Lesnar, airport representative, told the Sawyer County Public Works Committee that the airport’s master plan work remains contingent on an FAA-approved forecast and that the runway resurfacing project will require a temporary shutdown starting May 5.

The forecast must be confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration before consultants can complete the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), Lesnar said; the state bureau has allowed the consultant to submit the airport’s forecast and design work for C‑2 aircraft category considerations. That C‑2 classification, Lesnar said, “is really what bumps us up” and could change long‑term planning needs if the FAA confirms it.

Why it matters: the ALP is a prerequisite for some federal funding and guides long‑range airport layout and safety decisions. Lesnar told the committee the airport’s current ALP is about 18 years old and that an updated ALP will be needed for continued federal support.

Committee members were told the runway resurfacing project has a planned shutdown date of May 5. Lesnar said contractors expect the paving portion could be done quickly if weather cooperates—pavement contractor work might take several days of intensive activity followed by grading—but the airport could remain closed into later parts of June depending on conditions and component deliveries.

Lesnar said the airport has planned for traffic disruptions and local route impacts during construction and that the contract includes funds to repair affected roads if necessary. He said staff are coordinating with the Town of Hayward on access routes and expect to run a large number of material trucks on local roads during construction.

Lesnar also briefed the committee on operational impacts: fuel sales could fall in a worst‑case shutdown scenario. “I think it’s about a 25 to 30% reduction in fuel sales if we’re shut down all of June for the year,” Lesnar said, adding that the airport is “optimistic” the worst case will not occur.

The committee heard that state and federal processes remain the pacing items for the ALP. Lesnar said Becker Hoppe (the consultant expected to handle the ALP work once FAA confirms the forecast) is likely to present the ALP to the county when ready and that the Wisconsin bureau will send staff to help present the plan.

Committee members and staff discussed the difference between the master plan, which Lesnar described as a 20‑year “living document,” and a construction project; members emphasized the plan does not itself authorize construction but informs future decisions.

Less immediate items included staffing and handoff preparations: Lesnar said an interim transition binder for an incoming airport staffer is in preparation and that the current staff have been able to handle multiple ongoing contracts and logistics.

The committee noted possible community events tied to the runway reopening: members discussed a pancake feed the first Sunday in July and a possible ribbon‑cutting if the runway is back in service.

No formal committee action was taken on the master plan or runway work at the meeting; Lesnar’s presentation was an update on status and scheduling.