January 10, 2012: Board of Supervisors & Reorganization Meeting
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING
January 10, 2012
The January 10, 2012 Board of Supervisors’ and Reorganization 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, Treasurer Terrie Hoff and Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman.
Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman: Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Chairman. Butch nominated Jerry Pohlman as Chairman, with Jim supporting the nomination. There were no other nominations. Clerk Jo Ann asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Jerry nominated Jim Janssen as Vice-Chairman, with Butch supporting the nomination. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor of Jerry continuing as Chairman and Jim continuing as Vice-Chairman for 2012. Jo Ann turned the meeting over to Chairman Jerry Pohlman.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were no additions to the agenda.
Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to approve the minutes of the 12/13/2011 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Terrie read the December Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: Minnesota Revenue – $150.08; IRS – $313.75; Jan Jackson – $4,200.00; St. Louis County Assoc. of Twps. – $416.24; CLVTB – $158.09; Border State Bank – $5,430.55 and Payroll – $617.90. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Fund Transfers will be made in February.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Butch reported that the USFS is reviewing the scoping document comments received from community members.
CLWSD Report: J. Pohlman read Rob Scott’s report. All standards were met for the month of December. A financial review was completed and the board approved a 3% rate increase to cover increased expenses including an increase in debt service payments. The debt service concern, with limited sewer expansion and increased expenses, was addressed via a letter sent to the USDA-RD State Director on 25 December outlining the need for the sewer district to receive additional grant funds for expansion or some debt relief. The CSAH 24 expansion project is complete. The final pay estimate developed by S.E.H. is being contested by the expansion contractor USA. S.E.H. and Rob Scott will be meeting with USA on January 19th to discuss the concerns. If we cannot reach closure, the issue will go to mediation. Additionally, Rob sent a letter on December 19th to Commissioners Forsman and Nelson requesting County assistance for potential cost overruns related to the CSAH 24 expansion project. He will know more after the meeting with USA. The JPB held a meeting on December 14th. The focus of the meeting was the preparations for VNP Days held in Washington, D.C. in March 2012 and the ongoing funding process. Gary Cerkvenik is working to secure funds for the next ESA expansion project (Handberg Rd.). Mr. Cerkvenik is scheduled to meet with the DNR commissioner and is working with Representative Dill to sponsor legislation for the State bonding bill. Total funds requested are $1.5 million. The heat tape installation work at the culvert is not complete. The original parts ordered were not compatible with the insulated pipe over the culvert. We have the correct parts on order and the project should be completed this month.
Jim suggested that the Township may wish to respond to Representative Chip Cravaack’s letter of 11/18/11 offering to visit the Township in the near future. The CLWSD may wish to discuss the issues with USDA-RD loan payment with Rep. Cravaack. Mr. Cerkvenik would be invited also. Jim will communicate with CLWSD Chairman Rob Scott for his opinion on the District’s involvement in the invitation.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 10, 2012
NEW BUSINESS
Assessor Status Report: An email report dated 1/9/12 from Jan Jackson states that all of the field work is done as required by December 31, 2011. Remaining new construction work will be completed by March 1, 2012 as required by the County. The south ½ of Bear Island, Sec 25, 35 and 36 was reviewed in 2011. A telephone conversation with St. Louis County Assessor Dave Sipola advised that the Department of Revenue is reviewing Jan Jackson’s work as they oversee the County property tax system. A follow-up call will be made to that department for a work status update.
Tobacco License Renewal: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-01 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license to Anderson Canoe Outfitters d/b/a Anderson Canoe Outfitters for the year ending the 31st day of December 2012. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Board of Audit Meeting Date & Time: The Board of Audit meeting date and time is set for February 14, 2012 – 7:00PM at the Fellowship Hall prior to the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting.
Budget Committee Meeting Date, Time, Location: The meeting was set for February 3rd at 10AM at the Clerk’s home. Meeting date is subject to change.
Reorganization:
A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to designate the following for 2012:
Town Board Meetings – Date & Time remains as the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM, any changes will be posted.
Official Posting Places remain the same as one posting listing all meeting dates for the year at the Church, Post Office & the following businesses when open – Anderson’s, Handberg’s, Nelson’s, & Voyagaire. Changes will be posted as needed.
Legal Representative remains as Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe of St. Michael with the option to consult others on an as-needed basis.
Depository/Bank remains the same as any bank in St. Louis County may be used with Beacon Bank of Duluth designated as the primary bank.
Fellowship Hall Donation was increased to $400 per year.
Minutes Distribution & Posting Policy remains the same – Minutes are mailed to those supplying the Clerk with stamped, self-addressed envelopes. Minutes are posted at the Post Office, the Church, and on the Website.
Copy & Information Request Policy remains the same – Charge of 25 cents per copy (includes labor) for copy requests & $25 per hour for other labor requests.
Salaries & Meeting Rates were increased as follows:
Supervisors – $25 per meeting
Clerk – $300 per month plus $45 per meeting
Treasurer – $175 per month plus $45 per meeting
Election Judges – Increase to $9 per hour and $10 per hour after 10PM, including training.
Mileage Reimbursement remains the same to follow State guideline, which fluctuates and at this time is 55.5 cents per mile.
Official Newspaper will remain the same – Cook News-Herald. Price quotes were submitted by CNH and the Timberjay.
There was discussion and Butch amended the motion to include the above Mileage Reimbursement rate correction from 51 cents per mile to 55.5 cents per mile. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, that Committees and Town Representatives are as follows:
Community Property Project – Trails/Beautification – Ruth L. Carlson remains as Chairman.
Budget Committee – One Supervisor (Jerry), the Clerk, the Treasurer and two members of the community (Bruce Beste and Dee Kuder).
International Rainy Lake Board of Control – Rob Scott remains as the Crane Lake representative.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: Jim stated that a community member inquired about the possibility of street lights along Gold Coast Road again. Jim will look into that possibility and report his findings at the next meeting.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – January 10, 2012
Comments from Officers: There were none.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – There were none.
Next Meeting: Board of Audit Meeting, February 14, 2012 – 7:00PM, Fellowship Hall
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, February 14, 2012 – Following Board of Audit Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20PM.
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.
