Crane Lake Township

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4/11/23 Minutes

 TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

April 11, 2023

 

The April 11, 2023, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 5:34PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall, with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Josh Brinkman, Emergency Management Planner, SLC; Supervisors Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 5 members of the community (including Zoom).

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda:  Short-Term Rental was added to New Business

 

Jerry introduced Emergency Management Planner Josh Brinkman, St. Louis County to speak about the 2022 flood.  Josh reviewed the spring 2022 flood event with those present.  He felt that the County could have reacted a little faster and plans to be more prepared should another flood event, or any other disaster, occur. Some highlights of his presentation were:   Crane Lake had many volunteers and hopefully would have again, if needed.  The County is working on a public information page for their website on sandbag filling, stacking, etc. and will have that running soon.  The National Guard was available for assistance; but that cannot be counted upon going forward – each disaster will be different.  Josh hopes to have the County present should another disaster occur to assist with sand bagging operation, etc.  The Red Cross can be involved for resident displacement, when needed.  The removal of sandbags went well.  Documentation should be made of where sandbags go and where they are picked up from.  The Board and community thanked Josh for his presentation, his help during the flood and for his assistance with the reimbursement process.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 3/14/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report –The March Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: SLCATO – $459.90; IRS – $508.83; Express Print One – $107.19; Lutefisk Tech. – $99.90; Jeff Sanborn – $50.00; Costin Group – $2,904.84; Lake Country Power – $156.00; SLC Auditor – $1,710.17; CLVTB – $566.15; and Payroll – $830.82.  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 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:  The revised, scaled-down RV park plan was put out for bid last week.  The County published the bid request on Demandstar and has April 28 set as the date bids will be opened.  S.E.H. has contacted the following companies:  Wagner, KGM, Northland, Casper, Ulland, and TNT / Hammerlund.  We should also contact any local companies or subs that may be interested in bidding on this job.

To review:  the Visitor Center bid came in at $2.9M from Max Grey.  We have 90 days to approve or reject that bid.  The Campground/RV park bid comes in April 28, so we should be able to make a formal decision on both projects at our May township meeting.  Gary has secured additional funding, and we expect to have a firm commitment in hand from the National Park Service soon. On the radar:  If the bid comes in favorable, these projects will begin quickly.  The Town will need to move the picnic site including the tables, flagpole and gabbions.  All of them can be used again after completion.  Trees:  if the bid comes in favorable, we need to clear trees right away.  Ron Rutchasky is willing to provide this service, but funds to cover this will need to come from a grant outside of the LCCMR funds.  Visitor Center:  Voyageurs National Park has hired a design team to fill the welcome zone, auditorium and vestibule with exhibits.  Regarding the outside of the building, they have “committed to providing exterior exhibit space with partners for wayfinding, etc. We have plans to have multiple messages outside and will be working closely with all partners”.  Attached is a drawing of the exterior space. The Park plans to fill the blue areas with exhibits.  The exterior wall in yellow was set aside for the Town.   What is the best course of action to begin work on this space?  The committee would suggest that the Town encourage the CLVTB to begin planning for the design and production of exterior exhibits for this wall.  The design team hired by the Park would like to provide a quote for this, but would this quote be directed to the Town or the CLVTB?  Crane Lake Campground. Com is live now, anyone interested in working to improve this website please contact Gretchen Janssen.

 

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 11, 2023

 

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: (Cont.)

Action Items:  Approve getting a quote from Rutchasky Enterprises for tree clearing (and flag pole removal)?  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve Rutchasky Enterprises’ quote of $3,500 – $4,000 for surface preparation work at the Visitor Center/Campground site.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.   Reach out to the CLVTB or other local clubs about exterior exhibit space?  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to send an email to area clubs and associations asking of their interest and for suggestions on use of the outside wall of the Visitor Center for visitor information.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the payment of the Visitor Center/Campgroup bills.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  It was suggested that a thank-you letter be written to Rutchasky Enterprises for the flagpole placement at the Voyageur Statue Area.

Bayside Drive Upgrade:    There was nothing new to report.

 

American Rescue Plan Act Fund: The quarterly report was submitted.  The Board is now considering designating the $8,961.15 to well or sewer infrastructure at the Visitor Center/Campground.

 

CIC Termination:  Attorney Roy Christensen has been working with the Shucks to complete the paperwork included in the CIC Termination.

 

McKie Easement Request:  The McKies are requesting an easement across Township land for dock access.  The attorneys continue to review the request along with their CIC work.  A closed meeting will be called following the May Board of Supervisors’ Meeting for attorney/board discussion.

 

Flooding:  The Township continues to work with FEMA for expenses acquired by the Township related to the flooding last spring.  Final 10% reimbursement has been received on one project; hopefully, the final 10% reimbursement on the second project will be received soon to close out the issue.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tobacco License Renewal:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to adopt Resolution #2023-03 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a/ Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2023.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Cook Timber Day’s Donation Request:  The Board declined to donate.

 

Early Tax Distribution:  The Board declined the SLC offer of early tax distribution.

 

VNP Ice Road Management Plan:  The Board and those present discussed the VNP Press Release relating to the park’s Frozen Lake Access Preliminary Proposal.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to write a letter to the VNP expressing the Township’s support of both snowmobile & ORV use on park lakes. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Supervisor Appointment:  There were three candidates for the open Supervisor position.  The position will be filled from now until the November 2024 elections when that position will be up for election for a two-year term.  In 2026 that position will be up for election for a full four-year term.  The candidate selected by the Board to fill the vacant seat was Jeanne Shuck.

 

Short-Term Rental:  A conditional use permit application was received by SLC Planning for Pine Point Lodge/Ericksons.  That permit application was forwarded to the Town for comment.  The Town supports short-term rentals; and therefore, has no comments to send to SLC.

 

Other New Business:  There was none.

 

Comments from Officers: Jim thanked all who volunteered to run for the open Supervisor position and thanked Brandon Anderson for serving on the Board.  Jerry echoed Jim’s comments.

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 11, 2023

 

 

 

Public Comments:   There were none.

 

 

Next Meeting:   Board of Appeal & Equalization – April 13, 2023 – 2-3PM, Fellowship Hall

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – May 9, 2023 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

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.