7/12/16 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
July 12, 2016
The July 12, 2016 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:35PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman and 3 members of the community.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 6/14/16 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the 6/22/16 Special 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: Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe – $270.00; Costin Group – $2,400.25; Crane Lake Voyageur Days – $2,500.00; Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000; Border State Bank – $3,122.95; IRS – $460.54; Crane Lake Visitor & Tourism Bureau – $5,985.97; and Payroll – $880.36. 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: Ruth L. Carlson reported that she had not heard from either the USFS or Attorney Huck Andresen and that she would contact them both again. Bruce Beste mentioned that Connie Cummins will soon join the Superior National Forest as the new Forest Supervisor. Connie was the District Ranger of the LaCroix Ranger District when the Land Exchange began.
Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund: The County has staked a distance of 33’ from the middle of the road toward the left side of the road (pond side) prior to the culvert at the beginning of Gold Coast Road as the setback for the Memorial. The Township will look for a volunteer to level the ground and supply some gravel for the Memorial site.
Costin Group Report: Gary Cerkvenik emailed the following report: Meet with the Park Service and US Senators/Congressman Nolan on visitor center and testify and submit Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) application for $950,000.
Crane Lake Road Repair: The Board received a forwarded email from Jeff Sanborn to County Commissioner Tom Rukavina regarding a phone call that he received from the office of Victor Lund of the St. Louis County Highway Department about the removal of the directional signs coming into Crane Lake and the $430.00 fee for each business to reapply for a new sign to be installed. Other community business owners have received the same phone call. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to write a letter to Public Works Director/Highway Engineer Jim Foldesi with a copy to Commissioner Tom Rukavina requesting clarification and justification for the sign removal and cost of replacement. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: A presentation was made by Gary Cerkvenick to Congressman Rick Nolan, US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and the Legislative and Citizens Commission on Minnesota proposing the development of a Park presence in the Crane Lake community. The Town has taken the leadership role in the drive to build a Visitors Center at Crane Lake. The Town plans to purchase the old Borderland property and envisions building a visitor center to Park specifications and leasing the facility to the Park Service. The Township is requesting $950,000 for this project. VNP Acting Superintendent William K. Carlson provided a letter of support of the grant application to the LCCMR.
Frontier Internet: New equipment has been installed; however, there is difficulty with the ‘cut over’ from old equipment to new.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2016
ATV Use: Bruce Beste reported the following: Met with Congressman Rick Nolan, State Representative Rob Ecklund, County Commissioner Tom Rukavina, and Gary Cerkvenik to discuss support for opening certain US Forest Service Roads to ATV travel for the purpose of trail connectivity. The field study work is near complete and we asked for the remaining input period to begin. If all goes well, roads should be open this fall. Discussed federal Recreational Trails Program grants for enhancing existing trails and possible bridge construction where appropriate. Met with ATVAM President, Lobbyist, Treasurer, Membership Chair, and Trail Adviser regards to funding opportunities for connecting trails. Received IRRRB Grant of $35,000 for purpose of: 1) Signing and safety mitigation requirements for the US Forest Service Roads ATV use approval; 2) Mapping of main trails, corridor routes, and similar activities; 3) engage with professional consultants for trail planning and grant writing activities. Met with Mary Straka, Joe Majerus, and Brad Dekkers regards to connecting trails within the state forests and for requesting to open certain sections of Grant in Aid snowmobile trails where appropriate for trail connectivity.
Trails Report: There was no report
Crane Lake Comprehensive Plan: Butch pointed out to those present that there were other components to the Comprehensive Plan that need to be considered and acted upon – mainly the property acquired through the land exchange that is now Township land.
MN Dot Aeronautics: There was nothing new to report.
Hospital Levies: Those present discussed the inequity in the Townships that contribute via levies and those that don’t.
NEW BUSINESS
Election Judge Approval: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the Clerk’s roster of those eligible for appointment to serve on the Election Board for the Primary Election on August 9, 2016.. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jerry commented that he felt Voyageur Days went off quite well. Butch said he had heard many compliments on the fireworks. Jo Ann reminded everyone of the upcoming Primary Elections.
Public Comments: There were none.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – August 16, 2016, 7:30PM – Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jerry Pohlman, Vice-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.
