1 of 2
Chelsea City Council March 5
Chelsea City Council meeting March 5
2 of 2
Chelsea City Council March 5
Chelsea City Council meeting March 5. David Ingram resigns.
The Chelsea City Council now has a vacant spot. At Tuesday night’s meeting, David Ingram announced his resignation after a six-and-a-half-year term. An upcoming move to Highland Lakes will put Ingram outside the city limits. With his seat becoming vacant, the council will have a special meeting on Thursday night to determine who will take his place.
Ingram read a statement during the meeting announcing his resignation and said how honored he was to be a part of the city council since 2012. When he began, he was the youngest member on the council, and as he departs, he is the oldest member.
“I’m proud of all that has been accomplished during my time on the city council,” Ingram said. “I have served alongside some great people. I will continue to help [Mayor Picklesimer] and the new parks and rec director in the upcoming months, just in a different capacity. It’s been a joy to work with this group.”
Mayor Picklesimer said he and Ingram had grown close over the last several years and Ingram has taught him many lessons, including how to deal with the darkest circumstances.
“He is a model for the rest of us for what a husband, dad and city servant should be,” Picklesimer said. “His fingerprints and family’s name are all over this city and will be there for a lifetime. Thank you so much for service, support and counsel.”
Ingram, who works as the director of finance for the Department of Pediatrics at UAB, will take over as president of the football booster club at Chelsea High School.
Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, Mayor Picklesimer declared March 17-25 as “National Safe Place Week,” which is celebrated nationally during the third full week in March each year. This recognized week honors Safe Place, an outreach and prevention program for youth in crisis, addressing issues including child abuse, substance abuse, depression and more.
The council voted to support the gas tax proposed by Gov. Ivey to assist in alleviating the shortfall in infrastructure funding and provide a more equitable share of statewide infrastructure funding for municipalities. Mayor Picklesimer said it would cost the average tax payer around $55 per year for three years and generate almost $400 million in revenue. The state would receive half, counties 25 percent and cities/municipalities 25 percent. There hasn’t been an increase since 1992.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing the city to accept CWA Inc’s pre-design proposal for additions to the community center. Beginning this week, it will open at 6 a.m. on weekdays. The design will include additions of a locker room, two racquetball courts and a second gymnasium.
City attorney Mark Boardman provided a first reading of the franchise agreement between the city of Chelsea and Verizon.
Other resolutions approved include:
- Approval for a restaurant retail liquor license for Cajun Boys and Our Po’ Boys that had its opening day on Tuesday.
- Approval for a city corporate membership to the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, which was paid for by an anonymous donor.
- Approval for the city to be self-administered in collecting rental and lodging taxes.
- Approval for an annexation ordinance for 500 Liberty Road, Chelsea totaling 14 acres.
- Approval to pay the city bills.
The next council meeting will be March 19 at 6 p.m.
