8.18.2026 Board of Supervisors’ Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
August 18, 2026
The August 18, 2026, Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jeanne Shuck at 6:02 PM at the Crane Lake Visitor Center with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Emily Schwanke & Jeanne Shuck; Visitor Center/Campground Manager Serena Swenson; Deputy-Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, and Clerk Cathy Truebenbach; and one member of the community. Supervisor Scott Sanborn was absent.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none
Approve Minutes – A motion was made by Emily, supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 7/14/2026 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: Twp. General Fund – $25198.86 + $1608.59 Payroll, Visitor Center Fund – $122500.00, Visitor Center/Campground Fund – $9377.38 + $3545.87 Payroll. A motion was made by Emily, supported by Jeanne, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. 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:
July Visitor Center and Campground Manager Report:
Bonus for 2026 season
Salary- discuss bonus structure for next season- nothing that needs to be decided on. Want it to be on everyone’s radar
CLVTB has approved $500 for me to attend the Minnesota State Fair on behalf of Crane Lake.
Firewise/Fire adapted communities: Invite them to a town meeting to discuss and get more information.
Campground
YTD revenue- $ 72,648
Goal for 2026= $75,074
New tires for Ranger-
-Estimates from Chuck’s Powersports and Five Seasons (sent prior to meeting) A motion was made by Jeanne supported by Emily to accept the bid from Chuck’s Powersport’s for new Ranger tires costing $834.19. Also, to have Chuck look at the Ranger to see if there are other issues needing to be addressed and work will be approved by the Board when required. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Shower house
-Final walkthrough on August 24th with SEH
-Plan for the actual building
Docks
-Getting a lot of push back on pricing and not as much use as I expected
-Reduce price from $25 to $20? Serena commented that dock space was not being utilized and felt is was the price that was deterring the campers from doing so. She suggested lowering the price from $25/day to $20.
Visitor Center
EV charging stations
Generator
-Code violations It was discovered that Lakes Gas has code violations with gas lines, causing the generator to be delayed. Lakes Gas has been contacted and will be coming to resolve these issues.
-Delivery September 17th or later
EV charging station and generator estimate
Change Order: A change order for the Shower house Project is needed to extend completion date and to install a curb stop in the Campground. A motion to approve the completion date and curb stop install change order was made by Emily and supported by Jeanne to approve Change Order # 1extending the completion date to August 15, 2026, and installing curb stop for $3490.00. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Gretchen Janssen provided the following report:
Approve and sign check for Lenci Pay App #2 $120,460.00. Approved in the treasurers’ report
Sign check for S.E.H – construction administration for the restroom. This was approved last month: amount $2040.00 INV 511216. Approved in the treasures report
Both have been submitted and are approved by the IRRR. A reimbursement check of $122,500 will be arriving for the Town soon.
DNR Public Water Access: There was no report.
Community Action Plan: There was no report.
Crane Lake Meeting Minutes August 18, 2026
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Judges for Elections: A motion was made by Jeanne supported by Emily to approve the judges for the upcoming elections. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Approve SLC plowing contract: A motion was made by Jeanne supported by Emily to approve the SLC plowing contract for the upcoming 2026-2027 winter season. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Ferrell Gas Bid: It was agreed to hold off getting bids for propane service until the issue with current code violations are resolved.
Congdon IRRRB Pre-App: Deena was in house to present the Town with information about an IRRRB community infrastructure grant program for a housing development. A motion was made by Jeanne supported by Emily to adopt Resolution #2026-2 to authorize the Township to make application to the Iron Range Resources Community Infrastructure Grant Program for a housing development project. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Community Foundation Discussion: More research will be done on how to create a Community Foundation and will then be added to the Community Action Plan in the future.
DNR Community Forest Grant Discussion: Bonnie Caughey approached the Township, in an email, wanting us to apply for a grant from the DNR for cleaning Bear Island’s top center 16 acres. Since this grant is to be applied for by September 14, 2026, the board felt they needed more time to investigate this project to see if it is even accessible. Also, the Fire Wise/Fire adapted communities may be able to give us more insight into this project.
Renew Rutchasky contract Bayside Drive: A motion was made by Jeanne supported by Emily to renew the contract with Rutchasky Enterprises to grade Bayside Drive from April 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026. All voted in favor and motion carried.
Other New Business
Comments from Officers: There were none.
Public Comments: Deena thanked the Board for letting her come and discuss her project.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, 9/8/2026, 6:00PM, Visitor Center
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm.
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Cathy Truebenbach, Clerk Jeanne Shuck, Chair
