City of Chelsea proclaims week of March 15 as National Safe Place Week

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The Chelsea City Council had their first meeting of the month on Monday night, March 2, since the elections were being held the following night. 

During the precouncil meeting, Mayor Tony Picklesimer shared that five trucks of playground equipment was delivered to the community center, and also gave an update of the plans for the planned playground, splash pad and amphitheater. 

During the regular meeting and the mayor’s report, Picklesimer read a proclamation declaring the week of March 15-21, 2020 as National Safe Place Week.

It stated that the youth of Chelsea all need a safe haven from negative influences and available resources when faced with circumstances that compromise their safety. Safe Places provide short home housing to more than 1400 communities in 36 states. Since its inception in 1983, over 15 million youths have been educated. 

Phil Cain, Director of Programs at Alabama Family Connections in Alabaster, was in attendance and thanked the mayor and council for this recognition. 

“Family Connections operate safe places in Shelby County and Hoover to ensure young people have a safety net,” Cain said. “We provide young people safety when they don't know what else to do. We appreciate our fire stations and libraries serving as those sites and being willing to help young people who walk in.”

The mayor also recognized Jared Roshaven of Eagle Scout Troop 354 for his donation of two archery park benches for his scout project. 

“His donation of his eagle scout project of two archery park benches at the facility is awesome and we appreciate it very much,” Picklesimer said. "Your project will be used and seen in our city for years to come.”

Several resolutions were passed including: 

  • Approval for an alcohol license application for lounge retail liquor for the Liquor Hub (Citgo gas station) located at 16585 Highway 280, Suite A, Chelsea.
  • Approval to accept the proposal from Livestream for upgrading the video system for the Council Chambers. The mayor said this will dramatically update our Facebook live experience with this equipment. “We have been using small cameras and phones to do our Facebook live and this will make a big difference in that.”
  • Approval to accept the lowest bid for the Chelsea Sports Complex II to Electrical Mains Project from H.G. Waldrup.
  • Approval to award the second semester Nick Grant funds to the five Chelsea schools in the amount of $194,702.20.
  • Approval to authorize the mayor to execute a contract with ALDOT for Traffic Signal Maintenance /Operations agreement for a traffic light at CR-39 & U.S. 280 (in front of Snider’s Pharmacy).
  • Approval of City of Chelsea Bills to be paid.

Upcoming events: 

March 7: Be Well Shelby Family Fun Day from 12-4 p.m. in front of City Hall sponsored by Central Alabama Wellness.

March 24: Coffee with the mayor at Chelsea Community Center at 8 a.m.

April 4: Fire at the Foothills from 1-4 p.m. at City Hall.

The next council meeting will be held on March 17 with precouncil at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.