Summary
The Empire Village Council held a special meeting on October 1, 2026, primarily to review an equipment presentation from AIS regarding the Village's loader. Council members Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dunphey, Dye, Rademacher, and Walton were present. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during the meeting.
Other Business
Daniel Novak of AIS presented information on loader equipment options, including lease and financing arrangements. He reported that the current loader has logged 1000K hours with 60% idle time, which was characterized as high, and that only a single oil change had been performed on it, described as inadequate maintenance. Novak noted that comparable communities including Northport, Kingsley, and Traverse City use similar loaders, most equipped with a backhoe. A market value update for the existing loader was distributed, and Novak recommended an outright sale rather than a trade-in. Operation of various attachments and options was also discussed. Council member Boone Harriger commented that the current loader is not suited for sand use and cannot back blade, and noted that new equipment would help maintain the beach park, potentially avoiding large costs recently incurred there. No decisions or votes on equipment purchase were recorded.
Action Items
No specific deadlines or assigned follow-up tasks were recorded in the minutes. The equipment discussion appears to remain under consideration, with these draft minutes subject to approval at the October 8, 2026, Council Work Session.