Summary
The Empire Village Council held a budget hearing and regular meeting on February 25, 2025, at Empire Township Hall, with members Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki, and Walton present along with Clerk Smith and Treasurer Acton. The Council adopted its FY 2025-26 budget, approved new water rates, updated the fee schedule, made several appointments, and approved a grant application resolution. No public comments were made during the public hearings on water rates or the budget.
Public Comments
At the close of the meeting, Sam Barr thanked the Council for his appointment to the Planning Commission and commented on the initial beach parking fee structure. Cheryl Clark commented on the wood chip pile. No formal responses from the Council were recorded, and no written letters were noted as submitted.
Parks and Recreation Matters
As part of the 2025-26 Fee Schedule adoption, the Council, on a motion by Rademacher supported by Bacon, changed the proposed beach parking fee to $1/hr, pending an attorney opinion, and raised the fine for an expired or missing beach pass from $15 to $25. Discussion covered compliance with the Bolt Act and whether parking fees could cover beach maintenance costs. The vote passed 6-1 (Ayes: Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nay: Walton). A second motion by Rademacher, supported by Bacon, approved the full 2025-26 Fee Schedule with these changes, passing by the same 6-1 vote.
Infrastructure Projects
Resolution No. 4 of 2025, setting new water rates, was approved unanimously on a motion by Rademacher, supported by Dye. Resolution No. 6 of 2025, the MI Par Plan Grant Application, was approved unanimously on a motion by Bacon, supported by Rademacher; discussion included how removed bricks would be disposed of.
Other Business
The agenda was amended to add Tree Service Quotes and Resolution No. 6 (Dye and Acton) and a Health Insurance motion (Chase), then adopted as amended. The Consent Agenda, including the 2-13-25 Work Session minutes, the 2025-26 meeting schedule, Resolution No. 1 (Act 51 funds transfer), and Resolution No. 2 (Act 152 Health Care Annual Exemption), was approved unanimously. President Davis appointed John Collins and Phil Deering (reappointed) and Sam Barr to the Planning Commission through February 2028, approved 4-3 (Nays: Dye, Skrocki, Walton). Dr. John Bruder was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals through February 2028, approved unanimously. The Personnel Committee reported it is still reviewing the Rules of Procedure.
Financial Summary
The Consent Agenda included bills totaling $6,338.82. Resolution No. 3 of 2025 approved FY 2024-25 budget amendments, and Resolution No. 5 of 2025 adopted the FY 2025-26 budget, both unanimously. Health Insurance coverage at 100% for the full-time employee plus one dependent was approved unanimously on a motion by Chase, supported by Walton. The Council approved a tree service quote from Deering's Tree Service not to exceed $5,000.00.
Action Items
The beach parking fee of $1/hr is pending a formal attorney opinion before implementation. The Personnel Committee continues reviewing the Rules of Procedure. Disposal plans for bricks removed under the MI Par Plan Grant remain to be finalized.