6/13/23 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
June 13, 2023
The June 13, 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: Supervisors Jerry Pohlman and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 4 members of the community.
Supervisor Jim Janssen was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 5/9/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The May Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Lutefisk Tech. – $34.90; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; Jeff Truebenbach – $675.00; Watering Can Garden Shop – $1,326.25; St. Louis County Public Works – $12,008.74; CLVTB – $3,315.99; St. Louis County – $52.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $6,597.13; and Payroll – $830.82. A motion was made by Jerry, 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: Thanks to the Costin group, Crane Lake Twp was awarded $1.9M from the Environmental Finance Bill General Fund. Gary is working with the DNR on how this money will be administered, but the bill was written allowing these funds be used on the Visitor Center and Campground projects. For this reason, Casper Construction was informed that we do have the funds for the RV Park/Campground to be built to include the base plan and alternates 1 and 2. This will likely allow the loop of 38 campsites to be more developed and stubbed out. It does not include the showerhouse or tent sites. Would the board make a motion to approve having Casper Construction complete alts 1 and 2 according to their bids?
A pre-construction meeting was held on June 1 with all contractors, architects, engineers, Lake Country Power, Braun Intertec and Voyageurs National Park all present. Casper Construction will begin with tree removal and site preparation for the Visitor Center. Max Grey Construction plans/hopes to begin by July 1st on the Visitor Center building. Work will occur Monday through Friday beginning at 7 am and locals are encouraged to stay off the work site. Access to homes and Twp docks will remain open during the summer. Bob Shears from S.E.H is onsite every day overseeing the project. If the community has questions about the process, the Twp can forward those questions to me and I will check in with Bob. Casper Construction plans for project completion in September. Max Grey plans for project completion in March. Construction meetings will occur on the first Thursday of each month at the Crane Lake Chapel. 10 am for the Visitor Center, 11 am for the Campground. Do you have any questions or concerns about the projects at this time? The committee is looking for help preparing for the campground to be functional summer of 2024. We need to make decisions on rates, rules, reservations, etc. We are planning a meeting Thursday June 29th at 10 am, anyone interested in helping is encouraged to attend. I will be attending the CLVTB meeting on June 21 to answer questions and get that organization up to speed on things. We will also discuss the exterior exhibit space. Do any Town board members have questions for the CLVTB regarding the Visitor Center? I may come back with questions from them for you all. One question on my mind is about staffing. Does the Town board plan to staff the Visitor Center next summer, or is this the responsibility of Voyageurs National Park only? There are no bills to approve this month.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to approve and sign the Cooperative Agreement between the County of St. Louis and Crane Lake Township to receive and administer MN DNR State Park Road Account funding for improvements to Bayside Drive located within Crane Lake Township, St. Louis County, MN. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – June 13, 2023
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: Using the funds for the well at the Visitor Center is being confirmed.
CIC Termination: The Shucks have signed paperwork related to the CIC and an appraisal is in process.
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. The closed meeting has been moved to July to follow the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting for attorney/board discussion.
Flooding: The final 10% reimbursement should be received soon and the project will be closed out.
VNP Ice Road Management Plan: There was no new information.
NEW BUSINESS
Liquor License – Town Clerk Reports: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve the renewal of Combination On/Off Sale & Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for Scotts Crane Lake Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Scotts Crane Lake Bar & Grill, Inc. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Bayside Drive Maintenance: There have been citizen complaints about the driving conditions of Bayside Drive. The Board discussed options. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to solicit quotes from local contractors to patch Bayside Drive within the next couple of weeks for an amount up to $800. The lowest quote will be accepted. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none
Public Comments: Stuart McKie asked to see the original CIC for the Braaten property.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – July 11, 2023 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.
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.
