Regular Meeting (Packet)

The Empire Village Council convened for a regular meeting on July 23, 2024, at the Empire Township Hall. The agenda included a variety of items such as the approval of minutes from the previous work session, review of financial statements, and department head reports. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by Kyle Bond from the Michigan Rural Water Association on water rates, followed by public comments on the presentation. The council also addressed old business, including the implementation of a new parking fee and updates on the office transition. New business included discussions on a proposed sign ordinance, which was a focal point of the meeting.

The proposed sign ordinance, presented by Maggie Bacon on behalf of the Planning Commission, aims to amend the Village of Empire’s Zoning Ordinance by adding Section 3.12 on signs. This amendment seeks to regulate the size, number, location, and manner of display of signs in a content-neutral manner, in compliance with a 2015 Supreme Court ruling. The ordinance addresses issues such as visual clutter, safety, and the balance between free speech and public welfare. Key changes include increasing the number of temporary signs allowed from two to four and clarifying the authority of the enforcement officer regarding sign removal. The ordinance is set to be adopted as Section 3.12 of the Zoning Ordinance, with the repeal of Ordinance #142.

The meeting also covered the implementation of a $2 per hour parking fee, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Recommendations included updating the software to reflect the new fee and preparing signage accordingly. Additionally, an update on the office transition was provided, with a focus on keeping the council informed about the progress at the new location. The meeting concluded with public comments and council member remarks, followed by adjournment.

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