Wayne Morris
Chelsea City Council 3/17
The Chelsea City Council meets on Marcy 17.
There was a very limited crowd at the March 17 Chelsea City Council meeting. No one was within six feet of each other and the First Lady had everyone sanitize their hands upon entry.
During the Mayor's report, Mayor Picklesimer and the council approved a Proclamation declaring April 1, 2020 as Census Day in Chelsea. Another Proclamation declaring April 2020 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month was approved.
The mayor noted that In FY2019 there were 28,119 indicated child abuse cases involving 12,506 children in state of Alabama and said child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community.
Mayor Picklesimer also reiterated some of the things he discussed in a Facebook video posted earlier in the day.
After Governor Kay Ivey ordered Tuesday that all restaurants, bars, pubs and breweries were closed to on premise dining for a period of one week, he said he had been in touch with many local restaurant owners.
“I think it is imperative that we as a community show our support for our local restaurants by taking advantage of this take out opportunity they are giving us,” he said. “Not only our restaurants, but all of our small businesses will suffer the consequences of this shut down/slow down in the city of Chelsea.”
The city will have resources available for all small business owners and restaurant owners to begin the process to receive stimulus from the government and has placed that information on the city’s website.
“We have a responsibility as their neighbors to try to help these businesses stay afloat during this time,” Picklesimer said.
Councilman Chris Grace also added that purchasing gift cards is a way to help small businesses and restaurants.
Several resolutions were approved during the meeting including:
- A resolution to award Nick Grant funds to Becca Rogers at Chelsea Middle School. “This is the last group of grant checks that have been written,” the mayor said. “I have them on my desk to give out as soon as there is someone at the school I can go take them to.”
- A resolution to accept the lowest bid for the Chelsea Community Park electrical mains project from HG Waldrup.
- An updated resolution to add a painting project inside the chamber to ZIPP Painting, in addition to painting the public restrooms at City Hall.
- Approval to authorize the mayor to execute a lease agreement for a postage machine for City Hall.
- Approval to pay the city’s bills.
During the community forum, COP director Carlos Sanders said they will still be out patrolling and looking out for the city. Captain Mark Reiker of the fire department thanked the council for their support to acquire supplies needed for first responders.
The announcement was made that the Chelsea Historical Museum was temporarily closed.
Chief Information Officer Wayne Morris gave an update on the library. They are closed to the public but operating on a curbside basis. Patrons can place things on hold or call and request items that can then be picked up outside. All programming is canceled, but the library has an extensive amount of online resources available including electronic books, education materials and streaming services. Operating hours for curbside pickup are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday.
Scott Weygand shared that the Fire at the Foothills event scheduled for April 4 has been canceled and they are working on getting it rescheduled later in the year.
Dates to remember:
- April 1- Census 2020 Kickoff (the March 19 Census Day at the Community Center has been canceled).
- April 25- Owen’s House is hosting at 5K and motorcycle ride at Oak Mountain State Park
- April 28- Coffee with the mayor has been rescheduled from March 24 to this date.
The next council meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 6 p.m.
Mayor Picklesimer said the city has many ways to notify residents of information and people can sign up for alerts at the city’s website at cityofchelsea.com.
There will also be a page dedicated to Coronavirus information at cityofchelsea.com/304/COVID-19-Virus-Updates.
“We are fortunate to live in a place that so many of us are healthy,” the mayor said. “Find someone around you in your neighborhood that's not as fortunate. Go by and do welfare checks or get grocery list from them. Let’s continue to be the good Chelsea neighbors we’ve always been and above all remember this too will pass. We will see the other side of this and when we do, I predict we will come out of this stronger than ever before.”