April 8, 2003: Minutes
The April 8, 2003 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Ruth Carlson at 7:30PM, at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Ruth Carlson, Terrie Hoff and Mark Anderson, Treasurer Jacque Eggen, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, St. Louis County Assessors Dan Christensen and Dave Sippola, a reporter from the Cook News-Herald, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel and 4 members of the community.
There were no additions to the Agenda
Minutes – Motion by Mark, supported by Terrie to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2003 Reorganizational and Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Jacque read the following Cash Flow Statement for the month of March: Beginning Balance – $$7,390.76, Receipts – none, Disbursements – $1,613.80, Ending Balance – $5,776.96. A motion was made by Terrie, supported by Mark to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Jacque then presented the bills as follows: Quill- $74.06, Postmaster – $37.00, Mark Anderson – 82.72, Jacque Eggen – $28,00, Jo Ann Pohlman – $28.00, IR.S. – $571.82, and Payroll – $349.08. A motion was made by Mark, supported by Ruth to approve the payment of bills. Motion carried.
Correspondence – The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence will be placed on file as presented and action will be taken where needed.
Chairman Ruth introduced St. Louis County Assessors Dan Christensen and Dave Sippola. Mr. Sippola explained how properties are valued. Crane Lake property owners will be receiving their tax notices within the next two weeks and they will be higher than last year. Phone calls may be referred to Mr. Sippola. A 12% increase should be expected in taxes for 2003 payable in 2004. Mr. Christensen explained the responsibilities of the Local Board of Review now known as the Board of Appeal and Equalization. The Board will review market value and classification of property owners, not taxes. The Board has the authority to change property value by 1% of the total evaluation of Crane Lake properties. Chairman Ruth thanked Mr. Christensen and Mr. Sippola for their presentation.
OLD BUSINESS:
Welcome to Crane Lake Sign–Co-op with CLVTB – Supervisor Mark reported that all the materials are in and painting of the sign began this morning. The sign should be ready by the last week of April or first week of May.
Tobacco Licensing & Regulation – Supervisor Terrie plans to have everything in place by June.
Signage–Speed Zone Signs – Mark reported that MnDot should have had pedestrian signs up a year ago. They were just here recently to look over the situation. St. Louis County will post signs of 30 miles per hour in the Gold Coast area; they don’t think they can post 15 miles per hour, which is preferred. They may wait until construction is completed before placing the signs. They will survey the Anderson area for signs. There will be no cost to the Town.
Web Site – Sork will continue on the web site.
Land Swap –Ruth contacted the USFS with plans to move forward with the land swap study. The USFS feels it can split the expenses 50/50. Our 50% would be shared with Bill Congdon, probably on an acreage basis. The process should take about two years. The Fire Department will be kept up to date on the process as their building in on the land. They may decide to purchase the land at a minimal cost or could continue to lease. Legal counsel would be involved in the process. The USFS estimated the cost at $30,000. It was suggested to budget $10,000 for 2004. The budget shouldn’t be altered much as we are reducing the assessor fee by $3,000 and the fire works request of $5,000 is being withdrawn. The land swap will be a line item at the Rconvened Annual Meeting in August.
NEW BUSINESS:
MAT Spring Short Course 4/4/03 Report- Mark felt it was a good seminar where he learned about the 60-day rule and open meeting law. Jo Ann and Jacque attended sessions on insurance and Clerk and Treasurer responsibilities throughout the year.
Appoint Committee Members to: Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department Fire Fighters Relief Association – Three county commissioners served on the Board previously. Now that Crane Lake is a Township, two Town Board members must serve on the Board. County Commissioner Mike Foresman will continue to represent the one township the Fire Department serves, which is an unorganized township. Chairman Ruth appointed Mark and Terrie as Township representatives to the Board. Mark and Terrie accepted the appointments. This is a three-year term.
Supervisor Terrie expressed interest in attending the public presentation on Community Development Block Grants at Mt. Iron on Thursday, April 10. A motion was made by Ruth, supported by Terrie to pay mileage for those wishing to attend. Motion carried.
Terrie asked if we should get more information on the U of M Extension Service Land Application of Home Owners Rural Septage. No action was taken.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – There were none.
COMMENTS BY OFFICERS – Jo Ann said that the flag standard had been ordered. Mark said that the Voyageur Statue would be standing by this Friday or Saturday. Terrie commented on the length of time needed to determine who will appoint the Managers for the CLWSD. Ruth said she had heard that the County had decided the duty of Manager appointment for the CLWSD falls on the Township, so she called the County Administrator’s Office to verify this information. A letter was sent to the Town saying final approval had not been determined and explaining the process needed, which will include the County, the Township, and the CLWSD adopting resolutions of authorization and support of the MPCA amending its original order creating the sanitary district. Who will pay for the cost of the process will also need to be decided.
The next meeting will be the Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting on April 23, 2003 at 3PM at the Crane Lake Fellowship Hall.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be May 13, 2003 at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Fellowship Hall.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Ruth at 8:25PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Ruth Carlson, Chairman
