Summary
The Empire Village Council, chaired by President Pro-tempore Bacon in the absence of Davis, Walton, and Clerk Smith, held its regular meeting on November 13, 2025. The Council approved the consent agenda, advanced a Water Ordinance for legal review, revised the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for December approval, approved removal of a streetlight, and authorized contact with the Village Attorney on zoning matters.
Public Comments
During the public comment period, a resident asked about the streetlight removal; Council responded that Consumers Energy policy allows removal after a light has been turned off for one year. Another question concerned zoning violations, and Council explained that storage alone is not a permitted use and that the lack of an installed business created a permit violation. No speaker names were recorded, and no written comments were submitted.
Parks and Recreation Matters
As part of the CIP review, the Council discussed a placeholder for recreational programming and/or storage. Water meter replacement costs were adjusted, and $30,000 was inserted for infrastructure under Parks. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to place the CIP on the December meeting agenda for final approval; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Infrastructure Projects
The Council discussed the proposed Water Ordinance. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to send the ordinance to the Village Attorney for review with noted corrections; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Dye raised concerns about wording on private well approvals and a duplicated Section 8. Treasurer Acton will forward the existing Water Ordinance to the Attorney for suggested replacement language.
The Council also approved removal of the streetlight at 10099 Aylsworth Street, not to exceed $1,200. Bacon noted that the DPW, Fire Department, and County Sheriff had reviewed the request without objection. Motion by Dye, support by Skrocki; roll call vote: Ayes – Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays – None. Motion passed.
Other Business
A letter from the DNR regarding the No-Wake Lake designation was received as a communication. Bacon reported on a Township meeting addressing a proposal for property jointly owned by the Village and Township on Benzonia Rd. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to place this Township/Village Committee matter on the December agenda; passed unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Dye, support by Rademacher, to authorize the President to contact the Village Attorney regarding two zoning issues on property south of the Village Office; roll call vote: Ayes – Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays – None. Motion passed.
Financial Summary
The Council approved the October 28, 2025 meeting minutes and bills totaling $6,889.21 by roll call vote (Ayes: Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays: None). The CIP was updated to include $30,000 for park infrastructure, with water meter replacement costs also adjusted. The streetlight removal at 10099 Aylsworth Street was capped at $1,200.
Action Items
- Acton to send the existing Water Ordinance to the Attorney for suggested revisions.
- CIP to be finalized and brought back for approval at the December meeting.
- Township/Village Committee on Benzonia Rd. property to be placed on the December agenda.
- President to contact the Village Attorney regarding two zoning issues on the property south of the Village Office.