1/12/16 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING
January 12, 2016
The January 12, 2016 Board of Supervisors’ and Reorganization Meeting was called to order by Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 7:35PM 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 5 members of the community.
Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman: Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman for 2016. Butch nominated Jim Janssen, Jerry supported the nomination. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jim Janssen as Chairman. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, nominating Jerry Pohlman as Vice-Chairman for 2016. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jim Janssen.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 12/8/2015 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; Timberjay – $21.44; Lutefisk Tech. – $255.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $84.96; Shirley Sanborn – $108.00; Jill Crain – $99.00; Debora Scott – $99.00; CLVTB – $3,776.00 & $685.17; Border State Bank – $3,386.12; IRS – $367.13; MN Revenue – $166.25 and Payroll – $697.84. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, 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’s emailed report stated that Huck Andresen is still waiting to hear from the USFS. Butch noted that the interest on the loan increased from 3.25% to 3.50%.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: There was no report.
Costin Group Report: Gary Cerkvenik email the following report: Road to Orr I met with Commissioner Rukavina, St. Louis County Highway Engineer Jim Foldesi, and Engineer Eric Falstrom regarding the construction status of the roads between Orr and Crane Lake, including the issue of paved shoulders and ATV use. The bottom line: 1) The County will pave a 6’ shoulder on both sides of the road from Orr to the Vermilion River Tavern. At that point, and approximately for the next six miles near Trails End Resort, the road will have 5’ shoulders on both sides. To accomplish this within the limited constructed right of way, they will narrow the lane width of the roadway from 12’ to 11’ and be able to have 5’ shoulders on both sides. After that point, the shoulders will return to 6’ on both sides into Town. 2) After the meeting, Bruce Beste called me regarding the status of a potential sidewalk through Town as part of the road work. To this end, I suggested that he needed to determine the width of the existing right of way in Town, the opinion of the Town Board, and the opinions of the owners of the properties which would be impacted. On my end, I followed up with the county and their initial reaction was they were unsure of the right of way, and that curb, gutter, and drainage needed to be considered. 3) The County confirmed that the road reconstruction would end at the Voyagaire Lodge. Visitors Center After the Town planning session, Mr. Carlson from the VNP indicated in an email that the Park’s preferred alternative for a presence in Crane Lake was the Water’s Edge property and that they are working closely with the MN DNR to that end, including expecting the DNR to donate the Water’s Edge property to the VNP. As a follow up, I called Scott Kelling from the DNR, who indicated the DNR had no intention to donate the property to the VNP and they are proceeding with plans for primarily a public boat ramp at the site with lots of parking to alleviate the problems in the area. They will continue to meet with the VNP to discuss ways to partner on the site, including some type of park presence.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2016
OLD BUSINESS – Costin Group Report (Cont.)
Scott expressed his personal opinion that Water’s Edge along with Borderland and a connecting property made a compelling case for the public and Town. It seems like it is time for the Town to provide me with some direction on a path forward. I believe if we do nothing, the VNP will end up relocating the Park employee to the house at Water’s Edge and provide some type of information booth. Mr. Carlson indicated to provide access to the Town, it should be the Town’s responsibility if they want to build a roadway. I have identified some vehicles for funding from the State and Federal government to help the Town pursue a long-term solution that would provide for a larger Park presence along with having the DNR invest additional money at Water’s Edge. I think the best outcome for the Town is to have both agencies invest in the Town. An option would be to seek money from the State Legacy account, State General Obligation Bonds, or a direct appropriation to the Town so the Town can purchase property. Then, the Town could lease (or donate) the property to the VNP. The VNP can receive money from the Federal government to build a park presence. An alternative that I am not sure of at this time is to seek state resources to build an entire facility and lease it to the Park. The bottom line is I would like to know what path(s) the Town would like me to pursue, and at what location. If the Town does not pick a direction, I will continue to work on pushing both the Park and the DNR to make that maximum investments they can in the Town at the site(s) they decide upon, but it is clear that for the VNP, they need to be pushed. ATV As you know, ATV use is permitted on the County Road from VRT to Crane Lake. In the next few months, the County is going to pursue an ATV ordinance to address other roads in the County. I will stay on top of this process and advocate for, in general, ATV use in our region, perhaps by zone. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to send direction to Gary Cerkvenik to pursue acquiring the Braaten property, or a portion thereof, for a full Visitor Center/Campground. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Bruce Beste advised the Board that his suggestion was not for a full sidewalk on each side of Gold Coast Road, but rather on one side in the right of way. A letter will be written to Gary Cerkvenk advising of the Town Board’s wishes.
Crane Lake Road Repair: Discussed above.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: Discussed above.
Frontier Internet: Upgrade to internet service in Crane Lake should be completed by the end of March. Representatives will be here on Friday to install equipment at the Church and Fire Hall for free internet service for 2 years.
ATV Use: Bruce Beste reported that they were waiting for an update from the USFS. A meeting will be held on Wednesday to begin planning for the County road ordinance to open other roads.
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: The Community planning session held on January 5th at Voyagaire was well attended. Jim asked John Powers, via email, if a survey containing information from the planning meeting would be sent to residents so they could weigh in on items since all were not able to attend. John’s response was no, a survey was not planned. They could send meeting notes along with the background document to people via email and solicit comments, responses and questions. The Board felt Mr. Powers should be contacted to include a survey to residents.
MN Dot Aeronautics: The Township is planning a Special Meeting with representatives from MN Dot Aeronautics to explain the procedure for Crane Lake to receive aviation gas tax money. January 20th at 1PM was selected as a date for the Special Meeting with January 27th at 1PM as the alternate date. MN Dot Aeronautics will be contacted to see if those dates work for them.
Arrowhead Snowmobile Trail Name Change Resolution: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution No 2016-02 Supporting a Name Change for a Portion of the Arrowhead Snowmobile Trail to the David Dill Memorial Trail. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A copy of the resolution will be mailed to Rep. Tom Hackbarth along with the Township’s letter of support.
NEW BUSINESS
Tobacco License Renewal: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-01 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, 2016. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2016
Liquor License Approvals: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to grant requests for renewal of 2016/2017 Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for Anderson Outfitters, Inc. and Handberg’s Marine, Inc.; and 2016/2017 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 Jerry, supported by Butch, to grant request for renewal of a 2016/2017 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 2016/2017 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License and 2016 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.
Board of Audit Meeting Date & Time: The Board of Audit meeting date and time is set for February 9, 2016 – 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 25th at 1:30PM at the Clerk’s home. Meeting date is subject to change. Dee Kuder has resigned as a Committee member. Another member of the community will be asked to serve on the Budget Committee.
Cook Library Donation: The Board agreed not to donate to the Cook Library.
Reorganization:
A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to designate the following for 2016:
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 $500 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 will increase to $35 per meeting; the Clerk’s salary will increase to $340 per month plus $45 per meeting; and the Treasurer’s salary will increase to $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 Cook News-Herald 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 Jerry, supported by Jim, that Committees would be as follows:
Community Property Project/Land Exchange – Ruth L. Carlson will remain as Committee Chair.
Trails Committee – Chairman to be determined and ATV trails will be included.
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, Mark Anderson, Bruce Beste and Jim Janssen as ex-officio.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, that Town representation would be as follows:
International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Jerry Pohlman as representative.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2016
Other New Business: Jerry advised that he had been appointed to the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curve Public Advisory Group with the first conference call being on January 20th at 2PM. Butch advised that he had been contacted by a snowmobiler questioning available parking at Crane Lake. The Board decided there was adequate parking available so no action was taken.
Comments from Officers: Jerry commented that the community meeting at Voyagaire was a very good meeting and thanked Jim for taking over the Chairmanship. Butch thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting.
Public Comments: Deena Congdon provided additional Road Report information: The plan shows a 16’ to 17’ wide surface depending upon where you are. A typical driving lane is 12’ wide. The driving lane will be striped at 11’ wide leaving 5’ and 6’ of shoulders depending on location. This is for the road between the VRT and Crane Lake.
Next Meeting: Board of Audit Meeting, February 9, 2016 – 7:00PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, February 9, 2016 – Following Board of Audit Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05PM.
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.
