October 10, 2006

The October 10, 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 following in attendance: Supervisors Butch Eggen and Jerry Pohlman, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Treasurer Terrie Hoff, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel, and 10 members of the community. Supervisor Jim Janssen was absent.

Additions to the Agenda: None

Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the minutes of the 9/12/06 Supervisors’ Meeting. Butch and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Terrie read the September Cash Balances and presented the bills as follows: Shirley Sanborn – $128.00; Charlotte Bystrom – $128.00, Virginia Marshall – $128.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $57.00; Crain Construction – $4,500.00; Andresen & Butterworth, P.A. – $125.00; CLVTB – $13,534.49; CLFVD Relief Association – $5,438.00; and Payroll – $373.62. A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, 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

Community Priority Projects Reports:

Land Exchange/Community Property Project – Ruth L. Carlson reported that the Township is currently waiting for a letter from the Attorney advising how to finance the Land Exchange. It was determined that bonding is not a viable option for our area. A letter from the USFS states that they will proceed with the exchange, but the work will not occur for several years. This land exchange has been added to the Superior National Forest Land Adjustment Program as priority five; which means work will not begin until late 2008 with completion around 2010. It was suggested that it could be beneficial to contact Minnesota Power to consider a long-term option to buy – the Attorney will look into this for the Township. Ruth commented that she could not encourage the Board to sign the Purchase Agreement at this time.

Community Action Plan Update Committee Report: The Committee has received Tim Campbell’s report resulting from the dinner/meeting held on August 24^th. The Committee will be meeting to review the results and determine how best to disseminate the report to the public.

Snake Creek Property: Butch presented a draft letter to send to affected property owners before submitting a request for a lot size change to the County.

Bear Island Road: Jerry spoke to the County Attorney regarding the Township’s responsibility to the Bear Island Road. The Attorney’s response: The Township may accept the road including the maintenance; may accept the road as a cartway and the users maintain it; or may decide not to do anything. The Board will review this issue again, if and when a petition is received from a majority of the land owners on Bear Island requesting a change in the road status. Mr. Crockett stated that as of last summer 90% of the Bear Island residents where against establishment of a road on Bear Island.

MAT Educational Conference – Nov. 16, 17, & 18 – Duluth DECC: A reminder was made to the Board of the conference.

NEW BUSINESS

Enhancement Workshop Report – Sandra Bodkin: Sandra attended the Enhancement workshop on September 20^th at the Mn/DOT office in Virginia. Sandra presented a handout from the meeting to the Board; which explained the grant and qualifications to apply. Information on the handout included: The trails must be transportation related. Eligible applicants include counties, cities over 5,000 people, state agencies, Native American Tribes and Regional Development commissions; townships could submit a proposal with an eligible applicant sponsor. There would be a 20% match required for requested funds. The next grant cycle begins in August of 2007 with funds being available in 2010.

Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – October 10, 2006

Enhancement Workshop Report (Cont.):

The estimated cost of a trail is $200,000 per mile. Property must be owned or purchased. Impact assessments would be required. Detailed engineering plans and construction plans must be available at the time of application. Sandra did not see this as a viable option for the Town. She reminded the Board that County Commissioner Forsman had suggested to the former trail committee that the highway department be contacted to request that the road be widened for a walking/bike trail the next time the road is resurfaced.

Election Judge Roster Approval: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve the Election Judge Roster as presented by Jo Ann. Butch and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried. Election Judges approved for the General Elections are Shirley Sanborn (head judge), Virginia Marshall, Charlotte Bystrom, and Joan Olson.

Hilltop Road Right-of-Way: A letter was received from Stuart McKie requesting that the Town Board force Mr. Adams to remove the stone wall and building materials that Mr. McKie believes are in the right-of-way easement of Hilltop Road. Hilltop Road is a platted road and is not designated as a Township Road. Information will be forwarded to the Township Attorney for a legal opinion on this issue.

St. Louis County All Hazard Mitigation Plan: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to adopt Resolution No. 2006-07 to adopt the St. Louis County All Hazard Mitigation Plan. Butch and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried.

CLWSD Board Appointments: A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to place a notice in the Voyageur Sentinel and post for the two terms that will begin January 1, 2007 and end December 31, 2010. Butch and Jerry voted in favor and the motion carried.

Jerry read aloud the letter received from Charlie and Donna Crockett regarding the Bear Island Road, as requested.

Other New Business

Culvert: Butch stated that Gary Cerkvenik had communicated with the Township on the construction date for the culvert. He recommended a letter be written to the County asking for consideration for an earlier construction date in 2007, but to expect construction this late in the 2006 season would not be reasonable.

Comments from Officers: Terrie thanked Sandra Bodkin for attending the Enhancement workshop. She also hopes the Bear Island Road issue is settled.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ginny Marshall asked what the Bear Island residents that live on either side of the Bear Island Road should do if heavy equipment was brought in and used on the road. The Town Board suggested that they call the County Sheriff.

Betty Corcoran asked about the paving of the Handberg hill. The Board reviewed the past history of a letter that was sent in November 2005 to Jack Schelde at the County Garage in Cook by Char Bystrom and signed by concerned citizens requesting that Handberg hill be blacktopped. The County did place gravel on the Handberg Road several times during the past summer. Betty will write another letter requesting blacktopping of Handberg hill.

Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, November 14, 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.