Summary
The Empire Village Council held a work session on March 12, 2026, with President Davis and Clerk Smith absent. The Council approved Resolution No. 6 of 2026, a Front Street District zoning text amendment, a tree removal contract, and scheduled a Special Meeting to interview DPW Superintendent candidates. Discussions also covered DPW salary ranges, Tree City USA requirements, Master Plan/Recreation goals, and beach parking pass policy review.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered on agenda items during that portion of the meeting. Later in the session, Trish Baker commented on parking passes; no response or council action was recorded in connection with her comment.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Bacon noted the CIP, Recreation Plan, and Master Plan should be actively used rather than shelved, citing ongoing work such as CIP tracking, recreation programming with local leaders, and the Parks Committee's effort to gather public input on the general focus for Shalda Park. Council reached consensus to add project tracking and selection to future work session agendas. Separately, Council reached consensus to assign the Parks Committee to work with office manager Acton to review and recommend changes to the beach parking pass program and the Beach Ordinance.
Other Business
Council amended the agenda to add scheduling a Special Meeting to hire a DPW Superintendent (motion by Chase, support Walton, passed unanimously). Council approved the 2-12-26 Work Session minutes with corrections (motion by Dye, support Walton, passed unanimously). A Special Meeting was set for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. to interview 3 DPW Superintendent candidates (motion Chase/Walton; roll call all ayes). Walton assigned interview priority categories to each Council member: Leadership–Dan Davis, Safety–Linda Chase, Operations–Tom Rademacher, Emergency–March Dye, Communication–Meg Walton, Continuous Improvement–Ella Skrocki, Accountability–Maggie Bacon. Council discussed and reached consensus on a DPW salary range of $32 to $36 based on comparisons with Suttons Bay, Northport, and the Road Commission. Council approved the Front Street District zoning text amendment (motion Walton/Dye; roll call all ayes) after Bacon addressed wording confusion around "enclosed" building language. Council approved hiring A-1 Professional Tree Service's low bid plus an additional $300 for two extra stump removals (motion Dye/Rademacher; roll call all ayes), after reviewing bids from Deerings, Parshall, and A-1; Bacon will follow up on the additional stump removal cost. Council approved hosting an Arbor Day Event on April 24, 2026 (motion Dye/Walton; roll call all ayes), amid discussion of Tree City USA requirements and whether a Tree Board is needed. Walton announced a retirement party for John Friend on 3/28/26, 2-4 p.m. at the Township Hall, with refreshments funded by an EACC donation.
Financial Summary
Council reached consensus to consider a DPW Superintendent starting salary range of $32 to $36, informed by comparisons with Suttons Bay, Northport General Fund Revenue, and Road Commission starting salary. The tree removal contract approved the low bid from A-1 plus an additional $300 for two extra stump removals. Tree City USA compliance costs were described as minimal and likely not impactful to the budget.
Action Items
Bacon will call to confirm the cost of the additional stump removals. The Parks Committee will work with office manager Acton to review and recommend changes to the beach parking pass program and Beach Ordinance. A Special Meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. to interview three DPW Superintendent candidates. Council will add project tracking/selection related to the CIP, Recreation Plan, and Master Plan to future work session agendas.