Crane Lake Township

Current Topics

2/13/18 Minutes

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

February 13, 2018

 

The February 13, 2018 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman  at 6:00PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with those in attendance including: Supervisors Butch Eggen, Jim Janssen and Jerry Pohlman; Holly Larson of the RTCA; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and 9 members of the community.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda:  Tree cutting and dock use were added to Old Business, CIC Covenants

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 1/9/18 Board of Supervisors’ and Reorganization Meeting.   All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report –The January Cash Balances were read and the bills were presented as follows:  Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $146.56; SLCAT – $450.24; Arthur Eggen – $85.60; CLVTB – $535.47; and Payroll – $567.05.  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.

 

Fund Transfers:  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, to approve fund transfers as follows:  $972.71 from #230 Community Property Project Fund to #100 General Fund; $85.79 from #330 Bond-Community Property Project Fund to #100 General Fund; $5,394.40 from #225 Fire Fund to #100 General Fund; and $32,472.50 from #100 General Fund to #230 Community Property Project Fund.  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

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campsite:  Jerry introduced Holly Larson, Outdoor Recreation Planner of the Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) of the National Park Service to those present and turned the meeting over to her for her presentation.  Holly said that she had attended a Crane Lake group meeting about a year ago. Since then she has met with Township members, VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross, and possible partners for the project.  Holly explained that her purpose would be to facilitate a planning process for the recently purchased property.  She asked who from the Township would work on the development of the plans.  The Board responded that the Committee formed for the land purchase would continue.  Committee members will be confirmed.  Questions provided by Holly to be answered were:  What is the current development proposal for the Township-owned properties and the DNR site? What are the visions and goals for the Visitor Center and recreational development?  What are the priorities?  What are the financing/funding options?  Who would be partners?  What would be the Visitor Center’s function?  Will there be a retail space in the Visitor Center? What would be the facility design?  Butch interjected that a meeting was being planned for 2/26/18 to bring together those involved in the project and to begin to answer VNP and community questions.  Holly said that she would be available for a meeting on that date; and that she was ready to work with the Committee and would be in the area once a month and could coordinate future meetings with the Committee at those times.  A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Butch, to schedule a Special Board Meeting on 2/26/18 at 1PM at Voyagaire Lodge with Bob DeGross, Rep. Ecklund, Comm. Rukavina, Gary Cerkvenik, and potential project partners to be invited.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Jacque Eggen Memorial Fund:  There was no report.

 

Costin Group Report:  There was no report.

 

ATV Use:  Bruce Beste providing renderings of the bridge that the club is building over the Vermilion River.  Another project in the works is improvement of the trail from Gold Coast Road to the Vermilion Falls Road to accommodate ATV and snowmobile use.   Bruce requested that some of the Trails Fund monies be donated for this project.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jerry, to approve expenditure of $5,000 of the Trails Fund to provide part of the needed matching funds for this project, to be refunded to the Township should grant qualification not be met.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Town Of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 13, 2018

 

 

Trails Report:  Lori Sanborn reported that both the hunter’s walking trail and the trail by the Voyageur Statue need some work.

 

Land Use Project:  Butch reported that the ARDC has been reviewing available information to move forward on the Land Exchange project.  Representatives from the ARDC will be invited to the 2/26/18 Special Board Meeting.

 

IRRRB Voyageur Statue Work:  The project was discussed at the CLVTB meeting.  Rob Scott is working to acquire additional funding for the project.  The CLVTB felt it would be the Township’s responsibility to maintain the area once it is established.

 

Government Affairs Group Meeting Report:  Butch attending the January meeting of the VNP Local Governmental Affairs Group whose purpose is to discuss issues of interest between the national park, gateway communities and the counties in which the park is located. The group will meet again on the 3rd Monday of May and September. A written report was provided with the five-year priorities of the park:  Resource Protection, Signature Park Experiences, Public Engagement and Outreach, and Maintain Leadership and Organizational Integrity.

 

CIC Covenants/Unit 13:  Stuart and Mary Mckie were present to talk to the Board about tree removal and the use of the existing docks on the Township’s newly acquired property.  The Board is in the process of reviewing all aspects of the CIC and is unable to respond as to dock use yet.  The Board agreed that Stuart could cut the trees that are leaning near his dock on the CIC property.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting Date & Time:  The Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting will be on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 1PM at the Fellowship Hall.

 

Variance Request – Tupy:  The Board had no objection to the request.

 

Heart of the Continent Annual Dues:  A motion was made by Butch, supported by Jerry, to approve dues payment of $100 to the Heart of the Continent.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Other New Business: Serena, from Voyagaire introduced herself and volunteered to be on the Visitor Center Committee as well as work with the VNP on interpretive programs this summer.

 

Comments from Officers:  Butch offered condolences to the family of Lewis ‘Bud” Bystrom upon his passing.  Bud was a true Voyageur.

 

Public Comments:  There were none.

 

 

Next Meeting:    Special Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, 2/26/18 – 1PM at Voyagaire Lodge

Annual Town Meeting, 3/13/18 – 7:30PM, Fellowship Hall

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, Immediately Following.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

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.