Work Session (Packet)

The Empire Village Council Work Session agenda includes a presentation by the new Village Attorney and a TextMyGov demonstration. Department head reports, council member reports, and public comments are also scheduled. Old business includes the approval of meeting minutes, while new business encompasses discussions on TextMyGov software, the South Bar Lake Drainage District assessment, snowplowing clarification, sidewalk clearing, village employee health insurance, and bid selections for road projects. The document provides a revenue and expenditure report for the Village of Empire, across multiple funds. Various financial aspects are detailed, including revenues, expenditures, and net results for each fund, providing a comprehensive overview of the village’s financial status up to December 31, 2023. Minutes from the Disaster Preparedness Committee, Short-Term Rental Special Committee, and Personnel Meeting are also present.

The document includes a detailed overview of the South Bar Lake Drainage District assessment, discussing payment options (prepayment vs. annual installments) and the implications for the village’s budget. A clarification on snowplow charges is also provided, which clarifies the inclusion of the “New Neighborhood.” The council will review the financial reports. The agenda also addresses the sidewalk clearing policy, which clarifies new snow blowing tractor for clearing, and employee health insurance options, and the agenda calls for a review and approval of bids for the road reconstruction project for Lambkin Lane and Florence Street. A TextMyGov Community Engagement presentation is scheduled which includes an overview of benefits for the Village of Empire and a review of how the application functions.

The documents include meeting minutes from various committees, including the Disaster Preparedness Committee and the Short-Term Rental Special Committee, and the Personnel Committee, which discuss various items. Also included are meeting minutes from the December 14, 2023 Regular Meeting which covers several topics, including the Asset Mapping Task Force presentation, Renovare Development presentation, and approval of the Village Attorney and the tree removal proposal. The documentation also includes the Village’s financial reports from multiple funds, and discussion regarding insurance and road work bids.

The final sections involve recommendations for action, including the selection of bids for road projects, which will be considered for budgeting, specifically for local streets and alley repair. The report also includes a breakdown of various insurance plans with a comparison of existing and potential new policies for health insurance, with implications for the village’s budget.