The quarterly meeting of the CVBC was held Thursday, Jan. 13, at Restoration & Construction Services in Clearwater. Restoration & Construction Services is owned by Mathew and Amanda Dirksen. The meeting began with the popular annual chili cook-off (ninth annual), complete with a plethora of chili fixings including fresh green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, hot sauce and more. Clearwater Travel Plaza provided an array of breads from their bakery, as well as several varieties of scrumptious pies. Attendees enjoyed sampling chili and voting on their favorite, with the top two entries receiving Coborn’s gift cards.  CVBC Chili Cookoff winners included Dan Lunning from Cutting Edge Catering ($50 Coborns gift card); second place went to Amanda Dirksen from Restoration & Construction Services ($25 Coborns gift card); third place and honorable mention went to Dr. Eron Bordson of Clearwater Family Chiropractic. 

April Vasecka of Irrigation Management and member of Clearwater Parks Board gave an update on openings for different city board and commission openings. She explained they are in desperate need of Clearwater residents to step up and serve in several capacities for local boards and commissions. Openings are available in the following areas: Park Commission (meets monthly in the evening); Planning Commission (meets as needed, usually once per quarter in the evening); Economic Development Authority (meets monthly in the morning). For more information or to request an application, contact city Clearwater City Hall at 320-558-2428. 

There was a brief discussion about the possibility of a Community Center coming to Clearwater in the future. 

Movies and Music in the Park in Clearwater is also slated to happen again this year if permits from the city of Clearwater are granted and locations for the events are secured. Several Clearwater area businesses have offered to provide sponsorships at a variety of amounts to help offset the costs associated with the Movies/Music in the Park events. Additional sponsors are needed. Donations in any amount are welcome. More discussion will follow in the next few months. Anyone interested in volunteering to serve on the committee overseeing the project should contact Alyx Johnson: JohnsonMaterials@Yahoo.com.

There is an interest in starting a Clearwater Farmer’s Market. Lori Johnson, Root of Wellness business owner and CVBC Vice President, is spearheading this new project. The goal is for the farmers market to be launched spring/summer of 2023. Anyone interested in helping research for this project and/or serving on the committee should contact Lori Johnson: Lori.RootOfWellness@Yahoo.com.

Clear Lake Township Board Chair Gary Gray gave an update on happenings at the township level including the long overdue new township hall building, which is a beautiful structure made to give the appearance of a log structure. Gary explained that for decades the township meetings have been held in the basement of a very old building which felt much like a tomb, adding to the excitement of the new township facility. The new township hall opened November of 2020. Clear Lake township meetings are held at the new location (7938 116th Street. SE. Clear Lake). They also dedicated a spot for a satellite office for Sherburne County Sherriff’s Dept. The new Clear Lake Town Hall is open for visitors Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Gray also discussed solar projects in Clear Lake township that are underway, as well as a brief discussion about Clearwater/Clear Lake wastewater treatment plant. A short discussion was held about recent thefts in the area. Thieves have been gaining access to area homes using garage door remotes left in unlocked vehicles. Sherburne County Sherriff’s Dept. recommend people lock their cars and take valuables out of their vehicles. 

CVBC Treasurer Eron Bordson gave a treasurer’s report. Dues for 2022 were collected at the meeting. A short discussion was held regarding the possibility of raising the amount for CVBC dues for 2023. Dues will remain the same at this time. A decision will be made at a future meeting whether to raise rates slightly for 2023. 

Newcomer outreach packets is a project being led by Tri County Alliance Pastor David Fogal and Mission Outreach Director Becky Aanerud. Mary Nehring of Patriot Newspaper will also serve on the committee. Anyone who would like to help with the newcomer project can reach out to Pastor David Fogal of Tri County Alliance Church of Clearwater: PastorDaveTCA@gmail.com

CVBC Officers were elected for the new year.  Glenna Soenneker will serve as President again this year. Lori Johnson will continue in her role as Vice President. Jenny Massmann will continue serving as Secretary. Eron Bordson will serve as Treasurer for another year. 

CVBC Board member Angie Simon (Lake Central Bank) has accepted employment elsewhere, leaving a vacant CVBC board position. Lori Norlien (Norlien Fine Arts) was appointed to fill that open board position at the meeting. 

Several wonderful door prizes from local businesses attending the meeting were awarded at the end of the meeting. 

Mathew and Amanda Dirksen shared some background about their business and the facility (Restoration & Construction Services). The Dirksens also provided a tour of the facility after the meeting. 

The next meeting of the CVBC will be held Thursday, April 14th at 11:30 am. Location will be announced at a later time.