Chelsea council approves multiple annexations, hears from chamber president
The Chelsea City Council welcomed three new properties into the city during its first meeting of August.
At the Aug. 1 council meeting, the annexation for three neighboring properties along Old Highway 280 were approved. The three annexations, for 1-, 2.13- and 2.18-acre properties, were unanimously approved. Before hearing the ordinances regarding the annexations, the council voted to suspend the rules for immediate consideration.
Council member Scott Weygand said council member Tiffany Bittner helped bring forward the annexations, which Weygand said was an example of how the council works well together.
The annexations, he added, were “filling in one of the holes in our Swiss cheese map.”
During the pre-council meeting, the council also heard from Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kirk Mancer, who updated them on a county-wide effort to support businesses called ShelbyOne.
Work toward Shelby One has been underway for several years, Mancer said, and the project will have four main initiatives, including growing jobs through existing businesses; recruiting new-to-market retail, commercial and industrial businesses; improving career readiness through local schools; and advocating for businesses. He added that there will be a kick-off for ShelbyOne on Aug. 15, and the campaign for Shelby One–during which municipalities can decide if and how much they’d like to invest–will run through August.
“It will not be my decision how much we invest in this. It will be ours,” said Mayor Tony Picklesimer, adding that the city is already working with a retail coach. He said he hopes the retail coach and Shelby One will work in conjunction with each other. He also asked the council for feedback on the initiative.
Also at the council meeting:
- The council received a rezoning request regarding a 37-acre property on Highway 36. The planning commission held a public hearing for this property and recommended approval. Before the council votes, a public hearing will be held at the council’s Sept. 5 meeting.
- The council approved a resolution to continue the contract with Waste-Pro for garbage services. Picklesimer noted there will be added services, including four bulk pick-ups per year.
- The council approved a resolution to assume responsibility for streets in Chesser Reserve Phase II. These roads were approved by the city engineer, Picklesimer said.
- The council approved a resolution to authorize Picklesimer to sign a contract agreement with Kelley Contracting and Paving Inc. for additional parking at the Highway 11 Chelsea Sports Complex. This will include around 15 more spots and paving around the maintenance building at the field.
- Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley gave his report to the council, noting that call volumes have been up. He also said the fire department raised more than $2,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during a recent fundraiser and provided an update on Lt. Ben Hostetter, who suffered a "medical event" while on duty. Hostetter is “still making amazing progress” and has officially been discharged from the hospital. He is now in rehabilitation.
- Weygand provided an update on a roads database he is working on. He said that a list of subdivision roads has been given to the Chelsea COPs, who will go out to measure and grade the roads. Weygand will then go out with county employees to grade the roads, and the two lists will be compared.