Sawyer County Public Works committee hears call to extend solar moratorium, approves airport easement and asphalt bids

The Sawyer County Public Works committee met in Hayward and heard a public comment urging the county to track staff time and road costs tied to motorized-trail use and to extend a solar moratorium that a resident said expires May 21. The committee also approved an airport utility access agreement modified by legal counsel and voted to accept seasonal asphalt bids for county paving projects.

Linda Zilmer, a Birchwood resident and Edgewater property owner, told the committee she had asked the Land, Water and Forest Resources committee earlier about the county tracking time and resources devoted to motorized trails and to opening county highways for additional uses. "When there are project overruns or that the county has to hire staff to do some of this work, there is a cost to county taxpayers," Zilmer said, and she urged the board to consider including road protections or a developer's agreement in any solar ordinance. She cited Resolution 2025-33 and noted the moratorium would expire May 21, calling the timing "urgent."

An airport representative updated the committee on recent Bureau of Aeronautics discussions in Madison, saying the state has a backlog of projects and is considering outsourcing some project managers. The representative said the bureau has approved the airport's forecast but that the Airport Layout Plan consultant contract with Becker Hoppe remains under final approval; the ALP is expected to come to the committee in late summer or early fall. He also noted delays in procuring a specialized snowblower and that fuel logistics and rising fuel prices continue to affect operations.

The committee reviewed a proposed utility access agreement for airport utilities. A staff member said legal counsel narrowed the access terms and added a requirement for 24-hour notice except in emergencies. The Chair moved to approve the easement as modified by legal counsel; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Highway Commissioner reported an unforeseen crack in a bridge abutment discovered during deck removal on a county bridge and said crews will excavate to determine whether the crack extends through the abutment. He described interim patching work, a planned spray-patch operation coordinated with Burnett County for a section of State Highway 70 and County Road W, a culvert replacement and short detour planned near Smith Creek, and continued daily frost-tube monitoring ahead of lifting road bands in late April. He also outlined a truck-fleet turnover and recent equipment sales and said one new driver-operator hire will start the following day.

On 2026 seasonal asphalt bids, the Highway Commissioner said bids were opened and came in roughly $0.72 higher per ton for hot mix than the previous year; he asked the committee to approve moving forward with the selected bids for specified county roads. The committee approved the bids by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes: Motion by Mr. Newman, second by Mr. VanEtten; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Airport utility access easement: Motion to approve as modified by legal counsel; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Seasonal asphalt bids (2026): Motion to approve selected bids for County Road DD, County Road F and other listed segments; outcome: approved (voice vote).

The Chair said the committee continues work with tribal partners on route options discussed at a March 30 meeting; the tribal board expressed preliminary support and will review route details again next week. The committee is scheduled to meet next on the thirteenth at 11:00. The meeting adjourned.