TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

February 21, 2006

The February 21, 2006 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Pohlman at 7:32PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the following in attendance including: Supervisors Jerry Pohlman, Jim Janssen, and Mark Anderson, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Treasurer Butch Eggen, a reporter from the Voyageur Sentinel and 14 members of the community.

Additions to the Agenda: None

Minutes: A motion was made by Mark, supported by Jim, to approve the minutes of the 1/10/2006 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Butch read the Treasurer’s Report for January 2006. Butch then presented the bills as follows: Minnesota Revenue - $81.45; McCahill Publishing Inc. - $14.63; Cook News-Herald - $47.93; St. Louis County Assoc. of Townships - $359.42; CLVTB - $1,082.10; and Payroll - $373.62. A motion was made by Mark, supported by Jim, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. 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 reported that there had been no change since the last meeting.
• Land Exchange/Community Property Project & Trails/Beautification – Ruth L. Carlson reported that normally C.J. Fernandez of the University of Minnesota Center for Changing Landscapes would come to Crane Lake to receive additional public input for the design presentation he provided on August 8^th. It was decided to send out a questionnaire instead, as so many people are away from the community this time of year. The questionnaire will be mailed soon; all expenses to be covered by grant monies. Mr. Fernandez will review the responses to the questionnaire with an anticipated completion of the plan by the end of April. To view C.J.’s design concepts go to http://ccl.gis.umn.edu. You will be at the homepage of the Center for Changing Landscapes. Click projects on the left edge of the home page. Scroll down to the Crane Lake Project and click on Crane Lake Designs. C.J. Fernandez is available for questions at ferna025@umn.edu

Culvert Issue Update: Clerk Jo Ann spoke with Gary Cerkvenik of Costin Group via telephone recently. He assured her the expenses for his services to procure funding would not exceed $250. He has been in communication with Chris Morris of the St. Louis County bridge department regarding the possibility of the state providing the funding for the 10 x 12 culvert. The state previously agreed to provide funding for a 10 x 10 culvert, not a 10 x 12 culvert, which is preferred by Crane Lake residents. He will know more in a week or so. Other community members have communicated with Chris Morris receiving the same information.

Community Action Plan Update: Butch communicated with the USFS Partnership Coordinator, Lisa Pattni regarding the possibility of grant funds for the revisit. She stated there are no funds available and suggested Butch contact Nancy Larson of the CDBG. Meanwhile, the 2006 Budget includes $2,000 for the Community Action Plan update. Butch reminded the Supervisors that he is willing to Chair the committee for the update and would need volunteers, stating that the work would not be as extensive this time because there already is a good foundation. The Supervisors suggested that a call for volunteers be made at the Annual Town Meeting in March.

Oliver Eggen/Gravel Purchase: Oliver Eggen requested at the January meeting that the Township purchase gravel to sell to him at a reasonable rate. Chairman Jerry reported that the MAT attorneys stated that it was very uncommon for townships to sell gravel to individuals and they did not recommend that Crane Lake Township do so. Mr. Eggen thanked the Board and stated that he would be able to purchase the gravel at a price suitable to him.

Computer Purchase: Butch presented a quote from Lutefisk for two lap top computers for the Township. The cost would be $4,450.53 including tax. Jerry mentioned that Portage Township had recently purchased computers from Lutefisk and received them two days before the return period expired. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Mark, to purchase the computers for $4,178.90 plus tax for a total of $4,450.53. Motion carried.

Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 21, 2006

NEW BUISINESS

CLWSD Board Appointments: A letter was received from the CLWSD stating that two Board members had resigned, and requesting that the Town Board post and publish for replacements. Manager terms would commence upon appointment. One term would end January 1, 2007; the other term would end January 1, 2009. Applications are available at the Clerk’s office, contact Jo Ann by calling 218/993-2600 for further information. Qualified applicants must be voting residents of the Township.

Moderator Fee: A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, that the Moderator Fee remains at $25 for the 2006 Annual Meeting. Motion carried.

CLWSD/Environmental Financial Group (EFG) Meeting Report: CLWSD Chair Rob Scott reported that he and Jerry attended a meeting with Scott Harder of EFG on January 31, 2006 to discuss the ongoing work on the 2006/07 budget forecast and rate schedule review. The rate structure review was the focus of the discussions. Options to consider included: 1. Status Quo - Keep the current rate schedule without change. 2. Status Quo plus an Excess Usage Charge for volumes exceeding assigned EDU volume capacity. 3. One-year rate change – Modify the rates for 2006. 4. Incremental rate change modifying the rates in a two-step process. June 1, 2006 – September 1, 2007 and October 1, 2007 – December 31, 2008. 5. Cost per gallon utilizing total costs and total volume of processed gallons. 6. Cost per EDU utilizing total costs and total connected EDU’s. Considerations discussed in the development of the rate options included: 1. Use the 2005 processed volume of 2.5 million gallons. 2. Use June 1, 2006 as a target date to make potential rate changes. 3. Include the advantages and disadvantages of each option. 4. The options need to evaluate increased costs for 2006 and beyond. 5. The utilization of available reserve funds. All updated information should be available for the March 1, 2006 CLWSD meeting. A public meeting will be held with Scott Harder to present his proposal. The Town Board agreed that the meeting should be held by the CLWSD. A motion was made by Jerry, supported by Jim, requesting that Rob Scott provide a report on CLWSD activities at upcoming Town Board meetings to provide another venue for community awareness. Motion carried.

2006 Local Board of Appeal & Equalization Meeting Date (5/2/06, 2-3PM): The Board members agreed that the tentatively scheduled meeting date and time provided by the St. Louis County Assessor’s Department would fit their schedules.

Requested Correspondence to be Read: The following letters were read aloud at the meeting, as requested: Letter of resignation from Lewis Bystrom dated 1/12/06; letter regarding invalid appointment & conflict of interest policy enforcement from Michael Seigley dated 1/14/2006; letter regarding notice of appointment and appointment from Paul Hamblin dated 1/23/2006; and letter regarding restore stability before making decisions from Michael Seigley dated 1/25/2006.

Comments from Officers: Mark Anderson responded to Mr. Seigley’s letter saying he had been accused of threatening twice and that it was not true. If anyone would like to talk to Mark about it, they may; rather than placing letters in the newspapers and via E-mail. Jim Janssen stands by what he said in his letter of January 27, 2006 stating that community members must get more involved in local activities. Chairman Jerry stated that the Town Board had no authority to change the results of any Township election or appointment.

Public Comment

Charlie Crockett stated that he did not understand why the Township could not take more action to satisfy the wishes of the community. He further stated that the community looks to the Town Board for leadership.

Steve Hutt stated he had read Jim Janssen’s letter and agreed that more people need to get involved in the community. He asked that both the CLWSD and the Township Boards provide tools for the community to become more involved and provide better understanding of community activities. He was unaware of the websites providing agendas and minutes by both Town and the CLWSD. www.clwsd.org. www.cranelaketwp.com

Oliver Eggen stated that he understood the Annual meeting was the forum for everyone to state opinions.

Town of Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 21, 2006

Next Meeting: Annual Town Meeting, March 14, 2006 – 8:15PM - Fellowship Hall

Board of Canvass Meeting, March 21, 2006 – 7:30PM – Fellowship Hall

Reorganization Meeting, March 27, 2006 – 7:30PM – Fellowship Hall

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Jerry Pohlman, Chairman

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE !!

MARCH 14, 2006 – 5 TO 8PM

FELLOWSHIP HALL

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.