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Land Use / UW-Extension Committee Meeting Minutes Date: July 23, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. Place: Courthouse County Board Room 101; 126 Cherry St; Phillips, WI 54555 Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Roll Call Members Present: Jenifer Baratka, Michelle Drobnik, Doug Erickson, R achel Hoffman, Robert Kopisch, L arry Meives, Jeff Ulrich A lso P resent: Evan Lund, C ounty L and Conservation and Zoni ng Administrator; N ick Trimner, C ounty Administrator Items For Discussion and Possible Action Zoning 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: As noted above. 2. Public Comment: Three minutes were allotted per speaker for agenda items, and 10 minutes total per topic, as stated in the board rules from the Price County Policy and Procedure manual. Marianne Kerner of the Town of Worcester commented publicly on an agenda item. Tammy Melbauer of the Town of Worcester commented publicly on an agenda item. John Reams of the Town of Worcester commented publicly on an agenda item. Communications: None. Pu blic Hearings (times are approximate) 1. 9:00 a.m.: Conditional Use permit filed by Rebekah and Brett Trigg for the purpose of operating a small-s cale restaurant and tavern on property located within part of the Lugerville Plat, Section 16, Township 38N, Range 1W, Town of Flambeau (N11151 County Road F): Public hearing opened at 9:11 a.m. Letters of notification were sent to the list of residents on file. One letter was received in favor of the CUP. Owner Rebekah Trigg commented publicly in favor of the CUP for the general store. Public hearing closed at 9:14 a.m. 2. Decision on the Conditional Use permit filed by Rebekah and Brett Trigg for the purpose of operating a small-s cale restaurant and tavern on property located within part of the Lugerville Plat, Section 16, Township 38N, Range 1W, Town of Flambeau (N11151 County Road F). Motion Ulrich/Baratka to approve the Conditional Use permit filed by Rebekah and Brett Trigg for the purpos e of operating a small-scale restaurant and tavern. Motion carried. 3. Decision on the Conditional Use Permit filed by Pete Schuler for the purpose of operating a small-scale, appointment-based dog boarding and retreat facility on property located within part of Government Lot 5, Section 4, Township 40N, Range 1W, Town of Lake (W8854 Schnur Ln.): Greg Fox of the Town of Lake commented publicly against the CUP. Paul Schreiner of the T own of Lake commented publicly in favor of the CUP. *Note: 9:22 a.m. Doug Erickson present in person. Dogs would be boarded overnight; no fencing; max number of dogs present is unclear; barking complaints were noted; complaints for dogs running loose were received. Motion Ulrich/Baratka to deny application. Discussion held. Motion carried. Reason for denial: conditions cannot be met. Some of the reasons included the small size of the lot, close proximity to neighbors, fencing requirements, and the 100-foot setback condition. 4. Follow-up on Approval of Conditional Land Use Permit for a Gravel Pit at N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road: Concerns were heard about hours of operation. Work was being done in the cleared section first, not in the woods yet, and the noise was a concern. Janak and Sons volunteered to begin work at 7:00 a.m., instead of 6:00 a.m., for the next couple weeks. 5. Land Division filed by Ezra Gotham, on behalf of Ralph Winter, to create two lots, Town of Kennan. Motion Drobnik/Erickson to approve the Land Division filed by Ezra Gotham, on behalf of Ralph Winter, to create two lots, Town of Kennan. Motion carried. 6. De partment Reports: Septic tank p umping cards were sent out a couple of weeks ago. Every septic in Price County is on the County’s maintenance database. Every three years, reminder cards are sent to septic owners for pumping or inspection. Looking to update the Zoning ordinance for salvage/ junk in the next few months. Update on Attolles Law updating ordinances to cover data centers for Counties in general. Data centers have been in the news, but the County is not in a “hot spot” for receiving a data center. Battery Energy Storage Systems, essentially large buildings with batteries that harvest energy at night to distribute throughout the day, are more likely to be utilized in the future in this area. 7. Ad journ: The Zoning portion of the meeting was adjourned at 10:13 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. La nd Conservation 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: As noted above. 2. Public Comment and Communications: None. 3. Department Reports: Working on grants, funding, and projects for the 2026 construction season are being completed. Working on controlling invasive species s uch as leafy spurge, originating from out west. 4. Adjourn: The Land Conservation portion of the meeting was adjourned at 10:16 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Misc ellaneous 1. Minutes from June 18, 2026: Motion Drobnik/Ulrich to approve minutes from June 18, 2026, meeting. Motion carried. 2. Co mmittee Vouchers: Motion Drobnik/Erickson to approve the July, 2026 Land Use/UW-Extension Committee Vouchers in the amount of $22,229.35. Motion carried. 3. Set Next Meeting Date: September 17, 2026 4. Ad journ: The Miscellaneous portion of the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. UW-Ex tension 1. Call to order and Roll Call: As noted above. 2. Public Comment and Communications: None. 3. Area Extension Director Updates a. Assistant Dean Jason Hausler; Extension Updates: Hausler introduced himself and touched on topics: hiring Amber Rehberg as the Price County Area Director; fiscal challenges s uch as losing Foodwise and SNAP Ed along with nearly 100 positions laid off in 2025; bringing an additional educator position to Price County; discussion on the two part time positions in Price County including 4 -H Educator .5 FTE and Program Assistant .45 FTE; UW Extension offers grant writing advic e for townships. 4. Program/Staff Reports a. 4-H; AmeriCorps & Summer Intern: 4H Educator Julie Diepenbrock introduced three college- age summer interns, Katelyn Schult, Chloe Cummings and Trinity Wesle, and they spoke about their work. Diepenbrock presented updates and reports on programming throughout the summer, highlighting 4- H Summer Intern and AmeriCorps Members; Shooting Sports; Summer Camp; Library Programs and Summer School; Bread in a Bag at Park Falls Elementary School; Lego Robotics; and other Price County 4-H Programs. b. Office Support: Nancy Olson, Program Assistant, has been in the office for almost one year. Separately from 4H, she’s the Price County Fair secretary and busy with fair preparations a nd questions from 4H members. c. State Horticulture Specialist: Bruce Springer, State Horticulture Specialist, reported on office updates. They are on file. 5. UW-Ex tension Financial Reports and Vouchers: None. 6. Ad journ: The meeting was adjourned at 11:08 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk