Summary
The Empire Township Board met November 12, 2024, with Supervisor Carl Noonan presiding. Key actions included hiring David Yack as the new Township Assessor, a $2,000 retirement bonus for outgoing Assessor Pam Zientek, approval of cemetery grounds work, adoption of Sign Ordinance #2024-01 with final modifications, and acceptance of Planning Chair Duane Shugart's resignation effective January 1, 2025.
Public Comments
Kathy Wiejaczka thanked Carl Noonan and Micah Deegan for their service to Empire Township. No other public comments or written letters were noted.
Other Business
- Assessor Report: Supervisor Noonan interviewed Level 3 assessor David Yack and recommended his hiring. Motion by Deegan, support by Casey Noonan, to hire Yack and have him begin working immediately with retiring Assessor Pam Zientek. All ayes.
- Cemetery Report: Board approved grinding stumps along M-109 (MDOT right-of-way) after Miss Dig contact requirement was confirmed. Board also approved columbarium landscaping at Maple Grove Cemetery by Wild Juniper Nursery.
- Treasurer Report: Treasurer Price reported on CDs and bank accounts as of 10-31-2024; report received as read.
- Planning & Zoning Report: Zoning Administrator Tim Cypher issued six permits in October, including new dwellings, garages, a deck/storage addition, and a dwelling relocation. The Board read Duane Shugart's resignation letter as Planning Chair, effective January 1, 2025, and accepted it with regrets (motion Deegan, support Casey Noonan, all ayes). The Board finalized changes to the draft Sign Ordinance regarding illumination standards and residential signage limits, then adopted Sign Ordinance #2024-01 with modifications (motion Carl Noonan, support Casey Noonan; roll call vote: all ayes).
- Clerk Report: Board decided the Sleeping Bear Marathon did not need to submit a final report on the 2024 race but must meet with the Board before the 2025 event.
- Fire Chief Bryan Ferguson reported on monthly fire department operations.
Financial Summary
- $2,000.00 bonus approved for retiring Assessor Pam Zientek (motion Carl Noonan, support Deegan, all ayes).
- $500.00 approved to Traverse City Stump Grinding for stump removal along M-109 (motion Deegan, support Casey Noonan, all ayes).
- Wild Juniper Nursery columbarium landscaping approved at approximately $4,766.82, not to exceed $5,000.00 (motion Neiswonger, support Deegan, all ayes).
- October and November 2024 bills approved for payment (motion Deegan, support Casey Noonan, all ayes).
Action Items
- David Yack to begin working immediately with outgoing Assessor Pam Zientek.
- Duane Shugart's resignation as Planning Chair takes effect January 1, 2025.
- Sleeping Bear Marathon organizers must meet with the Board before the 2025 race.
- Micah Deegan noted that Planning Commissioners should be considered for a pay increase at budget time.