Lake Michigamme Property Owners Annual Meeting Minutes July 25, 2026
Michigamme Township Hall Community Building
46 attendees, 1 speaker, 9 Board members
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Scott Lyman at 10:02 AM. Scott
welcomed everyone and motioned to approve the agenda. Kathy Hanson supported,
Bobbie Sauter seconded, and all approved.
2. Introduction to Board of Directors: Scott Lyman as President introduced the Board
Members present. Included were Pam Borlace as Treasurer, Kathy Kurzhals as
Secretary, Dan Ostola, Jim Gustitis, Ken Farley, Thad Cooper, Dixon Holmgren, and
Al Dausman. Absent were Vice President Amy Racine with a family obligation, Greg
Myer with a family obligation, Tina Arsenault with a family matter, and Susan Alexander
with significant injuries from an accident.
3. Guest Speakers:
a. Julia Leake spoke for Michigamme Township.
The 2nd annual Historical Presentation by Jack Deo and Jake Whitman on July 23 was mentioned, it continues to be a part of the annual fundraiser for the museum. The township clerk, treasurer, and administrative assistant positions have changed since last
year. The Planning Commission is almost ready to go public with a master plan regarding zoning.
The DDA is developing new signage in the town and supports the connection of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail to Michigamme Township.
Friends of Michigamme Community are working towards a goal of a new museum building, placed a memorial bench in the cemetery honoring unmarked graves, doing interior work on the engine house, and hosting the annual car show fundraiser.
The 4th of July committee had another successful celebration, donations and volunteers are always welcome.
The final 10% of the Park grant is almost done, a fire department equipment grant is being written, the township received a
$10,000 wellness grant, and $650 was received from LSAA for supplies for art programs. New grills, ash cans, and trash cans are at the Township Park and Campground Beach Park. Volleyball court drainage issues are being fixed, and a new roof is going on the Concession Stand. The Community Building is working on replacing 2 boilers and attending to coliforms in the drinking water creating
bans on usage. A fire alarm system will be installed and security cameras will be consolidated. Sewer line inlet valves and the main line will be reviewed.
August 4 is National Night Out, the Car Show is August 16, and Dumpster Days are September 3-4-5.
A Baraga Hospital Grant of 1.5 million for a remote health vehicle will be stationed in Michigamme. The Secretary of State has a remote
office available on certain dates in town. And finally, 4 lots owned by the township have been sold in town and will be developed.
b. The Republic Township Supervisor, John Dulek, was unable to speak today due to scheduling conflicts.
4. Treasurer's report: Pam Borlace
a. A 7/1/2025 balance was $7,309.27
b. A 6/30/2026 balance was $7,310.81
c. 2 6-month CD's total $10,473.59
d. Ending fund balance on 6/30/2026 was $17,784.40
e. The every 5 year dam inspection by James Coughlin was the biggest expense at $1,825.00
f. 182 members paid 2025 dues.
g. Bill Seppanen motioned to approve, John Blanck seconded, and all approved.
5. Secretary's report: Kathy Kurzhals
a. No correspondence to share.
6. President's report: Scott Lyman
a. Skip Archibald would like to graciously donate his pontoon motor boat to LMPO to replace the old buoy boat. A generous offer LMPO will be grateful to accept when finalized in September on Skip's return North.
b. Money was being banked to find a replacement boat motor. With Skip's donation negating that need, the money will be allocated to retrofit the new donated boat.
c. The Dam safety inspection performed by James Coughlin as well as the hopes of declassification to a Spillway is still an ongoing issue. EGLE will need to be involved in delisting and the process is slow. The legal classification of Dam is a misnomer for the basic barrier structure and declassifying to a Spillway would eliminate the potential million dollar repairs needed to keep the structure as a Dam.
d. Scott and wife Kathy braved the wildfire smoke to collect lake water samples from 4 different segments of the lake. All 4 samples continue to test well below the 300 cfu fecal coliform limits.
e. Highline Fiber Optic has little installation activity in the area. Operations have shifted south while they negotiate locally for utility pole use.
f. Scott Lyman thanked Nancy Rowe, with help from her sister Susan Alexander, for her work on maintaining and keeping current the LMPO website. Chris Fitzgerald was also thanked for keeping up a LMPO directory of contact information.
7. New Business:
a. Expiring terms include Kathy Kurzhals, Dan Ostola, Susan Alexander, and Dixon Holmgren. Kathy, Dan, and Susan have agreed to another term. Dixon chose to retire with son Chris Holmgren willing to step in. Mr. Baxter motioned to close the nominations. Kathy Hanson motioned to approve, Karen Johnson seconded, and all approved.
8. Adjourn: Scott Lyman motioned to adjourn at 10:54 AM. Kathy Hanson approved, Karen Johnson seconded, and all approved.
** a post meeting raffle drawing was held for 3 wood burned lake maps. The winners were Matthew Godlewski, Stephen Grobl, and William Kinnunen.
Michigamme Township Hall Community Building
46 attendees, 1 speaker, 9 Board members
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Scott Lyman at 10:02 AM. Scott
welcomed everyone and motioned to approve the agenda. Kathy Hanson supported,
Bobbie Sauter seconded, and all approved.
2. Introduction to Board of Directors: Scott Lyman as President introduced the Board
Members present. Included were Pam Borlace as Treasurer, Kathy Kurzhals as
Secretary, Dan Ostola, Jim Gustitis, Ken Farley, Thad Cooper, Dixon Holmgren, and
Al Dausman. Absent were Vice President Amy Racine with a family obligation, Greg
Myer with a family obligation, Tina Arsenault with a family matter, and Susan Alexander
with significant injuries from an accident.
3. Guest Speakers:
a. Julia Leake spoke for Michigamme Township.
The 2nd annual Historical Presentation by Jack Deo and Jake Whitman on July 23 was mentioned, it continues to be a part of the annual fundraiser for the museum. The township clerk, treasurer, and administrative assistant positions have changed since last
year. The Planning Commission is almost ready to go public with a master plan regarding zoning.
The DDA is developing new signage in the town and supports the connection of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail to Michigamme Township.
Friends of Michigamme Community are working towards a goal of a new museum building, placed a memorial bench in the cemetery honoring unmarked graves, doing interior work on the engine house, and hosting the annual car show fundraiser.
The 4th of July committee had another successful celebration, donations and volunteers are always welcome.
The final 10% of the Park grant is almost done, a fire department equipment grant is being written, the township received a
$10,000 wellness grant, and $650 was received from LSAA for supplies for art programs. New grills, ash cans, and trash cans are at the Township Park and Campground Beach Park. Volleyball court drainage issues are being fixed, and a new roof is going on the Concession Stand. The Community Building is working on replacing 2 boilers and attending to coliforms in the drinking water creating
bans on usage. A fire alarm system will be installed and security cameras will be consolidated. Sewer line inlet valves and the main line will be reviewed.
August 4 is National Night Out, the Car Show is August 16, and Dumpster Days are September 3-4-5.
A Baraga Hospital Grant of 1.5 million for a remote health vehicle will be stationed in Michigamme. The Secretary of State has a remote
office available on certain dates in town. And finally, 4 lots owned by the township have been sold in town and will be developed.
b. The Republic Township Supervisor, John Dulek, was unable to speak today due to scheduling conflicts.
4. Treasurer's report: Pam Borlace
a. A 7/1/2025 balance was $7,309.27
b. A 6/30/2026 balance was $7,310.81
c. 2 6-month CD's total $10,473.59
d. Ending fund balance on 6/30/2026 was $17,784.40
e. The every 5 year dam inspection by James Coughlin was the biggest expense at $1,825.00
f. 182 members paid 2025 dues.
g. Bill Seppanen motioned to approve, John Blanck seconded, and all approved.
5. Secretary's report: Kathy Kurzhals
a. No correspondence to share.
6. President's report: Scott Lyman
a. Skip Archibald would like to graciously donate his pontoon motor boat to LMPO to replace the old buoy boat. A generous offer LMPO will be grateful to accept when finalized in September on Skip's return North.
b. Money was being banked to find a replacement boat motor. With Skip's donation negating that need, the money will be allocated to retrofit the new donated boat.
c. The Dam safety inspection performed by James Coughlin as well as the hopes of declassification to a Spillway is still an ongoing issue. EGLE will need to be involved in delisting and the process is slow. The legal classification of Dam is a misnomer for the basic barrier structure and declassifying to a Spillway would eliminate the potential million dollar repairs needed to keep the structure as a Dam.
d. Scott and wife Kathy braved the wildfire smoke to collect lake water samples from 4 different segments of the lake. All 4 samples continue to test well below the 300 cfu fecal coliform limits.
e. Highline Fiber Optic has little installation activity in the area. Operations have shifted south while they negotiate locally for utility pole use.
f. Scott Lyman thanked Nancy Rowe, with help from her sister Susan Alexander, for her work on maintaining and keeping current the LMPO website. Chris Fitzgerald was also thanked for keeping up a LMPO directory of contact information.
7. New Business:
a. Expiring terms include Kathy Kurzhals, Dan Ostola, Susan Alexander, and Dixon Holmgren. Kathy, Dan, and Susan have agreed to another term. Dixon chose to retire with son Chris Holmgren willing to step in. Mr. Baxter motioned to close the nominations. Kathy Hanson motioned to approve, Karen Johnson seconded, and all approved.
8. Adjourn: Scott Lyman motioned to adjourn at 10:54 AM. Kathy Hanson approved, Karen Johnson seconded, and all approved.
** a post meeting raffle drawing was held for 3 wood burned lake maps. The winners were Matthew Godlewski, Stephen Grobl, and William Kinnunen.