Crane Lake Township

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1/13/15 Minutes

 

 

 

 

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING

January 13, 2015

 

 

The January 13, 2015 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: VNP Superintendent Mike Ward; Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 5 members of the community.

 

Traci Bak took her Oath of Office prior to the meeting.

 

Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman:  Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman for 2015.  Jim nominated Jerry Pohlman, Butch supported the nomination.  There were no other nominations.  All voted in favor of Jerry Pohlman as Chairman.  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, nominating Jim Janssen as Vice-Chairman for 2015. There were no other nominations.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.    Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jerry Pohlman.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda:  The Cook Library’s donation request was added to New Business.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 12/9/2014 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; Jo Ann Pohlman – $69.47; St. Louis County Assoc. of Twps. – $423.80; MN Revenue – $125.02; IRS – $360.70; Shannon Bibeau – $240.00; CLVTB – $939.84; Border State Bank – $3,386.11; CL Sustainable Land Corp. – $200.00; and Payroll – $689.52.  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

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:  VNP Superintendent Mike Ward updated those present on the progress of having a Visitor Center/Campsite in Crane Lake.  He stated that he has had conversations with Crane Lake people over the past few months.  One avenue that has been closed is the partnership for funding with the VNP Association. They do not have money for the land portion of the project.  An avenue that has opened is meetings will begin with Mike Ward, Township Consultant Gary Cerkvenik and a local delegation comprised of Rep. Dill, Sen. Bakk and County Commissioner Rukavina to find funding.  Step One of the project has been completed – Communication with communities regarding what campground presence they want.  Mr. Ward’s commitment is to Crane Lake first.  The next step is to build a plan with public meetings to include Crane Lake in the process.  Crane Lake has many options.  The Visitor Center and the Campground do not have to be in the same place.  The Park does require that one of the places has a WOW factor.

 

Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson reported that she had received documents from the attorney, including a Warranty Deed and an Exchange Deed and Quit Claim Deeds, which will be placed in the Land Exchange File.  The final recordings of the Easement and Lease Agreement with Frontier will be mailed to the Township. Ruth was interviewed by the Assistant Editor of Outdoor News about the Land Exchange with the article appearing in the December 12, 2014 weekly newspaper.

 

Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund:  There was no report.

 

Crane Lake Road Repair:  There was no report.

 

Frontier Internet:  Frontier is waiting for IRRRB grant money to update internet service. They hope to get the funding in February or March of this year.   Their goal is to update in 35 communities by the end of September 2015.  Jim will draft a letter to the IRRRB advising of the urgency to fund this project for the area.

 

UTV Use on Vermilion Falls Road:  Bruce Beste, Paul Tufte and Bill Congdon met with Andrew Johnson of the USFS about opening up the Vermilion Falls Road for UTV use and to connect to other trails/roads for that use.  It was suggested by the USFS that the road be considered for ATV use as well.  Commissioner Rukavina advised that St. Louis County also has jurisdiction on that road.  A Committee is being formed to further research this issue with Bruce Beste as Chairman.

 

Costin Group Report:  Gary Cerkvenik sent the following report:  1) Discussed with St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority the potential for the Echo trail bike path, include LCCMR funding and DNR grants programs. 2)  Discussed same issue and Co. Rd. 24 with Commissioners.  3)  Called Mike Ward on Park presence.

 

Fireworks:  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve a three-year contract for Fireworks Display between the Town of Crane Lake and Premier Pyrotechnics at $7,700.00 per year to secure price and product.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Community Action Plan:  There was nothing new to report.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tobacco License Renewal:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to adopt Resolution No. 2015-01 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. d/b/a Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December, 2015.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Liquor License Approvals:  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to grant requests for renewal of 2015/2016 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for Anderson Outfitters, Inc., Handberg’s Marine, Inc. and Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc.; and for a 2015/2016 Combination On-Sale/Off-Sale  and Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Scott’s Crane Lake Bar & Grill.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to grant request for renewal of a 2015/2016 Combination On-Sale/Off-Sale and Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats.  Jerry and Butch voted in favor, Jim abstained and the motion carried.   A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch knowing that he had a conflict as an owner of Nelson’s Resort, to grant a request for renewal of 2015/2016  3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License and 2015 Seasonal On-Sale/Seasonal Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Nelson’s Resort, Inc.  Jim and Butch voted in favor, Jerry abstained and the motion carried.

 

Board of Audit Meeting Date & Time:  The Board of Audit meeting date and time is set for February 10, 2015 – 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 28th at 1:30PM at the Clerk’s home.  Meeting date is subject to change.

 

Gambling Permit Resolution:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution No. 2015-02 approving lawful gambling license application for Voyageur Trail Society, Inc. to operate out of Scott’s Crane Lake Bar & Grill, 7546 Gold Coast Road, Crane Lake, MN.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Cook Library Donation:  The Board agreed not to donate to the Cook Library.

 

Reorganization:

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to designate the following for 2015:

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 remains at $450 per year.

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:  The Supervisors remain the same at $30 per meeting; the Clerk’s salary remains the same at $320 per month plus $45 per meeting; and the Treasurer’s salary remains the same at $195 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 56 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 Butch, that Committees would be as follows:

Community Property Project/Land Exchange would change to UTV & ATV Use/Trails – Bruce Beste as Chairman.

Budget Committee – One Supervisor (Jerry), the Clerk, the Treasurer and two members of the community (Bruce Beste and Dee Kuder).

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry that Town representation would be as follows:

International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Jim Janssen as representative.

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Other New Business:  There was none.

 

Comments from Officers:  Jerry welcomed Traci to the Board as the Treasurer and thanked Ruth Carlson for representing the Township on the Community Property Project/Land Exchange committee.

 

Public Comments:  Bruce Beste asked if the Speed Humps should be discussed.  Ruth Carlson thanked Jim Janssen and his staff for the Land Exchange celebration.

 

Next Meeting:    Board of Audit Meeting, February 10, 2015 – 7:00PM, Fellowship Hall

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, February 10, 2015 –  Following Board of Audit Meeting

 

 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

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.