Leah Ingram Eagle
Chelsea City Council April 2
Members of the Chelsea City Council and Mayor Tony Picklesimer
Construction can finally begin on Chelsea’s third fire station after months of bidding on the project.
The Chelsea City Council gave their approval for a resolution to accept the lowest bid for the Chelsea Fire Station 33 to Douglas Built LLC, and increasing the amount of the project by $243,597.
The council originally approved a budget of $1 million, but after the first bid came in at $1.6 million and the second at almost $1.4 million, adjustments were made to get the final amount to $1,243,597.
“We want a two-story fire station that will serve the city for the next 25 years,” said Mayor Tony Picklesimer.
Cuts were made where possible, including a different elevator, less wardrobe shelving and closets and standard vinyl flooring. The new station will be on Highway 51 near Chelsea Park.
During the community forum, Pat McDanal spoke on behalf of the Chelsea COP, saying they had a good first quarter for 2019 and have added four new volunteers — two of which have completed training and the other two are currently training.
COP Dale Neuendorf also spoke about an incident that happened last month, where he and fellow COP John Wagner were on patrol in the Brookchase subdivision near Forest Oaks Elementary and saw a three-year-old girl outside her house crying. They were able to comfort her until the sheriff’s department arrived and was able to enter the house where her father was asleep.
“It’s what we do every time we are on patrol, we go to neighborhoods, businesses, parks and look for anything unusual and help out,” Neuendorf said.
Mayor Tony Picklesimer called the story remarkable and was thankful the COPs helped what could have been a much worse situation had they not found the girl.
Council member Tiffany Bittner read a report from the Chelsea Library stating that circulation is up over 12,000 more than last year and the program attendance and number of programs have also increased.
Other resolutions accepted included a $268,979 grading bid for the Chelsea Community Park to R.E.D. Inc. and approval of an annexation ordinance for 26.55 acres at 320 Crossbrook Trail.
Upcoming community events include
- Fire at the Foothills BBQ and Chili Cookoff this Saturday, April 6 at City Hall from 1-4 p.m. Council member Scott Weygand said there are 18 teams signed up to compete.
- Bulk trash pick up day is this Saturday, April 6. Details are available at cityofchelsea.com/trash-pickup-info.html.
- Community Choir Festival at Chelsea High School on April 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Local school and church choirs will perform and raise money for the Chelsea High School choir program. Admission is $5 per person and food trucks and vendors will be onsite.
- The Chelsea Historical Society will host the Mt. Ida Quilt Project with guest speaker Sarah Bliss Wright on April 28 from 2-4 p.m.
- The Chelsea Planning Commission meeting and public hearing will be held April 22 at 6 pm. at City Hall.
The next Chelsea City Council meeting will be Tuesday, April 16 with pre-council at 5 p.m. and regular council meeting at 6 p.m.
