5/9/23 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
May 9, 2023
The May 9, 2023, 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: VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross; Gary Cerkvenik of the Costin Group; Supervisors Jim Janssen, Jerry Pohlman and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 11 members of the community (including Zoom).
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 4/11/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the 4/13/23 Board of Appeal Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The April Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Timberjay – $108.20; Lutefisk Tech. – $270.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; CLVTB – $395.41; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $2,319.49 & $1,812.90; Rutchasky Enterprises – $1,950.00; and Payroll – $997.05. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, 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 committee recommends awarding bids tonight and signing contracts as presented. On April 28th, bids were opened for the Crane Lake Campground/RV Park. There were 3 bids accepted and one rejected. Wagner was the high bid and the other two bids were close – from KGM and Casper Construction of Grand Rapids. Casper Construction was the lowest at $2,102,755 for the base bid, $460,074 for alternate 1, and $19,244 for alternate 2. At this time, we suggest awarding the base bid only. If MN general fund money is awarded to Crane Lake on May 22, we can discuss adding alternate 1 and 2 at the pre-construction meeting. Alternate 1 (as a reminder) runs utilities all around the campground loop adding stubs at each potential site. Jim Janssen was named as signer on both contracts. The committee is planning to name Mark Anderson as daily point of contact for the Campground and Gretchen Janssen as daily point of contact for the Visitor Center during the construction phase, unless the Town board has other suggestions? S.E.H will have on-site presence every day during construction. Their time is expected to be 90% spent on the Campground project / 10% on Visitor Center site, as most work is done underground. ARI will have on-site meetings every two weeks followed by a walk-through of the construction. Jason Chopp will be on-site once a month. Both companies will review drawings and pay applications.
Funding: Gary Cerkvenik of the Costin Group reported that the IRRR had sent a letter committing $950,000 to the Visitor Center/Campground construction costs. The State Park Road Account (SPRA) Grant for $557,000 has been approved for Bayside Drive work. Also $250,000 in IRRR funds have been approved for Bayside Drive. Costin Group is currently working on 1.9M in State General Funds for the project and a 1.9M Bond Request for the Water Access.
Action Items:
Agreement Approvals: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve the Agreement for Professional Services, effective as of 5/9/23, between Crane Lake Township and Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (S.E.H.) for consultant work on the RV Campground Construction Project for $307,300. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the Agreement for Professional Services, effective as of 5/9/23, between Crane Lake Township and Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (S.E.H.) for consultant work on the VNP Visitors Center Construction Project for $103,800. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve Braun Intertec’s proposal to provide special inspections and testing services for the Visitor Center Project for $29,233. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve Braun Intertec’s proposal to provide special inspections and testing services for the RV Park Project for $13,643. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – May 9, 2023
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Action Items: Agreement Approvals: (Cont.)
A motion was made Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the Consultant Agreement between Costin Group, Inc. and the Town of Crane Lake, providing the project development role for the project by obtaining resources to build the campground, visitors center, boat ramp and Bayside Drive reconstruction. Also negotiate lease agreements with the National Park Service and negotiate on the Town’s behalf with the Park and other entities and related services directed and approved by the Board for $65,000. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to adopt Resolution #2023-04 Requesting IRRR Development Infrastructure Grant Funds. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross spoke to the group about the lease for the Visitor Center. The Regional and the Washington offices have provided their approvals. There will be a bidding process to allow others to offer a space to lease, and another process for the dollar amount of the lease. Gary Cerkvenik and Jim will be working with the NPS on these issues.
Action Item: The committee would like to pursue a formal agreement with John Sorteberg, Commercial Furniture Services (CFS) for the furnishings at the Visitor Center. He has already supplied drawings to include office lay outs and options. With enough notice, he can watch for sales and discounted inventory for us. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to work with John Sorteberg of CFS as our source for furnishing the Visitor Center. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Action Item: Also there is a meeting Thursday to discuss (among other things) the potential options for materials substitutions on the Vis Ctr. This could result in some cost savings to the project based on what Max Gray is indicating for current material availability. Does the committee have the authority to make decisions like this? A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to approve the Committee making substitutes where they deem necessary with planned changes being emailed to the Board and Bob DeGross for their agreement. Jerry and Jeanne voted in favor, Jim abstained and the motion carried.
Meetings with the NPS continued this month, both for the lease agreement and the exhibit design. There were 121 responses to the Visitor Center survey in just 2 weeks. Thanks to Butch Eggen for completing a phone interview with the design team.
The Costin group will present letters of commitment from the IRRR. Many thanks to Gary and Jeff as well as the IRRR for their continued support.
Bid Awards: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to accept the Max Grey bid of $2,978,800 for the Visitor Center project. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to accept the Casper base bid of $2,102,755 for the RV project. Alternate one – $460,074 and Alternate two – $19,244 to be considered later depending on funding availability. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: The funding for the upgrade is in line. A number needs to be assigned to Bayside Drive. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to assign number 4251. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne to use the ARPA funds for the well at the Visitor Center. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The amount is $8,961.15.
CIC Termination: The Shucks have signed paperwork related to the CIC. Attorney Roy Christensen will advise of further Board action needed.
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 June Board of Supervisors’ Meeting for attorney/board discussion.
Flooding: Inquiry will be made about the final 10% reimbursement on the second project.
VNP Ice Road Management Plan: VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross spoke about the plan. It is a preliminary proposal to manage vehicles other than snowmobiles on ice roads within VNP. The proposal is now out for public input; public input will be accepted through June 3rd. Next will be a formal environmental review. Bob is looking at how other national parks have addressed the use of vehicles other than snowmobiles on ice roads and how to apply his findings to Voyageurs.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – May 9, 2023
NEW BUSINESS
Liquor License – Town Clerk Reports: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to approve the renewal of Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor licenses for Anderson’s Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Anderson’s Canoe Outfitters, Inc. and Handberg’s Marine, Inc. d/b/a Handberg’s Marine, Inc.; and the renewal of On/Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor license for Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. d/b/a Pine Point Lodge. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the renewal of Combination On/Off-Sale & Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor licenses for Bell Resorts, Inc. d/b/a Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats and Nelson’s Resort Inc. d/b/a Nelson’s Resort Inc. Jim and Jeanne voted in favor, Jerry abstained and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jim thanked Gary Cerkvenik for all the support and funding for Crane Lake projects. Jerry agreed and also thanked the Committee for all their work. Jeanne thanked everyone also.
Public Comments: There were none.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – June 13, 2023 – 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.
