Crane Lake Township

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

February 10, 2026

 

The February 10, 2026, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jeanne Shuck 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; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Treasurer Gretchen Janssen; Visitor Center/Campground Manager Serena Swenson; Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; and one member of the community.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda: There were none.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the minutes of the 1/5/26 Board of Supervisors’ & 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: Twp. General Fund:  CL Post Office – $158.00; SLCATO – $159.00; Traci Bak – $50.06; Quill – $181.55; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $153.43; CLVTB – $243.82 and Payroll – $1,149.26.   Fire Fund:  CLVFD – $30,000.00.  Com. Property Project Fund:  Border State Bank – $3,755.50.  Bayside Public Access:  S.E.H. – $57054.00.  Visitor/Campground Fund:  Town of Crane Lake – $64.72; Lake Country Power – $631.28; Lakes Gas – $329.71; CLWSD – $1,731.60; Beth Bak – $1,968.00; MN Dept. of Health – $804.00 and Payroll – $3,176.64.   Bank Withdrawals:  AT&T – $53.30(Gen.Fund) + $53.30 (VC/CG Fund); PERA – $963.79 & $604.33 (VC/CG Fund); VISA – $241.58 (Gen.Fund) + $1,571.59 (VC/CG Fund); MN Dept of Revenue – $2,300.59 (GenFund).  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, 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 Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the Fund Transfers presented by the Clerk and Treasurer to bring funds into balance.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  Correspondence – 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:

Sport Show

• Spoke directly to 167 people
• Weather was not ideal
• If I did it again, I think I need to go to an RV specific show. Basically was advertising for Crane Lake, which is great, just wasn’t the goal

Marketing

• Approximately $2000 for google ads- $5 a day for the year, but we don’t use it in October, November, December, January.
• Turning Google Ads on early next week at $5 a day
• Planning out a content calendar
• Building out the website a little bit more with content, events calendar, FAQ section
• Good Sam Partnership
  • Last year we did a listing on their website and a 90-day media blast
  • Proposing the same thing for this year
  • See attached proposal
  • Proposal for this year- $4,843.20
  • I had Ben look at this. He thinks it is a good idea, good ROI
    • Will change the copy and photo before ad goes live

 

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2026

 

 

1. Good Sam Directory Listing, Good Sam Specialty Email, Boating Specialty Placement – $1,700 (Year-Round through December 31, 2027)

• Premium placement in Good Sam directory
• Access to 2+ million Good Sam members
• Reviews and ratings visibility
• Map integration
• Direct booking integration

2. Digital Awareness Campaign – $3,345.00 (March-May)

• Captures early trip planners (March)
• Targets peak decision-making period (April-May)
• Aligns with booking window for summer travel
• Extends one month earlier than 2025 to capture early bookers

Campground/Visitor Center

• Reservations are coming in strong
  • $10,300.47 for summer 26 so far
• Set to open weekend of fishing opener- weather permitting
• Camp Hosts from last season are confirmed coming back
• Both volunteer couples confirmed for front desk

Questions I have-

Shower house progress?

Docks at DNR boat launch?

Someone to help with mowing? Will that person be able to help with other maintenance type things?

Could the outside lights remain on during the winter season?

 

Board Action:  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve expenditure of  approximately $2,000.00 for google ads -$5 a day for the year, and $4,843.20 for Good Sam Partnership website listing and a 90-day media blast.    All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

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

Approve January Invoice from SEH for $518.37 – “staff scientist” work at Visitor Center.  Additional invoice received today for Shower House project from SHE $2,000.00.

Shower house plans – Attached is the final review set of updated drawings for the restroom building.  They propose to run the ad for bid starting on Friday, February 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th and open bids on Tuesday, March 10^th.

EV Chargers – two quotes were sent out to board members.  ChargePoint and Blink.  How many ports does the Town want?  Do we want a credit card reader?  Do we want 18’ or 23’ cables?

Generator – One quote is in from Viking Electric.  Based on the entire building’s potential electric load, the quote for a 3 phase, propane backup generator with an automatic transfer switch is $61,785 plus tax.  This includes freight and set up and a 2 yr warranty.   Viking is getting a second quote from Kohler.  I propose we approve whichever quote comes in lower.

Remaining grant funds – awaiting approval from the DNR and County to spend remaining grant funds on building the 5 tent sites included in our original Campground design.

 

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2026

 

Bayside Dr. Pay Request – Approve and sign KGM Contractor’s Payment Application #4 for $12,098.25 for signs and a light that were installed in November.

Checks to sign:

These three invoices will be reimbursed by the DNR as part of Pay Request 8 for the Bayside Drive Public Water Access project (submitted 2/2 $19,599.19)

S.E.H Inv             501733                 $1137.94
Braun Oct            B448088              $6363.00
KGM                    Pay App 04          $12,098.25

 

Board Action: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, approving Charge Point to provide two EV Chargers with four ports, 23’ cables, and no credit card reader for up to $26,000.00, with labor charge yet to be determined.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Jim, to approve the lowest quote that comes in, from two quotes requested, for a backup generator for the Visitor Center and the Campground water supply.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.     A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve and sign S.E.H. Invoice -$518.37 for the Visitor Center and S.E.H. Invoice – $2,000.00 for the Shower House project.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve and sign KGM Payment Request #4 for $12,098.25.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

DNR Public Water Access: The Board discussed the possible installation of docks to rent to Campground customers.

Community Action Plan: The CAP Committee will have their first meeting following the Township Board of Supervisors’ February Meeting.

Tobacco License Renewals: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-01 approving the issuance of a tobacco products license for Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending the 31^st day of December, 2026. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

 NEW BUSINESS

 

Board of Appeal Meeting Date & Time:  The date and time is set for Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 3 – 4 PM at the Visitor Center.

Board of Audit Meeting Reschedule:  The Board of Audit meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 5:30PM at the Visitor Center.

SLC Maintenance Request Letter:  A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to provide a letter to St. Louis County authorizing the County to sand, steam culverts, etc., on Bayside Drive at the County’s discretion for an additional fee to the plowing charge. Fee to be determined after the plowing season and estimated to be under $200.00.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Budget Committee Meeting Discussion Items:  The following items were discussed and agreed to by the Board:

• Move Insurance and Payroll expenses relating to the Visitor Center/Campground (VC/CG) from the Township General Fund to the VC/CG Fund.
• Consider an administrative fee to be paid to the Township General Fund by the VC/CG Fund to address time spent on administrative duties by the Clerk and Treasurer.
• Move the Special Assessment expense from the Township General Fund to the VC/CG Fund as it is a sewer service expense for the VC/CG.
• Budget Committee with work on a VC/CG budget adding Serena Sweson and Lori Sanborn to the Committee.
• Consider a principal payment on the Community Property Project Fund Loan in 2026.

Clerk Search:  The Board will continue to look for a Township Clerk.

 

 

Other New Business: There was none.

 

Comments from Officers: There was none.

 

Public Comments: Lori Sanborn thanked Gretchen for all the information she provided on generators, the shower house, etc.

 

Crane Lake Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2026

 

 

Next Meeting:       Board of Audit Meeting – February 24, 2026 – 5:30pm at the Visitor Center.

Annual Meeting – March 10, 2026 – 5:30pm at the Visitor Center.

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

 

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

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk                                                                                      Jeanne Shuck, Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.