8/16/22 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
August 16, 2022
The August 16, 2022, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jim Janssen at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including Supervisors Brandon Anderson & Jim Janssen; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and four members of the community. Supervisor Jerry Pohlman was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Brandon, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the7/12/22 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The July Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Costin Group – $1,250.00; IRS – $26.50; Jeff Truebenbach – $900.00; Cook News-Herald – $161.00; CLVTB – $32,119.01; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $3,123.20; and Payroll – $758.43. A motion was made by Brandon, supported by Jim, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Funds Transfer: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the transfer of $35,000.00 from the Community Property Project Fund to the Bond-Community Property Project Fund. 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 Janssen provided the following report: There is one bill to be approved this month from the engineer (see spreadsheet). This invoice represents 60% of the “campground final design” portion of the project. During the past month, there were two design meetings held. Both meetings were considered “final” reviews in preparation for these projects going out to bid. The review of the Visitor Center was attended by four committee members and two community members. Discussion items included mainly: the lakeside porch construction, fireplace, outside space for A/C, propane tank & future installation of a back-up generator, lighting in the welcome zone, data ports. The public bathrooms will be closed overnight. There is no built-in furniture in the plan except for the break room kitchenette. The review of the campground was attended by three committee members. We requested additional hose bibs on the outside of the building, the addition of a utility sink and water/electric connections for a future washing machine in the shop area, conduit run, and added exterior lighting and outlets. We discussed at length the location and the size of the enclosed area for dumpsters. The building located on the site of the future campground is still there. Would someone from the Town please contact the person who agreed to remove that building? The LCCMR is meeting again August 30 to review and approve our progress. Jim, Jeff Anderson, and Roy have been very cooperative and patient with the LCCMR attending meetings and answering their questions all month. They will not fund any environmental remediation costs incurred from this project, so the Costin group and S.E.H are pursuing other avenues for financial assistance with the MPCA bills. Gretchen and Debbie Scott worked on the management plan for the campground by visiting several RV parks and campgrounds this month. We visited and interviewed the manager at McKinley Campground, owned by Breitung Township. We also visited the new Lake Vermilion Campground and interviewed the DNR employee on site. We are keeping notes and working on a list of roles and responsibilities to help the Township in the future, once these projects are completed and the hiring process will begin. Concepts for a Campground logo are attached, any Town board comments appreciated. The committee is still planning for our campground to have online reservations only. Crane Lake Campground .com and Voyageur Campground .com were purchased in addition to Camp Crane Lake.com. An update from Superintendent Bob DeGross was received this month regarding exhibit development. His plan is to provide exhibits throughout the welcome zone and the auditorium (both spaces we have agreed he will lease). What is the Town board’s opinion on the vestibule and the exterior space at the Visitor Center? Do we wish for VNP to fill that space too, or only a portion of it?
Action items:
- Approval of monthly invoices and permit fees. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Brandon, to approve the monthly invoices amounting to $43,200.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – August 16, 2022
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Action Items: (Cont.)
- Contact person who volunteered to remove the building at the campground site. Jim will look into this.
- Comments on the proposed logos. Those present reviewed the options. The favorites were number 3 and number 4; number five was not liked by any of those present.
- Comments on exhibit space in the vestibule and the outside of the Visitor Center. Is there a percentage of the space we wish to set aside for Crane Lake maps or USFS/DNR signage? There was discussion. It was agreed that the CLVTB should be contacted by the Committee to see how much space they would like. It was also agreed that there needs to be space for USFS/DNR information. The VNP should have outside space, as well as others, for information, especially when the center is closed.
Bayside Drive Upgrade: Jim attended numerous meetings throughout the month regarding the Bayside Drive Project. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Brandon, to set the new Hearing Date & Time at 2PM on October 10, 2022. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A request by Caroline Coggan, Bayside Drive resident, was made to hold an informal meeting with the Bayside Drive residents, prior to the planned October 10th Hearing, to discuss the Bayside Drive Project. Jim agreed that this could be arranged. A motion was made by Brandon, supported by Jim, to approve and sign the Agreement for Professional Services between the Town of Crane Lake and S.E.H., effective as of June 24, 2022, authorizing and describing the scope, schedule, and payment conditions for Consultant work on the Bayside Drive Reconstruction Project. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
ATV Report: The group continues to work on the trails. The meeting on the previous Wednesday focused on planning for the Fall Ride.
Trails Report: There was no report.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund: There was nothing new.
CIC: The LCCMR continues their review of the CIC changes made by Attorney Roy Christensen. The Board has not reviewed the CIC changes. Jim will look into this.
Flooding: $6,665.18 in donations was received. The money will go to those that provided use of their equipment during the sandbagging and for fuel, food, etc. Beth Bak has made an accounting of expenses and donations to assist with determining where the money should go.
Gold Coast Road Speed Issue: There was nothing new to report. The item will be removed from the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Friends of the Parks Donation Request: The Board did not wish to donate.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Brandon commented on the addition of the flag poles near the Voyageur Statue and how nice they look. Jim thanked everyone that attended the meeting.
Public Comments: Caroline Coggan thanked the Board for everything they do.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – September 13, 2022 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jim Janssen, 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.
