Economic Development & UW-Extension Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the April 6, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room; Sawyer County Voting Committee Members Present: Others Present: Chair: John Righeimer Mike Markgren Carol Pfaff Vice Chair: Stacey Hessel Laura Bruce Ann Larson Tom Duffy Mindy Simons Donna Knuckey Steve Kariainen Randy Neumann Call to Order – Mr. Righeimer called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call was taken. Quorum was met. Meeting Agenda -- Set Public Comments – Linda Zillmer Minutes from the previous meeting dated: March 9, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Ms. Hessel Motion carried without negative vote. Library— Weiss Library- Ms. Larson reported on their annual report, circulation activity, upcoming maintenance and repair details and meeting room usage. Winter Library- Ms. Knuckey reported on the activities report, upcoming fundraisers and annual report. LCO Library- Ms. Pfaff introduced herself and the LCO library, reporting on the history of the library. Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau Report— Ms. Simons reported on the WICGOT conference (Wisconsin Governors Conference on Tourism) with the focus on AI. NWRPC Report— None SC/LCO Economic Development Corporation Report— Ms. Hessel read a report from Mr. Lamoureaux which included a Thrive Grant update, Forestry Revitalization Bill Update, and WEDA legislation which includes bills 480, 194, 375 and 376. Trail Reports-- Motorized— Mr. Neumann read a report stating the trails were officially closed on March 7, 2026 due to warm weather and lack of snow. There were 4 trail counters working over the winter which averaged between 93 and 147 per day depending on which trail. Sawyer County ranks 5th in individual memberships and 3rd in business memberships according to the state level AWSC reports. Non-Motorized trails—Mr. Duffy reported that May 1 st is the start for the 2027 Birki registrations, Charlie Berens has been hired for this year’s Lumberjack World Championships, Telemark has invested in equipment to store snow to allow early skiing, and that next year the Birkie will sponsor the Senior Nationals. Board Appointed Committee Updates – No reports Correspondence, Reports from Conferences— None Future Agenda Items – None Adjournment – 9:13 am Meeting Date/Time – The next meeting of the Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee will be Monday, May 11, 2026 at 8:30 am in the Board Room. Minutes recorded by Laura Bruce, Elected Official Deputy Clerk