December 13, 2005: Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
December 13, 2005
The December 13, 2005 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jerry Pohlman, Jim Janssen, and Mark Anderson, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Chris Morris of the St. Louis County Road and Bridge Department, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel and 4 members of the community. Treasurer Butch Eggen was absent.
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Chairman Jerry introduced Chris Morris to provide the status of the culvert replacement on Gold Coast Road prior to the business meeting. Mr. Morris began his presentation by stating that he understood that the replacement culvert at the beginning of Gold Coast Road, to be installed this fall, was to be 10’ x 10’. The citizens present, the Board, and the minutes from the initial meeting with Mr. Morris and Mr. Matalamaki on December 14, 2004 reflected an option of 10’ to 12’ for culvert height. Mr. Morris apologized for the misunderstanding and explained that State funds available to the County for this project provided for a 10’ x 10’ box culvert at approximately $425,733.40. He then stated that after talking to the citizens with property near the culvert, the project was delayed until a decision could be reached on culvert height, as a 10’ x 12’ box culvert was preferred so boats can traverse through the culvert to the pond. The road grade would need to be raised 2’ and 100’ more space on either end of the culvert would be needed to accommodate a 12’ high rather than 10’ high culvert. The County than began to consider a bridge as another option. Roadway costs would increase from $129,660 for a 10’ x 10’ box culvert to $183,685 for either a 10 x 12’ box culvert or a 12’ bridge; retaining wall costs would be $228,423.40 for the 10’ x 10’ box culvert or the bridge, but would increase for the 10’ x 12’ culvert to $233,423.40; culvert/bridge costs would change from $67,650 for a 10’ culvert to $75,000 for a 12’ culvert and $144,000 for a bridge. Total costs would be $425,733.40 for a 10’ x 10’ box culvert, $492,108.40 for a 10’ x 12’ box culvert, and $556,108.40 for a 12’ bridge. All figures are approximate. State funding for the project would cover $425,733.40 for the 10’ x 10’ box culvert but not the additional amount for either a 10’ x 12’ box culvert or a 12’ bridge. Additional funds of up to $130,375 would be needed. The sewer main would be better protected with a culvert as dirt provides insulation in the winter, the bridge would expose the sewer main. There would be additional cost to further insulate the sewer main. The County would be able to provide a 10’ x 12’ box culvert by next fall, if funding was provided; to design a bridge would take us into 2007. The community needs to decide which option is preferred for Crane Lake and if additional funding can be obtained. Chairman Jerry thanked Mr. Morris for his presentation.
Minutes: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Mark, to approve the minutes of the 11/8/2005 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Clerk Jo Ann read the Treasurer’s Report in Treasurer Butch’s absence. Jo Ann then presented the bills as follows: Crane Lake Chapel – $60.00; MN Association of Townships Agency – $177.00; Vidmar Appraisals – $1,360.00; CLVTB – $1,113.82; CLVTB – $6,500.00; CLVFD – $10,925.00 and Payroll – $373.62. A motion was made by Mark, supported by Jim, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. Motion carried. Jo Ann stated that the Federal PILT money had not been received along with the 2nd half property tax money as it was in December of 2004. She will communicate with the County regarding the Federal PILT money.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required. A letter will be written to the Dinters thanking them for volunteering to serve on community boards and committees.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Priority Projects Reports:
- Communications/Cell Phones – Jim reported that surveys are being done to determine where a tower could be placed. He has another meeting planned for next week. Things are moving along with more to be reported at the next meeting.
- Land Exchange/Community Property Project & Trails/Beautification – Ruth L. Carlson was not present to report.
Town Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Minutes – December 13, 2005
Culvert Issue: The Board and the citizens present discussed Mr. Morris’ presentation on the culvert replacement. It was agreed that those present preferred a 10’ x 12’ culvert and that funding should be researched. It was suggested that Gary Cerkvenik of Costin Group, Inc. and Rural Development be contacted. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to contact Gary Cerkvenik to see if funding would be available for the project and his fee for that service. Motion carried.
IRS: At the November meeting it was reported that a letter was received from the IRS stating that their records show that they did not receive an Employers Quarterly Federal Tax Return for 12-31-2002 from the Township. The Clerk and the Treasurer communicated with the IRS stating that no payroll monies were paid in 2002. The IRS was satisfied with that explanation.
HAVA Update: Clerk Jo Ann reported that information had been received from the County regarding the Help America Vote Act. The Township will be receiving a fully funded assistive voting machine in late spring of 2006 to be used beginning with the 2006 Primary and General Elections and beginning in 2008 for Township elections. The Township will also receive $1,200 to maintain and program the machine, with a maximum of $600 being allowed each year. If only programming with no maintenance is required, that $1,200 should last until 2010 at $200 per election. Programming costs for Township elections would be funded by the Township. The original equipment warranty and maintenance agreement will be for 3 years; after that the total maintenance and programming responsibility will be the Township’s.
NEW BUSINESS
CLWSD Board Appointments:
- Resolution – CLWSD Board Appointment: A motion was made by Mark, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution No. 2005-07 electing Lewis ‘Bud’ Bystrom to the Board of Managers of the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District for a term beginning January 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2008. Motion carried.
- CLWSD Board Opening: Deena Congdon resigned from the CLWSD Board of Managers on December 7, 2005. Notices will be posted and placed in the Voyageur Sentinel for applicants for that Manager position on the CLWSD Board, the term of office being from time of election until December 31, 2007.
Tobacco License Renewal: A motion was made by Mark, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution No. 2005-06 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, 2006. Jerry and Mark voted in favor, Jim abstained. Motion carried.
March Elections: Jo Ann stated that notices had been posted and a notice would be in the December 17th edition of the Voyageur Sentinel regarding candidate filing for the following offices to be elected at the March Township Elections on March 14, 2006: Supervisor – 3 Year Term, Clerk – 2 Year Term, and Treasurer – 1 Year Term. Absentee ballot applications are now available, absentee voting will begin on February 3rd, designated location for absentee voting will be at the Clerk’s home. Call Jo Ann at 218/993-2600 for information on absentee ballots and voting. Anyone interested in serving as an Election Judge should contact Jo Ann at that number.
Review Meeting Dates: The Supervisors agreed to let Jo Ann know when they would be gone to Sport Shows that may affect scheduled Town Board of Supervisors’ meeting dates.
Comments from Officers: Jerry thanked the Dinter’s for volunteering to be on boards and committees and said that volunteers from the Eastern Service Area are still needed for the ESA Advisory Committee.
Public Comment: – None
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, January 10, 2006 – 7:30PM – Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jerry Pohlman, Chairman
