7.10.25 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
July 10, 2025
The July 10, 2025, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Janssen at 6:00PM at the Crane Lake Visitor Center with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Jim Janssen, Scott Sanborn, and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; and Clerk Ashlyn Denning.
Also present: Deputy-Treasurer Gretchen Janssen, Deputy-Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, and Visitor Center/Campground Manager Serena Swenson.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: Gold Coast Road Construction
Minutes: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 6/10/2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: The June Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Township: Internal Revenue Service – $3,876.44; MATIT – $6,954.00; Crane Lake Post Office – $146.00; Lutefisk Technologies – $37.90; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; Watering Can Garden Shop – $1,144.84; Anderson Canoe Outfitters – $461.31; Crane Lake Visitor and Tourism Bureau – $7,768.92; Johnson, Killen and Seiler, P.A. – $1,024.00; Mesabi Sign Company – $2,800.00; Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department – $30,000. Visitor Center: Lake Country Power – $595.72; Lakes Gas – $660.96; CLWSD – $1,654.64; Beth Bak – $738.00; Northwoods True Value – $280.31; Handberg’s Marine – $5,186.97; Five Season Sports – $12,266.00; Charles Standfuss – $188.99; ATT Phone – $140.82 ($70.41Twp); Friends Garbage – $357.02; PERA – $905.02 ($65.80 Twp); Visa – $1,441.33 and Payroll – $1,562.76 (Twp) & $4,429.33 (VC). A motion was made by Jeanne, 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
CL Visitor Center/Campground
Campground Manager Report & Resulting Board Action: Serena Swenson provided the following report:
- Visitor Center
- Average Number of People per Day: 68
- Signage for lake side of building
- Forest Service Signage location- near the pet waste station on the edge of the parking lot?
- Use of “community room”
- Forest Service Open House- sometime in August- open house- several displays talking about the upcoming projects in the Crane Lake area
- Poetry in the Park- July 24th @5:30- Warren Bradbury is bringing some poetry- guests encouraged to bring one to share- treats!
- Boater safety class- Scott is going to speak with Tom and Sue Thurlow about offering a boater education class through the Coast Guard Auxillary
- Ideas for other classes/events?
- Brochure shelves
- CLVTB Office
- Where
- Rent
- Oral History Project
- Things to consider
Campground Manager Report & Resulting Board Action (Cont.)
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- Once stories are completed, what will we do with them. History Hallway? Any other ideas?
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- Campground:
- Revenue:
- Still getting lots of good feedback
- Sewer problem with site 23-
- Coming early next week to fix. Hopefully Monday
- Had Bob go around and run water in any sites that haven’t been used to make sure there isn’t a problem anywhere else
- Ranger
- Docks
- Weeds on site pads
- Internet
- Marketing:
- Still have money left from winter budget
- Proposing to hire Ben Shoff to get us where we need to be
- $2,500 for initial set up/start up
- $60 an hour for maintenance
- $1,000 for ads testing in August
- SEO
- Website
- Content
- Google Ads
Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to allow reservations of 4 dock slips for $25/night. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to spend $6,495 on a 570 Polaris Ranger 2020 for the Visitor Center. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to hire Ben Shoff for marketing in the amount of $3,500 once his proposal is reviewed by all supervisors. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Gretchen Janssen did not have a report.
Invoices to approve:
S.E.H – Visitor Center $240.50
S.E.H – Campground $9,545.71
(These will be covered by LCCMR)
Board Action: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve the above-mentioned invoices totaling $9,786.21. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
DNR Public Water Access: Scott brought a mockup of dock placement. Dock construction will start in Spring 2026.
Dark Sky Crane Lake: There was no report.
Community Action Plan: There was no report.
Billboard in Orr: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to decline the purchase of the land and billboard in Orr. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Fireworks 2025 Cancellation: Jim stated that the company will only charge us $1800 for the fireworks show set up and the rest of the money we spent will go towards our Fireworks show in July 2026.
Desk and Chair for Treasurer: Traci asked for a desk and chair for the township office as there is only currently one setup. Gretchen will inquire with construction company for extra set.
Gold Coast Road Construction: Jeanne brought up the potholes near the bridge on Gold Coast Road. There was Board discussion.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: There was none.
Public Comment: There was none.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors Meeting – August 12th, 2025 – 6:00pm, Visitor Center
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24pm.
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.
