6/24/2025 - Empire Village | Regular Meeting Minutes

Summary

The Empire Village Council meeting held on June 24, 2025, focused on operational reports, public comments, and several motions regarding village matters. Key decisions included the approval of the streets committee's authority to address parking signs, closure of Pokagon St. for a special event, and funding arrangements for shoreline surveys of South Bar Lake. No new business was addressed, and some items were tabled for further consideration.

Public Comments

During the public comments section, Steve Lewis raised a concern regarding the MI Corps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program's implementation on S Bar Lake and suggested the inclusion of drone surveillance for monitoring purposes.

Parks and Recreation Matters

Council members discussed the maintenance needs at Shalda Park, particularly regarding mowing and weed whacking, although no specific decisions were made.

Infrastructure Projects

A motion was passed to close Pokagon St. from 9 to 11 a.m. on July 4th, with the DPW responsible for providing barriers for the event. The council also approved a motion for the village to cover two-thirds of the cost for both Shoreline and Preventative surveys of South Bar Lake, with the township contributing one-third. It was emphasized that scheduling for these surveys should ideally occur by August this year. Furthermore, discussions included recent water quality testing results conducted by volunteers and a village study that identified sources of e-coli related to sewer needs.

Other Business

No new business was introduced during the meeting.

Financial Summary

The council approved bills totaling $2,943.25 as part of the consent agenda.

Action Items

- Streets Committee is authorized to meet and address the installation of no parking signs along LaCore Street. - Costs for office sealcoating were tabled for further acquisition of estimates. - Ensure communication with Empire Township for the scheduling of the South Bar Lake shoreline surveys by August.