12/11/18 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
December 11, 2018
The December 11, 2018 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 5:40PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Guests VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross and RTCA Representative Barett Steenrod, Supervisors Butch Eggen and Jerry Pohlman; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 6 members of the community. Supervisor Jim Janssen was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 11/9/18 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the Board of Canvass Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report –The November Cash Balances were read and the bills were presented as follows: Crane Lake Chapel – $700.00; MATIT – $220.00; CNH – $21.00; CLWSD – $300.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $145.95; CLVTB – $349.51; CLVFD – $32,500.00; and Payroll – $567.05. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, 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
VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite: This portion of Old Business was moved forward for a presentation by Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) representative Barett Steenrod. VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross and Barett met with the VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite Committee prior to the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Barett provided a slide-show presentation with detail summary of the Design Workshop held at Voyagaire on October 26th. The Committee provided answers to questions that were raised as a result of the design workshop. The next step is to provide cost estimates for the Visitor Center and surrounding area. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry to expend up to $10,000.00 for cost estimates for design work of the Visitor Center and surrounding landscape and to acquire price quotes. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Butch thanked the Committee, RTCA representatives and Bob DeGross on their work thus far on the project.
- Committee Report: Included in above presentation.
- Grounds Cleanup and Docks: There was no report.
- CIC Covenants/Unit 13: There was no report.
Costin Group Report: Gary provided the following report: 1) We continue to make progress on the Visitor Center project. Attached for your review is a letter of intent that I requested from the Voyaguers National Park Superintendent to indicate their willingness to cooperate with the Town on this project. This letter will be helpful in the legislative process.
2) To receive funding for the Center, I’ve been advising VNP’s team that we need a preliminary design and cost estimate in January so we can fashion legislation in a timely way. Holly Larson indicated she would get something to the Town to consider soon.
3) The plan is to pursue multiple levels of funding opportunities:
- A direct appropriation in the Environment Finance Bill.
- Application for LCCMR grant, which will be due in March, 2019.
- A bonding bill grant request before the Legislature in 2019 and 2020. There most likely will only be an emergency, smaller bonding bill in 2019.
- Financial assistance through grants or loans from the IRRRB.
- Potential municipal bond lease back structure.
I continue to coordinate our activities with the MN DNR to enhance their presence at Crane Lake in connection with the Center.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to sign the Letter of Intent to Cooperate – Voyageurs National Park and the Town of Crane Lake – To plan, build, and operate the VNP-Crane Lake Visitor Contact Facility. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The signed Letter of Intent will be sent to Gary Cerkvenik.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2018
OLD BUSINESS (Cont.)
ATV Use: Bruce Beste was present and provided the following: 1) St. Louis County will be the trails fiscal sponsor and Regulating Government Unit (RGU). The two current trail projects will not require a mandatory Environmental Assessment Review. Application has been made for final water permits for the CL to Vermilion Falls Recreation Area trail and the Elephant Lake to Echo Trail trail and bridge across the Vermilion River. 2) The IRRRB passed a trails grant for $3,469,000 for 11 trail projects within the Taconite Tax Relief District – $1,176,000 will be for Voyageur Country ATV to develop the trail from Cabin Road #601D to Kabustasa Road #489 and including the bridge over the Vermilion River. The club intends to put the bridge project out for bid soon with the intent to have it open for the ATV Minnesota Fall Ride and Rally in September. 3) The club met with ATVAM and other clubs from all over the state. ATVAM has added the following as top priority for the next legislative session. A) $100,000 from the ATV Dedicated Account for a contracted EAW, which is needed to complete more trail projects. B) $500,000 from the ATV Dedicated Account to enhance the snowmobile trail between County Rd. 23 (at the VRT) to the Holms Logging Roads (at Shuster Road), and to establish other routes to connect Pfeifer Lake Road near County 361. C) $1,000,000 Minnesota General Obligation Bonding to establish alignment and connect core trails to Orr, Ash River, Kabetogama, Little Fork, and I-Falls.
Trails Report: There was no report.
Land Use Project: Because the community is so involved in developing the Visitor Center/Campground area, the development of the Land Exchange area will be addressed later on.
IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work: Rob Scott provided the following report: I am going to the IRRRB office on Wednesday to have a chit chat on the way ahead for IRRRB funding for the Voyageur statue project. There have been some discussions involving IRRRB Commissioner Phillips and Chris Ismal (IRRRB) including Representative Ecklund on how to best fund the project. We will attempt to work through funding needs, infrastructure grant utilization, and overall project requirements. My objective is to determine what funding level we can obtain, what the funds can be used for, and how we best address grant matching requirement.
Scott’s Seaplane Base: Darrell Scott provided the following information: A feasibility study will be made on making the seaplane base a public entity. Application has been made for a grant for the engineers to do the Feasibility Study. There should be more information by the end of January. The Township will be involved as the grant facilitator.
ARDC Representative: The Board agreed to not vote to elect a township representative to the ARDC and would rely on the SLCAT selection.
NEW BUSINESS
CLWSD Board Appointments: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution #2018-07 electing Robert Scott and Mark Anderson to the Board of Managers of the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District for three year terms that shall commence on January 1, 2019 and expire the last business day of December, 2021. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Tobacco License Renewals: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution #2018-09 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Scotts Bar & Grill, LLC d/b/a Scotts Bar & Grill for the year ending the 31st day of December, 2019; and Resolution #2018-08 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for VHB, Inc. d/b/a Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats for the year ending the 31st day of December, 2019. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Consultant Contract: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to sign the Consultant Agreement between the Town of Crane Lake and Costin Group, Inc. for 2019. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Fire Protection Contract: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to sign the Fire Protection Services Agreement between the Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and the Town of Crane Lake for 2019. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2018
NEW BUSINESS (Cont.)
Levy Revisit: The Board agreed to leave the levy as certified to St. Louis County in September at $120,000.00.
2019 Meeting Date Posting: Motion by Jerry, supported by Butch, to accept the Meeting Date Posting as submitted. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Polling Place Designation: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution #2018-10 Designating the Polling Place for 2019 as the Crane Lake Fellowship Hall as required by the Secretary of State’s Office. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jerry thanked the VNP Committee, members of the RTCA and VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross for their work on the Visitor Center. He also thanked Butch for his many years of service on the
Township Board.
Public Comment: Many of those present thanked Butch for his years of service on the Board.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ and Reorganization Meeting– 1/8/19, 5:30PM – Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00PM.
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.
