May 9, 2006: Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
May 9, 2006
The May 9, 2006 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:35PM 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, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Treasurer Terrie Hoff, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel, and 9 members of the community.
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 4/11/06 Supervisors’ Meeting and the 5/2/06 Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Terrie read the April Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: McCahill Publishing – $86.63; St. Louis County Auditor – $75.57; Vidmar Appraisals – $1,360.00; CLVTB – $302.06; and Payroll – $441.34. Terrie also reported that the bank reconciliation was in error by $3,000.00 due to a bank error, which has been corrected. 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.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received as read and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Community Priority Projects Reports:
- Communications/Cell Phones – Jim Janssen stated that following the last Board of Supervisors’ meeting the St. Louis County Planning Commission held a public hearing to review a conditional use communication tower application submitted by Richard Adams for Minnesota Towers, Inc. and American Cellular Corporation for construction of a 195 foot high broadband wireless tower at 7455 Crane Lake Road. The Commission approved the tower construction and location. Since then an archeological study has been performed and the power company has been on site. Work is ahead of schedule. Cell service should be available by July or August of this year.
- Land Exchange/Community Property Project – Ruth L. Carlson reported that C.J. Fernandez will be here on June 6th at 7:30PM to present his final design plan, which reflects the desires of the community resulting from the questionnaires received with community input. The presentation will be at the Fire Hall rather than the Fellowship Hall as previously planned. Ruth will make posters to provide notice of the presentation. She requested Board approval to place a notice in the Voyageur Sentinel. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve expenses for a notice in the Voyageur Sentinel. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Community Action Plan Update Committee Report: Butch reported that the Committee had not met. Butch added that C.J. Fernandez’s presentation would be beneficial to the Committee’s work. He also suggested that two facilitators, Dick Krueger and Tim Campbell, could be contacted to help the Committee move forward.
CLWSD Report – Rob Scott: Rob was not present to report.
Legal Representative Appointment: The appointment was tabled at the last meeting as a response had not been received to the Town’s request for a proposal from Colosimo, Patchin, Kearney, Lindell & Brunfelt. Jo Ann called the firm requesting their response. No response was received. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to accept Couri, MacArthur & Ruppe as legal representative for the Township. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Accessibility: Jo Ann reported that she had completed and submitted the grant application for polling place accessibility compliance to the Secretary of State’s Office for a temporary outdoor ramp for the Fellowship Hall. Only temporary improvements could be submitted as the building does not belong to the Township.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – May 9, 2006
OLD BUSINESS (Cont.)
CLWSD Appointments: An application was received from Harvey Parvi to fill the one-year-term vacancy on the CLWSD Board. The application was received a few days later than the posted ending date of May 2nd for applications. The Board discussed past criticism for moving to quickly on application approval. The Board recognized that Mr. Parvi had presented an application for consideration previously in the year, so his information had been available. The Board also voiced concern of the length of time the CLWSD has been without a full Board. Further discussion followed. Jerry requested a motion to either vote on the application or table until the next meeting, allowing for further thought. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to adopt a resolution appointing Harvey Parvi to the CLWSD Board of Managers for a term beginning now and ending on January 1, 2007. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to place another notice in the Voyageur Sentinel and post for the remaining vacant position on the CLWSD Board. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
3.2 Liquor License Renewals: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to grant a request for the renewal of 2006-2007 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License for Handberg’s Marine. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim to grant a request for the renewal of 2006-2007 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor License for Nelson’s Resort. Butch and Jerry both abstained from supporting the motion as owners of Nelson’s Resort. Butch reinstated himself to support the motion. Jim and Butch voted in favor with Jerry abstaining. Motion carried.
Insurance Renewal: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to renew the insurance package received from the Minnesota Association of Townships Agency. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Assessor Contract: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to renew the contract with Vidmar Appraisals for Township assessment services for 2006/2007. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Early Tax Distribution: Upon written request the Township can receive early payment of the first distribution of 2006 taxes from St. Louis County. The Board did not feel if was necessary to receive a partial distribution two and one-half weeks before the July 6th distribution date.
St. Louis County Fair Donation Request: The Board did not feel the Township should make the donation.
VNP – Reservation System: In 2005 the park developed two 30-person group campsites; one on Rainy Lake and the other on Kabetogama Lake. There will be a reservation system for those two sites in 2006. Starting in 2007, they propose a $35 charge a night for use of each of the group campsites. A letter was sent requesting Township input on the proposed fees. There was Board discussion. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to send a written response to the VNP apposing the fees. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Loon & La Croix Portage Support Letter: Jerry asked Tom Schlotec, Sr. to speak to this issue. Mr. Schlotec explained that the portages had been without leases for two years. The recently received proposed leases had a dollar amount increase from $300 per year to $5,000 per year each. Both portages operate at a loss at the current lease amount and it is highly questionable that they could remain open at the proposed cost. Mr. Schlotec asked the Board for a letter of support to be written stating the need for the portages to remain open at a reasonable lease amount for the operators. He is not aware of a justification for the increase. There was discussion of the issue and to whom the letter should be addressed. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch to draft a letter to John Stagemeyer at the Orr DNR office, with copies to the DNR Commissioner in Grand Rapids and the USFS District office in Cook, in support of the portages remaining open at a reasonable lease amount. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Other New Business: A letter was received from Tom Schlotec Sr. of Mag Seven requesting Board support on the current zoning classifications of the 48 acres owned by Mag Seven located on Rollick Creek. The County feels the current zoning is incorrect at 35 acres per building site. Mag Seven proposes a change to 5 acre, 300 ft. lot building sites. A letter of support from the Township would aide Mag Seven’s work with the County. The Board discussed their reluctance to consider Planning and Zoning issues for the Town at this point. Ruth L. Carlson explained that her view on the issue was that the Township’s opinion stated to the County could weigh heavily in their decision making but would not put the Township in the position of making Planning and Zoning decisions. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Butch, to write a letter of support for zoning changes requested by Mag Seven to St. Louis County Planning. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – May 9, 2006
Comments from Officers: Jo Ann reported that Clean-Up Day went well with more people participating each year. She thanked Shirley Sanborn for again organizing the event. Jim suggested that a thank-you letter be written to Shirley. Jerry thanked Harvey Parvi for applying for a position on the CLWSD Board and extended a welcome to him. He also stated that there is still another vacancy to be filled on that Board.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy Parvi stated her support of the Board’s decision to write a letter to the VNP apposing user fees for the group campsites and suggested that the letter should include that the original enabling legislation for the park stated that there would be no user fees.
Ruth L. Carlson suggested that the letter being sent in support of the Loon and La Croix portages should be copied to Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Bakk, and Mr. Dill.
Harvey Parvi acknowledged to the Board that he was late in sending his application for the CLWSD Board of Managers position and did not expect the Board to act on his application this evening. He thanked them for their decision.
Next Meeting: C.J. Fernandez Presentation, June 6, 2006 – 7:30PM, Fire Hall.
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, June 13, 2006 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
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.
