Regular Meeting (Minutes)

The Empire Village Council convened its regular meeting on April 22, 2025, at the Empire Township Hall, with all council members and key officials present. The agenda was adopted without changes, and the council efficiently moved through the consent agenda, approving the minutes from the previous work session and the bills amounting to $2,875.92. Discussions highlighted increased fuel costs and the necessity for tracking usage, indicating the council’s focus on financial oversight. The financial statements for March 2025 were reviewed, and communications from the Street Administrator and others were received, showcasing the council’s commitment to transparency and operational updates.

Department head reports, particularly from Davis on the Department of Public Works (DPW), detailed preparations for the summer season at the beach park and progress on digital mapping of public infrastructure. A motion was passed to have the Personnel Committee address vacation and sick time policies to ensure a consistent 40-hour workweek during the busy summer period. Committee reports indicated readiness from the Waste Water Task Force to present their findings. The council also finalized amendments to the Village Council Rules of Procedure, streamlining communication processes by distributing and posting communications without reading them aloud at meetings.

In new business, the council approved a starting wage of $18 per hour for a seasonal DPW position and committed to advertising the role. Additionally, funding was allocated for continued weekly testing of South Bar Lake, not to exceed $1500, reflecting the council’s environmental stewardship. The council also committed to economic development training within the fiscal year, approving a budget of up to $1500 for a session with Renovare on commercial and housing development incentives, including TIF, PILOT, Tax Abatement, and Brownfield Development. This decision underscores the council’s proactive approach to economic growth and development. Public comments were absent, but council members engaged in discussions on various topics, including attorney RFP responses and community safety and cleanup initiatives.