6/14/16 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
June 14, 2016
The June 14, 2016 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Janssen at 7:35PM 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; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 2 members of the community.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 5/24/16 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: MN Assn. of Townships Agency – $813.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $180.00; Costin Group – $1000.00 and Payroll – $254.21. 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.
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: There has been no change.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: Butch spoke with Steve Troutwine, the specialist on the current road project who suggested that the Township get in touch with the St. Louis County Right-of-Way representative to see if the County would landscape the area on the pond side of the bridge while doing the road work this summer. The Clerk will contact the Right-of-Way representative.
Costin Group Report: Gary Cerkvenik emailed the following report: Continue work on the visitor center, road shoulders and trails; work with DNR, County on sidewalk. Jim reported that a phone conversation with Gary revealed that Mr. Cerkvenik would be going to DC to push the visitor center project and that he had requested copies of the Community Plan. Gary plans to report back to the Township. When Gary spoke to the VNP Acting Superintendent William Carlson, Mr. Carlson said there was nothing new on the Crane Lake Visitor Center since the March Community Planning meeting.
Crane Lake Road Repair: The construction is in progress from the VRT north through the Gold Coast Road.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: Committee Co-Chair Deena Congdon reported that Gary Cerkvenik had requested copies of information to be sent to him and that William Carlson, VNP Acting Superintendent, felt they would like a visitor contact center like Kabetogama’s at the current DNR site and the campground should be in private ownership. The Letter of Intent to purchase the Braaten property was sent to Township Attorney, Bob Ruppe, for comment. Jim reported that he had a telephone conversation with Mr. Ruppe where Mr. Ruppe said that the Township could purchase land; however, if the Township wished to put any buildings on that land, or any land, they would need the approval of the people at a town meeting. Mr. Ruppe suggested that his office re-write the Letter of Intent. Jim will ask Mr. Ruppe for a written copy of their conversation. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to sign the Commercial Nonbinding Letter of Intent to purchase from Voyageurs Lakes Development, Inc. the property located at TBD Gold Coast Road except unit 13 for $1,600,000.00 with terms and conditions. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Earnest money of $5,000.00 will be refundable if contingencies are not met or if another party purchases the property. The contract is a one year agreement and Mr. Cerkvenik feels it will be a useful tool in showing the Township’s sincerity in its pursuit to have a visitor center in Crane Lake.
Frontier Internet: New equipment has been installed; however, there is difficulty with the ‘cut over’ from old equipment to new.
ATV Use: Bruce Beste reported that county roads are now open. Opening federal roads will be next. Two members of the Club attended a National Workshop in Ackley. Grant opportunities are being presented. There is optimism for the project.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – June 14, 2016
Trails Report: Deena Congdon reported that she, Gretchen Janssen and Lori Sanborn met with VNP Acting Superintendent William Carlson and VNP Association Executive Director Christina Hausman. The VNP is going to work on a trail near Mukooda. If there are volunteers, work may begin this fall or next summer. Preliminary work and trail marking must be done first. The VNP will look into other trails for the area and will continue to work with the Committee. The VNP is short of funding but realizes that there should be more trails on this end of the Park. Christina Hausman expressed an interest in attending a Township meeting to explain the VNP Association’s relationship with the VNP. Ms. Hausman will be invited to the next Township meeting.
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: There was nothing new to report
MN Dot Aeronautics: There was nothing new to report.
Boat Race Levied Money: The Crane Lake Voyageur Days Committee submitted a letter requesting that the money levied for the Boat Races be awarded to the Committee for summer event expenses. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to re-assign the $2,500 budgeted for the Boat Races to the Voyageur Days events. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Butch suggested that the Committee look into formally organizing to be able to tap into available event monies.
NEW BUSINESS
Cook-Orr Healthcare District: Deena Congdon stated that there are some townships that have chosen not to support the Healthcare District by levying their constituents. The Board discussed the inequality of support. The County will be contacted to determine how much Crane Lake residents are levied for Healthcare support. Our local representative to the Healthcare Board, Shirley Sanborn, will be requested to ask the Healthcare District Board how they solicit townships in the surrounding area.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Bruce Beste mentioned that a new trail system has been completed on the south side of Lake Vermilion costing approximately $9,127,000.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – July 12, 2016, 7:30PM – Fire Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
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.
