4/14/15 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
April 14, 2015
The April 2014 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Deputy-Treasurer Ruth L. Carlson; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, and 7 members of the community. Treasurer Traci Bak was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were no additions.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 3/10/2015 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: Costin Group – $1,000.00; Jeff Sanborn – $50.00; Jo Ann Pohlman – $265.58; CLVTB – $1,691.38; and Payroll – $524.59. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, 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
Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson reported that she had heard from Melissa of Fryberger, Buchanan with the final decision for the Land Exchange. Melissa will write to the CL Sustainable Land Corp. Attorney Huck Andreson explaining how things should be done for the document corrections. When they are in agreement, the corrected documents will be executed.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: There was no report.
Costin Group Report & Contract Renewal: Gary Cerkvenik reported that he had worked with folks on the ATV/UTV issue on Forest Roads, including Bruce Beste; had communicated with Rep. Dill and County officials on ATVs; presented the Crane Lake to Ely trail idea to legislators and RRA; worked on paved shoulders for Crane Lake Road; and worked on funding for the VNP presence. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to renew The Costin Group Consultant Agreement between the Costin Group and the Town of Crane Lake from April 30, 2015 through May 1, 2016. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Crane Lake Road Repair: Deena Congdon reported that the County is getting close to sending out for bids on the road project to be started in 2016. An email from St. Louis County stated the following: In 2015, you will see work in the City of Orr to complete utility repairs, sidewalk replacement, curb and gutter replacement and railroad xing improvements. In 2016, CSAH 23 and CSAH 24 will be resurfaced from Orr to Crane Lake. With the passing of the Transportation Sales Tax, Public Works has re-scoped the project to include 6’ paved shoulders to provide multi-modal use for the entire project. Without the sales tax, I don’t know if this would have happened. Deena suggested that the Board send a thank you letter to the County Board of Commissioners.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: There was no report. An email will be sent to VNP Superintendent Mike Ward asking that he attend a Township meeting in the summer to update the citizens of Crane Lake on the VNP Visitor Center/Camp Site presence in Crane Lake. The meeting will be posted.
Frontier Internet: There will be no new reports until work begins in late summer.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2015
UTV Use on Vermilion Falls Road: Committee Chair Bruce Beste was present to report. Emails provided to the Board and others throughout the month state the following: (March 30th) Here are a few things that are happening in regards to the Forest Service Roads and ATV/UTV Trail System: 1. Steve, Tom, and I have begun conversation regards to organizing an ATV club for Crane Lake, Buyck, Camp 5 and other areas. We are looking to hold a meeting at Trails End on either Sunday or Monday evening April 26 or 27. The date will depend on a couple things. Ed (from Black Duck Lake) is involved in ATV clubs and Steve is asking him to help us organize. The Forest Service suggested we organize. Another being the availability for Trails End to host us. 2. Steve and Bruce will be meeting with Tim Engrav at La Croix District Office on April 7 to keep us updated on the Forest Service tasks/things to do and also to invite them to our ATV club organization meeting. We may ask them for a permit to ride between Elephant Lake and Crane Lake and invite EVERYONE before the fishing season opens. Kind-of a test run, promo thing. 3. Tom Tacik, Steve, and I have been reaching out to hunting camp groups, guests that ATV, and asking support. We have several signed letters of support to deliver to Forest Service. But not enough of them! Are some of you doing this also? 4. I have reached out to the ST Louis County Hunting Shack Owners Association for support. 5. I have reached out to Ray Ingebretsen at Aspen Resort on Pelican Lake. He has customers asking same ATV questions and sits at the west end of the roads in our proposals. Ray wants to join our efforts. 6. We have written a letter for Visit Crane Lake to sign, add their signature statement, and deliver to La Croix District office in Cook ( don’t think this is completed). 7. I talked with a DNR conservation officer in Virginia yesterday and will follow up with calls to John Velsvaag – Northeast ATV Rec Officer and Joe Majarus (spelling?) who is Parks and Trails Officer in Tower. Do any of you know these folks? 8. I learned Chisholm ATV Club is currently working with US Forest Service and DNR Trails Officer to open more roads and trails north of Chisholm. Does anyone know folks in their club? There may be lots we can learn here. 9. Before our ATV organization meeting, we would like to get you who are interested to sit down with maps and mark up trails that currently or can easily loop. Any suggestions here for a map evening? 10. There may be a couple things I missed. If any of you have been doing things on the committee behalf, please update all of us. Another update – what I learned this morning: 1. Tower/ Ely/Babbitt are currently working with DNR in Tower to establish Prospector Trail and connecting to North Shore Trail. 2. Person named Julie Sawyer at Kabetogama working with DNR in Tower to establish ATV trails (I left a voice message for Julie). 3. DNR and ST Louis County will not work with individuals on ATV trails. We must be organized. 4. Tower office Brad Dekkers will meet with us regards to Grant in Aid for our efforts to create a trails system here. 5. If anyone drives past a DNR office, request a MN DNR Managed Trails map. I understand it is a color book sized publication. I requested they mail one to me. (April 4th) We have confirmed with Tom and Dawn at Trails End (and certain other people) that we will hold an organizational meeting to form an ATV Club for Camp 5, Buyck, Crane Lake and other nearby places. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 27, 6:00 pm, at Trails End. Thank you to Tom and Dawn for opening the bar for us. We will have better success establishing an ATV Trails system if we are organized. Communication with the St Louis County, MN DNR, and US Forest Service indicate they prefer to work with ATV Club types of organizations. We are beginning to learn about road uses and grant in aid programs and have to be organized to continue the conversation(s). We have legs under our efforts to create a trails system. So now is a great time to organize. Please mark the date and time on your calendars. All of you have more reach into the Crane Lake, Buyck, Camp 5, Pelican Lake, Lake Vermillion, Ash River, Cusson, Kabetogama community than I do. I will also extend my reach to those I think have interest. Steve, Bill, Ed, and I are meeting with Tim Engrav at the Forest Service Office in Cook at 11:00 am on Tuesday. Immediately afterward we are meeting to discuss a format for our meeting on the 27th. We will up-date you on progress and request your help in setting up for the meeting on the 27th. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with some part on that evening. It is also our intent to ask for a permit or permission to hold a promo ride between Elephant Lake and Crane Lake on Saturday, May 2. More on that later, but start thinking about invitations for it. So….turn loose. Reach out to everyone you know who may have interest in a trails system and in joining an ATV Club. We especially will want to know contact info for those you think will also like to participate in an ATV club (which is more than joining). Get them to the meeting on the 27th! (April 10th) We wish to come up with a name for an ATV club and be prepared to take memberships at the organization meeting on April 27. We will be associated with the ATV Association of a Minnesota. If we have a name, by-laws, membership applications, and some ideas of officers, we will show we are far along on organizing. We plan to copy by-laws and dues structure from the Northern Traxx ATV club in Chisholm. The folks in the Chisholm club are going to help us organize? Steve and I met with their club last night. Please send suggestions for a name. Steve and I talked last night and will begin with one suggestion. Vermillion River Trails ATV Club. The river does connect Buyck, Crane Lake, and Camp 5 townships along the trails system we have proposed. Please forward to all, any ideas or comments you have. Steve has scheduled a meeting with the DNR office in Tower for Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 am to discuss Grant in Aid money and our trails ideas. Are any of you available to join us for this meeting?
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2015
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to contract with Applied Insights North to facilitate the Comprehensive Plan. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The community will be advised of the Comprehensive Plan and a committee will be formed to work on the project with Applied Insights North.
NEW BUSINESS
Tobacco License Approvals: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution No. 2015-03 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2015 and Resolution No. 2015-04 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Scotts of Crane Lake d/b/a Scotts Seaplane Base, Store & Service for the year ending December 31, 2015. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, knowing that he had a conflict as an owner of Nelson’s Resort, to adopt Resolution No. 2015-05 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Nelson’s Resort, Inc. d/b/a Nelson’s Resort, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2015. Jim and Butch voted in favor, Jerry abstained and the motion carried.
Early Distribution of 2015 Tax: The Board chose not to take the early distribution.
Short Course Report: Jo Ann attended the Spring Short Course at Carlton on April 3rd. She attended sessions including: A Legislative Update, CTASv8 Changes, Revenue Source and Placement, and Internal Controls for Town Funds.
Spring Clean-Up Day: The Board set Saturday, April 25th at 1PM for Clean-Up Day. Bags will be provided by VHB and everyone will meet at the Fellowship Hall.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jerry thanked everyone for attending the meeting. Butch thanked Deena Congdon for her work on the Road Repair Project and Bruce Beste for his work on the UTV Project.
Public Comments: Gretchen Janssen stated that the Voyageur Statue needs painting, especially after the vandalism that occurred in the community to public property. Those present agreed that the signs near the statue and the sign by Handberg Road need attention also. Placement on the CLVTB agenda will be suggested as the statue and the signs have been painted, repaired etc. by that group in the past. Because the CLVTB leases that property from the State of Minnesota School Land Trust Fund, the responsibility lies with them. The Town may be contacted for funding support. Deena suggested that the Town website treasurer position be updated.
Next Meeting: Board of Appeals Meeting, May 7, 2015, 1:00PM – Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, May 12, 2015, 7:30PM – Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.
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.
