10/28/2025 - Empire Village | Regular Meeting Minutes

Summary

The Empire Village Council held a regular meeting on October 28, 2025, addressing several operational and personnel matters. Key decisions included amendments to the personnel policy, funding for DPW technician training, and the hiring of a consultant. The council also reviewed its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) priorities. The meeting concluded without any public comments or significant new business discussions beyond the established agenda items.

Public comments

Cheryl Clark expressed concerns regarding the Personnel Policy during public comments; however, there were no additional responses noted in the minutes.

Personnel Policy

The council discussed proposed changes to the Personnel Policy, particularly regarding vacation payout language. The attorney's recommendations had been reviewed, and a motion to approve the changes passed with support from Council members Chase and Walton, despite opposition from members Bacon, Rademacher, and Skrocki. No further attorney review was requested.

Infrastructure projects

The DPW reported on the completion of summer item removal from the beach and the installation of vents on the water storage tank. The examination of lead pipes is expected to occur in the next two weeks. The council resolved to contract Pinnacle Training to certify the DPW technician for a CDL by January 1, 2026, at a cost not exceeding $6,000. Additional discussions included addressing the lack of supervision related to the CDL requirement, leading to a motion that emphasized the responsibilities of the DPW Superintendent in facilitating the technician's training.

Other Business

No new business was added outside of the agenda, although council members discussed minor issues like tree-related damage to the walking trail and community initiatives such as compostable bags and the management of grass clippings.

Action Items

1. A progress report from Pinnacle Training on the DPW technician's CDL certification is to be provided in the future. 2. The President or the Personnel Committee is tasked with drafting a statement clarifying the CDL requirement for the DPW position. 3. Continued review and updates to the CIP are set for the upcoming November meeting.