By Lisa Carolin
Plans are moving ahead for Main Street Park (MSP).
Chelsea City Council voted to accept the design of the MSP as presented by the Main Street Park Association and Viridis Design at council’s Sept. 16 meeting.
The unanimous and enthusiastic approval came following a presentation by Viridis that included a rock climbing wall, a skateboard area, multi-use sports courts, an area for socializing, seating, walking paths, a community hearth, a multi-use pavilion, and four family-style bathrooms that has received input by Chelsea community members of all ages since the planning began.
In October, phase one of the environmental cleanup of the former site of Federal Screw Works will start, with the build estimated to begin in April of 2025.
Council also supported the adoption of Resolution 2024-27, the MSPA’s submission of a Connecting Communities grant application to Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation. The grant would be used to connect the 2.8 acre downtown parcel to the non-motorized pathways to the B2B Trail, downtown Chelsea, Chelsea schools, and retirement communities to other local and state parks.
In other action, council adopted Resolution #2024-26 supporting the repeal of Public Act 389 of 2016, which bans local governments from creating any ordinance that taxes or bans “auxiliary containers”. The main focus of PA 389 is plastic shopping bags and single-use plastic containers, and not inhibiting local governments from being able to address specific local environmental concerns and exploring solutions to address climate change.
Council approved the purchase of orange city trash bags from Petoskey Plastics for $22,628.00 per year for three years.
Also approved was the rental of a compost screener, mobilization, and trucking of sand from Lester Brothers in the amount of $20,000.
Council adopted at Second Reading the Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Solar Ordinance, which removes the existing provision prohibiting street-level visibility of building-mounted solar panels in the M-52 Overlay Zoning District, Section 4.29-G(3), a provision that introduces unnecessary ambiguity while its intent is accomplished by other regulations within Section 4.29-G.
Also approved was the MPPA (Michigan Public Power Agency) Project Support Contract between the City of Chelsea and the MPPA regarding the Belle River Energy Project.
Council approved was the contract renewal with WCA Assessing for professional assessing services for the period of Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2027, for the annual amounts listed in the contract.
Also approved the proclamation recognizing Sept. 17, 2024 through Sept. 23, 2024 as Constitution Week in the City of Chelsea following a request on behalf of the Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.
Chelsea City Council meets next on Monday, Oct. 7, with a mid-year review beginning at 6 p.m.
