The Chelsea City Council has a relatively light agenda tonight, Sept. 10, for its regular meeting, which includes a plan to provide interim support if needed for the city’s planning and zoning department.
With Christine Linfield, the director of planning and zoning, on extended medical leave and with Karon Barbour‘s promotion to deputy clerk, City Manager John Hanifan wants to be sure the city’s covered.
He’s requested that the City Council consider seeking quotes from professional planning firms should the need arise for assistance in the planning and zoning departments. He’s suggesting interim assistance for the remainder of this month with an option to extend these services through the end of the year if necessary.
Hanifan included the following as possible needs for the city: support for staff, officials and planning commissioners on a continuing basis, which would include attendance at meetings, ordinance interpretation, training and education. Currently, the Planning Commissioners are working on the city’s Master Plan.
He also noted a possible need for professional site plan reviews, as well as subdivision, site condo and rezoning requests, and help with variance requests and potential special use permits if the need arises.
Also planned for discussion is the awarding of a bid for the renovation of the city offices, which was previously approved by the City Council.
Hanifan said in a memo to the City Council that three firms attended the pre-bid meeting. Only two submitted bids and they were about $29,000 apart. Phoenix Contracting bid $44,208 and McFate Group bid $73,595. Hanifan is recommending the low bidder be awarded the contract.
Phoenix recently built the city’s new police building and the renovations to the Chelsea Area Fire Authority fire house.
The City Council is also expected to discuss setting two work session dates with Sylvan Township — one on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers for introductions and a discussion of future topics and a second work session on Oct. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Sylvan Township Hall.
