Summary
The Empire Village Council held a work session on September 10, 2026, at Empire Township Hall, with Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dunphey, Dye, Rademacher, and Walton present (Clerk Smith absent). The council approved the agenda as amended and the August 25, 2026 regular meeting minutes. Key actions included pursuing a handicap fishing dock at South Bar Lake, forming an STR registration committee, formalizing work order procedures, and discussing plans for Shalda Park's main parking area.
Public Comments
Steve Lewis commented on the opportunity to add a handicap fishing dock on S. Bar Lake. Bob Joyce raised the need for a driveway permit in the Village to protect streets as a primary Village asset, and reported on Village trees needing attention or removal and on review of the brush pile. Later in the meeting, Trish Baker commented on people playing pickleball on the tennis courts; no council response was recorded.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The council discussed a proposed handicap fishing dock at South Bar Lake, first raised by Steve Lewis. Bacon reviewed steps to request EGLE review a new dock location. Regarding Shalda Park, Davis requested the main parking area be drawn to gravel now, with an option for paving later, and recommended a survey be conducted. Discussion covered parking for the ballpark, courts, and a future shelter, as well as tradeoffs between paving and open space for hitting golf or softballs, and additional playground equipment (already present at the beach and Johnson park). Davis will obtain a price for ballfield parking; no vote was taken.
Other Business
Davis appointed himself and Office Manager Acton to a new STR Registration Implementation Committee, with unanimous consensus. Bacon relayed formalized work order procedures; Davis reported that Attorney Haiderer recommends adding these to the Personnel Policy. No formal vote was recorded on either item.
Action Items
Davis to obtain a price for ballfield parking at Shalda Park. Bacon asked Bob Joyce to provide driveway permit information to the Planning Commission, with council directing the Commission to develop a driveway permit process to work with the Land Use Permit. Walton raised the issue of who may use the Brush Pile; Joyce reported cameras are being installed due to non-Village residents dumping there, and the Sheriff's Department can respond if a license number is provided. Council discussed the potential need for an ordinance if enforcement is planned. Davis reviewed a recent incident involving a beach ambassador and a visitor parked in a handicap spot without a permit; the sheriff's department was called and the visitor moved, which Davis cited as proper ambassador procedure.