Summary
The Empire Village Council met December 11, 2025, with all council members present except Clerk Smith. The Council approved the consent agenda, the 2026–2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a Master Plan Amendment (Resolution No. 8 of 2025), a $1/hr raise for the DPW Tech, and appointed Dan Davis to a joint Village/Township committee examining the Benzonia Road property.
Public Comments
Dallas Lincoln of Gosling Czubak thanked the Village with a box of chocolates and expressed interest in continuing to work with the Village in the coming year; no concerns were raised. Later in the meeting, Lincoln commented on a Community Calendar concept, referencing Mackinac Island's use of a limited Facebook page for similar purposes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Council discussed sand piles accumulated at beach parking creating a traffic visibility hazard; Bacon, as Street Administrator, proposed an estimated expense to restore safe dune heights, to be included in the next fiscal budget as part of the approved CIP. Separately, a plan for coordinating community organizations around recreational opportunities was described, including concern about duplicated efforts among independent groups. A facilitated discussion between organizations and a Community Calendar for residents were proposed. Council reached consensus giving Bacon permission to move forward with this concept.
Infrastructure Projects
Rademacher reported the Water Committee met with the Michigan Rural Water Association and is reviewing a potential increase in ready-to-serve rates. Council also discussed sidewalk clearing practices exceeding current ordinance requirements, which have drawn public criticism; clearing M-22 for access to the Health Clinic was noted as important. The ordinance requires property owners to maintain sidewalks, though many are absent in winter. Council reached consensus to post the current clearing policy on the Village website and kiosk to manage public expectations.
Other Business
A committee was formed to address the jointly-owned Benzonia Trail property (a former dump with potential pollution issues); Dan Davis was appointed for his long-term familiarity with the site (Ayes: Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays: None). The Master Plan Amendment discussion touched on whether short-term rental (STR) regulation was adequately addressed; the Planning Commission is currently working on the issue. Skrocki thanked the Council upon completing her first year in office; Davis offered holiday wishes.
Financial Summary
Bills totaling $16,306.15 were approved as part of the consent agenda (unanimous roll call). The 2026–2032 CIP was approved, incorporating an estimated cost for restoring sand dunes to a safe height. A $1/hr pay increase for the DPW Tech was approved effective 12/15/25, tied to completion of a CDL license.
Action Items
- Post the current sidewalk-clearing policy on the Village website and kiosk.
- Bacon to proceed with organizing a facilitated discussion among recreation-related organizations and explore a Community Calendar.
- Dan Davis to represent the Village on the Township/Village Fact Finding Group regarding the Benzonia Road property, given prior pollution concerns at the former dump site.
- Include the sand dune restoration expense in the next fiscal year budget.
- Planning Commission to continue addressing STR regulation within the Master Plan.