2/9/16 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
February 9, 2016
The February 9, 2016 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Janssen at 7:45PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with those in attendance including: Guest Speaker John Hart of the USDA; Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 8 members of the community.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 1/12/2016 Board of Supervisors’ & Reorganization 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 – $1,091.80; St. Louis County Assoc. of Twps. – $421.92; Applied Insights North – $1,770.00; Voyagaire – $480.00; CLVTB – $619.40 and Payroll $623.51. 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 Jerry, supported by Butch, to transfer $1,362.79 from Community Property Projects Fund to General Fund, $6,749.18 from Fire Fund to General Fund, and $8,500 from Community Property Projects Fund to Trails/Beautification Fund. 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.
Chairman Jim asked USDA District Supervisor/Wildlife Biologist Jim Hart to speak to those present about the wolf issues in Crane Lake, specifically in the Gold Coast area. Mr. Hart explained that his responsibility was damage control for the northern part of the state and that his agency was not regulatory but recommendations could be made. Mr. Hart snowmobiled around the Crane Lake area and noticed a lot of deer and wolf activity in and around the populated areas and not so much farther out. His agency was in the Crane Lake area in September and removed four wolves. He also removed one wolf today. Wolves follow the deer, which are heavily concentrated near homes in Crane Lake. His recommendation was to stop feeding deer, which would cause the deer to search for food in the woods and away from homes. The wolves would follow. He also suggested that state legislators be encouraged to communicate with federal legislator to change the wolf management status in our area.
OLD BUSINESS
Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson’s reported that Attorney Huck Andresen is still waiting to hear from the USFS. The Budget Committee suggested that a payment could be made on the principle of the Land Exchange loan to decrease interest payments in the future. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch to pay $25,000 of the loan principle. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: There was no report.
Costin Group Report: Gary Cerkvenik email the following report: Continues to work on the visitor center, road shoulders, and trails. Road shoulders were confirmed via a meeting with the County. Engaging with County on road width through town. Met with Senator Bakk on visitor center.
Crane Lake Road Repair: There was no report. Jim will follow-up with Gary Cerkvenik on road width in town.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: The Township is looking into purchase of the Braaten property. A commercial nonbinding letter of intent to purchase his property was discussed. A MAT attorney will be contacted to see how a letter of intent would work for the Town. If they are unable to address the question, the Town’s attorneys will be contacted.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 9, 2016
Frontier Internet: There was nothing new to report.
ATV Use: Bruce Beste reported that there would be an ATV Club meeting at the Crane Lake Bar & Grill on Wednesday, February 10th at 7PM. Tim Engrave of the USFS would be addressing the club on recent road openings and will talk about the next steps to be taken. The County is currently holding meetings on opening roads.
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: The Draft Community Plan has been received by the Board. A second community meeting will be set for Monday, March 7th at Voyagaire beginning at 6:30PM to review the Draft Community Plan before finalization. An invitation letter with the agenda will be sent to community members as was done previously. Those unable to attend will be encouraged to send input prior to the meeting. The Community Plan will be placed on the Township website.
MN Dot Aeronautics: The minutes from the January 20th Special Board of Supervisors’ Meeting were read. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve those minutes. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The results of that meeting included the Township considering purchase of part of the Darrell & Carole Scott resort property to become airport owners to ensure that the airport would remain in Crane Lake. Many more questions need to be answered before the Scott’s or the Township commit to such a change. Darrell Scott will continue communications with MN Dot Aeronautics, engineers, etc. for further discussions with the Township. Funding would be available for quite a bit of the process.
NEW BUSINESS
Heart of the Continent Dues: The Board discussed continuation as an Associate Partner with the Heart of the Continent Partnership. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to continue as an Associate Partner by paying $100 in dues. Butch and Jerry voted in favor, Jim voted against, and the motion carried.
Township Land Acquisition: Discussed above under VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite.
CLVTB Lodging Tax Payment Request ($5,000- $3,776 = $1,224 Remains): The Township paid $3,776 to the CLVTB out of the Township’s 5% Hotel/Motel Tax Fund – the amount acquired by the Township in 2015. The Township will pay the remaining amount of $1,224 out of the same fund at the end of 2016.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Butch and Jerry both thanked Jim for inviting John Hart to the meeting.
Public Comments: The group continued to discuss the wolf issue in town. Bruce Beste invited all to the ATV meeting on Wednesday at the Crane Lake Bar & Grill.
Next Meeting: Annual Town Meeting – March 8, 2016 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – Following Annual Meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20PM.
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.
