Public works committee appoints three-person ad hoc group to work with tribe

Sawyer County's Public Works Committee voted to create an ad hoc committee to work with a tribal partner, approving a three-person membership and authorizing the group to invite outside experts as needed.

During the meeting the chair proposed forming an ad hoc committee made up of three people to engage directly with the tribe on public-works items. According to the motion recorded in the transcript, the members named for the ad hoc group were Jim Evans, Mark Hellwig and the committee chair. The motion to appoint the three-person ad hoc committee was made and, according to the transcript, recorded as a motion by Mark Hellwig with a second by Jim Evans; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

A committee member asked whether individuals from outside organizations ("the alliance," as referenced in discussion) could be invited to participate or speak to the group. The chair said outside parties could be brought in, and said the ad hoc committee may also consult the highway commissioner and other staff or stakeholders "at the time" when needed. The chair said the ad hoc committee would later be presented for approval by the full county board.

The appointment was procedural and concluded without further amendments or conditions. The full committee approved the previous meeting minutes earlier in the session by voice vote as part of routine business.

Next steps: the ad hoc committee will be formed with the three approved members and may bring in additional participants or staff for meetings; the chair indicated the committee's work will be presented to the full county board once the ad hoc group is established.