Crane Lake Township

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1/5/26 Minutes

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ & REORGANIZATION MEETING

January 5, 2026

 

The January 5, 2026, Board of Supervisors’ & Reorganization Meeting was called to order by Clerk Ashlyn Denning at 5:30PM at the Crane Lake Visitor Center with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including Supervisors Jim Janssen, Scott Sanborn & Jeanne Shuck (via Zoom); Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, Visitor Center/Campground Manager Serena Swenson; and Clerk Ashlyn Denning.

 

Nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman: Jim Janssen nominated Jeanne Shuck as Chairman, Scott Sanborn supported that nomination. There were no other nominations, and the motion carried. Jim Janssen nominated Scott Sanborn as Vice-Chairman, Jeanne Shuck supported that nomination. There were no other nominations, and the motion carried. The Clerk turned the meeting over to Vice-Chair Scott Sanborn.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda: There were none.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the minutes of the 12/11/25 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report –The December Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Twp. Funds:  RAMS – $185.00; IRS – $3,814.54; Timberjay – $80.29; Quill – $51.85; Lutefisk – $438.75; SLC Auditor – $106.40; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $153.43; CLVTB – $478.69; St. Louis County $13,928.19; and Payroll – $1,528.14.  Bayside Public Access Fund: KGM – $556,950.99.   VC/Campground Fund: Town of Crane Lake – $92.68; Lake Country Power – $533.04; CLWSD – $3334.10; CLVTB – $624.88; PERA – $629.53 & $558.08; Sales Tax – $2,912.00; Visa – $65.00; and Payroll – $4,838.43.  AT&T – $141.42 (1/2   Twp. & ½ VC/CG).  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

The Clerk presented the correspondence.  The correspondence was received and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campground:

Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: Serena provided the following report:

  • Campground
    • $4438.30 for 26’ reservations
    • Most of this is in the last month
  • Sport Show
    • Banner, business cards, rack cards, pens are ordered
    • I can use any of the VNP exhibit signs
  • History Hallway
    • I have been editing the stories Chuck wrote. Will reach out to Andi soon to talk about design/cost. Will also reach out to the community to get more photos too
  • Marketing
    • Have content planned for at least one facebook post per week. Once spring arrives, it will be more
    • Ben and I are meeting this week to work out more of a plan. I’m thinking maybe we turn Google Ads back on at $5/day for the next month or so and see how it goes. There were a lot more reservations in December than I expected there to be
  • Use of community room
    • Still waiting to hear from the park on how this will work exactly. Kate thinks we need to change the wording in the lease. Right now, because the community room is being leased by NPS, there is some conflict about what it can be used for. But having it so that it can technically only be used by NPS, is not what the original intent of the room was. She is talking to her leadership about this. Stay tuned.

 

Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Jim Janssen provided the following report:

  • Gretchen is still working on the electric charging stations and will complete the progress report for the IRRR.
  • An invoice came in for approval.  (This will be paid by the County through the Direct Appropriation)
  • We need a contract from S.E.H for the revised shower house plans to go out to bid this Spring.

 

Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve signature of the increase of $11,500 to SEH to build the shower house. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the invoice for SEH in the amount of $424.22. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

DNR Public Water Access: No report.

Community Action Plan: Jeanne asked for volunteers for this committee. Serena, Jo Ann and Traci agreed.

Tobacco License Renewals: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-04 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Pine Point Lodge for the year ending the 31st day of December, 2026. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

 NEW BUSINESS

 

Clerk Resignation: Clerk Ashlyn Denning has resigned from her position, effective 1/23/2026. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to appoint Jo Ann Pohlman as  interim Clerk.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Budget Committee Meeting: The Budget Committee Meeting will be held on January 28, 2026 at 5:30pm at the Visitor Center.

Address/PO Box: Traci requested we go back to using our PO box address as changing the address is tedious. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, that we go back to using PO Box 402 as our township address.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Reorganization:

 

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to designate the following for 2026:

 

Town Board Meetings – Date & Time: Currently the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00PM (May-September) and 5:30PM (October-April). Any changes will be posted.

 

Official Posting Places: Remain the same. One posting listing all meeting dates for the year at the Church, Post Office & the following businesses when open – Anderson’s, Handberg’s, Nelson’s, & Voyagaire.  Any changes will be posted.

 

Legal Representatives: Remain the same with option to consult with others on an as-needed basis. Couri & Ruppe of St. Michael and Johnson, Killen & Seiler of Duluth are the current representations.

 

Depository/Bank: Remains the same. Motion that any bank in St. Louis County may be used with Frandsen Bank designated as the primary bank.

 

Minutes Distribution & Posting Policy: Minutes are posted on the Township Website.  Minutes are mailed to those supplying the Clerk with stamped, self-addressed envelopes.

 

Copy & Information Request Policy: Remains the same – Charge of 25 cents per copy (includes labor) for copy requests & $25 per hour for other labor requests.

 

Salaries & Meeting Rates: Budgeted for an increase in 2026. Agreed to increase salaries and increase meeting rate. Meeting rate will go from $70 to $75 per meeting. Supervisors increase to $75 per meeting. Clerk – $425 per month + $75 per meeting; Treasurer –  $285 per month + $75 per meeting; Deputy Clerk –  $175 per month + $75 per meeting; Deputy Treasurer – $175 per month + $75 per meeting. Election Judge increase due to it being an election year. Rate is currently $13 per hour ($14 per hour after 10PM) which includes training. Increase to $15 per hour ($16 per hour after 10PM).

 

Mileage Reimbursement: Remains the same to follow state guideline, which fluctuates and at this time is 72.5 cents per mile.

 

Official Newspaper: Board decided to alternate between CNH and Timberjay each year beginning in 2015. It will be CNH for 2026.

 

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Budget Committee: The Budget Committee will continue to be made up of one Supervisor (Jeanne), the interim Clerk (Jo Ann), the Treasurer (Traci) and two members of the community (Deb Scott and Mary Tomasko).

 

VNP Visitor Center/Campground Committee: Deena Congdon and Gretchen Janssen as Co-Chairs of the Committee.  Other members are Brenda Pohlman, Mark Anderson, Lori & Jeff Sanborn, and Jim Janssen as ex-officio.

 

Community Action Plan Committee: Jeanne Shuck is Chair. Other Members are Traci Bak, Serena Swenson, and Jo Ann Pohlman.

 

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, that Representatives would be as follows for 2026:

 

International Rainy Lake Board of Control: – Jerry Pohlman

 

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Other New Business: There was none.

 

Comments from Officers: There was none.

 

Public Comments: There was none

 

Next Meeting:   Board of Supervisors’ & Board of Audit Meetings – February 10, 2026 – 5:30pm at the Visitor Center.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.

 

                                                                                                                                                           __                                                                                              

Ashlyn Denning, Clerk

Signed by Deputy Clerk, Jo Ann Pohlman                                                                Scott Sanborn, Vice-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.