draft
Lutsen Township Board Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
Lutsen Town Hall
Present: Sharon Hexum-Platzer, Ashley VanDoren, Ginny Storlie, Dayna Johnson, Carl Frienser, Chris Homyak, Steve Duclos, Tim Lien, Samantha Mcquatters-Spangle
Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairperson, C Friesner at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Agenda: C Friesner made a motion to approve the April agenda, C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
Approval of March Meeting Minutes: C Friesner made a motion to approve, C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
Commissioner’s Report: (Ginny Storlie)
· Attending the upcoming Tofte townhall meeting Andrew Beavers has been invited to talk about the surrounding VRBO; how many there are and in which municipalities they are in to clarify. Public is encouraged to come on May 14, 2026.
· Commissioners have been attending regular legislature meetings as they are in session until May 19, 2026 lobbying for the wants and needs of the county including the waste water treatment plant and the last 10 miles of the Gunflint trail which needs about 10 million dollars of work done to it; culverts, road surfacing, ditching. Commissioner Sullivan and engineer Robbie Haus will have been called back for the April 22, 2026 meeting to present a more detailed report. In support ARDC-Arrowhead reginal development division in Duluth sent out 9 letters today to three different senators and another representative with more information about the impacted areas. In addition Robbie Haus has already applied for multiple grants to help covered the Gunflint trail road work to offset costs
· Sharon Hexum-Platzer attended the Schroader township meeting to raise awareness and request donation for the purchase of a rescue drone and the training required as they are a mutual aid to Lutsen and all the benefits that come with a search and rescue drone.
· Cook County residents and businesses received an extra $50 charge on their tax statements from North Shore Waste. It was set after consideration to all properties. This can be reviewed again at the next commissioners board meeting.
· Craig Horak has completed training for septic installation which brings Cook County to three persons licensed to do so now.
· Newly appointed Land director Neva Maxwell has started, congratulations.
· Commissioner Storlie suggested Lutsen Township add on their sign-up sheet for each meeting an email line and sending out important information to people who come in attendance; some of the other townships are starting to do that.
o It was discussed on what type of information would be sent out such as minutes but was opted out as the minutes are on the website. Possibly important information and events for Lutsen as county information would be on the cook county and WTIP sites and emails already? How to save and update emails? It was decided that it would not be necessary as the information is already posted in websites and discussed on the radio.
· April 28, 2026 commissioners board meeting will be held with Chris Homyak on the agenda for requesting a county loan for the proposed new search and rescue truck. Another slot will need to be added to the agenda to request a grant for the drone purchase. Supervisor Carl Friesner and Fire Chief Duclos will represent for the drone.
Clerk’s Report: S. Mcquatters-Spangle Deputy Clerk: S. Hexum-Platzer
Correspondence: 8 calls, 6 forwarded, 4 new hall rentals Emails; Minnesota - Half-Staff Alert - Shawn Johnson, Changes to the MAT Board of Directors, FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending, Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit registration open, Remittance Advice Notification; forwarded, OSA Weekly Update, Gitchi-Gami State Trail gets National Attention, Winona and Rochester Spring Short Courses RESCHEDULED, City of Grand Marais Weekly Update, AAAA Newsletter, April Update, Minnesota Cooperative Summit, Rural Capacity Program - March Edition, Funding Available - ARDC's Revolving Loan Fund, March newsletter for the Superior National Forest, New Report: Climate Resilience & Housing Decarbonization Roadmap, Focus Group Invitation for North Shore Roadway Network Resilience Study; forwarded, Plan Review - Gitchi Gami State Trail - Trailhead Ski Hill Road; forwarded, Nelson-Harris cartway update; forwarded, Cook County Nonprofit Social - Wednesday, May 6 | 4-6 pm; forwarded, Superior National Forest to Begin Prescribed Fires, Superior National Forest to Begin Prescribed Fires, Local Emergency Preparedness Committee Bi-Monthly Meeting, PERA Proposed Legislation & Upcoming Webinar, April 15, 1865 - Lincoln's Death / April 19, 1775 Half Staff Alert, Drone Class Details: This Weekend; forwarded, Upcoming Cook County Community Event, 4/21/26; forwarded,
1. Letter of support; Bonding Bill for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail submitted
2. Lutsen contact info updated for state auditor/Cook County auditor
3. Tax Exempt form for Brinc Drone
4. Mowing bid notice posted; to be decided at May meeting
5. Requested update form Ginny about fire truck presentation
6. Playground grant meeting postponed until august
7. Drone pilot training and room booked
8. Arrowhead electric borrowed tables; supervisor approved
9. Correspondence; supervisors approved new CD rate on March 20, 2026
10. 1st quarter taxes done
11. LBAE meeting date set: May 5, 2026 at 6pm; Lutsen Townhall
It was advised to the clerk to research possible new requirements for the township website/email including switching to a .gov instead of a .gmail status and being ADA compliant.
Clerk also requested all officers to sent in an updated bio and picture that can be added to the website.
Reorganization Meeting as Required/ Change/Review of Information
A. Designate by motion a chairperson: C Homyak made a motion to keep Carl Frienser as a chairperson, D Johnson seconded; motion passed. Chairperson: Carl Frienser
B. Designate by motion a Vice-Chairperson; C Freisner made a motion to keep Chris Homyak as vice-chairperson, D Johnson seconded; motion passed Vice-chairperson: Chris Homayk
C. Adopt a schedule of regular meeting dates: Currently: 3rd Tuesday of every month. C Freisner made a motion to accept that meeting day, C Homyak seconded; motion passed.
D. Select by motion an Official Township Newspaper: Currently: Cook County News Herald. C Freisner made a motion to accept that newspaper, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
E. Designate by motion posting places: Currently: Town Hall, Clearview/Post Office Bulletin Board, and Website.Clerk requested adding on a new bulletin board at the Lutsen dog park due the it being a high traffic area and for better outreach. C Freisner made a motion to accept the posting placings in addition to a new bulletin board at the Lutsen dog park, D Johnson seconded; motion passed. C Friesner will take lead in the bulletin board and post installation.
F. Review Resolution No. 2014-09 – Policy for the Compensation of and Reimbursement of Town Officers [Note capital R and S is for town meetings.]
I. Compensation for Supervisors
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Hourly work on behalf of the Township: Currently $20.00/hour
II. Compensation for Clerk:
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Hourly work: Currently $25.00/hour
III. Compensation for Deputy Clerk: [To be employed only if Clerk is unable.]
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Hourly work: Currently $25.00/hour
IV. Compensation for Assistant Clerk
a. Hourly work: Currently $20.00/hour –for record retention
V. Compensation for Treasurer:
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Hourly work: Currently $25.00/hour
VI. Compensation for Deputy Treasurer:
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Hourly work: Currently $25.00/hour
C Freisner made a motion to approve F1-F6, C Homyak seconded; motion passed.
VII Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Town Officers: $.70 –Currently; The federal 2026 IRS mileage rates is .725 cents per mile for business purposes, 22 cents per mile for medical and moving purposes; federal 2026 medical per mile as lowered to $.205
C Freisner made a motion to approve update milage rates to match federal for 2026, C Homyak seconded; motion passed.
VIII. Meal Reimbursement Rate for Town Officers: Currently $37.00/day--adjusted the meal rate to the same as the County: $10 per breakfast, $12 for lunch, $15 for dinner. No liquor included.
C Homyak made a motion to approve current rates for meal reimbursements, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
G. Review Resolution No. 2014-12 – Policy for the Compensation of and Reimbursement of Town Employees: Currently in addition to pay per call, Incentive pay for fire fighters/EMS is 100$ if officers attend 65% of quota for calls, training and functions met.
I. Compensation for Fire Chief:
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Monthly Stipend: Currently $200/month
II. Compensation for Assistant Fire Chief:
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Monthly Stipend: Currently $150.00/month
III. Compensation for Assistant EMS Chief
a. Regular and Special Meetings: Currently $85.00/meeting
b. Monthly Stipend: Currently $150.00/month
IV. Compensation for Fire and EMT/1st Responders:
a. Fire Department: Currently $25.00/fire call
b. First Responders: Currently $25.00/call
C. Senior Captain $75
D. Junior Captain $50
$25 per hour after an initial period of 2 hours for a call is met. (Hours will be logged and any additional pay will be signed off by either a chief or assistant chief)
Fire Chief advised to add position of secretary onto the fire staff in the amounts of $50. C Freisner made a motion to approve fire/EMS pay with the secretary position added. C Homyak seconded; motion passed.
V. Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Town Employees: Currently $.70 per mile; 2026 federal rate is now $.725 per mile.
VI. Meal Reimbursement Rate for Town Employees: Currently $37.00/day --adjusted the meal rate to be the same as the County: $10 per breakfast, $12 for lunch, $15 for dinner. No liquor included.
C Freisner made a motion to accept the new milage rate to match federal and the meal reimbursement rate, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
H. Designate Financial Institution as the Town Depository: Currently North Shore Federal Credit Union and Grand Marais State bank are in use.
C Freisner made a motion to accept the depositaries, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
I. List of Officers –submitted to MAT and Cook County. All Supervisors, clerk and treasurers submitted
J. Supervisor Liaison Posts/Assignments and Review job descriptions as needed:
(Lolli Cooper formerly held the position as follows:
ALCCTO [Association of Lake & Cook Township Officers] liaison WTIP)
Dayna Johnson:
WTIP main contact
ALCCOT representative
West End Emergency main contact (Sharon Hexum-Platzer will remain a contact for West End Emergency as well)
Carl Friesner:
Fall Lutsen Community Celebration – Usually 2nd Tuesday in October
Fire and EMS Department liaison,
Building & Grounds: Fire & Town Hall and Grandview Park
Chris Homyak:
Lutsen Downtown Business Council liaison
MATIT insurance/ Contracts
Downtown Lutsen contact
Gitchi-Gami bike trail representative
C Freisner made a motion to accept the updated supervisors’ responsibilities, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
J. Consider any potential conflict of interest issues: Employers and employment roles
Chris Homyak will abstain from initiating any financial (pay) motions for Lutsen fire department. Chris Homayk will abstain from voting on an item in connection to Clearview general store.
Dayna Johnson has a conflict of interest when initiating a vote for fire department.
(Clerk will check with MAT on voting needs and specific conflicts of interest; possible the 2nd needed for voting would go to the clerk)
Treasurer’s Report; Ashley VanDoren: As of March 31,2026;
North Shore Federal Credit Union-Checking $197,738.78; General Building Fund-savings $22,587.06, General Money Market $86,679.76 totaling $3078,005.60; CD investments;
o 29 Month CD at Grand Marais State bank-$109,215.38 at 4.5%
Matures 6/2/26
Fire truck fund
o 24 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $10,249.18 at 4.0%
Matures 10/22/27 (Vehicle Refurbish/Maint)
o 24 Month CD at Grand Marais State Banke- $10,249.18 at 4.0%
Matures 10/22/27 (Equipment Replacement)
o 7 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $35,000 at 4.0%
Building fund/ Matures 8/27/26
o 7 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $100,000 at 4.0%
General/Fire Fund/ Matures 8/27/26
o 7 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $112,817.63 at 4.0%
Truck Fund/ Matures 8/27/26
o 13 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $105,074.59
Truck Fund/ Matures 4/27/27
Total funds including CD investments $789,611.56
Year to Date Receipts $79,364.94; Year to Date Disbursements $63,664.09.
2026 General town Budget $63,200.00, 2026 Fire District Budget $290,395.00 for a total budget of $353,595.00.
2026 General town Levy $40,000.00, 2026 Fire District Levy $275,000.00 for a total 2026 Levy of $315,000.00.
C Friesner made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. D Johnson seconded. Motion passed
Biggest changes over the last month are the 1st half of the taconite tax in the amount of $12,843.
Request from deputy treasurer VanDoren to approve adding treasurer Sandstrom to all the needed financial sign off depositories; North Shore Federal Credit Union and Grand Marais State Bank. C Freisner made a motion to update the signing card and account access and approve the full access that was previously approved to treasurer VanDoren to newly appointed treasurer Sandstrom. C Homyak seconded; motion passed.
C Homyak made a motion specifically to allow access at North Shore Federal Credit Union and Grand Marais State Bank that all of the signing cards and all the current settings allotted to Ashley VanDoren also now be applied to Dale Sandstrom the newly elected Lutsen Township treasurer. Setting will remain the same for Ashley VanDoren as she is deputy treasurer, C Friesner seconded; motion passed.
Review and Approval of Claims:
· Clerk S. Mcquatters-Spangle provided the invoiced April Claims. Details; 16 claims for a
total of $36,115.52, This included $25,500 for the first contracted year of the search and recue drone (funds pulled from the drone donation line item), 1st quarter taxes for $2,597.58, $3,557.45 to visa for drone piolet training and hotel stay as training was in Minneapolis.
C Freisner made a motion to approve claims, D Johnson seconded. Motion passed.
· Clerk provided April 2026 payroll; 4 claims totaling $2,549.74
C Friesner made a motion to approved payroll. D Johnson seconded. Motion passed
· Claims approval and Payroll distributions were signed by Supervisors; copies are on file
in the town office.
· Cash Control for April 2026 presented and matches with treasurers (off .02 cents will half pennies calculated for PERA); Both signed by all supervisors and on file in town office.
Fire and EMS Chief’s Report: (Steve Duclos)
· No fire calls for the last month; 4 EMS calls
· Training:
o Norwood Shore preplanned
o Cleaned out trucks
o 3 of the staff trained for drone pilot licensing
1 of the staff has successfully passed the licensing and the other two will take the test on Friday
o Wildland truck prepped for the season
· Fire chief meeting held in Grand Marais
· Drone received and training with Brinc will commence on Saturday;
· Steven Olson completed Fire 1 and 2; fire turnout gear has already been ordered
· Met with Rosenbauer representative and put together a contract for the supervisors to review
· Fire Hydrants in Lutsen are now functional with the warmer weather; still trouble shooting the issues that cause it to be inoperable in the winter.
· Lutsen’s LUCAS CPR machine charging cord broke; a loaner cord has been lent out to the department from the county ambulance.
· Request to have the accounts at Isak Hansen and Home Center updated; D Johnson will update to approve all fire/EMS officers, supervisors and clerks on the two accounts. Take off any personnel no longer associated.
Supervisors’ Report:
C Friesner:
· Talked with Tim Geottl for short term emergency plumbing set up
· Changed dog park bags multiple times
D Johnson:
· Talked with citizens about the proposed new search and rescue truck
C Homyak:
· Worked with Source well, Brady, MAT, MATIT and Steve Finsky on the logistics for both the drone and proposed search and rescue truck on insurance
· Helped to lobbying at the capital with the camber:
o Waste water treatment plant
o Gitchi-Gami bike trail
o Gunflint road; last 10 miles
o Cook County high education
· Gitchi-Gami bike trial; asked questions and concerns as the representative
Sharon Hexum-Platzer questioned supervisor Homyak about the possibility of having someone plow the newly proposed trailhead at the bottom of the ski hill road for snowmobiles trailers to have access in the winter; it was advised to request the county to plow as they are already plowing ski hill road. At the moment the proposed plan changes the entrance for the trailhead (still allowing access to the graveyard during and after the construction process) and closing up the current two access points. Commissioner Storlie agree that Robbie Haus should be asked before the next winter to see if the county might be able to plow.
· Worked on the food access council to try and help find alternatives for families after Rubys closed down this last month.
Old Business:
· Lutsen Township emergency shelter; generator has been delivered and has been placed on property; now waiting for electrical hook ups to be installed. Lutsen already has a working kitchen, cots, blankets, showers and has already talked with other emergency shelter groups on needs. Commercial propane application submitted with propane installation anticipated. Supervisor Friesner will be working with setting up the necessary work to have propane tank installed, new heater and furnace. Clerk and deputy clerk will source for smaller items such as blankets to be placed in storage
· Citizen request for installation of personal convection oven at town hall kitchen; Finalized draft was completed and send to Tabitha to review with a security deposit and request to lock and unplugged when not in use to prevent damages of personal property and logistics with preplanning rentals and usage. Clerk and supervisor Freisner will be in contact with Tabitha to further work out details.
· Drone update; grants, fundings and outreach: (Sharon Hexum-Platzer)
We received the first grant money out of the five applied to; $5000 from the Cook County Community Fund/Boreal Waters. Sharon attended the Schroader meeting to request and explain the importance of having a search and rescue drone available to Lutsen township and all of the mutual aid municipalities that would benefit from the drone; Schroader has agreed to donation $2,500.
Fire Fighter Safety Grant will be the last in this current round to be applied to between May 4 through May 7, 2026; this grant requires specifics such as history of department and the number of calls responded to which 60% of were medical calls. The second round of grants will begin after May of this year for the remaining two contracted years. T-mobile grant which was the largest grant applied for should be decided in May 2026. Lloyd K Johnson grant applied for has a meeting set up with fire chief Duclos on May 18, 2026; the grant amount for $15,000. The next round of grants will be applied to year two and three of the contract in the same amount of $25,500. Supervisor Homyak suggested looking into possibly taking any of the fund received that is not to be paid out until year two and three be placed into a CD; contract will be reviewed to see if that is a possibility. Sharon advised sending out a second letter lo lodge and resort owners in request for a donation for the drone that have not responded to the first and just double check the actual owners of the lodges and resorts.
Supervisor Homyak also informed the board that the Ski Hill grant fundraiser that was scheduled for June 6, 2026 has been set back by a year due to a scheduling conflict with the June 6, 2026 date.
Anyone who would like to donation to this life saving cause please write your check out to Lutsen Township and put “drone” in the memo and send to P.O. Box 151 Lutsen, MN 55612
· Nelson-Harris Cartway petition; the petitioner was able to source another roadway onto the property with a neighboring property and dissolved the cartway petition. C Friesner made a motion to cancel the Nelson-Harris cartway resolution and the cartway proceedings, D Johnson seconded; motion passed.
· Dba for Lutsen Township account; there was an issue with North Shore Federal Credit Union and having the donated checks for the fire department deposited into the account as it does not specifically state “Lutsen Township”. Mainly this was triggered when large batches of donations were deposited for the drone and address “Lutsen Fire Department” even though the department is a part of Lutsen Township. For the moment the bank has found no other issues in the deposits. This issue will be put on hold as it is no longer an issue for the bank at the moment.
LBAE meeting date: LBAE to be held May 5th at 6:00pm at Lutsen Townhall
New Business:
· Website: Sharon Hexum-Platzer advised that the main page of the website does not include the full history of Lutsen; mainly no mention of the Native American population and the starting story of how Lutsen was formed. Supervisor agreed and Sharon will take charge in reformatting the “about” page for the Lutsen website.
· Search and rescue truck contract: Fire chief Duclos presented the contract from Rosenbauer for the new search and rescue truck as well as the specific schematic blueprint. Using Source Well to bid out each individual piece the township will not need to do a sealed bidding process as Source Well has already done the process while acquiring each piece. The new quote is slightly higher then previously stated with the full total being $408,668. Rosenbauer will need the signed contract by May 20, 2026 to move forward with the building of the truck at the quoted price and payment will not be required until completion at an estimated 605 days from initial start.
o Chris Homyak will go before the county on April 28, 2026 and request a county loan, so long as they approve payment will not be needed immediately. The process involved requesting from the commissioners the initial loan and if approved Chris Homyak will work with Brady on putting a detail packet together and present again to the commissioners to be finalized. He will be seeking a low interest loan; Lutsen 25% and county 75% financed.
o It was advised that the discount amount from Rosenbauer if the chassis is paid up front would be less then if we skipped the discount and place the total amount in a CD until payment.
o Back up plan would be to use the 25% to financed 75% and request a loan from one of the banks
The search and rescue truck contract will be presented to the commissioners and if approved and finances finalized by the next meeting on May 19, 2026 will be signed.
Donations: Drone donations: Michael Crook, Tofte Township, Mike Rose Escavating, Joel & Martha Button; C Friesner made a motion to accept the donations, C Homyak seconded. Motion passed and resolution 2026-4 signed and on file in the townhall office.
Citizen Comments:
· Sharon Hexum-Platzer: Recently a group that rents out the townhall weekly wanted to extend their rental but include kitchen use but there is a security deposit for kitchen use which is returned if no damage occurs. For this specific occurrence the clerk required a completely separate rental application and payment be placed as the host for the initial group were not in the country and the new rental would be hosted by different people not on file which is a liability should an incident occur. What should be the protocol if the initial rental wants to rent out the townhall for extended times every Sunday?
Clerk advised that so long as the host who is on the application is present for the extension of the rental it is fine to extend so long as it occurs consecutively in the same day as Lutsen does not charge by the hour but rather by day and so long as it does not interfere will other rentals already booked. If the kitchen will be used each time, then the $250 security deposit will need to get given to the township and once the contract weekly rentals end the security deposit will be returned so long as no damage occurs. Supervisors agreed with the application and security process taken.
· Request to the fire department to help set up the tent for the church yard sale on June 20, 2026 in Lutsen. To also help bring another loaned out 16x20 tent from Pete Spencer to be set up at the church yard sale. This yard sale helps North Point and Care Partner and is a great community event; public encouraged to come!
· Patrick is renting a sweeper over the next week of April and Tim Lien wanted to know if the town board would like to have the parking lot serviced. All supervisors agreed given and thanked him.
Adjournment: C Friesner made a motion to adjourn; seconded by L Cooper. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm
Respectfully Submitted, S Mcquatters-Spangle; Townhall Clerk Carl Friesner; Chairperson