Crane Lake Township

 

  TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

August 8, 2017

 

The August 8, 2017 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 6 members of the community.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda:  There were none.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 7/11/17 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 – $1,316.34; Postmaster – $49.00; CLVTB – $11,455.45; and Payroll – $555.50.  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

 

Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund:  There was no report.

 

Costin Group Report:  There was no report.

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:  Chairman Jim advised the Board that there were grant documents to sign and a decision on an appraiser needed to be made.

 

At this point, Mark Anderson noted that the donation for the flowers by Art and Jody Driggs was not on the agenda and suggested that a donation be made out of the Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund or the Trails Fund.  The Board discussed and a motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to donate $500 pending investigation of the Township’s ability to make such a donation.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:  The Board continued.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to approve signature of the grant agreement between the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Natural Resources and the Town of Crane Lake in partnership with Voyageurs National Park and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.   All voted in favor and the motion carried.  The grant, in the amount of $950,000 is to acquire the former Borderland property, now owned by Bob Braaten, for the proposed VNP visitor Center/campsite.  Jim had researched the appraisal process, and it was determined that two appraisers should be considered for survey and title work.  Two appraisers were suggested.  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to continue the appraiser search and determine the appraiser selection via email, if necessary, to keep the process in motion.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Frontier Internet:  Community members reported that their service continues to be up and down. Jim will contact Frontier for an explanation.

 

ATV Use:  Bruce Beste presented a copy of the Voyageur Country ATV System Map to the Board members.  The map is going out to all 500 plus members of the club.  The maps will also be distributed to local businesses and tourism bureaus.  A laminated wall copy of the map will be available for purchase.  S.E.H. continues with bridge design and Benchmark Engineering continues with master plan work.  The ATV meeting will be at the VRT, 7PM tomorrow.

 

Trails Report:  A letter was received from the VNP advising that they are seeking initial public comments for redesign of the Mukooda Lake Small Campground and construction of a new hiking trail near the camp ground.  Deena posted the information on Facebook.  Jim is forwarding to Deena a memo received from St. Louis County Planning regarding the County Comprehensive Land Use Plan that includes a workshop at the Orr American Legion on 8/23/17 between 1PM and 7PM, which may include trail information.

Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – August 8, 2017

 

 

Street Lighting:   The Board agreed that there was nothing more to discuss and that the item should be removed from the agenda.

 

Land Use Project:  Butch reported that he remains in touch with Andy Hubley of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission and will invite him and others to attend the September Board meeting.

 

Highland Park on Bear Island:  Butch communicated with St. Louis County Land and Minerals Department regarding the forfeiture process.  The County is withdrawing Highland Park of Bear Island from the process.  The County will notify the Township if there are any changes.

 

IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work:  Rob Scott was present to report on the background, funding and timeline of the project.

The Township has been awarded a $87,000 grant with matching qualification.  Funding options are being considered.  A map of the area around the statue with updates was presented to the Board.  The design and specs for the project need to be finalized before going out for bid with work planned for late September.   A 10 year property lease with the DNR is being reviewed    A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, for Rob Scott to proceed with the project including approval of the design and specs.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Chairman Jim requested that Rob Scott provide a report of the Crane Lake Water & Sanitary District.  Rob reported that the District plans to wrap up the Handberg Road Extension Phase II project, including hook-up of the DNR Public Water Access, by freeze-up.  There have been over 30 applications for the District’s Management System in the Decentralized region.  The District must spend the current Legacy grant by 6/30/18.  The District has been awarded a $60,000 Legacy grant for the administrative process of the annexation of Kicker Boulevard.  The District has also been awarded an additional $300,000 Legacy grant through the Joint Powers Board efforts for future work in the District.  The District has decreased their levy amount by 60% over the past few years and is considering a rate reduction for 2018.  The Chapel, Fire Department and the Groomer Garage (when connected to the system) will not be billed in future.

 

Customs/Border Patrol:  Customs/Border Patrol representatives have met with some of the area business owners to discuss the provision of the capability for customers to report back into the US without going to the Customs building. They would like to set up this process by fall. A letter was sent to International Falls by the Township expressing their wish to have a Customs/Border Patrol presence in the Town. The local Canadian Customs is reported to have said that they are not pleased with the concept.  Those present expressed opinions of the negative effect on businesses, the cultural effect of removal of a Customs building, and safety issues.  Jim will request a follow-up presentation on the outcome of conversations with business owners with Customs/Border Patrol for the September meeting.

.

NEW BUSINESS

 

There was none.

 

Other New Business: None

 

Comments from Officers:  Jim thanked everyone for coming.

 

Public Comments: Bruce Beste stated that the sign at CSAH24 and Handberg Road had been updated.  He also stated that the Hackensack ATV group is considering an ATV trip to the Crane Lake area in September.

 

Next Meeting:    Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, September 12, 2017 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

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.