draft
Lutsen Township Board Meeting Minutes
September 15, 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
Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Vice Chairperson, C Homyak at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Agenda: C Homyak motioned to approve the agenda. Seconded by D Johnson. Motion passed.
Approval of August Meeting Minutes: C Homyak motioned to approve the updated minutes. D Johnson seconded. Motion passed.
Commissioner’s Report: (Ginny Storlie)
· Cook County’s new emergency manager was elected; Ruth Vogel congratulations!
· County has taken over maintenance part of highway ball club county road 27 all the way to Sawbill; Onion River Road maintenance will also be taken over by the county.
· Commissioner Storlie attended the IRRRB social gathering celebrating their 85-year anniversary; their grants and help with county all over norther MN have made a bit impact and improvements.
· Cook County putting next year’s budget together; after meeting with all the department heads and cutting most things down to bare bones. Levy will be set on September 22, 20227 at 11% or 12% with finalization happening in December.
· Association of Minnesota counties starting the week of September 14, 2027 will be meeting in Bemidji MN. Each representative taking a lead on a specific committee through the week.
· Grand Marais having their fly in breakfast starting at 8am September 20, 2027
· Gitchi Gami trail holding an annual in Schroader MN at 10am on September 20, 2027; public is encouraged to attend!
· Heritage Center in Schroader having their annual meeting this weekend as well.
Request by citizen to Commissioner Storlie to have the commissioners hold a public input about Cook County roads including highway 61 as there are concerning issues that have come forward lately. Commissioner Storlie agreed and will talk with Robbie about setting up a public comment time as there are more people that have come forward with the same issue.
Clerk’s Report: S. Mcquatters-Spangle Deputy Clerk: S. Hexum-Platzer
Correspondence: Correspondence: 4 New townhall rental, 6 calls forwarded, email correspondences: Talked with Rebecca and attorney Gilchrist to finalize last payment not yet deposited. Northspan: DAWN Business Resource Summit & Pitch Competition, City of Grand Marais Weekly Update, cluster fly application, Minnesota Association of Townships newsletter, Thompson Gas: Federal Safety Notification, Two Additional BWCAW will Reopen August 25 for Visitors, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation newsletter, Public Hearing Notice - Cook County Planning Commission; forwarded, Minnesota Office of the State Auditor newsletter including new training videos, MAT District 10 Meeting Notice; forwarded, Superior NF Lifts Fire Restrictions forest-wide including BWCAW, September 11 half-staff alert; forwarded, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation newsletter, Staff Safety Training - CPR, Lifeguard & Water Safety Swim Instructor Programs; forwarded, CCHE September Events Newsletter, Invitation & RSVP: Cook County + University of Minnesota ESMC Site Visit; forwarded,
A. NSFCU new credit card set up/received by fire chief
B. Application process started to move to .gov website and email
C. Additional claim approved and processed
D. Park outhouse unlocked 2 times per requests
E. Plowing and Sanding bids posted
F. Cont. annual meeting minutes/posted along with budget and levy
G. SAMS registration UEI verification
H. Request from citizens to change locking system at Grand View Park as it keeps getting locked with no one inside. C Friesner will be notified
Treasurer’s Report; Dale Sundstrom: As of August 31,2026;
North Shore Federal Credit Union-Checking $302,643.68; General Building Fund-savings $22,596.54, General Building Fund-Share Secured VISA- $10,000.88; General Money Market $87,116.65 totaling $422,357.75;
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 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $35,813.15 at 3.15%
Matures 7/27/27
Building fund
o 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $102,323.29 at 3.75%
Matures 7/27/27
General/Fire fund
o 11 Month CD at Grand Marais State Bank- $115,438.71 at 3.75%
Matures 7/27/27
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 5/29/27
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 $733,730.68
(This includes the truck loan of $204,334)
Year to Date Receipts $349,254.43; Year to Date Disbursements $186.717.23.
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 Homyak made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. D Johnson seconded. Motion passed
Review and Approval of Claims:
· Clerk S. Mcquatters-Spangle provided the invoiced September Claims totaling $10,731.33. Details including fixing the small sink hole near in the townhall parking lot; KTM for $3,322.46 and Mike Rose $2,100 and completion of the electrical work at the townhall for the short-term emergency shelter $2,540
· D Johnson made a motion to approve September claims. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
· Clerk provided September 2026 payroll; 21 claims totaling $13,970.65; this includes 3rd quarter Fire/EMS payroll as well as the additional approved firefighting hour helping with mutual aid at bear creek fire and camp fire.
C Homyak 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 September 2026 presented and which matches with treasurer’s report
Fire and EMS Report:
· Chief Duclos reported 2 fire call and 3 EMS calls.
· Lutsen volunteer fire incorporated in 1952 will be 75 years old next year! Thank you crew
· Training for this month included
o Pre planning Cathedral of the Pines and outbuildings for training next month
o Prepping for a big pump up
o Drone training
o 2 meetings; fire hall cleaning
o Contacted representee about the broken hydrant and fix
o Tender truck issue has a broken check valve and engine truck break issue; have not heard back from Kirvida after an extended period of time. Fire chief might be contacting Heiman to look at the issues instead.
Lutsen Fire
Pancake breakfast September 20, 2027
8am-11am
Lutsen Townhall
· Lutsen fire department presented drone demos as the west end emergency fair and have received a donation back split three ways between the west end townships.
· Fire crew has talked about using the wildland mutual aid reimbursements not currently allocated could be put towards drone contract payments. D Johnson made a motion to allocate excess funds left over form mutual fire reimbursement for aid to go to future drone costs. C Friesner seconded. Motion passed.
· 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
D Johnson:
o Communicated with citizens about current township issues including highway dangers in Lutsen
o Talked with WTIP
C Homyak:
o Gitchi Gami trail association meetings; talked with citizens, DNR and MN DOT
Annual meeting this Saturday September 19, 2027 at 11am; elections to be held
Public encouraged to attended earlier at 9:30 for public input and discussion
o Found insurance for drone operations; contracts to be signed in September 2027
o Supervisor Homyak will be running for county commissioner; if elected he would need to resign at the December 2026 meeting from the Lutsen township board.
Old Business:
· Lutsen Township Short Term Emergency Shelter: Both hawt dog heaters are installed. 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. Advised to review if outside pipes need to be capped.
· 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:(Sharon Hexum-Platzer)
o Two additional grants to be applied to over the next month including the Gary Sinise Foundation
o Waiting to hear back on additional grant opportunities
o Outreach Arrowhead board has not yet met but Sharon will continue to check in until we hear back
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
· Highway 61 letter of support; Due to an ongoing highway safety issue and a recent increase in vehicle accidents or near accidents between Grandview Park and Issak Hansen it has been discussed by supervisors and citizens to draft a letter to MN Dot and the highway department to strategize a fix to this problem. Suggestions ranging from painting a double yellow do not pass in this area to moving the slow speed signs from their current locations to cover from Alta Mikana all the way to Caribou trail. Over the last month Sharon Hexum-Platzer has written out requests and reviews to locals and local businesses to review this issue and if agreed on submit a letter of support to the township that can be submitted in mass to the correct departments. At the moment 12 letters have been submitted by effected business owners and citizens in the Lutsen area with more currently being written.
After all letters are collected Sharon will create a cover letter which will include the inquired accident rate and speeding rates in this area from both the highway department and sheriff’s department for a better overview for MN Dot.
If you feel you effected by the speeding rates and accident rate on highway 61 in the Lutsen area please email Lutsentownship@gmail.com with your concerns or questions on this topic.
· West end road speed sign: The Lutsen west end road speed sign has been inoperative for the last few months and after speaking to a tech consultant it was advise to replace. Given a few options the board has decided to go with the cheaper $500 solar sign to replace all the internal parts for a trial run through the winter. C Friesner made a motion to move forward with consulting Sundew Tech in purchasing a new speed sign to replace the nonfunctioning sign located next to Arrowhead Electric. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed
· Fall Celebration: After deliberating duties and public input on better outreach it has been decided; supervisor Johnson will take charge with requesting donations. Supervisor Friesner will take lead on decorations and come early on the date of the event to help cook. Supervisor Homyak will be donating hotdogs, brats, apple cider and come early on the date of the event to help cook. Sharon Hexum-Platzer will take charge in public outreach including visit Cook County and poster creation.
Lutsen Fall Celebration
October 17, 2026 from 1pm-4pm
Lutsen Townhall
Potluck style event
(best dish award will be featured on our website)
New Business:
· Letters of support request:
o Superior National Golf Course Holdings LLC dba Superior National Lutsen for on sale liquor license including Sunday sales
Supervisor Freisner made a motion to support writing a letter of support, D Johonson seconded. Motion passed.
Donations for the Drone: Township of Schroeder, Township of Schroeder (donation form the emergency preparedness fair), 3AM properties LLC, David and Kara Walter, Anita Kay Smith, Nancy Morre/Alean Steigelman; 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 8:30pm
Respectfully Submitted, S Mcquatters-Spangle; Deputy Clerk Carl Friesner; Chairperson