Chelsea City Hall
A one cent sales tax went into effect in the city of Chelsea on Tuesday, Oct. 1. During the Chelsea City Council meeting, Mayor Tony Picklesimer addressed the implementation of the new tax.
“It is 100% earmarked for schools,” he said. “The money will never be commingled with our general fund. We will do what we said we would and it will be going straight to the schools in the coming weeks.”
The grant committee has had two meetings and have approved a total of 118 grant applications totaling $110,055.31. None of it will go to brick and mortar or anything sports related, but to instructional related for equipment for teachers.
Some of the items requested include Chromebooks, Smart Boards, Google Expeditions and Ozobots. Picklesimer said while the students could use an encyclopedia to find the information, “that's not the way you do it in the 21st century.”
“We think our kids deserve better and the majority of citizens felt like our kids deserve better. The council approved sales tax and we will spend exactly like said it would.”
Also during the meeting, the council approved a contract with Foothills Partners, LLC to purchase the fourth lot to to complete the business park.
Two ordinances were approved for annexation to Jared Properties for a total of 123 acres located next to Brynleigh Estates.
Also, of the 28 total acres of surplus property located on Hwy. 47 behind the ball fields, 10.622 acres were declared surplus property and the council approved it to be sold.
During public comment, two residents of Rich Drive addressed the mayor and council regarding the state of their road. Allison Jones, who has addressed the council at a previous meeting, said that since that time the road has been brushed, causing loose gravel and dust when vehicles drive on it.
“You spent the taxpayers money on the road and it is not sufficient,” Jones said. “We expect better. We want an asphalt road and hope you can resolve this quickly.”
Ron Shaw asked about the long term plan for maintenance of Rich Drive, stating that county workers did not cut the grass near the road and that there are trees obstructing the view of oncoming traffic.
During the precouncil meeting, Mayor Picklesimer gave an update on Rich Drive, stating that a contractor had been out on two occasions and he himself had several rides on the road, which he said is better, but not where he would like for it to be.
“Something else needs to be done in my opinion, but I don’t know what the answer is. I feel like some of the responsibility is on the contractor that did the work. The promise was made to the residents their street would be improved during the previous administration. It was in their budget, but the money was never allocated. We did allocate the money to put the tar and gravel down. It cost $180,000 and we spent money in good faith the residents would have better than dirt road.”
Other items of note:
- Bulk trash day is this Saturday, Oct. 5
- The city’s new website will soon be up and running
- All 2020 business licenses will be processed at city hall
- Residents can visit PlanChelsea.com to give their input on the city’s future.
The next Chelsea City Council meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 15 with precouncil at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
