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Price County Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Minutes Date: April 7, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Jeff Hallstrand, Committee Chair. Roll Call Members Present: Michelle Drobnik, Jeff Hallstrand, Jason Hastings, Jordan Spacek, Patricia Stephan Also Present: Brian Ernst, County Chair; Joe Grapa, Forestry Administrator; Paula Houdek, County Supervisor (Remote); Nick Trimner, County Administrator Items For Discussion and Possible Action 1. Public Comment and Communications: None. 2. Meeting Minutes from March 10, 2026: Motion Drobnik/Spacek to approve the March 10, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion carried. 3. Set Next Meeting Date: May 5, 2026. Forestry & Parks 4. 2026 Spring Timber Sale Bid Packet: The 2026 Spring Timber Sale Bid Packet was presented and is on file. Discussion on increased demand for 5” diameter tops being sold instead of 4” diameter tops. Discussion on the County dropping the minimum amounts needed for sales. The Timms Hill ash sale for will be held in fall 2026. Motion Drobnik/Stephan to approve the 2026 Spring Timber Sale Bid Packet. Motion carried. 5. 2026 Timber Sale Extensions: The 2026 Timber Sale Extension were presented and are on file. There was good activity this past year on timber sales; therefore, rates and extension fees were not increased. Discussion on the timber sale market including pine and conifer pulp. Motion Spacek/Hastings to approve the 2026 Timber Sale Extensions as presented. Motion carried. 6. Smith Lake ATV Trail: Two years ago, a Utility Terrain Vehicle broke through 2” by 6” decking on the boardwalk at Smith Lake Park. Forestry Department would like to replace the 2” boards with with 3” thickness. The project could cost around $38,000 and there is a grant for the state to reimburse the County for its expenditures upon completion of the boardwalk repairs. At the end of the project, there would be no cost to the County. Motion Spacek/Drobnik to move forward with trying to get the grant for the Smith Lake ATV trail. Motion carried. 7. Carbon Credit Update: Surrounding counties reported carbon credit sales and an article about Bayfield County’s sales was presented and is on file. Price County representatives met with Anew, carbon credit brokerage, and determined the County’s 145,000 credits are up for sale and ready to go. Price County’s credits were in an RFP with a company that’s interested in buying credits. Buyers like to ask sellers about their forest projects and plans before they purchase credits. Discussion on different classes of credits selling for for different values. Anew estimated approximately $2 million for the sale. The County first pays Anew for setup, marketing, and expenses. To back out of the entire contract would cost the County an estimated $1 million in legal fees and Anew’s costs. Discussion on County committee meetings, time, grant monies and ARPA funds invested in the project. There has been no recorded breech of contract by either party. Discussion on future conversations at the Forestry Committee to recommend how to best utilize funds from carbon credit sales. Discussion on what to spend the carbon credit funds on including utilizing interest from banking accounts or Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and improving forest roads and trails to increase access to timber sales. Discussion on buyers purchasing credits and for 40 years their name is registered with that credit. The forest parcel stays in its natural state for 40 years. Credits are purchased as a way to reconcile the amount of carbon companies put into the atmosphere. 8. Department Update and Financial Report: Two summer LTE employees were hired to start after school ends. Park cleanup is underway, and there is some snow in the parks. Two buildings at Solberg Lake Park need new water softeners and they are being priced out. Lugerville Grade Road is in need of repair including culverts,and Town of Flambeau is aware. The Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce will promote County Parks Highlights. Miscellaneous 9. Vouchers: Motion Drobnik/Stephan to approve the March 2026 vouchers in the amount of $184,591.38. Motion carried. 10. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m. by Jeff Hallstrand, Committee Chair. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk