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Price County Forestry & Parks / Buildings & Grounds Committee Minutes Date: July 7, 2026 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 Doug Erickson, Committee Chairperson. Roll Call Members Present: Michelle D robnik, Doug Erickson, Preston Scheuermann, Jordan Spacek, Patricia Stephan Also Present: Brian Ernst, County Chairperson; Joe Grapa, County Forestry Administrator; Josh Isaacson, Buildings and Grounds Superintendent; Nick Trimner, County Administrator Items For Discussion and Possible Action 1. Public Comment: None. Communications: None. 2. Meeting Minutes from May 5, 2026: Motion Drobnik/Spacek to approve the minutes from May 5, 2026. Motion carried. 3. Set Next Meeting Date: August 4, 2026 Buildings & Grounds 4. Project Updates: No major repairs; minor lighting and plumbing repairs; the commercial washer and dishwasher at the Jail have had issues. The compressor that controls the air conditioning at both the Courthouse and Sheriff’s Department was repaired. Finishing up on painting the interior of the Courthouse. P.M. inspection season is starting. The fire extinguishers were inspected along with the extinguishers in the server room. Hallway signs for offices have been ordered f rom Sign Studio. 5. Department Update and Financial Report: The department is f ully staffed with a good working crew. 6. Landscaping: Landscaping the Courthouse and Normal Building is a main project this summer including planting trees to replace ones that have been lost; fixing up the lawn; filling in eroded areas; and sidewalk repairs. Discussion on direction for the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent to plant trees in the Courthouse front lawn. Recommendati ons from the Forestry Administrator to plant Red Oak and/or Sugar Maple, and discussion on purchasing them locally. a. Courthouse: See above. b. Normal Building: See above. Forestry & Parks 7. Forest Program Land Removal Process : The Forest Program Land Removal Process was presented and reviewed by the Forestry and Parks Administrator, which states, “In any withdrawal, it’s whether upon withdrawal the land will be put to a better or higher use and whether the benefits of withdrawal to the people of the state as a whole and the county, outweigh the benefits under continued entry.” The written process is on file. 8. Land Sale Inquiry (Tax ID#’s: 17538, 17539) : Public Comment was heart from Attorney Kristi Speer, Town of Elk, on this agenda item; and from Ryan Higgins, visitor from Ogema; regarding this agenda item. Presented an updated response to address concerns and referenced a five-page letter, which is on file. Discussion was held amongst the Committee, and no action was taken. 9. Recreational Gold Prospecting Request: Motion Spacek/Drobnik to allow recreational gold prospecting around a publicly owned river in the County with limited tool usage. Discussion held. Motion carried. 10. 2025 Annual Report: The 2025 Annual Report was presented and is on file. 11. Private Power Easement (Holy Cross Road – Charles Schoen): Motion Drobnik/Spacek to approve the permit for the Price Electric power utility easement along Holy Cross Road, including guidelines: reimbursement to the County for any stumpage removed, no cost incurred to the County for power, and clean job requirements. Motion carried. 12. Cranberry Creek Dam: Cranberry Creek Dam was w ashed out in 2018. There is a state grant to put towards rebuilding the dam, written for $51,000 at a 50% match with 90 days to bid it out once it is approved. Discussion on the engineering plans; the cost of various materials for construction; doing the work in-house or contracting it out; and budgeting for the project. No action taken, but there is movement forward on the project. 13. Department Update and Financial Report: At Solberg Lake Park, a second layer of asphalt was applied; professional painting is scheduled; landscaping; bathroom railing installation; washer and dryer installation in the new addition; and the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail was opened. Maintenance on some statues at the Concrete Park. At Timm’s Hill Park, projects include work on the fishing pier, the pavilion, and the beach. The timber sale at Timm’s Hill is almost set up. The two toilets scheduled for installation at Big Falls Park next week are a bit late, and there were also lights ordered for them. Campsites were smoothed out at Smith Lake Park. There are four timber sales active. Purchased product for work on Lugerville Grade Road. Work on S teve Creek Range is expected to begin within the next few months. Miscellaneous 14. Vouchers: Motion Spacek/Drobnik to approve the vouchers for Buildings & Grounds: May 2026, for $7,580.55, and June 2026 for $6,877.88; and for Forestry & Parks: May 2026, for $63,578.63; and June 2026 for $67,234.29. Motion carried. 15. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m. by Doug Erickson, Committee Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk