Summary
The Empire Village Council held a work session on January 9, 2025, opening with a moment of silence for former President and Village historian Dave Taghon. The Council approved the agenda as amended, approved the December 12, 2024 minutes, approved $1,800 for new planter materials, and held extended discussion on the Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2025-29) and the Recreation Plan, particularly regarding a proposed S. Bar Lake boardwalk, without reaching final resolution on the boardwalk issue.
Public Comments
Steve Lewis submitted written comments (on file) on the Recreation Plan and reviewed a January 2023 S Bar Lake Association resolution opposing the boardwalk, noting the Association's views remain unchanged. He later spoke again, describing the west side of S Bar Lake shoreline as sandy, shallow, and unsuitable for fishing, and stated he opposes a boardwalk. Teresa Howes commented on her experience with wetlands on her property and raised concerns about representation of property owners regarding the boardwalk issue.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Parks Committee met and submitted budget and CIP requests. Discussion of the CIP included street and park improvement costs, alley improvement lengths, and rejection of the County's new tar-and-chip method as unsuitable for Village streets. Dye suggested increasing the proposed budget for a shelter at Shalda Park. Johnson Park's boardwalk description was removed from the CIP, and sidewalk costs near Salisbury were adjusted. Bacon will revise the CIP and forward it to Clerk Smith.
On the Recreation Plan, debate centered on the S. Bar Lake shoreline boardwalk. Davis and Rademacher favored removing it to protect wetlands per the S Bar Lake Association's wishes. Dye wanted the Village to purchase the property to protect it and keep the boardwalk concept included. Chase opposed development in the wetlands and wanted it removed. Walton wanted it retained to show the public was heard. Skrocki wants the land preserved and proposed walking the site with Steve Lewis. Rademacher asked Davis to contact Robyn Schmidt at EGLE regarding potential development approval, which Davis agreed to do. Bacon suggested separating wetland-protection acquisition from the boardwalk installation question. No vote was taken; Bacon noted the plan is now up to Council to amend or approve.
Other Business
The Short-Term Rental item remained tabled following a voice vote (Dye, Skrocki, and Walton opposed to tabling). The Water Committee is finishing its review of the Water Ordinance. Chase distributed Personnel Committee wage recommendations for the budget. Bacon will forward Streets Committee requests to the Clerk. The Sidewalk Snow Support Program was discussed as either a policy or procedure, with consensus to place it on a regular meeting agenda as a policy. Rademacher asked that a proposed parking fee increase be referred to the Village Attorney to check compliance with the Bolt Act. Smith reminded members that personal email used for Village business is a public record. Davis reminded committees to meet only on Council-assigned matters and asked that DPW work requests be routed through him or Bacon.
Financial Summary
Motion by Dye, supported by Rademacher, approved $1,800 to purchase materials for new planters to be built by DPW for the Beautification Committee. Roll call vote: Ayes – Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki, Walton; Nays – None. Motion passed. CIP cost estimates for street, alley, and sidewalk projects were discussed and will be revised by Bacon.
Action Items
Bacon to revise CIP figures and forward the updated document to Clerk Smith. Davis to contact Robyn Schmidt at EGLE regarding potential development in the S. Bar Lake wetland area. Skrocki to walk the wetland property with Steve Lewis. Sidewalk Snow Support Program to be placed on a future regular meeting agenda for policy consideration. Parking fee increase to be referred to the Village Attorney regarding Bolt Act compliance. Bacon to forward Streets Committee requests to Clerk Smith.