Summary
The Empire Village Council held a work session on October 10, 2024, addressing sign ordinance enforcement, personnel job descriptions, a recycling center fence purchase, and a request from Cherry Republic for an industrial development district. Several financial motions were approved, including payments to Renovare and Consumers Energy, and a steam cleaner purchase. Council reached consensus not to pursue the Cherry Republic proposal at this time.
Public Comments
Rod Barnes commented on the Recycling Center during public comments on agenda items. No response was recorded. There was no public comment at the close of the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks Committee requested to meet, and Council reached consensus to approve the committee holding a meeting. No further details or votes were recorded.
Infrastructure Projects
Palmer reported on a Water System communication issue. Rademacher reported the Water Committee met once and would meet again the following day, and also reported on the Wastewater Task Force meeting held that week. Chase reported that sidewalk work has been completed, with the contractor returning for cleanup work. Under New Business, there was discussion of RAP Grant opportunities for possible projects; Palmer will contact Renovare about possibilities. Council also approved final payment of $10,000 to Renovare (motion by Bacon, support by Dye; roll call vote, all present ayes, none nays, motion passed).
Other Business
Chase reported new office desks are scheduled to arrive the following week, and Bacon reported the office sign is complete and ready for pickup. Attorney Figura's legal opinion on sign ordinance enforcement was reviewed, with consensus to leave political sign enforcement alone until after the election and the new ordinance takes effect. The Personnel Committee will prepare final Treasurer job description revisions for the Regular meeting. Council discussed Cherry Republic's request for an Industrial Development District, weighing impacts on residents including truck traffic, pavement wear, pedestrian/bike safety, and tax revenue; consensus was reached to send a letter declining the request, with Clerk Smith to draft the response. Palmer raised a Time Sheet Issue regarding Bereavement policy interpretation; Bacon noted auditing concerns with overriding policy. The Personnel Committee will address new Bereavement policy language.
Financial Summary
Council approved: the Consumers Energy Resolution and an $8.00 fee (motion by Webb, support by Dye; roll call, all ayes, motion passed); a steam cleaner purchase for the DPW garage at $600 (motion by Bacon, support by Rademacher; roll call, all ayes, motion passed); final payment of $10,000 to Renovare (motion by Bacon, support by Dye; roll call, all ayes, motion passed); and a Recycling Center fence purchase not to exceed $6,000 (motion by Bacon, support by Rademacher; roll call, ayes: Bacon, Chase, Palmer, Rademacher, Walton, Webb; nay: Dye; motion passed).
Action Items
The Personnel Committee will prepare final Treasurer job description revisions for Council approval at the Regular meeting. The Personnel Committee will also draft new Bereavement policy language following Palmer's request for interpretation and Bacon's auditing concerns. Palmer will contact Renovare regarding RAP Grant project possibilities. Clerk Smith will draft a response letter to Cherry Republic declining the Industrial Development District request at this time.