Chelsea Council approves two public safety resolutions
The Chelsea City Council tonight approved two resolutions related to public safety, along with several other agenda items.
The council approve resolutions to authorize the payment for an additional Shelby County contract law enforcement officer and to make an amendment to the 2016-17 budget for Chelsea Fire & Rescue Department.
An additional “hybrid officer” from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will now patrol from 5-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday with a “focus and emphasis on Highway 280.” The payment for the additional officer is $78,000.
“Job one for me is to keep our citizens safe,” said Mayor Tony Picklesimer. “That has been my number one priority and will remain my number one priority … I want you to know this officer, this deputy, his primary focus will be Highway 280 and slowing it down, so you’re duly warned.”
During pre-council discussion on the resolution, Councilman Scott Weygand asked about marking the cars that are contract deputies for Chelsea. Councilman Cody Sumners said this was previously done using magnets, but they no longer use those magnets.
“It’s on the radar,” Sumners said.
The council also approved a resolution amending the Chelsea Fire Department’s budget, adding a merit raise for employees, promoting two part time employees to full time and promoting one full time employee to lieutenant.
“What these guys do is real life superhero stuff, and we need and we deserve only the best,” Picklesimer said to the audience and members of the fire department at the meeting, “the highly trained, highly qualified and highly committed, and I know you guys are committed. And I know you guys are committed because we were on the lower end of the scale for rewards for what you do, so I hope you will accept this with our gratitude.”
Following the passage of the resolution, those in attendance applauded the vote.
Aside from public safety, the council passed a resolution authorizing Picklesimer to contract with The Retail Coach, a retail consulting, market research and development firm.
“This is an item, a promise that we made to you, that we would find a retail and commercial development recruiter and bring it to Chelsea,” Picklesimer said. “… We’re excited that they’re going to partner with us and help us grow our city from a retail and commercial development.”
Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley thanked the council for its support of the fire department, and also thanked the fire department for their consistent work and dedication.
“They’re the ones who make this department really take care of this community. I’m more proud than I can describe to get to work with such a talented and valuable group of coworkers as I do with Chelsea Fire & Rescue,” Shirley said.
Shirley also said that since Jan. 10, when red arrows were added for left turns at the intersection of U.S. 280 and CR 47, Chelsea Fire & Rescue has not responded to motor vehicle accidents in that area.
Also during the meeting, the council:
- Approved a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
- Approved a proclamation declaring Feb. 25 as Arbor Day in Chelsea.
- Approved a resolution to update the 2016 Shelby County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan opens the door for FEMA help and money, said Shelby County EMA Director Hub Harvey.
- Approved a resolution authorizing Picklesimer to contract with the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce for economic development services.
- Approved a resolution for a leadership development agreement with Leadership Shelby County.
- Approved a resolution to purchase light control links for three sports fields in the city. The cost for the light control links is $21,700 and will allow the lights of two ball fields on CR 47 and the CR 39 soccer field to be connected to a system to which all of the other lights are connected. This system allows the lights to be turned on and off on a schedule as well as remotely, preventing unauthorized usage of the lights and preventing the lights from remaining on all night, said Councilman David Ingram.
- Approved to pay the city’s bills.
- Approved a resolution to endorse the city as an applicant in the Alabama Communities of Excellence Program.
- Heard an update from Chelsea High School Vice Principal Matt Stephens, who thanked the school’s PTO for its support and noted construction on 21 new classrooms and a science lab should begin soon.
- Discussed potential plans for this year's Big Kaboom. While previous years' events have been held at Chelsea Park, plans for this year include using the open area off of Chelsea Corners Way and Chelsea Road for a seating area, food trucks and kid zone.