1/8/19 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING
January 8, 2019
The January 8, 2019 Board of Supervisors’ & Reorganization Meeting was called to order by Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 5:38PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Katie Congdon, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Deputy-Treasurer Ruth L. Carlson; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 2 members of the community.
Prior to the meeting Katie Congdon and Jim Janssen took the Oath of Office
Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman: Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman for 2019. Jim nominated Jerry Pohlman. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jerry as Chairman. Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Vice – Chairman for 2019. Katie nominated Jim Janssen. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jim Janssen as Vice-Chairman. Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jerry Pohlman.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 12/11/18 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: Postmaster – $50.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $78.91; Border State Bank – $4,577.00; Lake Country Power – $146.56; IRS – $416.52; MN Revenue – $194.32; CLVTB – $715.31; and Payroll – $714.81. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, 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 as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Costin Group Report: There was no report.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: Committee Report: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Katie, to accept Andrea Wedul’s proposal for Landscape Architectural Design Services for the VNP Visitor Center area for $5,000.00 and Janis LaDouceur’s proposal to design the Visitor Center for $5,000.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried
ATV Use: Bruce Beste was not present to report.
Trails Report: An email was received from Tim Engrav, USFS regarding the trails in Crane Lake. He provided a quick overview of the trails process and will be providing more information soon.
Land Use Project: Because the community is so involved in developing the Visitor Center/Campground area, the development of the Land Exchange area will be addressed later on.
IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work: Rob Scott provided the following report: Good morning. Here is an update on the IRRRB voyageur statue project for the meeting (also for Township background}. I met with the IRRRB folks to discuss the way ahead for the Voyageur statue project. The two key issues on the table were:
- How to handle the IRRRB requirement for a 50% match for the approved $87K Infrastructure grant funds for the Voyageur statue project.
- What is the best approach get additional funding for project line items, that are listed within the scope of the project, but cannot be paid for with infrastructure funds.
The match issue: We put the overall Crane Lake visitor center project into a two
phase project. Phase I to include the purchase of the land for the Crane Lake
visitor’s center and developing a gateway at the Voyageur statue area. Since
LCCMR funds can be utilized as a match for IRRRB grants our argument was that
by using the LCCMR funds for a
Town Of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2019
IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work (Cont.)
portion of phase I (buying the land), than the requirements for the match have been met. IRRRB agreed and the match requirements are covered. Project funding: When we originally put the project together and put it out for bid we identified two critical issues. The first is that the cost to do the construction based on the original design came in over the funds available. Also, specific project line items could not be covered utilizing infrastructure grant funds. We put together a tentative agreement that we would rework the project design, include a handicap access restroom facility, and determine what funding short falls we have. The IRRRB Tourism grand funds will approve funds to cover those expenses.
Way ahead: I will be meeting with S.E.H. in February to put together a new design and scope of work for the project. This will include identifying what additional funds are needed. With this information I will put in a grant application to the IRRRB Tourism grant office requesting additional funds (estimate March for approval). We will then put the project out for bid and hopefully have the project complete for the 2019 season.
Scott’s Seaplane Base: There was no report.
NEW BUSINESS
Easement – Sewer Plant Road: An inquiry was received about an easement to access a property off of White Pine Way. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Katie, approving possible future buyers acquiring an easement on the Township portion of White Pine Way to include a fee and road maintenance agreement. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Tobacco License Renewals: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Katie, to adopt the following resolutions: Resolution No. 2019-01 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. d/b/a Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2019. Resolution No. 2019-02 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2019. Resolution No. 2019-03 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Nelson’s Resort, Inc. d/b/a Nelson’s Resort, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2019. Jim & Katie voted in favor, Jerry abstained and the motion carried.
Liquor License Approvals: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to grant requests for renewal of 2019/2020 Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for Anderson Outfitters, Inc. and Handberg’s Marine, Inc.; and 2019/2020 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 Katie, supported by Jim, to grant request for renewal of a 2019/2020 Combination On/Off-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Nelson’s Resort, Inc. Jim & Katie voted in favor, Jerry abstained and the motion carried. A motion was made by Katie, supported by Jerry, to grant request for renewal of a 2019/2020 Combination On/Off-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxication Liquor License for Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats. Katie & Jerry voted in favor, Jim abstained and the motion carried. A motion was made by Katie, supported by Jim, to grant request for renewal of a 2019/2020 Combination On/Off-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Scotts Crane Lake Bar & Grill, Inc. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Voyageurs National Park Affairs Meeting: There will be a VNP Affairs Meeting at Voyagaire Lodge on January 25, 2019 at 1PM.
Board of Audit Meeting Date, Time, Location: The Board of Audit Meeting will be on February 12, 2019, 5:30PM at the Fellowship Hall.
Budget Committee Meeting Date, Time, Location: The Budget Committee Meeting was set for January 22nd, 10AM at the Clerk’s home.
Reorganization:
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Katie, to designate the following for 2019:
Town Board Meetings – Date & Time remains as the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM May through October and 5:30PM November through April, 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.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2019
Reorganization: (Cont.)
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 Alerus Bank designated as the primary bank.
Fellowship Hall Donation will increase to $750 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 change as follows: Supervisors, $45 per meeting; Clerk, $360 per month plus $45 per meeting; Treasurer, $225.00 per month plus $45 per meeting; Election Judges at $10 per hour and $11 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 Jerry, that Committees would be as follows:
Budget Committee – The Budget Committee will continue to be made up of One Supervisor, the Clerk, the Treasurer and two or more 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. Others are welcome.
Trails Committee – Deena Congdon, Gretchen Janssen, Dee Kuder, Jeff Miller, Lori Sanborn & Jo Ann Pohlman. Others are welcome.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, that Town Representatives would be as follows:
International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Jerry Pohlman.
ATV – Bruce Beste.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: None
Comments from Officers: Jim wished to remember County Commissioner Tom Rukavina, who recently passed away and to remember all that he did for the Crane Lake area. Ruth L. Carlson suggested that a sympathy card be sent to his family.
Public Comments: Butch Eggen echoed Jim and Ruth’s comments regarding Tom Rukavina.
Next Meeting: Board of Audit Meeting, February 12, 2019 – 5:30PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, Immediately Following.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.
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.
