Work Session (Minutes)

The Empire Village Council convened a work session on April 11, 2024, at the Empire Township Hall, with all members present. The agenda was amended to include a request from the ABCD Group under Old Business, and subsequently adopted. Public comments were received on various agenda items, including the Short Term Rental Committee and the Mass Gathering Ordinance. The council reviewed communications, which included multiple letters concerning short-term rentals and a letter commending the council and planning commission’s service to the community. Department head reports covered upcoming installations and street cleaning, while council member reports addressed sidewalk repairs, employee equipment, and updates from the Short Term Rental Committee.

In the session’s old business segment, the council approved the minutes from the previous meeting and discussed the ABCD Group’s request to host a community event at the Township Hall. The council also reviewed the Short Term Rental registration ordinance and the history of actions taken from 2019 to 2024. Discussions on the Rules of Procedure continued, with a focus on suggested changes to be further discussed at the next work session. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Village Office update, where a property survey was reviewed, and the council voted to extend the meeting to further discuss the purchase of the Field Trip building, ultimately approving the purchase agreement with a breakdown of funding allocation.

The council also revisited the Mass Gathering Ordinance, agreeing to consider any changes at a future public hearing. All new business items, including beach and front street striping, village council computer purchase, road closure applications, and stormwater run-off proposals, were moved to the agenda of the upcoming regular meeting on April 23rd. Public and council member comments rounded out the session, touching on topics such as public comment policies, disaster preparedness, and environmental studies. The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m., with the minutes later approved at the April 23, 2024, regular council meeting.