Forming a Chelsea Housing Commission was one of the topics of discussion at the Chelsea City Council’s Dec. 9, meeting.
Council members approved a motion to direct staff to draft a Housing Commission formation document for discussion at a future council meeting, based on the idea that the city does not have a citizen body focused solely on housing. One of the roles for a housing commission would be to advocate for policies and programs that aim to increase the availability of affordable housing options in the Chelsea community.
In 2024, the City of Chelsea secured a Housing Readiness Incentive Grant from the State of Michigan that helps fund implementing actions that encourage increasing housing supply and affordability in Chelsea.
Reaching out to members of the Chelsea community to serve on city boards and commissions was also discussed. The city needs more residents to serve and will address that topic at the council’s first meeting in January. In the meantime, these are some of the pending openings:
Economic Development Corporation-1
Immediately
*Open until filled
Human Rights Commission – 2
2/1/2025
Ending 2/1/2028, 1/31/2025
Local Officers Compensation Commission – 5
Immediately
Ending 10/1/2025 Ending 10/1/2026, Ending 10/1/2027, Ending 10/1/2028, Ending 10/1/2029, 10/27/2024
Parks and Recreation Commission – 2
03/01/2025
Ending 03/01/2028
Planning Commission – 1
Immediately
Ending 6/30/2026
*Open until filled
Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate) – 1
Immediately
Ending 9/30/2027
*Open until filled
Also at the Dec. 9 meeting, council approved the reappointment of Jan Carr to the Chelsea District Library Board for a three-year term ending in December of 2027.
Council also approved a one-time exception to the city’s noise ordinance as requested by Rob Mida, manager of the Ugly Dog Distillery at 218 S. Main St.. The request is to play live music from 8:30-11:30 p.m. at the Distillery on Saturday, Dec. 21 as part of a holiday gift drive for the St. Louis Center.
In other action, city council approved a motion to award a bid proposal contract for TimberTown Park for parking lot improvements to Vanston/O’Brien, Inc. in the amount not-to-exceed $505,263.64; in addition, making an appropriation in support of funding the project fund deficiency to complete the TimbertTown Park trailhead and parking lot project in the amount not to exceed $67,000; and direct staff to make a budget amendment to reflect the same.
Also approved was a move to adopt Resolution #2024-30: To add Michigan Cooperative Liquid Assets Security System (MI CLASS) as an investment option. Chelsea Finance Director, Priya King, explained that adopting the resolution allows the city to benefit from the pool’s investment strategies to potentially increase interest revenue.
Chelsea City Council meets next on Tuesday, Jan.6, 2025 at 7 p.m.
