[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274358,"mediaKeyId","2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f","parentId",2991223,"title","Committee convenes two closed sessions on tower leases and property purchase; no public action taken","audioSeconds",218,"startMs",1782000,"endMs",2000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f&start=1782&end=2000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f/thumbnail_1782000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274358/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-convenes-two-closed-sessions-on-tower-leases-and-property-purchase-no-public-action-taken","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274358-0cd9cf8ff0adcfb3f191a68c76453f48/orig.mp4?Expires=1770694119&Signature=hf21mC1hBEFvOfgqkLcVzrM3ilzthm~kE9HLnjIGReQ7aJUVC9TQK3LbVfXswzOJK7ubEGeUn0QD~usGNwQOdpRUBNHNjGX1mngVo3PQd3Z5TaCZLOl07FbHAD0sv~Poc3rPJ8aedM9nL55zx9fbY~gwZ8wGTPuuNbSAgxruvjgRLhzEZ53DDUxB4Q~xkXsShUoyQgkMzGU3WKsO6e~QRN~XO5xy6fbXPonGaT2ad7kUrSiGgX-nrrCpW1Oz0qpcGprnXXnb9hdYu-sXql1TzNcrElZHidVUztYi0fPsoeJ6X48ANwl4at2s9AKoAQsHi2FZcptglV6d5wYJ0QM3mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI","date","2025-04-15T12:22:31.34Z","article","The Sawyer County Public Works Committee twice voted to convene closed sessions during the meeting under state law governing closed meetings, first to discuss lease terms for county-owned tower properties and again to consider a potential property purchase for county facility expansion.

The clerk called the roll for the first closed-session motion, with recorded affirmative responses from Ron Kinsley, Mark Hellwig, Randy Newman, Chuck Van Natten (recorded spelling variant), and Jim Evans (participating remotely). The committee moved into a closed session to discuss existing lease agreement terms for county tower properties and to consider extension and negotiation strategy necessary to protect the county’s bargaining position.

Later in the agenda the committee again approved a motion to return to closed session to deliberate a potential purchase of property for county facility expansion. After those closed sessions, the chair reported that no action was taken in closed session on at least one of the listed matters.

Because both items were discussed in closed session under the statutory exception for bargaining and competitive reasons, committee members did not discuss the substantive negotiation positions or terms in open session. The meeting minutes record the roll-call votes to convene closed session and a later statement that no action was taken while the committee was in closed session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Works 2025 04 09","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Works Committee voted to go into two closed sessions — one to discuss tower lease terms and another to consider a potential county property purchase — and later reported no action taken in at least one closed session.","taxTitle","Sawyer County, Wisconsin","taxId",73055,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274362,"Committee approves March minutes and accepts asphalt bid price for County W LRIP project",100,1610000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f&start=1610&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f/thumbnail_1610000.jpg","/articles/6274362/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-March-minutes-and-accepts-asphalt-bid-price-for-County-W-LRIP-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274362-b5db788cf6d5bb6d400bc34afc91e338/orig.mp4?Expires=1770694119&Signature=L29JDjiDAWEMhisf~LxCy6xcYRQZCuDp2gtbKLYFncMkI4Jr5Hc24tazXeRXrKVSfldQpH2iVO5uU~Irkeh5m60NHxi4U8U77HiKE8Ib6b-ndRgLKE0qpCU6Q3zY81F7JfCMNsl~TNxbLzv079R7O0PD7Qc5HPDI8YmwD~Ppy-VNTxZpzMh0daVqDW9cYGJSuikW5BI0y4iBdV5APWh~Mjo2ScrxO4AoyXh0agAKn7Ytm5r7oHso444YMRnfLqyayjkOJ~m8bQdaXiZyOls8k6htAvtT~tXNanMQTxpS~Y~2dM0w-zYqhJDQ9bbCEaF8nEfcxfT1RM7IiqnYq7LkDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting the Sawyer County Public Works Committee approved the minutes of its March 12 meeting by voice vote.

Later the committee opened payment bids for county asphalt and received a single bidder. County staff reported asphalt prices of $58.40 per ton from the Morotec pit and $61.31 per ton from the Thompson pit. The committee voted to approve the hot-mix asphalt price of $61.31 per ton for the County W LRIP project and directed staff to record the price in the minutes to secure the LRIP refund.

Motion and voting details recorded in the meeting transcript include a motion to approve the price of $61.31 per ton for the County W LRIP project, moved by a committee member (recorded in the transcript as Mr. Vannen) and seconded by Mr. Newman; the motion carried by voice vote.

No further discussion or public comment on the motions was recorded before the committee moved to other business.

","The committee approved the March 12 meeting minutes and voted to accept a hot-mix asphalt bid price of $61.31 per ton for the County W LRIP project; motions were seconded and carried by voice vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274367,"Public works maintenance report details roof and interior work; clerk privacy partition added",91,79000,170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f&start=79&end=170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6274367/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Public-works-maintenance-report-details-roof-and-interior-work-clerk-privacy-partition-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274367-2ce903d96a74ff8625c7dffeed97d34f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770694119&Signature=a4HvTod0aVqcGRTAxynuXm3P~Er5fDdDEX1yX3fG1DsZK6fz2gWXK9Pw-EO8rk80wlByyoZm1jvu6vLKY0u9hEQ7OaeBdpcP2CmbKc~5Hh1TTK44-AqqLZs99SEAJdi2YkV~0Hlc~M~6ZNqd4lQ0nb~4sNCNGVmDjMsPk78d4IK7oZcIK4-ARxSEj0LciXDYKNMgLrbeYfDnubGM1qGlkUEOWHJGU5aOC7T~Z-AL-C~E2X9Hmo0-WzkHyAaHV0gcUXnd6qDETAIcZ4fMkgd5YxZPsjW1ycsmUuGnRuj8c1KhqBoaXMmCmuPFryhu1vj-CVT5iNjj2nmMGK6k-456oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard a maintenance department report that described ongoing building work at county facilities, including a choice to install an adhered roof on the former sheriff’s department building and contracted rooftop-unit work by Johnson Controls.

Maintenance staff said the adhered roof was selected over a rubber roof with ballast because the ballast would add too much weight given rooftop air-handling units. “We're going with another adhered roof… rather than a rubber with ballast, so the rocks are gone. Due to the additional weight with the air top units, it was decision to go with the adhered roof,” the maintenance presenter said.

Staff also said interior projects that had been backlogged since the building’s completion are now largely finished: JusticePoint’s new offices, a district attorney secure window, and child support office work were completed. Crews also installed a privacy partition in the clerk’s office to create a quieter workspace.

A committee member asked whether the new workstations were hydraulic; maintenance staff said the in-house built desks were essentially wood desks and not hydraulic, though staff sometimes place stand-up desk attachments on top of workstations.

Committee members did not take formal action on the maintenance report; staff fielded questions and said they had resolved outstanding engineering issues and will proceed with the contracted work with Johnson Controls.","Maintenance staff reported an adhered roofing choice for the former sheriff's department building, Johnson Controls rooftop unit work, and completion of several interior office projects including a privacy wall for the clerk's office.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274372,"County road official says DNR holding up Spring Lake road project; right-of-way and cost questions remain",169,1081000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f&start=1081&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","/articles/6274372/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/County-road-official-says-DNR-holding-up-Spring-Lake-road-project-right-of-way-and-cost-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274372-e6ca60ce3dc54714ee7f0d457a2aa268/orig.mp4?Expires=1770694119&Signature=hDq2moD4CRLfQWVewI8PgT4vcGqhcAbEPUrlv0qxK83m-WAzzL7bJN0TOQmGYoPEvDmiGq~ltj4ECTh7LY7Hy2C6bKVlcXZog~NJucfsOMYozpJtPf6NqAVj1aARKOxLZhUCiUoZzuO2spYV31e576Lt7zAWepFi6tcx7xlzaUE~Mxc7l0YfIMTeLPfoWwWr1Jn-nDZh~IHJRfxzWU4E2M3IDf49QLtkRj1U-unw96T2ycop5GPF7abJV~MYpImUA0FSqh7qbybFIacXQqVU5D0U-LDE3D9NHYu52UYIIrkEBEm6AY67TuUh8a8-wq0b73jIgGDSK9uNz9Home41ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Highway staff told the Sawyer County Public Works Committee that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will not yet sign off on a planned roadside project along Spring Lake because of concerns about impacts to the lake shoreline, delaying work and putting federal funding at risk.

The highway speaker said the project, which contains federal dollars, must meet Federal Design Manual (FDM) standards and that the DNR has raised concerns about lake impacts from guardrail, shoulder work and riprap. “The DNR is not willing to sign off on this project as of now, which means if they don't sign off, we could lose the funding for that road,” the speaker said.

Staff described several alternatives they have submitted to the DNR and said they are awaiting a response from the county’s consultant, SEH. Those alternatives include removing guardrail, reducing shoulder width, installing rumble strips, use of fiber mesh, replanting vegetation and potential alignment changes that would move the road off Williams Road and behind houses. Highway staff said the county has also explored a county-funded retaining wall option but described it as expensive and maintenance-intensive.

Right-of-way acquisition remains unresolved: staff said they are examining more than 50 parcels to determine what land will be needed if the road alignment changes. The speaker warned that the county’s original schedule — which anticipated land acquisition earlier and construction in 2026 or 2027 — may slip and that costs could increase substantially depending on the DNR’s response.

The speaker provided a project budget snapshot as discussed in the meeting: federal funds roughly $3,000,000 with estimated county costs of about $760,000 before right-of-way acquisitions and other adjustments. The speaker said amendments and updated estimates were still pending.

Committee members discussed whether the Wisconsin Department of Transportation could serve as an advocate with the DNR; staff described DOT as a partner that must ensure FDM compliance for projects with state and federal funding. Staff said they will return with the SEH-prepared alternatives and an updated recommendation once the DNR responds.

Separately, highway staff reported the crews have already used more than half of the department’s winter maintenance budget and that frost-tube readings indicate road bans may be lifted in roughly another week, depending on road drying. The speaker also said a $5,800 invoice for a structure load rating was submitted and reimbursed by the state.

","Highway staff reported the DNR has not signed off on a Spring Lake roadside project because of lake impacts, leaving the county to examine alternatives, possible right-of-way needs across many parcels and significant cost uncertainty.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274377,"Sawyer County officials outline airport master plan timeline, confirm May 5 runway shutdown",366,194000,560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f&start=194&end=560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991223-c6d3b692a33f2a2310e9cb6e24fc788f/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6274377/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-officials-outline-airport-master-plan-timeline-confirm-May-5-runway-shutdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274377-6a8b2f6e9a49195b2a6543fb7522661f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770694119&Signature=Z49fIztUjpbTIanPCdKKhAkAHPkz2pHJI4~ea73PsWBti~yoq~CA~6AoL6gBAiOonzWIoN6lwHmWJK6pvzzOHaXNAa1s-o5J8EQD~F7q0yHlx0xD70Fg24pJnyTOURuG2eNzlElkpG0gsBARdVaVP-NYwACkM-O6H7~bj~8VigDguE6C8Lec87e9xJa2CwZiBuA~fOtQ1IO2mQZB2XwDWST5kkRCpn3tb1iw1sFhFAe42Ke6ooffHpYjFD5YjBysERt8sfQ-titEG3yYgH7uR1PPIBYxyU6JH-9Pg6Wv0aAs~EtGlw4MIpVka8YC3UJEplQpC92T-5MqKZheF2e9sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sawyer County airport staff told the Public Works Committee on a recent meeting that work on an updated airport layout plan (ALP) is advancing but remains contingent on federal approvals, and that a runway resurfacing shutdown is scheduled for May 5.

The airport manager said the state bureau agreed to let consultants submit a forecast using a C-2 aircraft category, after which the Federal Aviation Administration must confirm the forecast before the consultant can complete the ALP. That confirmation, the manager said, is required before the county can present a finished ALP to the full county board for acceptance — a prerequisite for continuing to receive federal funding for the airport.

Airport staff underscored why the forecast matters: “The C-2 category is really what bumps us up. That’s what brings us up to our bigger safety areas needing a longer runway,” the airport speaker said. He added that county consultants have not presented a finished ALP in the current fiscal year and that, if the FAA and state timelines hold, the ALP would likely come to the county toward the end of the year.

Staff also announced operational timing for a separate, imminent construction project: a runway resurfacing and lighting upgrade. “We have set a shutdown date for the runway project… shutdown day is scheduled for May 5,” the airport speaker said. Contractors will remove the existing pavement, bring the surface to grade and repave; work on lighting upgrades is being performed by NIO Electric and pavement work by a private contractor. The airport speaker estimated optimistic completion by June if weather cooperates, but said the project could extend into later June.

Staff said the county has budgeted for road repairs linked to heavy truck traffic on town access routes during construction and that contractor contracts include allowances for road repairs if needed. They also said temporary traffic shifts will route smaller aircraft users to nearby airports while the runway is closed, and estimated a 25–30% reduction in fuel sales if the airport is shut for the whole of June.

The airport speaker noted the ALP update is overdue — the current plan dates to about 18 years ago — and described engagement at a recent state aviation conference. He said Sawyer County has experienced growth among general aviation airports in the state and that local activity has outpaced some peers.

Committee members asked for clarification that the county is not requesting the C-2 classification, only that the forecast data indicates it; staff confirmed the classification follows the data and FAA confirmation. The committee discussed coordinating with town road crews about the contractor access route and agreed staff should continue outreach and brief the board if the state or FAA timelines change.

The committee agreed to put an item on the June agenda to consider a post-project ribbon-cutting or promotional event should the runway and lighting upgrades be completed.

","Airport staff reported progress on a long-delayed airport layout plan and said a runway resurfacing shutdown is scheduled for May 5; FAA forecast confirmation and federal approvals are still pending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee convenes two closed sessions on tower leases and property purchase; no public action taken

Committee approves March minutes and accepts asphalt bid price for County W LRIP project

Public works maintenance report details roof and interior work; clerk privacy partition added

County road official says DNR holding up Spring Lake road project; right-of-way and cost questions remain

Sawyer County officials outline airport master plan timeline, confirm May 5 runway shutdown