Here you will find the draft 2023 Annual Town Meeting Minutes as well as the various reports shared at the meeting.

If you find any errors or omissions in the Minutes please reach out the the Clerk promptly as the Minutes are considered final 60 days after posting.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:00pm at the Finland Community Center or via Zoom.

Scan with phone to join Meeting via Zoom.

Notice of Annual Meeting

Notice is hereby given to the residents of Crystal Bay Township, County of Lake, State of Minnesota that the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The Annual Meeting will commence at 7:00pm to conduct all necessary business prescribed by law. If you have questions please reach out to the Clerk at crystalbaytownship@gmail.com or 218-353-1236. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Clair Nelson Intermodal Transportation Center 6866 Cramer Rd, Finland, MN 55603. 

Town Clerk

Crystal Bay Township is hiring an independent contractor as an Housing Project Coordinator who will lead enacting the Township’s goal of having sufficient quality affordable housing that builds community resilience, protects its ecosystems, is just and equitable, and meets the needs of a diverse community. The Township seeks to support the long term continued flourishing of our community. The contract will be for approximately 200 hours at $25/hr with work starting immediately and completing before June 30 2023. Call 218-353-1236 for more info and to apply or show up at the regular Town Board Meeting every 3rd Tuesday at 7pm at the Finland Community Center.

Notice is hereby given to the residents of Crystal Bay Township, County of Lake, State of Minnesota that the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2021. The Annual Meeting will commence at 7:00pm to conduct all necessary business prescribed by law. If you have questions please reach out to the Clerk at crystalbaytownship@gmail.com or 218-353-1236. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Clair Nelson Intermodal Transportation Center 6866 Cramer Rd, Finland, MN 55603.

You can also participate via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89752336100?pwd=R2ZTaHMrZUtqTmdMSG50K2hDb05VQT09 Meeting ID: 897 5233 6100 Passcode: 827537

Please contact the Clerk to add an item to the prepared Agenda.

The Crystal Bay Township Cemetery needs a Manager to fulfill the purpose of the cemetery in such a way as to maintain an atmosphere that is a peaceful, respectful, and worry-free environment and to oversee the smooth and accurate operation of all day-to-day maintenance, care, and policies of the cemetery facilities, land, and services to families. This would be a part time as needed position that would work closely with the Town Clerk. Contact the Town for a full Job Description and to express interest in the position, crystalbaytownhip@gmail.com, 218-353-1236.

Town of Crystal Bay

Mail In Voting Review

Summary

The reasons for the original decision to change to Mail In Only balloting for Crystal Bay Township continue to be relevant. There are not enough years using Mail In Only balloting to make broad conclusions. That being said, two of the three Mail In Only ballot years have had record breaking voter participation. Direct Financial Cost for the Mail in Only balloting is somewhat less but not massively so, but workforce advantages are significant. 

Original Decision

The Town Board after a community discussion at the 2016 Annual meeting “motioned to pass resolution for Crystal Bay Township to become a mail only ballot precinct for all Federal, State, County and Township elections,” April 19th, 2016 at the regular Town Board meeting. Resolution Authorizing and Adopting Crystal Bay Township as a Mail Ballot Precinct for Federal, State, County & Local Elections (2016-1) is attached to this document and was signed on the 28th of April 2016. 

Financials 

• Election costs 2020: $1,274
• Election costs 2018: $1,095
• Election costs 2016: $1,307
• Election costs 2014: $1,889

Clerk Logistics

The biggest challenge was finding people to be judges which involved traveling for training. Judges are needed for the Primary and the General election. Traveling to Two harbors to get the election supplies and setting up the fire hall was a challenge. Machines breaking was problematic. Having to drive the equipment and votes into Two Harbors that night directly after voting closed rain or snow. It is a lot of work for the clerk and the judges. 

Voter Participation

	Registered Voters	Election Day Registrations	Total Voting	% Registered Voters Voting
1992 General	288	44	260	78%
1994 General	290	7	208	70%
1996 General	283	21	240	80%
1998 General	290	19	239	77%
2000 General	319	44	293	81%
2002 General	349	28	265	70%
2004 General	339	40	315	83%
2006 General	351	39	259	66%
2008 General	350	45	296	75%
2010 General	324	10	210	63%
2012 General	298	45	290	85%
2014 General	300	17	215	68%
2016 General	308	11	245	77%
2018 General	277	15	243	83%
2020 General	311	15	285	87%

Author Notes

This Report was assembled by the Town Clerk, Colby Abazs, in January 2022 for the purpose of reviewing the effects of the change to Mail In Only balloting at the January 18th 2022 regular Town Board Meeting. 

Sources:

• https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/
• The Township Quickbooks historical financial records in the Election Expense account. 
• An interview with Debra Johansen, Town Clerk at the time of the change to Mail In Only balloting. 
• Crystal Bay Township Minutes and Resolution of the Original Decision.