Land Conservation & Forest Management Committee - Regular Meeting — Minutes

Chippewa County Land Conservation & Forest Management Committee Regular Meeting July 15, 2026 Chippewa County Courthouse, Room 302 12:00 PM 1. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Members Present: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Members Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt Others Present: Agency staff present at times throughout the meeting were A. Albarado (Co. Administrator), C. McTaggert (DNR), L. Simington (Finance Director), and L. Christman, K. Clow, M. Hansen, B. Homme, J. Larson, J. Puig, L. Schweikert, T. Shutter, D. Wold, R. Yohnk, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCFM). Members of the public present at times throughout the meeting were S. Gundlach, M. Prokop, and P. Krumenauer. 3. Members of the Public Wishing to Be Heard (Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker.) M. Propkop addressed the Committee. He is the owner/operator of Prokop Logging and asked the Committee for a 0% increase over the next two years for the three (3) timber sale extensions that are on the agenda for an extension. He indicated that logging activity for these sales is restricted due to oak wilt restrictions and the market prices for pulpwood is down compared to market prices when he contracted for the sales. 4. Consent Agenda (Unless separation of an item is requested, all items will be adopted under one motion.) Motion: Approved Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: James Flater Seconder: Matthew Peterson Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt 1. Approve the Agenda 2. Approve the Minutes - May 20, 2026 3. Schedule Next Meeting Date - August 19, 2026 5. Reports 1. Introduction of Land Conservation & Forest Management Limited Term Employees - Lynda Schweikert L. Schweikert introduced the following Limited Term Employees to the Committee: -Lucille Christman, Land Resource Technician. -Brynn Homme, Engineering Co-op. -Dailyn Wold, Land Resource Technician, Lake Wissota Stewardship Project. 2. Land Conservation & Forest Management Department Data Dashboard - Lynda Schweikert L. Schweikert presented an oral report. The report was supported by a table titled: 2026 Land Conservation Forest Management Department Dashboard, (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The table provides an ongoing picture of what is happening in the Department by division (Conservation, Non-Metallic Mining, Stormwater, Recycling/Solid Waste, and Forestry). 6. Business Items 1. Resolution to Authorize the Acquisition of Land for Addition to the County Forest and Use of Non- Lapsing Fund Balance and State Grants to Complete the Acquisition - Matt Hansen M. Hansen presented an oral report. The report was supported by the following materials: 1. Resolution titled: Resolution to Authorize the Acquisition of Land for Addition to the County Forest and Use of Non-Lapsing Fund Balance and State Grants to Complete the Acquisition, (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file and attached). The resolution authorizes the acquisition by Chippewa County of real property owned by Lawrence & Lynn Wilson and funding for the purchase. 2. Map of the northern half of Chippewa County which shows the location of the Chippewa County Forest and the Wilson parcel, (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). 3. Map titled: Lawrence & Lynn Wilson, SENW, Sec. 23, T32N, R8W. The map shows the location of the Lawrence & Lynn Wilson property in relation to County Forest parcels, (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). Motion to accept the resolution and forward to the County Board: Flater/Sedlitz. Motion carried by voice vote. This item was reviewed by the committee and will be forwarded to the County Board for review at the August 11, 2026, meeting. Motion: Forwarded to the County Board Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: James Flater Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt 2. Authorize Deer Fly Chase Mountain Bike Race Permit in County Forest - Matt Hansen M. Hansen presented an oral report. The report was supported by the following materials: 1. Agreement titled: Chippewa County Forest Special Event Permit and Agreement, (LCFM – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The agreement grants the Friend of Hickory Ridge exclusive use of Dog Island Warming House and certain segments of the Chippewa County Forest property trail network to conduct a mountain bike race. 2. Map titled: Attachment A – Tentative route, likely to change before race authorization, (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The map shows the tentative route of the race. Motion to approve the Deer Fly Chase Mountain Bike Race Permit: Peterson/Flater. Motion carried by voice vote. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Matthew Peterson Seconder: James Flater Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt 3. Review Timber Sale Contract Extensions - Matt Hansen M. Hansen presented an oral report. The report was supported by a table summarizing timber sales that need extensions (Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). Motion to grant two (2) year extensions with 0% increase for Propkop Logging contracts, as presented: Flater/Seidlitz. Amended motion to grant two (2) year extensions with 0% increase for Propkop Logging contracts, and grant contract extensions for David Hakes Logging and Theodore Strzok Logging contracts per contract language, as presented: Flater/Seidlitz. Motion carried by voice vote. Motion: Approved as Amended Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: James Flater Seconder: Joel Seidlitz Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt There was general discussion. Discussion focused on the current pulpwood market and biomass project. 4. 2027 Land Conservation & Forest Management Fee Schedule - Lynda Schweikert L. Schweikert presented and the Committee reviewed the following materials: 1. Table titled: 2027 Fee Schedule, General Service Fees, (LCFM 7/1/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the current 2026 and the proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of general Land & Water Conservation Division Programs. 2. Table titled: 2027 Fee Schedule, Animal Waste Storage & Livestock Facility Fees, (LCFM 7/1/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 - copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the current 2026 and the proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of the Chippewa County Agricultural Performance standards, Manure Storage & Livestock Facility Ordinance. 3. Table titled: Draft 2027 Fee Schedule, Storm Water Fees, (LCFM 7/1/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of the Chippewa County Construction Site Erosion Control & Post-Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance. 4. Table titled: 2027 Fee Schedule, Non Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance, Annual Permit Fees, (LCFM 7/1/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the current 2026 charges and proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of the Chippewa County Non Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance. 5. Table titled: 2027 Fee Schedule, Non Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance, Plan Review Fees, (LCFM 7/2/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the current 2026 charges and proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of the Chippewa County Non Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance. 6. Table titled: Department of Land Conservation and Forest Management, Recycling Division, 2027 Fee Schedule, (LCFM 5/28/26 – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The schedule lists the current 2026 and the proposed 2027 fees for services administered in support of the Chippewa County Recycling Program. There was general discussion. Discussion focused on: 1. Recycling fees for tires/sizes. 2. Water testing available through Public Health. Motion to approve the fees, as presented: Seidlitz/Flater. Motion carried by voice vote. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: James Flater Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt 5. 2027 Land Conservation & Forest Management Budget Requests - Lynda Schweikert L. Schweickert presented the Dept. of Land Conservation & Forest Management budgets, as supported by the following materials: 1. Report titled: LCFM Synopsis of 2027 Budget Changes, (LCFM – Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The report summarizes the LCFM 2027 budget changes. 2. Table titled: County of Chippewa, LCFM – Budget Summary, 2027 DH Requested Budget, (LCFM – Distributed 7/8/26 -copy on file & attached). The table summarizes the department’s 2025, 2026, and proposed 2027 Springbrook budgets. 3. Table titled: County of Chippewa, LCFM – Tax Levy Budget, 2027 DH Requested Budget, (LCFM – Distributed 7/8/26 -copy on file & attached). The table outlines the department’s 2025, 2026, and initial 2027 tax levy budget requests. 4. Table titled: County of Chippewa, LCFM – Budget Detail, 2027 DH Requested Budget, (LCFM - Distributed 7/8/26 – copy on file & attached). The table shows individual line item expenses and revenues for each of the department’s accounts. Motion to approve and forward 2027 budget to the County Administrator: Seidlitz/Flater. Motion carried by voice vote. Motion: Forward Budget to the County Administrator Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: James Flater Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt 7. Agenda Items for Future Consideration The Chair mentioned that if anyone has any future agenda items, to contact himself or L. Schweikert. 8. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 12:49 p.m. Motion: Approved Result: Passed (5 - 0) Mover: Joel Seidlitz Seconder: Matthew Peterson Ayes: James Flater, Joel Seidlitz, Matthew Peterson, Charles Bomar, Nina Eisold Nayes: None Absent: Rocky Kempe, Ken Schmitt