draft
Lutsen Township Board Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2026
Lutsen Town Hall
Present: Carl Friesner, Chris Homyak, Dayna Johnson, Dale Sunstrom, Ginny Storlie, Samantha Mcquatters-Spangle, Sharon Hexum-Platzer, Steve Duclos, Tim Lien, Brad Sillman, Rae Piepho, Harold Piepho
Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairperson, C Friesner at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Agenda: C Friesner motioned to approve the agenda. Seconded by C Homyak. Motion passed.
Approval of July Meeting Minutes: C Friesner motioned to approve the updated minutes. C Homyk seconded. Motion passed.
Commissioner’s Report: (Ginny Storlie)
· Commissioners met with businesses up the Gunflint trail to review lost revenue and closures during the fire crisis during the 2026 summer. Some of the businesses were closed for 3 to 4 weeks; now that everyone is up and running trying to catch back up the commissioners are looking for a way through state legislator once it opens up.
Commissioner Storlie will be attending the Arrowhead regional development on Thursday August 20, 2026 in Duluth and see if any funds can be used to help through the CARES program. Visit Cook County has also been a great help in developing a QR code so others can offer support.
· Emergency Manager position has been open with six people submitting resumes and undergoing interviews. One offer made to one applicant and waiting to hear if they have accepted.
· West End Emergency Preparedness Fair took place on Saturday. Very well organized with great reviews on the multiple presentations including from the red cross and cybersecurity.
· Hovland celebrated their 50th anniversary of the fire department. Thank you for your services!
· Honeymoon Trail tower is set to be replaced (1/17 towers in Cook County).
· Commissioners will start discussions on next years budgeting, first meeting will be September 14, 2026. Three major categories up for discussion will be
o 1. Things that are mandated and unable to be negotiated
o 2. Core partners like city, library and YMCA
o 3. Non mandated requested summitted
Presentations have been given by all department heads including highway department and attorneys on budgeting, requests and cuts. Preliminary levy will be set by September 29, 2026 and finalized at the end of December. Levy once preliminary is set cannot be risen but can be lowered so it will always be set higher with the goal to lower it.
Citizen Questions:
o When looking at budgeting and reports from department heads are you looking for things that can be deducted and cut?
Commissioner Storlie: When meeting with the department heads and budgeting we go over what the bottom lines are and what can be negotiated down.
o Is the county doing anything about short term rentals? Duluth recently put a cap or stop new short-term rentals, has any action plan been put into place for Cook County will the excess numbers of short-term rentals currently in Cook County?
Commissioner Storlie: I have to look into the legalities of doing a moratorium and review with Mayor Reiner and the one currently heading short term rentals in Cook County Andrew Beavers. Longer term solution will be brining something to the legislature if there is enough support. Currently west end has a cap of 365 short term rental licenses and 600 for over all Cook County with the most expensive permitting in the state at $600 a license however that seem to do little to dissuade new license requests.
Clerk’s Report: S. Mcquatters-Spangle Deputy Clerk: S. Hexum-Platzer
Correspondence: Correspondence: 1 New townhall rental, 14 calls forwarded, email correspondences: worked with news, media and public health for the July fire update at townhall meeting along with multiple citizen responses. Superior NF Update on Limited Access to the BWCAW; forwarded. Access Proposal for BWCAW–Phase 2; forwarded. OSA Weekly Update. Notification: Board of Adjustment - 29 Jul 2026; reviewed and no Lutsen residences applied. Invitation: MAT District 10 Meeting Notice; forwarded. Emergency Preparedness Fair; updates. Superior NF Issues Wildfire Emergency Closure for Affected Recreation Sites. Partial Reopening of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; forwarded. AAAA Newsletter, August Update. Superior National Forest Lifts Campfire Restrictions on Developed Recreation Sites; forwarded. CTAS 2026 Update 2 Now Available in SAFES; waiting until after annual meeting to update. Additional Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points to Reopen; forwarded. Town Aid Certification Update. MN Rural Capacity Program Newsletter. Revised Drone Insurance Quote; forwarded. City of Grand Marais Weekly Update. Local Emergency Preparedness Committee Bi-Monthly Meeting with link; forwarded. Staff Safety Training - CPR, Lifeguard & Water Safety Swim Instructor Programs; forwarded. Superior NF Reopens over 1,500 BWCAW Campsites; forwarded. Important Updates to 2027 Exclusion Report Codes + Employer Education. Remittance Advice Notification; forwarded.
A. Annual meeting notices posted
B. CTAS updates with treasurer
C. EMS/Fire orders
D. Fire training reimbursement filed
E. Heiman account created for fire/ordered parts; tax exempt
F. Sharon continued work on IRRRB app for Gitchi Gami Trail
o The grant that releases money through the IRRRB for the trail extension for Lutsen Township to disburse has multiple steps. One being a detailed format of project timelines, amounts, detailed mock up of the project all being questions between DNR and MN DOT that are currently held up as the design is changing when factoring in newly impacted land owners and updated surveying. Once a design idea and budgeting for each item is approved by both departments the grant information can be finalized. Current deadline is set for 2028.
o Resolution has already been signed by the township in preparations to accept the grant money as a pass-through for the projects.
o Culvert replacement is due to be designed and worked on between Arrowhead electric and Steam Engine Road in Lutsen before the Gitchi Gami bike trail is designed and set.
G. CD’s updated
H. Lutsen Township Plowing and Sanding bids to be put in paper and posted with submission date set for October 16, 2026 and to be reviewed by supervisors for the October meeting.
I. Reviewed grant opportunities through MAT; one new EMS grant to be looked at.
J. NSFCU new credit card ordered
o Bank has requested that any check, mainly donations be written out to Lutsen Township as that is the name on the account instead of Lutsen Fire Department which is a department under the township and could cause an issue as many of the donations are written directly out to Lutsen Fire Department. Supervisor Homyak advised talking with Grand Marais State Bank about their policies and potentially using the checking account there to deposit donations designed Fire Department. Treasurer Sundstrom will correspond with the bank to find a solution.
K. Sharon attended the West End Emergency Preparedness Fair and was able to network with Jane Hyde would after talking with fire departments and other citizens organized and designed stickers for citizens with pets to inform emergency crews how one many and what type during emergencies to be donated by Jane. They will be done at the end of August and Sharon can distribute at different public events and shared with other fire departments.
Treasurer’s Report; Dale Sundstrom: As of July 31,2026;
North Shore Federal Credit Union-Checking $303,493.71; General Building Fund-savings $22,594.62, General Building Fund-Share Secured VISA- $10,000.03; General Money Market $87,027.95 totaling $423,116.31;
CD investments;
o 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State bank-$111,248.58 at 3.75%
Matures 5/2/27
Fire truck fund
o 24 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $10,249.18 at 4.0%
Matures 10/22/27
(Vehicle Refurbish/Manit)
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%
Matures 8/27/26
Building fund
o 7 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $100,000 at 4.0%
Matures 8/27/26
General/Fire fund
o 7 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $112,817.63 at 4.0%
Matures 8/27/26
Truck Fund
o 13 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $105,074.59
Matures 4/27/27
Truck Fund
o 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank - $204,334.00 at 3.75%
Matures 5/29/29
Truck Loan Funds
o 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank - $39,000.00 at 3.75%
Matures 5/29/27
Drone Funds
Total funds including CD investments $1,151,089.47
(This includes the truck loan of $204,334)
Year to Date Receipts $303,370.35; Year to Date Disbursements $149,272.53.
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. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed
Three of the CD’s at Grand Marais State Bank are maturing at the end of August; would the board like to find a new CD’s invest the funds into? Supervisor Freisner made a motion to reinvest the three maturing CD’s into new CD’s at the highest percent between 7 to 18 months. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
Fire and General budget put the township at 58% through the year with spending at 56.6% of the budgeted amount. Most everything is tracking right on budget besides Grandview Park cost set higher due to multiple downed spruce trees.
Review and Approval of Claims:
· Clerk S. Mcquatters-Spangle provided the invoiced August Claims totaling $28,060.27. Details including building loan payment (currently set with less then 5 years left), mowing services for both the park and ball field over the summer, electric bill and reimbursement to fire crew for fuel at Ely camp fire.
· C Friesner made a motion to approve August claims. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
· Clerk provided August 2026 payroll; 3 claims totaling $2,048.25
C Friesner made a motion to approved payroll. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed
· Claims approval and Payroll distributions were signed by Supervisors; copies are on file
in the town office.
· Cash Control for August 2026 presented and which matches with treasurer’s report
Fire and EMS Report:
· Chief Duclos reported 3 fire call and 2 EMS calls.
· Training for this month included
o Airways
o IV’s
o Pump up’s on the trucks
o Hydrants
o Air pack testing
o Drone training
o Rope launcher training
o Wildland evacuation reviews
· Lutsen resort hydrant is broken again; contacts have already taken charge in working with the company on fixing before it becomes a legal and safety issue.
· Attended emergency management interviews for Cook County as a fire chief and submitted recommendations to the commissioners.
· Lutsen fire department presented drone demos as the west end emergency fair
· Mutual aid at the Ely camp fire; first week included 4 full days 24 hours shifts; second week 4-day shifts
· Chute on tender broke and was able to have a new one overnighted; this part is what allows to water to come out of the back of the tender; the fire department will be reimbursed for this part by the state.
· Fire/EMS office needs to be treated for ants as soon as possible; request approved to buy multiple ant traps from the hardware store.
· Previously retired fire fighter has rejoined the Lutsen Fire Department bringing the number to 17 Fire personnel. Lutsen fire has enough lockers to fit 19 total; anyone wanting to apply as a volunteer please message Lutsenfire@gmail.com and get a hold of fire chief Duclos.
Supervisors’ Reports
C Friesner:
o Emptied garbage at dog park
o Talked with plumbers about short term shelter set up
o Next year Lutsen fire department will mark the 75th anniversary; Thank you for your services!
D Johnson:
o worked with the West End Emergency Preparedness for the fair set up; great presentations!
o Talked with WTIP
C Homyak:
o Gitchi Gami trail meetings; talked with citizens, DNR and MN DOT
o Found insurance for drone operations
o Attended meeting at Hungry Jack for businesses effected by the summer fires
o Attended Ely camp fires as a fire fighter, Thank you for your service!
Old Business:
· Lutsen Township Short Term Emergency Shelter: Both hawt dog heaters are installed and Hank will finish utility installation when time allows in August of this year. It was advised to have supervisor carl look at the propane lines as they are not set up to access the generator. Review of event situations and how each event is handled; basic logistics to be reviewed. Clerk will be donating 20 blankets and pillows for the short-term shelter and Supervisor Johnson will take charge in storage logistics; possibly look into buying some totes and wrap in pallet plastic for longer term storage.
· Grandview Park Pavillion: Reached out to Boreal Enterprises to inspects and submit a quote and plan of action to repair damage to the pavilion legs by replacing posts and then raise the posts by 6 to 7 inches on concrete so the wood does not sit in water during spring.
· Bulletin board: Supervisors will review options and cost-effective designs as a great number of citizen use the dog park/ball park daily and would be a much better outreach and updating the community on township events.
· Gitchi Gami Trail extension: IRRRB pass through money have been secured and Sharon has been working on the process required to access and use of the $550,000 grant money when requested by DNR when construction begins; addition information is needed from DNR and MN DOT is still currently on going with changing designs and addition factors. Lutsen township will be contact will any updated details as they are done.
· Drone update; grants, fundings and outreach:
o (Sharon Hexum-Platzer) Township did not receive the State farm grant but still waiting to hear back from operation round up grants at the end of August 2026. Additional grant opportunities sent to Sharon who will continue to research and apply.
o Supervisor Homyak found aviation insurance liability for the drone as warranty covers damaged parts with bumper-to-bumper coverage already; liability with be through Musty Barnhart for $622 annually. This will cover 1 million for personal injury, 1 million for liability and $5000 for medical. Supervisor Homyak made a motion to go through with purchasing this policy; main contact name will be Fire chief Duclos as the pilots are already listed on the policy. C Friesner seconded. Motion passed.
Anyone wishing to donate to this life saving device, please write your check to Lutsen Township and put “drone” in the memo line. Mail to P.O. Box 151 Lutsen, MN 55612
New Business:
· Letters of support request:
o Renewal of liquor license for MGT holding LLC dba Moguls Grill & Tap room
o Renewal of 3.2 off sale license for Lockport Marketplace & Grill
o Renewal of liquor license for Clearview General Store
Supervisor Freisner made a motion to support writing a letter of support, D Johonson seconded. (Supervisor Homyak abstained from voting for Clearview General Store). Motion passed.
· Fall celebrations: Supervisors agreed to October 17, 2026 from 1-4pm and to have a similar pot luck style celebration like last year long with door prizes donated from local businesses. Supervisor Johnson will take charge of media outreach (advised to reach out to visit cook county), Supervisor Freisner will take charge of donations and decorations. Any proceeds from donation to go to Lutsen fire department.
Fall Celebration
October 17, 2026 1-4pm
Lutsen Townhall
Potluck and door prizes and donation proceeds going to Lutsen fire department
· Request to fix townhall parking issues:
o The three lines nearest the townhall door have become an issue with weekly rentals and parking and have them blacked out.
o A hole has shown up on the side of the townhall parking and a cone has been placed over it; Mike Rose was able to dig up the area and found that the previous old school house foundation was used as back fill and had shifted underground, the area was fixed and filled.
· Pancake breakfast hosted by Lutsen Fire Department:
September 20, 20226
8-11am
· Letter to MN DOT: Citizens has come forward at the continued annual meeting about accidents or many near accidents on highway 61 between Issak Hansens and the Grandview park with cars trying to pass when people are turning into driveways, parks and businesses. Request to have to have solid no pass line put on the highway. Additional concern over passing cars and accidents in front of Arrowhead electric before the speed limit reduces to 40 miles per hour and requesting this letter to additionally request to have to slow speed designated area to be pushed to Alta Mikana and maintaining 40 miles per hour until Caribou trail. Increased traffic in the recent years has caused great concert over this area from multiple citizens and accidents. Sharon Hexum-Platzer will take lead in writing a letter to MN DOT with additional outreach to county administrator and Robbie Haas to seek support; possibly try reaching out to businesses effected in the area for support as well.
· West end Lutsen speed sign has connectivity issues but the manufacture is no longer in business. Supervisor Freisner will take lead in talking with Sundew tech and advised course of action in remedying this issue.
Donations for the Drone: Tait Lake Association, Rollan and Berit Talan; Supervisor Freisner made a motion to accept the donations, C Homyak seconded. Motion passed. Thank you for your donations
Citizen Comments: None
Adjournment: C Friesner motioned to adjourn Seconded by C Homyak. Motion passed; Board adjourned at 8:34pm
Respectfully Submitted, S Mcquatters-Spangle; Deputy Clerk Carl Friesner; Chairperson