Empire public meetings in 2023
5 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Empire City Council
The City Council will present the proposed 2024 budget for public comment. The agenda also includes consideration of a new zoning ordinance and street improvement projects.
- Presentation of the proposed 2024 Budget
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 400 (Empire Zoning Ordinance)
- Feasibility report for 2024 Street and Parking Lot Improvement Project
- Payment of bills totaling $38,603.88
- Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County Elections
The Council approved a feasibility report for a $1,543,300 street and parking lot project and adopted the 2023 Pavement Management Plan. They also adopted Zoning Ordinance No. 400 and approved a JPA with Dakota County for election services.
- Approved 2023 Pavement Management Plan (5-0)
- Approved 2024 Street and Parking Lot Improvement Project feasibility report and public hearing (5-0)
- Approved installed landscaping at DNH, Nitti, and Dahn Construction sites (5-0)
- Adopted Zoning Ordinance No. 400 (5-0)
- Approved JPA with Dakota County Elections for AB Administration Services (4-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-11B certifying unpaid utility charges (5-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-11C designating the official polling place (5-0)
- Approved $38,603.88 in bills (5-0)
Empire City Council
The Empire City Council will consider a resolution to seek MnDOT funding for the Biscayne Ave. Improvements Project. The meeting also includes discussions on personnel policy updates and a new contract for deputy coverage.
- Resolution No. 2023-11A regarding MnDOT funding for Biscayne Ave. Improvements Project
- New contract for Deputy Coverage (2024-2025)
- Bills to be paid totaling $237,778.54
- Review of draft personnel policy updates
- Notice of Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Draft 2024-2028 CIP
The City Council approved a two-year contract for deputy coverage and a proposal for water and sewer infrastructure evaluation. Council also adopted a resolution to seek MnDOT funding for improvements to Biscayne Avenue.
- Approved 2024-2025 deputy coverage contract with Dakota County Sheriffs Department (4-0)
- Approved Bolton & Menk proposal for North Empire Truck Sewer and Water System Evaluation (4-0)
- Adopted Resolution No. 2023-11A to pursue MnDOT LRIP funding for Biscayne Ave. improvements (4-0)
- Approved bills to be paid in the amount of $237,778.54 (4-0)
- Approved Cash Balance Report as of 11/14/2023 (4-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from 10/24/2023, 11/7/2023, and 11/13/2023 (4-0)
Empire City Council
The council will swear in Councilmember Melanie Lee and review various committee reports. Discussion items include infrastructure planning near 170th Street and street improvement projects.
- Swearing in of Councilmember Melanie Lee
- Request to reduce surety requirements for DNH Empire Addition
- Proposal for professional engineering services for 2024 street and parking lot improvements
- Infrastructure placement plan proposal for 170th Street, west of Highway 3
- Review of cost estimates for iPads
The City Council approved professional engineering services for 2024 street and parking lot improvements and requested an infrastructure study for 170th Street. The council also approved $66,047.75 in bills and seated a new council member.
- Swore in Councilmember Melanie Lee
- Approved bills totaling $66,047.75 (5-0)
- Approved reducing DNH Empire Addition surety from $1,157,361 to $157,361 (5-0)
- Approved Professional Engineering Services for 2024 Street and Parking Lot Improvement Project (5-0)
- Approved request for infrastructure placement and feasibility study proposal from Bolton & Menk for 170th Street area (5-0)
- Approved agreements for Designated Engineer and Planner with Bolton & Menk (5-0)
- Appointed Melanie Lee to street, solid waste, and planning committees (4-0)
Empire City Council
The City Council will discuss filling a vacant council seat and consider a conditional use permit for barbed wire fencing at the Northern Natural Gas site. The meeting also includes a proposed joint powers agreement with Dakota County regarding absentee voting services.
- Discussion on appointment to fill City Council vacancy
- Conditional Use Permit for barbed wire topped fence at Highway 3 and 170th Street
- Proposed JPA between Dakota County and the City of Empire for absentee voting services
- Bills to be paid totaling $168,381.71
- City of Lakeville Comprehensive Plan Amendment discussion
The City Council appointed Melanie Lee to a vacant council seat and approved a conditional use permit for a fence at a natural gas site. The council also approved over $168,000 in bills and tabled a decision on a voting services agreement with Dakota County.
- Appointed Melanie Lee to fill City Council vacancy (4-0)
- Approved CUP for barbed wire topped fence at Northern Natural Gas site (4-0)
- Approved $168,381.71 in bills (4-0)
- Approved Cash Balance report (4-0)
- Tabled JPA with Dakota County for absentee voting services until Nov 28 (3-1)
- Recommended 'no comment' response to Lakeville Comprehensive Plan Amendment
- Recommended not sealing well #1 until a Farmington connection plan is in place
Empire City Council
The City Council will consider adopting Ordinance 2023-10 regarding essential services in the Mineral Extraction District. The meeting includes discussions on a City Council vacancy, liquor licenses for Southern Hills Golf Course, and the renewal of the city health insurance plan.
- Adoption of Ordinance 2023-10 to amend zoning for Essential Services in Mineral Extraction (ME) District
- Approval of 2024 On-Sale Intoxicating and Sunday On-Sale Liquor Licenses for Southern Hills Golf Course
- Renewal of City Health Insurance Plan with BCBS for 2024
- Payment of bills totaling $44,780.89
- Discussion on appointment to fill a City Council vacancy
The City Council adopted an ordinance allowing essential services in the Mineral Extraction District. The council also approved liquor licenses for Southern Hills Golf Course and renewed the city's health insurance plan with BCBS for 2024.
- Approved bills to be paid in the amount of $44,780.89 (4-0)
- Adopted Ordinance 2023-10 to permit essential services in Mineral Extraction (ME) District (4-0)
- Approved 2024 On-Sale Intoxicating and Sunday On-Sale Liquor Licenses for Southern Hills Golf Course (4-0)
- Approved renewal of City Health Insurance Plan with BCBS for 2024 (4-0)
- Recommended Planning Commission review animal control ordinance regarding foster dogs