Authorizing Execution of Quit Claim Deed Transferring Highway Easement to Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Background: Wisconsin Statute 84.09(3) allows the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to order that land or interests be acquired by a county highway committee for highway purposes.  Said statute also allows DOT to order the county to convey land so acquired to the state without charge.  Sauk County acquired a highway easement pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 84.09 in 1945, and has received from DOT an Order To County To Convey Highway Right of Way Title to State.  The highway easement is on approximately 1.61 acres of land, located near the corner of Mirror Lake Road and Highway 33 in the Town of Delton.  See Attachment B.  The highway easement is on land that was old Highway 33, and because the easement is no longer used for highway purposes, it is now considered surplus highway property.  DOT will issue a quit claim deed to the current underlying fee owners of that easement area, giving back to the fee owners any rights that Sauk County and DOT had by way of the highway easement.  This is consistent with the terms of the original conveyance.   This resolution authorizes the clerk of Sauk County to execute a quit claim deed to DOT transferring title of interest acquired pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 84.09 to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A copy of the quit claim deed and legal description is attached as Attachment A.