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Erica Techo
Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Kirk Mancer speaks to the Chelsea City Council before its Feb. 6 meeting. At the meeting, the council approved an agreement with the chamber for its Shelby One Next Level Up initiative.
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Erica Techo
Resident Valerie Atchison addresses the Chelsea City Council during its Feb. 6 meeting. Atchison expressed concern during a public hearing regarding a rezoning. She said the business on that property is in disrepair, and she did not believe it should be rezoned and thereby given the potential to expand.
In preparation for future potential purchases, Mayor Tony Picklesimer took time during the pre-council portion of the Feb. 6 Chelsea City Council meeting to discuss high-cost purchases in the city’s future.
“We have several big ticket items that are in our immediate future,” Picklesimer said.
As part of its capital plan, the city has discussed establishing two new fire stations — one near Chelsea Park and one near the intersection of Shelby County 47 and 49. The city is leaning toward renovating a building on Shelby County 51 and making it Chelsea Fire Department Station #3, and building Station #4 at the intersection of Shelby 47 and 49.
While the renovation for future Station #3 is only in the design phase, Picklesimer said there is a purchase the council needs to consider — a new ladder truck.
“With every addition of a fire station is the addition of a fire truck. With our efforts to bring in a hotel, or more than one, it’s going to be a four-story building. We need a 107-foot ladder truck,” he said.
The lead-time for a ladder truck is 14 months, Picklesimer said, meaning a purchase would need to be made sooner rather than later.
“They’re expensive, and they take a long time,” Picklesimer said, adding that the truck would cost around $1 million.
Also on the horizon are needs for a new Citizen Observer Patrol vehicle and a contribution to the upgrade of the Shelby County 911 radio system.
One of the COP vehicles recently died, Picklesimer said, and the city last purchased a car for the volunteer patrol group in 2014. Picklesimer did not have details on the cost of a vehicle, but noted that it would possibly be a Chevy Tahoe.
The Shelby County 911 Radio System upgrade is system and county-wide, Picklesimer said, and will cost more than $1 million. Chelsea’s share of that cost is around $48,900, he said.
While none of those items came before the council at its Feb. 6 meeting, there were a few purchases included on the regular agenda.
One purchase was for a new fire hydrant for the new Chelsea Public Library, which will be located in the old Renasant Bank building on U.S. 280. In addition to the hydrant, however, the city also needs to put in a 30-inch line, Picklesimer said, bringing the cost up to $34,700.
The requirement for the new line came from Shelby County Water Services, he said, because they determined the water source and flow was not sufficient for a hydrant.
“They are requiring us to put in a 30-inch line. We’re basically doing some Shelby County Water infrastructure,” Picklesimer said, adding that he had conversations with the county and does not believe the project should solely be the city’s responsibility.
“I’m not happy about it, but what can I do,” Picklesimer said.
The council unanimously approved the resolution to purchase the fire hydrant.
Also at the meeting, the council:
- Chose to delay a vote on a rezoning request from Shafig Samji. The request is to rezone a 3.54-acre property at 62 Griffin Corporate Drive from B-1 to B-2 in order to expand the business from a Shell Service Station to include a used car lot. The rezoning would be the first of several steps, Council member Scott Weygand said. Council member Casey Morris made the motion to delay the vote following comments from two residents who expressed concerns about the state of Samji’s current business, which they said appears neglected.
- Authorized Picklesimer to enter a contract with the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce. The contract includes a $5,000 contribution to the Shelby One Next Level Up initiative.
- Authorized the mayor to sign a contract with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Alabama for a comprehensive plan update and 280 overlay district. The city has a 20 percent match on each project, which is $23,000 and $12,000, respectively. The total cost is $35,000, and tonight’s resolution authorized the payment of half that amount.
- Authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with BellSouth Telecommunications.
- Authorized the purchase of two identical playgrounds, for Chelsea City Hall and the ball fields on Shelby County 47. The cost for both was $7,200.
- Paid the city’s bills.