8.12.25 Board of Supervisors Meeting
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
August 12, 2025
The August 12, 2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Janssen at 6:08PM 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 were Deputy-Treasurer Gretchen Janssen and Deputy-Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: Visitor Center revenue usage.
Minutes: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 7/10/2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and 7/30/2025 Special Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: The July Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Township: Minnesota Association of Townships – $298.80; Jo Ann Pohlman – $920.00; Ashlyn Denning – $920.00; Timberjay – $333.60; St. Louis County Auditor – $235.00; Victor Lundeen Co. – $353.89; Traci Bak – $70.64; Quill – $158.36; Costin Group – $1,250.00; Lake Country Power – $156.00; Anderson Canoe Outfitters – $437.19; Border State Bank – $4,384.50; Rutchasky Enterprises – $525.00; ATT Phone – $70.42; Johnson, Killen and Seiler – $1184.00; Short Elliott Hendrickson – $4,985.00; Visitor Center: Lake Country Power – $1,189.64; CLWSD – $1,679.46; MATIT – $23.00; Handbergs Marine – $120.52; Jeanne Shuck – $428.93; Tom and Sue Thurlow – $28.01; Charles Standfuss – $93.88; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – $825.00; CLVTB – $15,434.51 Amazon – $117.87; ATT Phone – $70.42; Friends Garbage – $227.15; State of Minnesota – $443.41; Starlink – $115.00; Visa – $1,708.03 and PERA – $924.39 ($75.60 TWP and $848.79 VC). Payroll: $1167.95 (Twp) & $4530.11 (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
- Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Gretchen Janssen Provided the following report:
- E.H has prepared documents and the County is drafting solicitations for construction of the campground shower house.
- Approval is requested for final payment to Casper Construction for retainage.
- The project manager at S.E.H has received and forwarded to us the project close out documentation. The amount for this final pay application is $189,647.75 and requires Town signature.
- Casper has confirmed that “Yes Casper will be taking care of the work at site 23 under the warranty for the project, no additional cost to the Town.”
- Also for approval:
- E.H invoice 490815 Campground $2365.97
Board Action: A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve the SEH invoice for $2,365.97. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the SEH invoice for $4,985.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve the final Casper pay application for $189,647.75. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
- Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action:
- Visitor Center:
- 1,114 people so far in August!
- Last time I did the math- 70 people a day average but the majority of days this month have been over 100!
- One of the volunteer couples is leaving August 23rd. VNP found a replacement who starts on August 24th.
- The other couple is taking time off September 6th-14th. I have to be out of town September 12-14. Looking for volunteers to help man the front desk during that time and possibly as needed throughout September.
- I’ll reach out to the Women of the Water to see if there are any takers in that bunch
- There may be a need for an additional volunteer. This would not be a usual thing. There would be no expectation that this could happen again next season. But we have the space and if it would help us get through the rest of the season, would you be comfortable with VNP having one more RV space for September? It’s all still being worked out and I’m thinking most likely won’t be needed but just in case.
- I am asking you to make a motion to allow VNP to occupy one more RV space in the RV park for the month of September if it becomes necessary.
- Campground:
- Reservations are coming in pretty steadily. Lots of people making reservations a day or two out
- $35,130.43 YTD
- $9,012.67- Last 31 days
- Voyageurs Conservancy at the State Fair:
- From Christina Hausman Rhode- Director of Voyageurs Conservancy-
- Would the Crane Lake township/tourism bureau consider a donation to Voyageurs Conservancy to support our State Fair expenditures? Our expenses for the state fair include booth fees (3-day exhibit space is $5,000), marketing, design and fabrication of displays, two tables, tickets, transportation, staff time to manage the booth, printing and giveaways totalling $18,000
- She sent this to both Jessa and I, also asking for 1000 brochures
- I am requesting a motion to approve or deny this request. If it’s approved, please let me know so I can inform Christina.
- Internet:
- Currently we are paying $65/month for 50GB
- The Crane Lake Wi-FI has a password on it so only Ashlynn and I are using it.
- Everyone else using the NPS Public Wi-Fi
- 46GB was used as of 8/4 (cycle starts on the 11th of each month).
- The VC is currently using an NPS Starlink Router for Public Wi-FI. When Jeff Quam is fully moved in, that will be changed over for his secure internet connection so NPS Public Wi-Fi won’t be available. He has started moving but they still have to move his safe etc. I am assuming it has to be done by 8/31 but I’m not totally sure
- It is possible that NPS will provide public Wi-Fi at some but there is no way to know when that will be.
- We need to decide about what we want to do for the remainder of this season. We can talk about next season over the winter. Maybe NPS will have public Wi-Fi by then.
- I think we can stick with $65/month and top up the data when needed
- $25 for each additional 50GB
- I will still keep the Wi-Fi password protected but if people ask, we will give them the password.
- I am looking for a motion to stick with the current plan of $65 month and top up the data if we run out as necessary through the end of this season.
- The other option would be $165/month for 500GB. I don’t think we would need that much but who knows. This way we know for sure what we are spending. If we go the other route, I am assuming we would spend less but I can’t make any promises.
- Winter Hours:
- This one is kind of old business and doesn’t need any answers today. If everyone can keep considering their thoughts on what they would like winter operations to look like so we can talk about it at the September meeting.
- Marketing:
- Some of these are 90-95% done and will be done by mid-week. Just putting some of the finishing touches on with the Recrego iFrame that should give us better visibility into ROI for when our ads go live.
- High Level Website Changes (have not gone live yet. I’ll send out an email when it does so you can check it out)
- Drone Photos
- New Pictures
- Updated Content on Camping Page
- Cleaned Content on Other Pages
- Backend Website Changes
- SEO updated across website
- Implemented AI SEO modifications
- Installed Google Advertising Tracking
- Advertising
- Google Account Created
- Ad Strategy Developed
- Branded Terms + Captured Intent
- Next Up:
- Google Ads Go Live
- More Photography
- Broader Website Redesign
- Community Room:
- So far we have only had “community” events in the VC and haven’t charged. They have been free, community events, open to the general public
- If people want to use the building for other things, like teaching a class, having a meeting, a workshop, something that will make them money and/or is not open to the general public, how much do we charge for use of the space?
- How do we go about collecting money?
- First example: I’d like to teach yoga in the meeting room once a week. I would have it be donation based at least to start out, not during VC hours. I would make money, but it is open to the public. Depending on attendance, I was considering it in the flat grassy area in the campground.
- I would take care of setting up and resetting off the clock so there wouldn’t be additional cost to the Town. Would the town charge me a fee?
- For other people who would need to be let in and out, or require set-up/clean up, require my time etc. How do we determine what to charge?
- I’ve had a few inquiries from people over the summer. Nothing specific. Just “will people be able to rent out the meeting room?”
- If you were to approve me teaching yoga and I put it on facebook, that might prompt people to ask about using it for other things.
- This one is going to take some consideration. Ideally right now, I’d like you to make a motion on whether I can teach yoga in the building when it’s not in use.
- And then just keep noodling this so we can have something in place for the future.
- Sprayer:
- 26 gallon sprayer, ordered and set up on the ranger!
- Dan and Bob are both working on killing the weeds!
Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve another camper spot if needed for new VNP volunteers. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to keep the visitor center and campground open on weekends only from the time the VNP volunteers are done for the season until MEA weekend (October 19th). The schedule approved upon was Fridays and Saturdays are open full hours, and Sundays are half days. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to agree to let Serena host yoga at the visitor center for now while Jeanne works on a community room contract. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
DNR Public Water Access: There’s a preconstruction meeting on 8/13 that Jim and Gretchen will attend.
Dark Sky Crane Lake: There was no report.
Community Action Plan: First meeting will be in October 2025 per Jeanne.
Desk and Chair for Treasurer: Ashlyn will order a chair.
Gold Coast Road Potholes: Jim is continuing to check with the County to get this repaired.
NEW BUSINESS
Visitor Center Revenue Usage: The board reviewed the legal and statutory constraints surrounding the use of revenue generated by the visitor’s center and campground, that was provided by the Costin Group. The form was reviewed, and it was decided that first we put money into savings for repairs.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Scott said there were 8 or 9 people at the Boaters Safety Class.
Public Comment: There was none.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors Meeting – September 9th, 2025 – 6:00pm, Visitor Center
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm.
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.
