2/21/17 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
February 21, 2017
The February 21, 2017 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Janssen at 7:35PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 2 members of the community.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 1/10/2017 Board of Supervisors’ 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: Costin Group – $1,324.90; St. Louis County Assoc. of Twps. – $421.08; CLVTB – $1,106.27; CLVTB – $1,224.00; and Payroll – $555.50. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, 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 Butch, supported by Jerry, to transfer $1,263.27 from the Community Property Project Fund #230 to the General Fund #100; and $4,211.64 from the Fire Fund #225 to the General Fund #100. 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
Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson provided the final report as follows: It is with great pleasure that I submit this final report for the Crane Lake Land Exchange Project. It is finished! Started at the organization of the Town of Crane Lake in 2002 by the US Forest Service, it answered one of the major requests in the first Community Action Plan of more private land ownership. It has been a long, sometimes frustrating project of fifteen years. Records are available with the Town Clerk to follow its progress. This item may be removed from the agenda’s Old Business. The corporation formed to comply with US Forest Service rules will be dissolved. I wish to thank the Town Board for their support, our attorney Huck Andresen for his knowledge of land exchanges, consultant Dave Schmidt, deceased, for his knowledge of US Forest Service requests, Deena Congdon for her expertise in land transaction, and I wish to thank the people of Crane Lake for their support. And what will become of the land owned by the Town? Plans must be formed. An item under New Business requires appearing on the agenda, Land Use Project. Manage it well.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: There was no new report. The Board decided that the suggestion of lighting with hanging floral baskets along Gold Coast Road becomes a separate agenda item – Street Lighting. The Board recommended that the people be asked their opinion at the March annual meeting.
Costin Group Report: There was no report.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: An email was received from VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross suggesting a meeting to share information on the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program in regard to what the community, DNR and VNP are attempting to achieve in the Crane Lake area. DNR’s Scott Kelling and Gary Cerkvenik agree that there should be a meeting. Jim will communicate with all to determine the next step.
Frontier Internet: Jim sent an email to the Clerk, which was forwarded to the Board stating that Frontier has completed all cutovers so the only work that has to be done is at the main station in International Falls. That work should be done by the end of March. Jim also spoke with Verizon. The plan for the tower is that they will be putting equipment there, but not until the budget allows – either this year or 2018.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 21, 2017
ATV Use: Bruce Beste reported that members of the ATV Club had met with the US Forest Service on February 10 where the Club made a formal request for the following:
- A) designate the full trail between Voyagaire and Vermilion Falls along the snowmobile trail route, the club will build a small bridge;
- B) change the designation from 50” and less to include all ATV’s along the section of the Novak Road trail behind Myrtle Lake;
- C) permission to build a bridge over the Vermilion River at the old trestle site for mixed use (snowmobiles, ATV’s, mountain bikes);
- D) create a loop between 1006 and 200 Roads on the Echo Trail;
- E) permit ATV travel on Pfeifer Lake Road to help with connection to the Iron Range at Britt.
On February 13 and 14 Steve Koch and Bruce met with Rep. Rob Ecklund, Sen. Tom Bakk, ATVAM lobbyist Ray Bohn, Gary Cerkvenik and trail planner Ron Potter to discuss SF 414 requesting $150,000 to engineer a Master Plan; and to testify before the Minnesota Senate Environmental Committee. Conversations were very positive and the bill was moved forward. The club is being scheduled to testify for the companion bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Trails Report: Deena Congdon was not present to report. The Trails Committee provided a letter to the Board to be sent to the VNP with trail creation and existing trail improvement requests. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to send the letter to VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: There was no update. This item will be removed from the agenda.
MN Dot Aeronautics: There was no update. This item will be removed from the agenda.
Lodging Tax Follow-Up Letter: After review of the Ordinance and phone calls to those that have not paid their lodging tax for 2016, the Board agreed that follow up letters should be sent with specific details of amounts owed.
RAMS Re-visit: There was no support of joining Range Association of Municipalities & Schools (RAMS) at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting Date & Time: St. Louis County has set the date and time for the Board of Appeal in Crane Lake as April 11, 2017 between 1 & 2PM. The Meeting will be at the Fellowship Hall.
Other New Business: Jerry reported as Rainy & Namakan Lakes Rule Curve Public Advisory Group member that they plan to have their recommendation ready for the International Joint Commission (IJC) in April. Jerry will be attending a meeting in early March to finalize their proposal.
Comments from Officers: Jerry thanked Ruth L. Carlson for her 15 years of service on the Land Exchange project.
Public Comments: Bruce Beste said that St. Louis County is considering a bounty on Beaver to decrease the population.
Next Meeting: Annual Town Meeting, March14, 2017 – 7:3PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, March 14, 2017 – Following the Annual Town Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25PM.
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.
