The Monday, May 18 Chelsea City Council meeting took place remotely as allowed by the governor’s executive orders and featured presentations and public hearings for the draft FY 2020-2021 utility and millage rates. (PDF’s of the presentations can be found at the bottom of this story. The city’s draft budget can be found on the city’s website.)
City Manager John Hanifan gave an overview and said there are no rate increases requested by staff in the draft budgets for the three city utilities – electric, water or wastewater.
In addition, there is no planned increase in the city’s draft millage rates, which have not changed since 2009.
The City Council is expected to vote on the draft plans on June 1, and if residents have questions or want to make comments, there is another opportunity to do that at this meeting or they can contact staff or city council members via email. Contact information can be found here by going to the City Council tab.
In the one action item, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution for staff to submit a $250,000 grant match thru MDOT to resurface Dale, Carl and Arthur streets. The project also includes utility work.
Hanifan also said staff is working on a plan to re-open the transfer station and he hopes this will happen the week of June 1. He also thanked the electrical department for its response to recent “pesky squirrel season” where the critters cause brief electrical outtages when they climb on the high-tension wires.
Chelsea Police Chief Ed Toth told the City Council that the Sylvan Township man who deliberately backed through the Chelsea Police Station Building is still in jail refusing to be arraigned on the charges of destruction of police property over $20,000, which is a felony.
He said the company that constructed the police station will be making the repairs to the building and once they begin, it will be 8-10 weeks before the building will be open to the public.
In the meantime, there is pedestal outside the garage doors of the police station where residents can request service and an officer will come outside to assist them.
He said the May 10 incident resulted in damage to the front of the building as well as the double doors inside the building that lead to the City Council chambers.
In addition, in April police responded to 155 calls for service and six traffic crashes, made eight traffic stops and issued four citations.
During the council comments portion at the end of the meeting, monthly meetings are beginning to return for a number of different groups and commissions in May and June.
Council member Tony Iannelli said Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority would begin meeting monthly this week.
Council Member Peter Feeney said both WAVE (Western Washtenaw Value Express) and CAFA (Chelsea Area Fire Authority) have been meeting remotely.
Council Member Jane Pacheco said CAPT/DART, (Chelsea Area Planning Team/Dexter Area Planning Team) comprised of officials from Chelsea and neighboring townships, met this month to update each other on what’s been happening in their respective townships.
Council Member Cheri Albertson said SRSLY has been meeting weekly and is working to integrate mental health into its mission with its anti-substance abuse message.
Mayor Melissa Johnson said that the city’s transportation group would hold a meeting this month and the Chelsea Parks and Recreation Commission would begin meeting again in June.
She reminded residents if they hadn’t filled out the census to please do so and also reminded drivers to obey all traffic laws including stopping at stop signs and observing speed limits.
