Summary
The Empire Village Council held a public hearing and regular meeting on September 23, 2025. The Council adopted Resolution No. 8 of 2025 establishing a Slow No-Wake designation for South Bar Lake, approved the consent agenda including bills totaling $23,898.97, heard an audit presentation, and approved several Department of Public Works (DPW) related actions including a tank vent repair, lighthouse repair, and water service line excavation.
Public Comments
During the public hearing on the No-Wake Lake designation, Marc Oberschulte, Steve Lewis, and Cheryl Clark all spoke in support of the designation; Lewis specifically thanked the Village for pursuing the application. A letter from Carol and John Peterson supporting the designation was read aloud by Bacon. No public comments were made on other agenda items, and no public comments were offered at the end of the regular meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Davis reported that a Master Plan for improving Shalda Park will be presented at the October Work Session. Council member Chase thanked volunteers for cleaning up Shalda Park.
Infrastructure Projects
The Council approved Resolution No. 8 of 2025 establishing a Slow No-Wake designation for South Bar Lake (motion by Bacon, support by Skrocki; roll call vote: Ayes—Bacon, Chase, Dye, Davis, Rademacher, Skrocki, Walton; Nays—None). The Council approved a DPW quote from Michigan Pipe and Valve for tank vent work, not to exceed $3,000 (motion by Rademacher, support by Walton; unanimous roll call). Regarding the lighthouse, the Council directed DPW to perform a temporary manual repair and investigate the cost of an LDR system for the next budget year (motion by Bacon, support by Dye; unanimous roll call), with discussion on whether the existing DPW setup will work or a new one is needed. The Council also authorized contacting PowerVac to perform hydro excavation of 10 water curb stops (motion by Rademacher, support by Dye; unanimous roll call), and separately directed the Village President to have the DPW Superintendent schedule PowerVac to complete this work in October upon his return from vacation (motion by Bacon, support by Dye; unanimous voice vote).
Other Business
The Council approved closure of Front Street between LaRue and Union on Friday, October 31 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. for Trunk and Treat (motion by Dye, support by Bacon; unanimous voice vote). A letter regarding Short-Term Rentals from David and Tamara Kroll was received and read aloud by Dye. Richard Neihardt of Gabridge & Co. presented the 2024–25 Audit, with council asking questions he answered. Davis reported on street and alley bids and a building permit for a beach changing room. Walton noted PowerVac left a pile of dirt at the gas station.
Financial Summary
The consent agenda approved bills totaling $23,898.97. The Council approved a DPW tank vent quote from Michigan Pipe and Valve not to exceed $3,000. An audit for 2024–25 was presented by Gabridge & Co.
Action Items
Schedule a Personnel Committee meeting to address recommendations from the Village Attorney (motion by Chase, support by Bacon). DPW to complete a temporary manual lighthouse repair and investigate LDR system costs for the next budget year. DPW Superintendent, upon returning from vacation, to schedule PowerVac to complete water curb stop work in October.