Crane Lake Township

Current Topics

7/9/24 Minutes

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

July 9, 2024

 

The July 9, 2024, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:00PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jerry Pohlman & Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Clerk Gretchen Janssen; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and three members of the community (including Zoom).  Supervisor Jim Janssen was absent.

 

Additions to the Agenda: Head Election Judge Appointment was added to New Business

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 6/11/24 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: Jo Ann Pohlman – $100.50; IRS – $529.23; MATIT – $852.00; Postmaster – $68.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; Jeff Truebenbach – $320.00; CLVTB – $3,753.52; Border State Bank – $4,629.62; S.E.H – $20,396.65; CLVFD – $28,750.00; and Payroll – $1,491.49.  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/Campground:

Committee Report & Resulting Board Action:  Gretchen provided the following report:

The Campground is 95% complete.  Only waiting on the lift station control panel and a water pump that will service both the VC and Campground.  When the pump is in, the contractors will contact the sewer district so they can be present for the “commissioning start up” on the pump.  Casper will be working on the grading of sites, then the road, then the site pads.  After this topsoil will be placed and landscaping will occur.  Turf establishment will take 3-5 weeks to be at 75% complete, so the campground should stay closed to the public through August at a minimum.  Once 75% is reached then silt fencing is removed and the landscaping company is no longer responsible for the grass.  The next meeting is on-site August 1 at 11 am.

The Visitor Center building is also nearing completion.  Waiting on a water pump and a few other items.  There is still a lot of groundwork to do around the building.  The plan is to pour curbs mid-July and pavement at the end of July.  The next meeting is Thursday July 18th where the architects will be on site to begin “final” evaluations of the building.

Action Items:

Hire a manager for the Campground (see attachment)

Discuss an important meeting planned with Max Gray and ARI on Thursday July 18th at 9 am at the Visitor Center.  This will be one of the final walk-throughs to create a punch list for Visitor Center completion.  Who can/should attend?

Bills to approve:

The Costin group $5,000

May/June S.E.H invoices:

468765 VC $1423.13
468766 RV $13,103.68
468753 Bayside $19,925.22

Braun B389998 Bayside $1072.50

Max Gray Pay App #11 $232,652.92 (needs signature)  Inv. Total = $273,177.45

Checks to be signed:

S.E.H 461222, 463348, 465526, 466615 totaling $20,396,65 (submitted to IRRR)

 

Board Action: Hire a Campground Manager:  The Board discussed various advertising options; Jeanne will take the lead to advertise for a Campground Manager.  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to pay the manager $30 per hour. All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Final Visitor Center walk-through with Max Gray & ARI on Thursday, July 18th at 9AM.  The Board discussed who should attend. Art Driggs and/or Steve Bergerson were suggested as well as Board members. Bills approval:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to approve the above mentioned invoices totaling $273,177.45 for payment.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Max Gray Pay Application:  A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jerry, to approve and sign Max Gray’s Pay Application #11 for $232,652.92.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – July 9, 2024

 

 

Bayside Drive Upgrade:  Construction on Bayside Drive is complete.

 

American Rescue Plan Act Fund ($1,111.15):  The Board agreed that the remaining funds could be used for internet at the Visitor Center.

 

McKie Easement Request:  There was no report.

 

VNP Ice Road Management Plan:  An email was sent to VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross on 6/18/24 restating the Board’s position on the Frozen Lake Surface Access and Use Plan by attaching the Town’s letter of 4/13/23.

 

Bayside Drive Maintenance:  The Board offered for bid/quote the maintenance of Bayside Drive to include blading and adverse weather conditions repair work during the spring/summer/fall months on a per time charge and as needed.  The only offer received was from Rutchasky Enterprises at $525.00 with any repair work dependent on the event at an hourly rate. The Board questioned if the rate quoted was per time?  How many times would the service be provided, or would it be on an as-need basis?  How often are the roads bladed in Buyck?

 

Dark Sky Crane Lake:  Pete Coggan was present to report.  Those present discussed getting the word out to the community on ways they could participate individually.  Options included:  Printed material being mailed with the monthly sewer bills – with the sewer board’s approval.  A community gathering could also be held.  Information could be made available for the National Night Out event.

 

Community Action Plan:  Jeanne volunteered to head the Committee and will begin recruiting members.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Flood:  No Township action is required currently.  Josh Brinkman of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office will be contacted, if needed.  Water levels are expected to begin receding next week.

 

Reminder:  Primary elections are on 8/13/24 from 10AM to 8PM at the Fellowship Hall.

 

Head Election Judge Appointment:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jeanne, to appoint Debora Scott as the head election judge for the Primary and General Elections.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Comments from Officers:  Jeanne thanked Pete Coggan for his work on Dark Sky and Gretchen Janssen for her work on the Visitor Center/Campground.  Jo Ann told those present that she would not be running for Town Clerk in the upcoming election. The filing period for the clerk position and two supervisor positions is from July 30th through August 13th.

 

Public Comments: There were none.

 

 

Next Meeting:   Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – August 20, 2024 – 7:00PM, Fellowship Hall

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02PM.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

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.