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Minutes for 7/21/2026 Zoning Committee Meeting page 1 of 2 The Iron County Comprehensive Planning/Land & Zoning Committee met in the County Board Room of the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley, WI on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026. Committee members present were Chairman Patrick Hanson, Karen Lauer, Jeff Nevala . Steve Finco and Gary Kessler were excused. Erika Roeder, Zoning Department Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator Mark Marczak as well as Larry Youngs, County Board Chairman, were present. Chairman Hanson called the meeting to order at 3:02p.m. Roeder stated and acknowledged that the meeting notice has been posted properly. Lauer then made the motion to approve the minutes from the 6 /16/26 meeting. Nevala seconded. Motion carried. Mercer School Fee Waiver Request: Director Roeder explained the Mercer school district has requested a waiver of the $ 64.00 permit fee for the Storage Structure they need to place on their property. It’s to be used to house sporting equipment. The request was made due to limited financial resources and the projects’ overall community benefit. Motion made by Lauer to approve, second by Nevala. All in favor. Motion carried. Conditional Use: Allow the construction of a 3760 square foot accessory building in an R-1 (Residential) zoned District, located in part of GV Lot 8, Section 24, Township 43 North, Range 3 East, Town of Mercer (site address is 5751N Echo Lake Road Owner Nicholas Morris, Applicant) Director Roeder stated the Town of Mercer input approved the request with further stipulation that the building NOT be used for any human habitation or commercial use. Chairperson Hanson opened the floor to public comment. No public comment received. Closed public comment. Committee member Lauer made motion to approve and agreed with conditions. Second by Nevala. Motion carried. Approved Hire and Salary: Zoning Office Assistant Director Roeder reported that although she’s already been hired, Sydnie Kennedy has been learning her role as office assistant. She’s displayed excellent customer service skills and has already taken on a project that’s been lacking attention. Very happy she’s joined the Zoning team. Lauer inquired about her scale of pay to which Director Roeder explained she’s at 97% or $23.15/level 6. Motion made by Lauer to approve. Second by Nevala. Motion carried. Administrators Report: Director Roeder provided an update that the Zoning office is 36 permits ahead of last year. She also reported that the Data Center Moratorium paperwork is still with Corporate Counsel. The attorney stated he wants to make sure all language is proper and binding to avoid any future legal issues. Roeder went on to share with the committee a challenging situation that the Zoning office is dealing with as it relates to a current Iron County Board member. The concern is that the Board member, was present in the building Friday, July 17th, upset and swearing that he drove to obtain a permit and that he spoke directly to Roeder and she would wait for him to arrive. Roeder explained that when the County Board member arrived early Monday morning, he stated he was here at 11:10 a.m. on Friday the 17th, and we were closed. Marczak and Roeder were present in the office at 11:10 a.m., Friday the 17th. This Board member left a voice mail for Roeder at noon Friday the 17th, stating he was coming up. Neither Roeder nor Marczak spoke with this County Board member. Roeder and Marczak left the building around 11:45 Friday since the office closes at 11:30 a.m. Roeder shared that the Zoning office can and does take a fair amount of pushback for a variety of reasons. However, she and Marczak feel this type of treatment from a sitting Board member is unprofessional and is unprofessional conduct that should be addressed. This type of treatment has occurred previously from other Board members, and it was not addressed timely which made for further issues. Roeder stated that Zoning has more than enough work to do and does not need lies to be made up and accusations to be leveled without any proof and can easily be proven as a lie. Public Comment: Joe Miller from UW Extension shared his experience with having to deal with the Board member mentioned by Roeder, on Friday the 17th and confirmed that he was upset and swearing and said he had talked to Roeder. Miller was simply confirming what he witnessed. Child Support Director Teresa Way was also in the audience and spoke about her involvement in trying to de-escalate the Board member. She also confirmed the language and aggressive behavior. When asked who he was he stated he was a Board member. Way introduced herself and shared her role in the County. He replied with “so you take care of the dirtbags”. Way explained to him that he and all Board members are always welcome to visit her office to learn more about the people we serve and that we do not call them dirtbags. Approval of Bills: All committee members reviewed the financial report showing expenses and deposits. No questions or comments. Motion by Lauer to accept as presented. Second by Nevala. Motion carried. Next Meeting Date: The July Iron County Zoning meeting will take place at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 Adjourn : Motion by Hanson to adjourn the meeting, second by Lauer. Motion carried.