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Chelsea approves annual paving contract

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Chelsea roads will see improvements soon thanks to an annual contract with Alabama Asphalt & Construction, as a resolution was approved at Tuesday night's council meeting.

During the pre-council meeting, City Engineer Keith Hager said when they realized there were quite a few roads that needed to be paved, entering into an annual contract made sense. After looking at all the roads they may want to pave over the course of the next several years, they asked for bids from various companies.

“By doing it this way, we are allowed to turn in paperwork and buy materials tax-free because of being a municipality, so the money will go further,” Hager said. “Based on first estimate, it’s a great deal for us.”

Mayor Tony Picklesimer said there is $1 million in the capital budget over the next four years set aside for paving within the city limits and by putting out the annual contract for bid, they can get the best price to get the projects done.

“We had the largest paving contractors all bid on this project, which is good for two years,” he said. “I think it’s an excellent thing.”

Hager also went over options for the building at the archery range. He said the grading is complete and most of the remainder of the project is the building, paving and landscaping.

“We are having to pick colors and fine-tuning things,” Hager said. “We do want to make it look complementary to the community center and will get started on it in about two weeks.”

Council members Scott Weygand and Tiffany Bittner gave a report from meetings they had recently conducted with principals from Chelsea Park Elementary, Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High about needs they have at their schools. They proposed creating an ongoing revenue source to provide a way to fund the needed money, which would be earmarked for education and the council would have a say in how the funds are used.

“Although the $25,000 the city donates to each school every year is extremely helpful, there are other items out there, and we are still compiling list of what needs to be done,” Weygand said. “Shelby County can’t fund everything, and we are trying to be proactive and begin encouraging creative ways to start building that money.”

Bittner added that “parents appreciate the school system and Board of Education, but there are a lot of gaps that the county financially can’t meet.”

Also at the June 18 meeting, Picklesimer said the area of the proposed Foothills business park passed the geotech testing and environmental phase one and punching test, and no blasting will be required. He said they hope to proceed with closing on the property soon.

During the regular council meeting, Mary Robertson was appointed to the library board, approval was made for asphalt repair to the Brynleigh Subdivision and approval for the city bills to be paid.

In the community forum, Emily Sims gave an update from the library that over 400 children and adults registered for their summer reading program. Their Tuesday movie series has begun, along with weekly programs during the summer.

Upcoming events include:

The next Chelsea City Council meeting will be July 2 with pre-council at 5 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 p.m.

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