2/14/23 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
February 14, 2023
The February 14, 2023, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jim Janssen at 6:00PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall, with those in attendance including Supervisors Brandon Anderson and Jim Janssen; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and four members of the community (including Zoom). Supervisor Jerry Pohlman was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: VTSI Letter of Support was added to New Business.
Minutes – A motion was made by Brandon, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 1/10/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the 1/24/23 Special Board Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The January Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Backus Community Center – $100.00; SLC Auditor – $47.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; CLVTB – $3,724.17; S.E.H. – $4,200.00; TechBytes – $1,195.00; W.A. Fisher – 1,230.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $6,277.57 & $3,802.28; and Payroll – $830.82. A motion was made by Brandon, 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: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Brandon, to approve the Fund Transfers presented by the Clerk and Treasurer to bring funds into balance. 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: Both projects are now publicly advertised for bidding. There will be a virtual pre-bid meeting tomorrow Feb 15 at 1 pm. The County will open bids Feb 24 for the RV park/campground, and March 3 for the Visitor Center. Bid prices will be held for 90 days. Contracts should be awarded to the lowest bidder. A meeting is planned here at the Chapel March 6th to discuss both bids. If bids come in high, we may want to make some adjustments. Architects and engineers will be present to help with this process. Gary Cervenik from the Costin group will also be in attendance to present loan options for the Town. If bids do NOT come in high, this meeting will likely be cancelled. Anyone interested in attending this meeting please arrive for community discussion at 10 am and the architects/engineers will arrive at 11 am. Comments can also be forwarded to the Town board to share with the committee. The National Park Service held a meeting on Feb 10 to discuss the exhibit development for our new Visitor Center. Voyageurs Conservancy was in Washington DC last week to raise money from National Foundations focused on improving visitor experiences at National Parks. They have hired two firms (Native Skywatchers Design Studio and Golden Multimedia) and plan to design the Crane Lake Visitor Center with the “Dark Sky” theme. Exhibits inside will tell stories with modern trends and technology. Exhibits outside will focus on recreation and way finding with an emphasis on maps including Superior National Forest and the BWCAW. Meetings are being planned between the Architects and the Design Firms then to follow will be meetings to get Crane Lake community involvement.
Communication continues with Bob Degross about the details of a lease agreement. An email and website have been set up for the Crane Lake Campground.
Action Items:
Rates and Amenities. In preparation for creating the content of campground website and also for the important meeting on March 6th, the committee is looking for some direction from the Town Board. Committee members have researched RV site rates in the area and have discussed level of amenity we want to open the campground with. With a limited budget the committee is split on how we should prioritize having picnic tables and fire rings or grills at each site. Are these amenities important to the Town board, even if it means omitting RV sites from the current plan? The committee believes that amenities like a playground and a pet exercise area can be added later, but wonders what the Town board’s opinion is on the importance of having certain amenities in place when we open the campground. If picnic tables are absolutely necessary, does the Town board have a preference on style/materials/size of picnic tables? Same question about fire rings or grills. The cost of these items should be researched before the March 6thmeeting. (At this time they are
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2023
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)
not included in the planned budget.) The Board and those present discussed with no decision reached. Most present thought there should be a picnic table at each site and some community firepits to begin.
Tree clearing on the Town property needs to be completed by March 31. Engineers will flag the trees that need to come down on the 4 acres. The LCCMR (an environmental agency) will not allow trees to come down after April 1st due to the roosting times of a certain threatened bat species. The Town needs to agree to get quotes from locals who are interested in tree clearing. The Town will communicate with those interested in tree removal.
Bills to approve. A motion was made by Brandon, supported by Jim, to approve payment of Architects January bill $3750, and Engineers January bill $4660. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Brandon, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-02 regarding the Klinefelter Parcel. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Funding: No report
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: There was nothing new. The balance in the account is $8,961.15. The funds should be used by 12/31/24.
CIC Termination: Attorney Roy Christensen has been working with the Shucks to complete the paperwork included in the CIC Termination.
Jim McKie Easement Request: Jim McKie is requesting an easement across Township land to access his dock. The attorneys continue to review the request along with their CIC work. Information is expected by the next meeting.
Flooding: The Township continues to work with FEMA for expenses acquired by the Township related to the flooding this spring. All but 10% of the expected reimbursement has been received.
County Dock: No new report.
NEW BUSINESS
VTSI Letter of Support Request: The Voyageur Trail Society has requested a letter of support from the Town for a grant to purchase equipment. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Brandon, to write a letter of support for a grant application for the VTSI to purchase equipment. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Gretchen Janssen reminded those present of the Community Dinner tomorrow at 5:30PM and the Silent Auction on Saturday at Voyagaire for Randy Stern.
Next Meeting: Annual Town Meeting & Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – Mar. 14, 2023 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.
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.
