April 11, 2006: Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
April 11, 2006
The April 11, 2006 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 7:30PM 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, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Treasurer Terrie Hoff, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel, and 8 members of the community.
Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman. A motion was made by Butch to nominate Jerry Pohlman as Chairman, Jim supported the nomination. There being no other nominations for Chairman, a vote for Jerry Pohlman to serve as Chairman was unanimous. Jo Ann asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman. A motion was made by Jerry to nominate Jim Janssen as Vice-Chairman, Butch supported the nomination. There being no other nominations for Vice-Chairman, a vote for Jim Janssen to serve as Vice-Chairman was unanimous. Clerk Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jerry.
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 3/27/06 Reorganization/Supervisors’ Meeting and the 3/21/06 Board of Canvass Meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Terrie read the March Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: Postmaster – $39.00; Lutefisk Technologies – $97.50; Arthur Eggen – $92.85; Jo Ann Pohlman – $35.00; Jerry Pohlman – $127.85; The Costin Group – $3,044.50; and Payroll – $435.18. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. 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
Community Priority Projects Reports:
- Communications/Cell Phones – Jim Janssen stated that the St. Louis County Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing to review a conditional use communication tower application submitted by Richard Adams for Minnesota Towers, Inc. and American Cellular Corporation for construction of a 195 foot high broadband wireless tower at 7455 Crane Lake Road. The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Northland Office Center, 3rd Floor Liz Prepich Conference Room, 307 South First Street, Virginia, MN. The site was selected by the anchor company. The FAA report has come back with approval of the site. If the site is approved by the Planning Commission, an archeological study would be done when the ground thaws. There is an outside chance that there would be cell service by July 4th, but a more likely date would be in August. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to write a letter in support of the conditional use communication tower application submitted by Richard Adams for Minnesota Towers, Inc. and American Cellular Corp. for construction of a 195 foot high broadband wireless tower at 7455 Crane Lake Road, Crane Lake, MN 55725 from the Township to the St. Louis County Planning Commission. Jerry and Jim voted in favor; Butch abstained as the affected property owner. Motion carried.
- Land Exchange/Community Property Project – Ruth L. Carlson reported that the response to the Crane Lake Questionnaire was very good; with both positive and negative responses being received. The negative responses related to debt concerns for the community building. Ruth does not feel citizens need to be concerned in that direction. C.J. Fernandez is very excited by the response. Both the positive and negative comments will help him to arrive at the final plan. The evening of June 6th is tentatively set for his final presentation, which will be posted.
Community Action Plan Update Committee Report: Butch thanked those that volunteered to serve on the committee and stated that work will begin soon.
CLWSD Report – Rob Scott: Rob was not present to report.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 11, 2006
OLD BUSINESS (Cont.)
April Short Course Report – Fortune Bay 4/7/06: All Board members attended the educational conference, with the session on Open Meeting Law being of interest to everyone. The program included a presentation by Laurie Brown, U of M Extension Service on wastewater treatment, Ms. Brown will be providing consulting services to the CLWSD for the ESA. Other topics included were Bids & Quotes, Administrative Procedure, Finances and Record Keeping.
CLWSD Appointments: There have been no applicants for the two open positions on the CLWSD Board. There currently is a posting for those positions and another notice will be placed in the paper. The notice is also on the Township website, Current Topics atwww.cranelaketwp.com.
Legal Representative Appointment: Letters requesting proposals were sent to two firms: The Township’s current legal representative, Colosimo, Patchin, Kearney, Lindell & Brunfelt and another firm, Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe, which specializes in township law. A proposal was received from Couri, et al, but none from Colosimo, et al. Colosimo will be contacted to determine if they are interested in providing legal services to the Township. Appointment of Legal Representative was tabled.
CLVFD Fire Fighters Relief Association Appointment: Jim currently serves on this Board; two other Township Board members are required. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to appoint Jo Ann and Terrie as Township Board representatives on the Fire Fighters Relief Association Board replacing Mark Anderson and County Commissioner Mike Forsman. Motion carried.
Computer Purchase: The Clerk and Treasurer are currently using the new laptop computers. Additional programs will be installed in the near future, with no anticipated expense to the Township.
Memorial: A letter was received from Tim Campbell, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Minnesota Arrowhead Association, Duluth regarding the establishment of a memorial planter for Jacque Eggen with the request that the Town take official action to accept the planter and the responsibility of its care. Chairman Jerry requested at the previous meeting that the community respond with their opinions on the planter before action was taken by the Board. No responses were received. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to accept the planter and the responsibility of its care. Motion carried.
Accessibility: A letter was received from the St. Louis County Auditor’s Office regarding the availability of polling place accessibility grants from the federal government to make polling place accessibility improvements. A completed application must be submitted by May 1st. Clerk Jo Ann received a telephone message from the Secretary of State’s Office stating that the Chapel could apply for the grant for removable accessibility updates to the building, i.e. ramps. Jo Ann will continue to pursue the issue and requested the Board adopt a resolution required as part of the grant process. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution #2006-02A supporting the application to the State of Minnesota for Federal funds for accessibility improvements to the Town of Crane Lake’s official designated polling place. Motion carried.
Spring Clean Up Day: A reminder to all that April 22nd (Earth Day), 2PM is community clean up day with April 30th being the selected ‘rain date’; Shirley Sanborn is organizing the event and will be posting information. Information is on the website and will be in the Crane Lake news of local papers.
NEW BUSINESS
3.2 Liquor License Renewals: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to grant requests for renewals of 2006-2007 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for Anderson Outfitters, Pine Point Lodge & Resort, Inc. and Scott’s of Crane Lake, Inc. Motion carried.
Seasonal On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License: A motion was made by Jim to grant a request for renewal of a Seasonal On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Nelson’s Resort. Butch and Jerry both abstained from supporting the motion as owners of Nelson’s Resort. Butch reinstated himself to support the motion. Jim and Butch voted in favor with Jerry abstaining. Motion carried.
Combination On/Off-Sale & Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch to grant a request for renewal of an On/Off-Sale & Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats. Jerry and Butch voted in favor, Jim abstained as the business owner. Motion carried.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – April 11, 2006
NEW BUSINESS ( Cont.)
Tobacco License Renewals: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution # 2006-03 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Scott’s of Crane Lake for the year ending December 31, 2006. All voted in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Jim to adopt Resolution # 2006-04 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Nelson’s Resort, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2006. Butch and Jerry abstained from supporting the motion as owners of Nelson’s Resort. Butch reinstated himself to support the motion. Jim and Butch voted in favor with Jerry abstaining. Motion carried.
Other New Business: Jim reminded the Board of a request by a CLWSD Manager for Town Board support of the CLWSD Boards’ integrity. There was Board discussion. The Township Board recognizes that they are the appointing authority for the CLWSD Board and have no other authority in relation to the CLWSD Board; however, they do appreciate the CLWSD Board’s recent diligence in getting the rate options to the Western Service Area property owners for review. No formal action was taken.
Comments from Officers: Terrie did not feel Cope & Peterson should be considered as the Township legal representative as their rates are high in her estimation. She also learned at the Short Course that she should sign the checks last. Jim reminded everyone to attend the Public Hearing regarding the cell tower.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ruth L. Carlson recommended that individuals write letters of support for the cell tower in addition to the letter being sent by the Township.
Jeff Sanborn spoke to the issue of legal representation for the Township stating that there is validity to contracting with a firm that is well versed in township law.
Harvey Parvi asked if there was any more information on the letter sent to the Itasca County Sherriff regarding the residency of Bill and Deena Congdon. There was none.
Next Meeting: Board of Equalization Meeting, May 2, 2006 – 2PM, Fellowship Hall.
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, May 9, 2006 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
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.
