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Mayor Tony Picklesimer began Tuesday’s Chelsea City Council meeting by congratulating the 2020 graduating class of Chelsea High School.
The city paid a special tribute to the 312 graduates by lining signs with each of their names and photos in the lawn in front of city hall, along with a congratulations banner from the Shelby County Board of Education.
A proclamation to declare May 19 at the Class of 2020 Day was approved at the previous council meeting. Mayor Picklesimer said he had had many people asking him if there was anything they could do to honor the students.
“I've been getting a lot of credit but it wasn't all my idea,” Picklesimer said. “This couldn't happen without the city council being in tune to their citizens. I'm grateful to the council for everyone who pushed me in this direction and appreciate the group of moms that came and helped (Monday) on very short notice. We are taking the signs up and it will be a surprise where you see them the next time.”
In the mayor’s report, Picklesimer said the Chelsea Community Center has reopened for business and that it’s “better than new.” Upgrades and cleaning have been done and some of the exercise classes will be starting back up soon.
“I am hopeful that when the Safer at Home order expires on Friday, May 22 that we will have more news about other available activities going on at the community center,” he said.
Other businesses in Chelsea are doing well. Circulation is up at the library, and the mayor said they never missed a beat during the last few months while doing curbside service. It is now back open to the public.
Chelsea restaurants have created solid procedures for curbside and takeout, and Picklesimer thinks that will be one of the good things that come out of this time. Some retailers who were forced to close have found new and improved presences online.
“We are a county built on innovators, and I am so proud of our Chelsea businesses,” Picklesimer said. “I am happy to report that I know of zero businesses in Chelsea that are still closed.”
The council approved several resolutions during the meeting
- Declared 172 Chesser Drive as surplus and authorized the mayor to sign a lease agreement. This is the building next to Fire Station 31. It has had a cleanup and facelift and will be leased to an existing business for a short time. The building will remain for sale during the lease period.
- Approval to authorize repairs and updates needed at Highway 39 & Highway 47 ballparks. This has a $20,000 budget, and upgrades at the baseball and softball complex will get underway soon.
- Approval for an ABC license application for Retail Beer & Wine (Off Premises) to the new owner of the Chevron and Huddle House.
- Approval to pay the city’s bills.
Important dates:
- June 27: Big Kaboom. This year will be a food and music event only and Chelsea businesses can come out and promote at no charge.
- July 11: Bulk trash day
- July 17-19: Back to School sales tax holiday
The next Chelsea City Council meeting will be June 2 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
