7/11/23 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
July 11, 2023
The July 11, 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: Guest Bob Shears of S.E.H.; Supervisors Jim Janssen, Jerry Pohlman and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 2 members of the community.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: Loan payment was added to New Business
Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 6/13/23 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The June Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: IRS – $443.69; MATIT – $818.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; Jeff Truebenbach – $525.00; CLVTB – $6,230.00; Border State Bank – $3,802.00; ; S.E.H. – $8,400.00; AndCong LLC – $800.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $1,732.40; CLVFD – $27,500.00; and Payroll – $1,320.30. 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: Bob Shears from S.E.H will give an update on the construction. Mr. Shears stated that there were 11 issues that have been addressed; this is normal in any construction project. The well depth was the main issue, common in this area. Another was a material change. The Board was satisfied with Bob’s report. Summary: Casper Construction has begun groundwork at the Visitor Center and the Campground. Trees are cleared and fill is being moved. There have been challenges with getting water at the planned well site (update by Jim Janssen). There has been discussion of topography and changes to elevations for runoff, both for ponds in the campground and the Visitor Center building. The contamination levels found in the soil at the Visitor Center are dropping. The MPCA treatments are working. Currently levels are measured as safe for use under parking lots. Monitoring wells will be removed for construction then re-installed after construction. The next construction meeting is planned for August 3rd at 2 pm. On August 3rd there will also be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Visitor Center and Campground from 11 am -1 pm. This is an opportunity to thank all of the folks that helped secure funding for this project, so we hope you can all attend. Gary and Jeff from the Costin group have organized this event and sent invitations to senators, commissioners, etc, and the IRRR, LCCMR, etc.
Committee Meeting June 29
Committee members have been working on a job description for the future manager and workcamper to be hired at the campground. Everyone should be alert to people they know who might be interested in these positions. If you know of someone, please use the email set up for the campground (info@cranelakecampground.com) to share that information.
Committee members have also been working on the website: cranelakecampground.com. We are ready to schedule demos with two companies who sell software for running campgrounds. Those companies are Recrego and Campspot. Roverpass is a third option we have explored. From the Town Board we suggest having a presence at the demos. There will be questions about policies and accounting that we do not have answers for. Whoever will be overseeing the manager should be present for the demo, and maybe Jo Ann or Tracy to handle the questions on reporting requirements? Also when would be a good time to schedule the demos? (September was suggested) The committee reviewed rates for RV sites in Crane Lake and the surrounding areas. Based on this, the committee is suggesting a nightly rate of $65 with a weekly rate of $390. Two nights will be the minimum and fourteen nights the maximum. Does the board support this suggestion? The committee did not decide on a refund policy or a deposit amount required when guests make a reservation. Options include payment in full at the time of booking, or partial payment (half?) at the time of booking. Is the Town board in favor of a $100 refundable damage/cleaning deposit required from all campers? What about a refund policy for general reservations? Questions like these will need to be answered once software is selected.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)
Review of Finances:
Bills to approve: Two statements from S.E.H are ready to be paid from their construction contract: $8812.21 for the campground project and $3640 for the Visitor Center project.
The Town was awarded a grant from the IRRR in the amount of $950,000. This grant will be handled by the Town with no involvement or oversight from the County.
The $1.9 M grant is a direct appropriation from the state general fund. This grant will be handled by the County, so we are expecting the County to create a financial agreement for the Town to sign very soon.
Gary is working with the DNR to expedite the process that needs to occur between the County and the DNR.
Action items:
Suggest Town representatives to watch the demos from software companies. Suggest times for these demos to be scheduled. – September was suggested by the Board. Jeanne will attend.
Is a motion required to sign a financial agreement with the County? (forthcoming) A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve and sign the agreement with the County for the $1.9M grant, when it is available. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Approval of bills to pay. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to approve payment of the S.E.H. invoices totaling $12,452.21. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to pay for the lunch at Nelson’s Resort after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Visitor Center and Campground on August 3, 2023. Jim and Jeanne voted in favor, Jerry abstained, and the motion carried.
Any comments for the committee? There were no further comments.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: The State Park Road Account (SPRA) grant has been received and signed. No word has been received about right-of-way payments, which must be paid prior to construction beginning. Jim will look into this.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: Using the funds for the well at the Visitor Center is being confirmed.
CIC Termination: The termination process is nearly complete.
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 August to follow the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting for attorney/board discussion.
Flooding: The final 10% reimbursement will be received soon and the project will be closed out.
VNP Ice Road Management Plan: There was no new information.
Bayside Drive Maintenance: Bayside Drive was bladed by AndCong. There is communication with St. Louis County about future plowing and blading of the road.
NEW BUSINESS
Loan Payment: The Board discussed a payment on the loan associated with the Township property near the Waste Water Treatment Plant, as suggested by the Budget Committee in March. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to make a $25,000 payment on the loan to be approved at the August meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: Gretchen Janssen inquired about the financial management for the new Visitor Center and Campground. Approved procedures are being researched with the Minnesota Association of Townships.
Comments from Officers: Jeanne thanked Gretchen for all she is doing for the Township.
Public Comments: Stuart McKie noted the amount being paid to attorneys each month and asked how long it would continue. Much of it will decrease when the CIC is terminated and Bayside Drive right-of-way payments are made.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – August 8, 2023 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20PM.
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.
