December 9, 2003: Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
December 9, 2003
The December 9, 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 L. Carlson, Mark Anderson, and Terrie Hoff, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Treasurer Jacque Eggen, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel, and 7 members of the community.
Additions to the Agenda: A letter was added to New Business.
Minutes: Motion by Mark, supported by Terrie to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2003 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting with a correction to Bills to be Paid changing the amount paid to the Mn Association of Townships from $178.54 to $270.00. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Jacque read the Treasurer’s Report. The Cash Flow Statement for the month of November was: Beginning Balance – $8,966.90, Receipts – $4,297.87, Disbursements – $324.41, Ending Balance – $12,940.36. Jacque presented the bills as follows: St. Louis County Auditor for 2003 Assessor Fees – $6,895.00; Vidmar Appraisals for 2nd installment of 2004 appraisal services – $1,700.00; MN Assn. of Townships Agency for Workers Compensation Insurance – $179.00; Cook News-Herald for Notice of board appointments – $28.00; Crane Lake Chapel for 2003 rent – $12.00; Jacque Eggen for mileage to Fall Conference – $102.20; CLVTB for interest on loan – $500.00; CLVTB for November Lodging Tax – $144.41; and Payroll – 269.01. A motion was made by Mark, supported by Terrie to approve the Treasurer’s report as read and the payment of bills. Motion carried.
Correspondence: The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS:
Web Site: The web site is progressing. Letters were sent to the CLWSD, CLVTB, CL Volunteer Fire Department, VTSI and CL Snowmobile Club inviting them to link to the Town website. The CLWSD has responded that they will link to the site; the CLVTB will bring the invitation up at their meeting as will the CLVFD.
Bear Island Issue: Chairman Ruth and other members of the community attended the hearing on November 19, 2003 at the Duluth Court House. Chairman Ruth reported the outcome as she understood it. Mr. Traff was informed not to continue work on the road, to remove any road construction debris and remove the docks. He was also informed that he has the right to bring the issue before the Town Board, the County Board or both. Mr. Traff has not done so to date.
Community Priority Projects Reports:
Communications/Cell Phones – Terrie: Terrie again spoke to State Representative David Dill. There are no new developments.
Trails/Beautification – Mark: Supervisor Mark talked to Jim Phelps, President of the CL Snowmobile Club about ATV trails and the suggestion was made that the Snowmobile Club maintain ATV trails as they are doing so already for snowmobiles. A map of area trails is needed and Mark will suggest to the CLVTB that they provide a map for tourists. Mark will look into extending the pavement along the road from the Gold Coast Road to the Voyageur Statue for hikers.
Land Exchange – Ruth: Chairman Ruth and Butch Eggen met with Attorney Charles Andresen while in Duluth on November 19th to discuss the progress in working toward a land exchange. He is in the process of forming a corporation that is needed before anything can be done. The incorporation papers should be here soon.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter of Resignation: Clerk Jo Ann read Terrie Hoff’s letter of resignation from the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors Ruth and Mark accepted her resignation with deep regret.
MAT Annual Conference 11/20-22 Report: Jacque and Jo Ann attended the conference, which was at the DECC in Duluth. They attended workshops for Clerk’s and Treasurer’s and collected information for the Supervisors who were unable to attend. They both felt the conference was a worthwhile educational experience.
March Election: Clerk Jo Ann explained procedure for candidate filing and absentee ballots. The designated location for absentee voting will be the Clerk’s office at 7476 Bayside Drive. Jo Ann also called for election judges.
CLWSD Board Appointments: The County is in the process of turning powers of appointing managers to the CLWSD Board over to the Town Board. The Town Board, at the advice of legal council, will recommend two people for the CLWSD Board. Those names will be sent to the attorney who will in turn send them to the County attorney for approval. Mike White and Jim Sanborn’s three-year terms on that Board will expire on January 1, 2004. Their By-laws state that they must continue to serve until new appointments are made. Jim Sanborn has stated that he will not seek reappointment to the Board. Mike White and Rob Scott have applied for the two open positions. A motion was made by Terrie, supported by Mark to recommend Mike White and Rob Scott for the two open positions on the CLWSD Board. There was discussion. Motion carried. The Board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the attorney.
Oliver Eggen Letter: A letter was received from Oliver Eggen regarding the sand and salt on the County road from the Arthur Eggen property through the Gold Coast Road area. A response was sent to Oliver Eggen stating that the road is a County Road and that he should direct his request to the County. Mr. Eggen wrote another letter to the Town Board stating that he had already communicated with the County with no results and he asked that the Town Board assist him by writing to the County. A motion was made by Ruth, supported by Mark to write to County Commissioner Mike Forsman with a copy to the North St. Louis County Road Supervisor (??) requesting a resolution to the problem. Motion carried.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS: There was none.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Nancy Parvi asked Supervisor Mark if bike trails were being considered and encouraged the Board to consider trails for bike use.
Butch Eggen mentioned that the Mesabi Trails were multi-use. He also said that the CLVTB would want to participate in a walking trail map. He suggested that Sandy Bodkin may have information from working with a group for trails following the Community Action Plan.
Doug Marshall spoke of the Bear Island Issue. He said the ball is in Bill Traff’s court and he could have a petition signed by property owners if needed. The Town Board did not feel this would be necessary at this time.
There was more discussion on the condition of trails in the area and the need for an accurate map and signage.
COMMENTS BY OFFICERS – Terrie said resigning was a very difficult decision. Mark thanked Terrie for the fine job she has done as a Supervisor. He also said he will not be at the next meeting. Jacque mentioned that the Legal Seminar is coming up in January. Ruth said it was painful to read Terrie’s letter of resignation as she brings a lot to the table. Ruth thanked everyone for coming and wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be January 13, 2004 at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Ruth at 8:25PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Ruth Carlson, Chairman
