Crane Lake Township

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4/24/25 Minutes

TOWN OF CRANE LAKE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

April 24, 2025

 

The April 24, 2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Janssen at 5:30PM at the Crane Lake Chapel Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jim Janssen, Scott Sanborn, and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Deputy-Treasurer Gretchen Janssen; Deputy-Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman; Clerk Ashlyn Denning; and 1 member of the community.

 

BUSINESS

 

Additions to the Agenda: Vice-Chair Jeanne Shuck to discuss summer Board Meeting hours under New Business.

 

Minutes – A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve the minutes of the 3/11/25 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the 3/27/25 Special Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report – The March Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows:  Township:  Ashlyn Denning – $344.71; IRS – $1,535.51; Timberjay – $68.86; Lutefisk Tech. – $99.90; Jeff Sanborn – $50.00; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; St. Louis County Auditor – $1,967.44; CLVTB – $2,169.54; Premier Pyrotechnics – $9,500.00; Johnson, Killen & Seiler – $453.00.  VC/CG:  Lake Country Power – $554.92; CLWSD – $1,654.64; RJ Thomas Mfg. – $2,687.60; ATT – $97.97; Visa – $2,125.52.   Payroll Expenses:  PERA – $172.20 & $337.74 and Payroll – $3,211.95. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, 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:

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

The design work for signage on the exterior wing of the Visitor Center has been completed and moved into production.  Signs will ship directly to Mesabi Sign Co as they have agreed to handle installation, and they have coordinated with the sign manufacturer for correct mounting hardware.  Signs should be completed and installed before the Grand Opening on June 6th.

The invoices for signage are fully reimbursable by the IRRR grant.

For approval:

Invoice to iZone Q117671-3: $3788.12 (half due now) $3788.12 (half due at production / 5 weeks) $7576.24 total

Invoice to Sarah Zweir Design LLC 25112: $14,000 (final – per contract)

(One more invoice is expected from Mesabi Signs

Bills for approval: (payable by $1.9M DNR grant)

S.E.H    483592 Visitor Center                  $456.81

S.E.H    485340 Visitor Center                  $7864.44           (I have asked for a report)

S.E.H    483594 Boat Landing                   $5,390.00

S.E.H    485343 Boat Landing                   $12,940.00

Total for all:       $48,227.49

Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve payment of the above mentioned bills for $48,227.49. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

 

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campground: (Cont.)

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

  • Spring to Do List
  • Potentially need to hire someone to help me
  • Picnic Table and Fire Ring Assembly
    • New tables and replacing old red tops
  • Swing Set Assembly
    • Groundwork?
    • Assembly
  • Retail
    • Installation in VC
  • Docks
    • Pressure Wash
    • Rearrange
  • Signs/Pet Waste
    • Install
  • Garbage and Recycling Containers in front of VC
  • Grand Opening
    • Money
      • VIP Gifts-$1700ish
      • Lunch- $1000ish
      • Banner- $195
      • Stickers- $190
  • Marketing
    • SEO
      • Google Business Profiles
      • Working on getting blocks set up so I can change the appearance of the pages
      • Weekly meetings with Joyce
    • Listed on multiple RV/camping sites
  • Things to buy:
    • Monitor for Vestibule
      • John Cowman (VNP) will order and we will pay them back
      • Not bigger than 55”
      • We will need to buy
      • Need to do more research on which one
      • Monitor and mounting bracket
    • Outside Trash Cans and Recycling Bin
      • Two Options
      • Round Thermo-Plastic Coated Expanded Steel- 32 gallons-“Virtually Indestructible
      • $2,463.00 (for two garbage cans and two recycling)
      • Recycled Plastic –32 gallons- 50 years warranty
      • $3,179.50 (for two garbage cans and two recycling)
      • Maybe we only need one of each?
    • Dumpster Rental-$363/month per dumpster
      • Probably need 2
      • Called too late today. Will get most economical common sense option available
      • Need to ask about recycling
      • One dumpster pad poured. Do we need another one?

 

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campground: (Cont.)

Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)

  • Golf Cart-$6,500
    • 2024 Hybrid Linhai Big Hammer 200 GVX
    • Custom Wheels and Tires
    • Winch
    • Turning signals, mirror, horn, four seater, seat belts, seats fold down.
    • Gas powered
    • Full windshield
    • Roof mounted LED light bar
    • $6,500
  • Dump Card
      • $40 for the card
  • Outside/Campground Focused things- Rought estimate from Home Depot Cart- $699.78
    • Metal trash can for ashes
    • Pooper scoopers
    • Shovels
    • Rakes
    • utility shed? At the very least a big trash can for storage of shovels and rakes
    • Shovel
    • Lock tite
    • Hardware for pet waste stations
    • Hardware for retail display
    • Walkie talkies
    • Shelves for maintenance rooms
    • Commercial mop
    • Zip ties
  • Sleeves and Vehicle tags- $95.87
    • Sleeves- $46.00 for 50
    • Hang Tags- $49.87 for 500
  • Signage- $591.32
    • Rules and Regulations and Instructions for check-in
      • 2 signs
        • How big?
    • Two 36×36 signs = 235.50
    • No pets window decal (7×5) x 3=25.31
    • No smoking signs x 3= 54.09
    • Magnetic Hangers for no smoking signs= 4.77
    • Posts for signage?
      • Heavy duty U-back baked enamel
      • 2 8ft-139.50
      • 3 5ft-132.15
  • Inside Visitor Center type things- Rough estimate from Quill cart- $497.24
    • Dishes for break room
    • Coffee and cone coffee filters
    • Under the sink organization
    • Thumb tacks
    • Basket for dirty rags

 

VNP-Visitor Center/Campground: (Cont.)

Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)

    • Paper towel holder
    • Computer case
    • Toilet bowl cleaner
    • Bulk toilet paper
    • Inside recycling?
    • Bathroom trash cans and liners
    • Liquid soap for bathrooms
    • Trash bags
    • Caddy’s for cleaning supplies
    • First-Aid Kit- last minute thought. Not priced out on this list
  • Do we get a Costco membership?
  • Total- $1885

 

CLVTB

  • Webcam
    • CLVTB asked if we have thought about a webcam on the building?
  • Office Space
    • Originally discussed that we give them office space at no charge for our spot on Visit Crane Lake?
    • How does this work? Are we charging the sewer board?

Internet

  • Funding for Public Wifi and our team from VNP is not available at this time. Could be available next week…..trying to work this out.
  • Should we get our own starlink?

Board Action: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve Serena’s request to spend up to $3,250 on VIP gifts, Lunch, a Banner & Stickers for the grand opening. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve Serena’s request to spend up to $400 per month on custodial necessities for the Visitor Center. All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve Serena’s request to spend up to $350 for signage and to request a quote from Mesabi Sign. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve Serena’s request to spend up to $500 on outside accessories from L&M. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Bayside Drive Upgrade: Complete. Jim will call to get the final completion.

DNR Public Water Access: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jim, to approve the DNR Public Water Access Application.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the Braun Intertec Proposal for Site Grading, Concrete and Pavement Observation and Testing Services for an estimated fee of $18,203.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the Agreement for Professional Services between S.E.H. and Crane Lake Township for Consultant Work for the Bayside Public Water Access Project for $98,750.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried.  A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jim, to approve the Rutchasky Enterprises invoice of $55,000.00 for demolition at the DNR Bayside Public Water Access.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

VNP Ice Road Management Plan: There was no report.

Bayside Drive Maintenance:  A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve and sign the Agreement between Rutchasky Enterprises and the Town of Crane Lake for 2025 summer grading of Bayside Drive at $525.00 per time with an estimate of 3 or 4 times being needed.  If additional road repair work is needed, the charge would be $150.00 per hour for each piece of equipment needed.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Dark Sky Crane Lake: There was no report.

 

 

 

Community Action Plan: Jeanne Shuck is meeting with the team on May 20th at 6pm at the Visitor Center.

Records Retention Process: Jo Ann and Ashlyn will continue to work on organizing documents at the Visitor Center.

CPP Loan Principal Payment: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve paying $25,000 towards the principal amount of the Community Property Project Loan. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

New Computers:   A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve purchasing new laptops for Town Clerk and Treasurer through IT Contact Richard Watson (Lutefisk Tech.).  Jim and Scott voted in favor, Jeanne voted against, and the motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

  • Tobacco License Renewal: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to adopt Resolution #2025-02 to approve the issuance of a tobacco products license for Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Anderson Canoe Outfitters, Inc. for the year ending the 31st day of December 2025.  All voted in favor and the motion carried.
  • Early Tax Distribution: Board agreed not to recommend.
  • Approve Fireworks Contract: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to approve the July 4th-2025, July 4th-2026, & July 4th-2027 contract between Premier Pyrotechnics and the Town of Crane Lake for fireworks display for $9,500.00 each year with the option to adjust the purchase price of the displays. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
  • Anti-ATV Bill: Information was received from Drake Dill for house file HF 1012, which is the anti-ATV bill.  Scott will look into the MN Assoc. of Township’s support of ATV’s in the state.
  • MN DEED Frontier Broadband Grand Application: Jeanne stated she will look into this.
  • Summer Hours: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve Board Meeting summer hours being changed from 7pm to 6pm starting May 2025. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

 

Other New Business: There was none.

 

Comments from Officers: Jeanne thanked Serena for all her hard work on the Visitor Center and Campground.

 

Public Comment:  There was none.

 

Next Meeting:  Board of Supervisors Meeting – May 13th, 2025 – 6:00pm, Visitor Center

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:17PM.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Ashlyn Denning, Clerk                                                                             Jim Janssen, 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.