The Empire Village Council held a work session on April 9, 2026, where several key topics related to parks, ordinances, and personnel policies were discussed. Notable decisions included selecting Option 2 for the Shalda Park Master Plan and planning future public hearings for several ordinances. The meeting concluded with community comments, and council members noted upcoming events.
Public Comments
No attendees from the public offered comments on the agenda items during the public comment section. However, two individuals provided input later:
- Trish Baker expressed concerns regarding the registration process for golf carts associated with beach parking passes.
- Joey Deeg questioned the fine amount for beach parking.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The council discussed the following park-related topics:
- **Shalda Park Master Plan:** The Parks Committee recommended choosing Option 2 for improvements and getting quotes for gravel parking, fencing, and a picnic pavilion. The council agreed to involve public input in the decision-making process.
- **Beach Ordinance:** The Parks Committee's review led to discussions about changes to the ordinance, specifically regarding golf cart registrations.
- **Parking Passes and Procedures:** There was an extensive discussion on the procedures for beach parking passes, including potential fines or tickets and the process for obtaining additional passes.
- **Cleanup Events:** Council member Dye reminded the group about the upcoming Arbor Day event and a cleanup scheduled for April 24th.
Infrastructure Projects
The council discussed multiple ordinances related to infrastructure:
- **Water Ordinance:** Minor additions/changes were made, and a public hearing is planned for the next regular meeting.
- **Sidewalk Ordinance and Snow Support Program Policy:** The council agreed to rescind three existing ordinances and replace them with a new one, and scheduled a public hearing for the next regular meeting.
Other Business
A discussion on the Personnel Policy was initiated, with Chase seeking permission to propose changes related to possible wage adjustments.
Action Items
- Quotes for Shalda Park improvements will be sought.
- A Public Hearing for the Water Ordinance and Sidewalk Ordinance will be scheduled for the next regular meeting.
- Changes to beach parking procedures will be developed for further discussion.
- Leslie Chase is tasked with developing a cost plan for updating the meeting room at the DPW building.
- Ongoing cleanup initiatives are to be supported and monitored by council members.
Source Document
This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.