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Land Use / UW-Extension Committee Minutes Date: May 21, 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 Chair person. Roll Call Members Present: Jenifer Baratka, Michelle Drobnik, Doug Erickson, Rachel Hoffman, Robert Kopisch, Larry Meives, Jeff Ulrich Also Present: Brian Ernst, County Chair person; Evan Lund, County Zoning and Land Conservation Administrator; Nick Trimner, County Administrator Items For Discussion and Possible Action Zoning 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: As noted above. 2. Public Comment: None at this time. Communications: Communications were presented on three Prentice area residences with excess garbage in their yards, and what action can be taken according to ordinances. Looking for direction from the Committee because garbage could be an environmental hazard. Viewed maps for the following addresses: N4028 Pennington Road; W6297 Old 8 Road West; N5214 Chicago Ave. Discussion on revising the County Junk Salvage Ordinance and on enforcement. Committee Chairperson Kopisch asked public speakers to limit their comments to between three and five minutes each during the public hearings, because many people were in attendance and/or signed up to speak. During the comments, Kopisch asked for no other conversation from the public unless a committee member asked them a question/to speak. Public Hearings (times are approximate) 1. 9:00 a.m.: Conditional Use Permit filed by Olson Properties LLC for the purpose of renting a home on a short-term basis on property located within part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 31, Township:38N, Range 2E, Town of Worcester (W4704 Eagles Nest Lane). No public hearing; the permit application was withdrawn by landowner. 2. Decision on the Conditional Use Permit filed by Olson Properties LLC for the purpose of renting a home on a short- term basis on property located within part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 31, Township 38N, Range 2E, Town of Worcester (W4704 Eagles Nest Lane): No public hearing; the permit application was withdrawn by landowner. 3. 9:05 a.m.: Conditional Use Permit filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road) : Public Hearing opened at 9: 06 a.m. Letters of notification were sent to the list of residents on file. Numerous communications were received. Letters of opposition were received from: Kelly Bamke; Sawyer Desotelle; Al Fusak; Kendall and Jane Frederick; Mark and Kimberly Fuhr; Troy and Amy Grant; Jennifer Hertlein; William Hertelin; Daniel Jorgensen; Marianne E. Kerner; Mary Kurth; James R Kundinger; Ashley Matsick; Tammy and Charlie Melbauer; and Kayla and Joe Wengert. All letters received were read aloud, and they address ed topics listed under Public Hearing agenda items three (3), five (5), and seven (7). Public comments were heard in opposition to the conditional use permits from Marianne Kerner , Town of Worcester; Joseph Wengert, Town of Worcester; Laura Palzkill, Town of Worcester; John Reams, Town of Worcester; David Hinzmann from Town of Worcester; Mary Kurth, Town of Worcester; Jerome Wirsing from Town of Worcester; Linda Schilling, Town of Worcester; Sawyer Desotelle, Town of Worcester; Daniel Jorgensen, Town of Worcester; Ashley Matsick, Town of Worcester; Tammy Melbauer, Town of Worcester; Nick Gabay, Town of Worcester; Evan Evenson, Town of Worcester; and Joseph France, Town of Worcester. Brent Janak, Town of Worcester, owner of Janak and Sons and property owner for the Conditional Use Permit filed, commented publicly in favor of the Conditional Use Permit and addressed topics of concern. Discussed Wisconsin Act 67 from 2017 outlin ing applications for Conditional Use Permits cannot be denied outright unless there is substantial , measurable evidence to warrant the denial. The Committee can place measurable conditions on the Conditional Use Permit, as well. Public hearing closed at 10:32 a.m. 4. Decision on the Conditional Use Permit filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road): Motion Drobnik/Ulrich to postpone decision to the June meeting for the Conditional Use Permit filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road). Discussion held. Motion carried Discussion on postponing the decision for the Committee to process the information presented including looking at applying permit conditions and investigating applicable substantive evidence. Discussion was also held about scheduling an additional meeting to discuss the Conditional Use Permits presented today, zoning agenda items only. 5. 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of a reclamation plan filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road): Public Hearing opened at 10:35 a.m. Letters of notification were sent to the list of residents on file. Numerous communications were received. Letters of opposition received were read during public hearing agenda item number three (3). Public comments were heard in opposition to the reclamation plan from Mary Kurth, Town of Worcester; Sawyer Desotelle, Town of Worcester; and Joseph France, Town of Worcester. Public hearing closed at 10:44 a.m. 6. Decision on the Consideration of a reclamation plan filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road): Motion Drobnik/Erickson to postpone the decision to the June meeting for the Consideration of a reclamation plan filed by Janak & Sons for a gravel pit located within the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road) . Discussion held Motion carried. Discussion on contacting the Town of Worcester about the topic. 7. 9:15 a.m.: Conditional Use Permit filed by American Asphalt of WI for the purpose of operating a temporary asphalt plant on property located within part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road): Public Hearing opened at 10:45 a.m. Letters of notification were sent to the list of residents on file. Numerous communications were received. Letters of opposition received were read during public hearing agenda item number three (3). Public comments were heard in opposition to the conditional use permit from John Reams, Town of Worcester; Mary Kurth, Town of Worcester; Joseph France, Town of Worcester; Linda Schilling, Town of Worcester; Scott Updson, Town of Worcester; and Josh Winger, Town of Worchester. Matt Eslinger, a representative from American Asphalt from Mosinee, WI spoke in favor of the Conditional Use Permit and addressed topics of concern. Tristen Gardener, a representative from American Asphalt from Mosinee, WI spoke in favor of the Conditional Use Permit and addressed topics of concern. Public hearing closed at 11:12 a.m. 8. Decision on the Conditional Use Permit filed by American Asphalt of WI for the purpose of operating a temporary asphalt plant on property located within part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road): Motion Drobnik/Ulrich to postpone the decision to the June meeting for the Conditional Use Permit filed by American Asphalt of WI for the purpose of operating a temporary asphalt plant on property located within part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 5, Township 37N, Range 1E, Town of Worcester (N9510 E. Solberg Lake Road). Discussion held. Motion carried. *Note: At 11:15 a.m. Chairperson Kopisch called for a 10- minute recess. The Committee reconvened at 11:28 a.m., and Kopisch thanked the public for their comments. 9. Land Division filed by James Rein, on behalf of Rita Noetzel to create one lot, Town of Fifield: Motion Erickson/ Drobnik to approve the Land Division filed by James Rein, on behalf of Rita Noetzel to create one lot, Town of Fifield. Motion carried. 10. Land Division filed by Jeffrey Francis, to create one lot, Town of Fifield: Motion Drobnik/Ulrich to approve the Land Division filed by Jeffrey Francis, to create one lot, Town of Fifield. Motion carried. 11. Department Reports : The 2025 and 2026 Price County Zoning Permit monthly reports were presented and are on file. There were 62 permits approved for the Month of April; 146 for 2026. There was nothing out of the ordinary to report besides the topic discussed earlier in the meeting. 12. Adjourn: The zoning portion of the meeting was adjourned at 11:32 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Land Conservation 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: The Land Conservation portion of the meeting was called to order at 11:32 a.m. by Kopisch, Committee Chair person. All Committee members were present, as noted above. 2. Public Comment and Communications: None. 3. Land and Water Resource Management Plane Overview: The Land and Water Resource Management Plan Overview is available on the Price County website, and it will be added to a future meeting agenda as a means of orientation for new Committee members. 4. Department Reports : No update on a new USDA representative to fill the position which was formerly held by Austin Dodge. Communications are being covered by an existing agent covering in Rhinelander. 5. Adjourn: The Land Conservation portion of the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Miscellaneous 1. Minutes from March 19, 2026: Motion Drobnik/Erickson to approve the March 19, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion carried. 2. Committee Vouchers: Motion Drobnik/Ulrich to approve the April 2026 land Use/UW -Extension Vouchers in the amount of $11,532.13. Motion carried. 3. Set Next Meeting Date: There will be an additional meeting sc heduled for June 9th at 10:30 a.m. in the County Courthouse Boardroom, and it will address the zoning agenda items from today’s meeting. The June 18 th and July 23rd Land Use/UW-Extension meetings are scheduled to follow , as needed. 4. Adjourn: The Miscellaneous portion of the meeting was adjourned at 11: 40 a.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. UW-Extension 1. Call to order and Roll Call: The UW-Extension portion of the meeting was called to order at 11:40 a.m. by Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. All Committee members were present, as noted above. 2. Public Comment and Communications: None. 3. UW-Extension Overview: Amber Rehberg, UW-Extension Director, introduced herself to new Committee members. Rehberg currently covers areas three and four, nine counties and three tribal nations, and has been involved with UW -Extension for 25 years. Shared “Onboarding New Committee Members” including the Extensions purpose, mission, collaboration with UW-Madison, statewide network, county-based work services, and outreach. The program promotes agriculture programs, community development, health and well -being, and more. The summary report is on file. After June 29th, a new supervisor will begin work, covering area four, and Rehberg will be able to focus on area three. Rehberg emphas ized her openness to communication: her door is always open, and phone calls are welcome. There are two part -time Price County employees, Julie Diepenbrock, 4-H educator, and Nancy Olson, Program Assistant. a. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Overview : The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was presented and is on file. The UW-Extension Contract with the County accompanies the MOU. The UW-Extension Director meets with the Committee and Administration throughout the year to review the MOU contents, any updates, or concerns related with the County contract. In 2025 a federally funded Foodwise program was cut , and area UW -Extension is exploring avenues to create a youth- development position. The current summer intern will focus on health and wellness. Discussion on two different SNAP resolutions. The one lead to reinstating SNAP benefits but the one asking to reinstate SNAP education has seen no action. Discussion on the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and the UW-Extension working with legislature on the topic of education for rural counties with limited resources for UW-Extension programming. 4. Area Extension Director Updates: Plans are continuing for the Reality Fair to include Phillips and Chequamegon School Districts, and it’s scheduled to take place in 2027. The curriculum and tools utilized for the fair are being updated and the banking app and resources are in the process of being developed. Discussion on adding UW-Extension to the July meeting and quarterly thereafter. 5. UW-Extension Financial Reports and Vouchers : There was no discussion pertaining to the vouchers, and they were approved under the Miscellaneous agenda section above. 6. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 12:06 p.m. by Robert Kopisch, Committee Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk