November 12, 2002: Minutes
The November 12, 2002 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Ruth Carlson at 7:35PM, at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Ruth Carlson, Terrie Hoff and Mark Anderson, Treasurer Jacque Eggen, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, a reporter from the Cook News-Herald, and 5 members of the community.
There were no additions to the Agenda.
Minutes – Motion by Terrie, supported by Mark to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2002 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Jacque reviewed the Cash Flow Statement and recommended the payment of bills as follows: Mutual Service Casualty Insurance Co. – $555.00; MN Assn. of Twp. Agency – $135.00; Flags & Poles Int’l – $48.99; Victor Lundeen Co. – $220.78; Quill – $41.57; MN Assoc. of Twp. – $460.00; SLCATO – $140.00; Country Inn & Suites – $350.40; and Postmaster – $37.00. A motion was made by Mark, supported by Terrie to accept the Treasurer’s Report and the payment of bills. Motion carried.
Correspondence – A motion was made by Mark, supported by Terrie to accept and place on file the correspondence as presented. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
Fire Protection – Chairman Ruth explained that a budget forecast was prepared to determine what the expected income and expenses would be on a monthly basis for the Town. It was determined that the fire protection levy amount of $38,000 could be provided to the Fire Department in two installments; one in January and the other in July, a time line similar to that of past years. Ruth further explained that a contract had been written following the format of their previous contracts with St. Louis County with changes being made from the term townships to Town and the dollar amount. A motion was made by Terrie, supported by Mark to present the contract to the Fire Department. Motion carried.
Speed Zone Signs – Supervisor Mark spoke to Supervisor Mark Dahl of the St. Louis County Highway Department who referred him to Chris Morris. Chris is working on getting information to us. This information was expected in October, then possibly November. Mark said the information would be needed before the beginning of next summer’s tourist season.
Building Permit Research – A constituent of the Town requested that the Board look into the possibility of the Town issuing building permits. The constituent reported that Fayal Township, south of Eveleth, had recently received the authority to establish a Planning & Zoning Board, which would issue building permits. Ruth inquired at Fayal Township if this information was correct. It was not, being just the opposite. Fayal Township recently disbanded their Planning & Zoning Board. The Town Clerk said it was very expensive, requiring a separate secretary and board. It had become a liability. Also there were many lawsuits and attorney fees. The Fayal Clerk recommended that the Board approach St. Louis County about the Town Board having input on decisions for building permit requests by town residents.
Welcome to Crane Lake Sign – Co-op with CLVTB – Ruth asked Treasurer Jacque for a point of information on this subject. Jacque turned it over to Mark and Butch Eggen as they are on the CLVTB Board. Mark explained some of the ideas that were being considered. Butch mentioned that the sign might be considered under the Community Action Plan request by the community for beautification and suggested the pursuit of grant funds for the upgrade of the area by the Voyageur statue. Butch suggested a committee could be formed with members from the Town Board and the CLVTB. Ruth appointed Mark to represent the Town Board. Ruth said she would call Kabetogama Township to see if they had any input on refurbishing the fish statue in their area.
Other Old Business – Ruth brought attention to the new Minnesota Flag that was displayed and will be displayed at all Town meetings.
NEW BUSINESS:
St. Louis County Association of Townships Annual Fall Awards Dinner of 10/11/2002 Report –Clerk Jo Ann reported that she and Jacque attended the Awards dinner at Fortune Bay where an award was presented to the Town of Crane Lake for being the newest township in St. Louis County. The award is an attractive free standing statue of the State of Minnesota, which will be on display at all meetings for the year. An award was also presented to the Supervisor of the year, Jim Lunda who has been and continues to be a supervisor of Cotton Township for the past 30 years. Chairman Ruth suggested that a letter of congratulations be sent to Jim Lunda.
Crane Lake Lodging Tax – Jacque reported that the CLVTB has sent a resolution to the City of Orr and other tourism associations included in the previous contract to remove Crane Lake from that agreement. The Town now needs to write an ordinance for collection and administration of the tax. Since the citizens of Crane Lake had previously petitioned to have the City of Orr collect the tax, MAT attorney Kent Sulem advised that the procedure to follow would be to have a special meeting to approve the collection of the tax by the Town citizens, then the Lodging Tax Ordinance would need to be published in the official Town paper. A motion was made by Ruth, supported by Terrie to schedule a Special Town Meeting for 7:00PM on December 10, 2002 prior to the regular Board of Supervisors Meeting at 7:30PM for the purpose of voting by the citizens of Crane Lake on Lodging Tax collection and administration by the Town. Motion carried. Two price quotes were received for printing of the tax collection forms – $79 and $112 for 1000 forms. A motion was made by Terrie, supported by Mark to accept the $79 price quote from Manney Shopper for printing the forms. Motion carried.
Mark the Rocks in Crane Lake – A request was made to the Town Board to look into the marking of rocks in Crane Lake. A motion was made by Ruth, supported by Terrie that a letter be written to the constituent requesting this information stating that the rocks are marked by the opening of fishing season by the U.S. Coast Guard and remain so until sometime in October when the rock markers are removed for the winter season with the suggestion that if more information is needed concerning this request, the Coast Guard be contacted. Motion carried.
Chairman Ruth asked if there was any other new business – There was none.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Ruth thanked the public and the press for attending the meeting.
Butch Eggen suggested that a letter of congratulations from the Town be sent to David Dill on his recent election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Ruth and Terrie both responded that they would not feel comfortable entering the Town into the political arena.
COMMENTS BY OFFICERS – Terrie said that she was reading the recently received insurance policies and felt the coverage was what we asked for. She will double check the invoices with the policies.
Chairman Ruth again thanked all for coming and taking part in their local form of government.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Ruth at 8:15PM.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Ruth Carlson, Chairman
