GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — The State of Wisconsin has granted an extension of its deadline until Tuesday, June 3, at 5 p.m. for the C. Reiss Coal Company and Brown County to reach an agreement on where to relocate the coal pules, according to a news release Friday evening from Brown County deputy executive Jeff Flynt.
The extension was given "due to the progress we are making in negotiations with C. Reiss," Flynt wrote.
A county board member tells NBC 26 the groups have ended negotiations for the weekend.
Friday, May 30, was the original deadline for all parties to make a deal to lease a portion of the former Pulliam Plant site — where the piles would be relocated — or the county risks losing a $15 million state grant.
"We're very close which makes me very happy," Patrick Evans said.
Evans, who represents District 9 on the Brown County Board of Supervisors, believes this extension signals a promising development in the long-running effort to move the coal storage away from the downtown area.
"I worked on this 20 years ago under the Kelso administration, we didn't get it done and the problem if we don't get it done this time, we don't ever get it done," Evans said.
According to the terms set by the state, the county board must approve any agreement no later than June 6.
Below is the statement from the Wisconsin Department of Administration:
As of 6pm on Friday, May 30, we have received and reviewed an official extension request from Brown County. Significant positive progress has been made in this effort, and we remain optimistic that the parties involved will come to an agreement. To that end, we are granting an extension until 5pm on Tuesday, June 3 for the site agreement framework, with approval by the county board no later than June 6. Our goal is to ensure that the coal piles can be moved, and the full grant can be utilized as intended.
Brown County Deputy Executive Jeff Flynt also sent a statement:
Due to the progress we are making in negotiations with C. Reiss, the State of Wisconsin has granted an extension of its deadline until Tuesday, June 3rd, at 5:00 p.m. for C. Reiss and Brown County to reach an agreement on leasing a portion of the former Pulliam Plant site.
The County doesn’t anticipate making further comment until an agreement is reached.
Instead of meeting over the weekend, county officials plan to meet on Monday to secure the deal.
If an agreement is reached, Evans said the Board of Supervisors could meet as early as Monday night and expects the measure to receive approval.
"Until then, I'm just going to continue to hold my breath, but everyday that we inch closer, it makes me happier but I will not be satisfied until we get a deal done," Evans said.
