered to be the Local Weed Inspector for the Township.
Board of Audit Meeting Date & Time: The Board of Audit meeting date and time is set for February 14, 2017 – 7:00PM at the Fellowship Hall prior to the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting.
Budget Committee Meeting Date, Time, & Location: The meeting was set for January 16th at 10:00AM at the Clerk’s home. Meeting date is subject to change.
Reorganization:
A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to designate the following for 2017:
Town Board Meetings – Date & Time remains as the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM, 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 Beacon Bank of Duluth designated as the primary bank.
Fellowship Hall Donation will increase to $600 per year.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 10, 2017
Reorganization: (Cont.)
Minutes Distribution & Posting Policy remains the same – Minutes are mailed to those supplying the Clerk with stamped, self-addressed envelopes. Minutes are posted at the Post Office, 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.
Salaries & Meeting Rates remain the same – Supervisors, $35 per meeting; Clerk, $340 per month plus $45 per meeting; Treasurer, $215.00 per month plus $45 per meeting; Election Judges remain at $9 per hour and $10 per hour after 10PM.
Mileage Reimbursement remains the same to follow State guideline, which fluctuates and at this time is 54 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 Butch, supported by Jim, that Committees would be as follows:
Community Property Project – Ruth L. Carlson will be asked if she wishes to remain as Committee Chair.
Budget Committee – The Budget Committee will continue to be made up of One Supervisor, the Clerk, the Treasurer and two members of the community.
VNP Visitor Center/Campground Committee – Deena Congdon and Brenda Pohlman Co-Chair the Committee. Other members are Kara Knutson, Jeff Miller, Mark Anderson, Bruce Beste, Lori & Jeff Sanborn, and Jim Janssen as ex-officio.
Trails Committee – Traci Bak, Deena Congdon, Gretchen Janssen, Dee Kuder, Jeff Miller, Lori Sanborn & Jo Ann Pohlman
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, that Town representation would be as follows:
International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Jerry Pohlman as representative.
Rainy & Namakan Lakes Rule Curve Public Advisory Group – Jerry Pohlman as group member.
ATV – Bruce Beste
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Bruce Beste wanted all to be aware of the possible changes in the gas tax bill.
Next Meeting: Board of Audit Meeting, February 14, 2017 – 7:00PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, February 14, 2017 – Following Board of Audit Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jim Janssen, 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.
