Stefany Janish was absent from the Tuesday, January 20, 2026, meeting of the Clear Lake City Council. 

Acting Fire Chief Matt Lunser submitted a proposed budget for Clear Lake Fire’s 2027 budget to the council. Council member Lance Gilliland requested additional time to review, and the council will vote on the proposed budget at its February 2 meeting. 

Lunser also informed the council of the department’s first house fire of the year, which occurred at 1 a.m. on January 20.  It was 20 degrees when firefighters arrived at the scene, and the fire was put out at approximately 7 a.m. The fire started in the chimney of the home but spread into the structure. There were multiple rekindles and a flashover. A couple of firefighters had to bail out of the second floor. 

Lunser said, “I’m very, very proud of the department and the mutual aid.”

Other News

Public Works Director Evan Johnson celebrated his first year of service with the city. He gave an update to the council, reporting a busy weekend dealing with drifting and multiple salting events. Public works has been busy maintaining sight lines at intersections throughout the city; 

• Newly appointed Sherburne County Attorney Dawn Nyhus introduced herself to the council and gave a summary of cases referred to Sherburne County in 2025: zero felons, four gross misdemeanors, eight misdemeanors, and five petty misdemeanors; 

• The city approved plans for the final phase of development for the Hunter Lake Bluff project. Upon completion, 24 single-family homes will have been constructed; 

• Among the approved changes to the city handbook was the addition of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day to the official holidays the city observes; 

• In his mayoral remarks to the council, Mayor Tom Goenner continued to respond to complaints he has received from residents asking that city sidewalks be clear of ice and snow. Johnson responded that all city-maintained sidewalks and intersections are being addressed.