Summary
The Empire Township Board met on March 11, 2025, with Supervisor Hendricks presiding. The board approved minutes from the February 10 special meeting and February 11 regular meeting, heard reports from the Assessor, Treasurer, Planning/Zoning, Supervisor, and Clerk, and approved routine financial actions including an audit engagement and bill payments.
Public Comments
The Lions Club requested that resurfacing of the Pickleball court be added to the April meeting agenda; this was a proposal from the Lions Club, not a board decision, and the board agreed to place it on a future agenda. The Lions Club also proposed building a storage cabinet in the downstairs basement area; board members stated they were in agreement with locating this structure in the basement rather than the kitchen.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Supervisor Hendricks reported that the Planning Commission had discussion on Affordable Housing along with a Renewable Energy Ordinance. No specific decisions or votes were reported on this topic.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Lions Club's request for resurfacing of the Pickleball court will be added to the April meeting agenda for further discussion.
Other Business
- Assessor's Report: Six petitioners appeared at the March Board of Review; four were denied and two received some change.
- Planning/Zoning: Zoning Administrator Cypher issued two Land Use Permits.
- Clerk's Report: Deegan explained a delay in updating the township website.
- Fire Department: Chief Ferguson reported 36 calls in February and stated he hired a part-time employee to full-time status.
Financial Summary
- Treasurer Price reported 98.67 percent of all taxes had been collected; he is continuing his search for a deputy treasurer, hoping to have a candidate by the April meeting.
- The pending sale of the Fire Engine for $10,000 was discussed by Hendricks and Ferguson; a 10 percent broker fee will apply.
- Motion by Noonan, supported by Price, to engage Tobin for the Audit passed with all ayes.
- Motion by Hendricks, supported by Noonan, to pay the bills as presented passed with all ayes.
- Chief Ferguson made a grant request to the State of Michigan for a new ladder truck, costing $2.3 million, needed for the ISO Rating.
Action Items
- Treasurer Price to continue searching for a deputy treasurer, with a goal of having a candidate by the April meeting.
- Lions Club's Pickleball court resurfacing request to be formally added to the April agenda.
- Deegan to continue resolving the delay in updating the township website.
- Chief Ferguson's $2.3 million ladder truck grant request to the State of Michigan is pending.
- Lions Club to proceed with building a storage cabinet in the basement, per board agreement.