June 12, 2007: Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
June 12, 2007
The June 12, 2007 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen and Jerry Pohlman, Treasurer Terrie Hoff, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, and 2 members of the community. Supervisor Jim Janssen was absent.
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 5/8/07 Supervisors’ Meeting. Butch and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Terrie read the May Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: MN Assn. of Townships Agency – $820.00; Lutefisk Technologies, Inc. – $29.90; Postmaster – $41.00 and Payroll – $532.86. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. Butch 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 reported that the Governor had vetoed the tax bill which included the Crane Lake provision for assistance in borrowing funds to purchase the land for the land exchange. Mary Frances Skala of Fryberger Buchanan has assured Ruth and the Board that funds can be secured with a Lease/Purchase loan; this process is complicated but less costly than a bond. Border State Bank has agreed to a loan for the Township that will be tax exempt with a low interest rate of 5.59%. Gary Cerkvenik informed Ruth that Tom Bakk is working with the Governor for a compromise on the tax bill. If that should happen, the Township would follow that procedure. No action was required of the Board.
Community Action Plan Update Committee Report: The Board is currently communicating with citizens on actions to be taken by the Board as a result of the Community Action Plan community meeting last summer. A letter has been written to increase cell phone service options in the community. The Board discussed community requests and will continue communications with interested citizens.
Hilltop Road – Stuart McKie: Mr. McKie provided the Board with information that he felt supported his opinion that the Township Board was responsible for Hilltop Road. The Board sent that information to the Township’s council, Mr. Robert Ruppe of Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe at the recommendation of the MAT attorneys. A response was received from Mr. Ruppe stating that he reviewed the materials provided by Mr. McKie and that his opinion remains the same – Hilltop Road is not a township road but a private roadway. He suggested that Mr. McKie seek the advice of his attorney. A copy of Mr. Ruppe’s letter will be provided to Mr. McKie.
Bear Island: The Township received notice of the petition and acknowledges that the hearing will take place at the Duluth courthouse on June 25, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.
NEW BUSINESS – There was none.
Comments from Officers: Jo Ann reminded the Board that a Budget Committee meeting may be needed prior to the Reconvened Annual Meeting in August.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ruth L. Carlson reminded the Board that the desire for a city planner was expressed by the community at the first Community Action Plan meeting as well as the second. She also suggested that since Trails have been merged with the Community Property Project/Land Exchange, it may be advisable to wait until the Land Exchange has progressed before considering Trails. She also referred to the Community Action request for employee housing so businesses could bring in permanent employees to the area.
Mike White suggested that a professional firm could be hired to do a survey and file a report on how the community should proceed with their thoughts of hiring a city planner – this would be a one-time expense.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – June 12, 2007
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, July 10, 2007 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.
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.
