June 10, 2008

The June 10, 2008 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:37PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jerry Pohlman and Jim Janssen, Treasurer Terrie Hoff, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel and 7 members of the community. Supervisor Butch Eggen was absent.

Additions to the Agenda: Approval of the 5/14/08 Board of Appeals Minutes.

Minutes – A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 5/13/08 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, the 5/14/08 Board of Appeals Meeting, and the 5/28/08 Special Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Jerry and Jim voted in favor and the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – Terrie read the May Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: NorthEast Title Co. – $787.25 & $34.02; Postmaster – $42.00; MAT Agency – $937.00; Lutefisk Tech. – $93.75 & $37.22; Arthur Eggen – $ 70.70; CLVTB – $1,677.44 and Payroll – $486.69. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. Jim and Jerry voted in favor and the 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

Land Exchange/Community Property Project: Ruth L. Carlson was happy to report that the Township now owns 80 acres of property on the Vermilion River to be used in the Land Exchange. She referred to the maps posted in the Fellowship Hall depicting the lands involved in the exchange and stated that she would review the maps with anyone interested after the meeting or at anytime requested. Purchase of a land parcel for exchange was a necessary step in the land exchange process.

Community Development Update: There was no report.

Propane: There was no report.

CLWSD Dialogue: There was no meeting of the Committee to report. The following resolutions were adopted, at the CLWSD’s request, in support of the CLWSD’s efforts to acquire funding:

A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim to adopt Resolution No. 2008-05 in support of the CLWSD requesting federal assistance from Congressman Oberstar and Senators Klobuchar and Coleman for sanitary sewer funding for the Namakan Basin Area of the VNP. Jerry and Jim voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim to adopt Resolution No. 2008-06 in support of the CLWSD requesting State of Minnesota bonding assistance in the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions for the non-federal match for the sanitary sewer funding received from Congress for the Namakan Basin Area of the VNP and to submit this request to Representative Dill and Senator Bakk. Jerry and Jim voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim to adopt Resolution No. 2008-07 in support of the CLWSD requesting two years of planning and technical assistance funds from St. Louis County for the development of a sanitary sewer project and seeking County sponsorship of the project along with requesting legal assistance in setting up an appropriate governing structure for the project for the Namakan Basin Area of the VNP. Jerry and Jim voted in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim to adopt Resolution No. 2008-08 in support of the CLWSD’s application to the Iron Range Resources Public Works (09) Infrastructure Grant Program for two years of planning and technical assistance and to match the County funds for sanitary sewer funding for the Namakan Basin Area of the VNP. Jerry and Jim voted in favor and the motion carried.

Assessment Service: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry to renew a contract for assessment services with Vidmar Appraisals with an added addendum stating that Vidmar Appraisals would be responsible for all bills from St. Louis County to complete work this year and next year should the same situation occur and requiring quarterly reports on work progress prior to invoice payments. If Vidmar Appaisals is not agreeable to these contract amendments, the Township will contract with the County. Jim and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried.

Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – June 10, 2008

Speed Bump Request-Gold Coast Road: The report on the speed bump study was received from the St. Louis County Public Works Department. The report stated that as a result of the speed study conducted between May 23^rd and May 28^th, it was concluded that there is no apparent speed problem on Gold Coast Road. Because of that determination, the County cannot contribute toward the purchase of speed humps. The Town may purchase speed humps and the County would install and maintain them at no charge. Cathy Erickson will organize a committee to research the need of speed humps; and if so, how many. Committee decisions would be reviewed with the County.

Community Celebration: Ruth L. Carlson stated that there would be a ‘Banner Party’ to place the banner at the old ‘Headquarters’ site across from the statue on Wednesday evening at 7:30PM. Flyers have been printed and distributed. T-Shirts have been distributed to local business. Terrie mentioned that the Minnesota Township Newspaper included an article about township funding of celebrations.

NEW BUSINESS

Culvert: Jo Ann read Butch’s report on a meeting he attended with St. Louis County engineers Jon Stordahl and Chris Morris and John Jamnick of RLK Engineering representing the CLWSD in Hibbing regarding the Crane Lake culvert. Work will be bid soon and will begin shortly after Labor Day. Discussion centered around the placement and timing of moving the CLWSD service lines. The County maintains that the CLWSD will be responsible for the costs to move and relocate lines. The road will remain passable during construction and will be completed in two stages; East side first and West side second.

Request for Early Tax Distribution: The Township Board did not feel an early tax distribution was required.

East Bay Leaseholders Tax Issue: A letter was sent to the County Board of Commissioners in support of the East Bay leaseholders’ appeal to the County Board to favorably re-evaluate the assessing of leasehold properties within Crane Lake Township.

Other New Business: There was none.

Comments from Officers: None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Nancy Parvi asked if the Township had contacted any other assessors for assessment services. The Board responded that they had, with no interest being expressed. A member of the community could take classes to provide assessment services.

Ruth L. Carlson asked that Resolution No. 2008-08 be explained again.

Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, July 8, 2008 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM.

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.