Summary
The Empire Village Council held a work session on October 9, 2025, with Bacon, Chase, Davis, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki, Walton, and Clerk Smith present. The council adopted the agenda as amended and approved the September 23, 2025 minutes, both by unanimous voice vote. The main focus was a presentation on the Shalda Park Master Plan, followed by discussion of wastewater reporting, street maintenance issues, and DPW staff certification.
Public Comments
Trish Baker said she felt the Recreation Master Plan presentation was excellent. Clerk Smith commented on the council's history with the Wastewater Task Force. Bacon commented that the council should discuss and produce an agreed-upon set of facts regarding any next steps for a Wastewater Task Force. During public comment on the park presentation, questions were raised about fencing around the softball fields and pickleball courts.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Dallas Wirtz of Gosling Czubak presented the Shalda Park Master Plan, reviewing nine potential improvements to existing facilities. Two optional layouts were distributed, and the council discussed pump tracks, skate parks, a river overlook, associated costs, and the possibility of removing one ball field. Motion by Bacon, support by Dye, to authorize the Parks Committee to structure a plan for gathering public input on the potential designs; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Infrastructure Projects
Walton added a Wastewater Report to the agenda and asked that the November 2024 Wastewater report be reviewed in detail by the council. Bacon suggested each member instead create individual fact sheets for discussion. The council agreed the budget should be completed first, and the wastewater discussion would follow afterward. The Water Ordinance item was removed from New Business by Rademacher prior to the meeting.
Other Business
Dye reviewed documentation on grass clippings and leaves being left in streets; Bacon volunteered to create a poster on the issue. Council members discussed the DPW Technician's CDL licensing: Chase asked about the timeline, Davis reported that county-provided training requires the trainer to be an employee of the organization seeking the CDL, and Walton volunteered to gather information from her son-in-law, who recently obtained a CDL. There was agreement that the DPW Technician should obtain a CDL within a year of hire, though Dye noted the topic was not on the agenda; the council agreed to discuss it further at a future meeting.
Action Items
- Parks Committee to structure a plan for gathering public input on the Shalda Park Master Plan options.
- Bacon to assemble a poster regarding grass clippings and leaves in streets.
- Council to revisit the Wastewater report/Task Force discussion after the budget is completed; members may prepare individual fact sheets.
- DPW Technician expected to obtain a CDL within a year of hiring; Walton to gather related information; formal discussion to be placed on a future agenda.