Chelsea mayor introduces potential magistrate, public defender to council

During the first council meeting of the month, members of the Chelsea city council had the opportunity to meet two individuals who could be part of the Chelsea Municipal Court. Mayor Tony Picklesimer introduced Kim Mims and Andi Graham during pre-council.

“My plan is to, unless there is opposition, to appoint them two weeks from tonight,” Picklesimer said.

Mims was his recommendation for magistrate, and Graham for public defender, Picklesimer said. Both women come with high recommendations, he said, and would bring a lot of experience to the city. Picklesimer said he asked them to attend the pre-council meeting so that council members could meet them and ask any questions they had.

Both women discussed the experience they would bring to the municipal court, and Graham said she looks forward to being a part of the process.

“It’s pretty great to watch how the city of Chelsea is growing so quickly and how y’all are really getting on it,” she said. “Because this is going to be something that is really, really needed for your community.”

During the council meeting, the council approved two resolutions and received a rezoning request.

The rezoning request was submitted by Mary F. King in regard to a 6-acre parcel of land on Old Highway 280 behind the Publix in Chelsea. The request asked for the property to be rezoned from E-1 (residential) to B-2 (commercial). The Chelsea Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request.

The council will hold a public hearing regarding the rezoning on July 6.

The council also approved a resolution to grant an easement for the installation and maintenance of an entrance sign to The Highlands of Chelsea, as well as a resolution to approve payment for soil grading and edging at the city’s three sports complexes.

The work, which will be done by Game Day Athletics Surfaces, will be done on the fields at the Highway 11, Highway 39 and Highway 47 athletic complexes. It will provide a baseline by which the fields can be maintained throughout the season, said councilor David Ingram.