The regular meeting of the Chelsea City Council was held on Monday, Oct. 19. The draft minutes and summary are below. City Council will vote to approve the minutes in the consent agenda at the next council meeting.
Meeting Overview
This summary is based on the draft minutes; the full text is in the PDF attached below. Six of the seven council members were present; Council Member Merkel was absent.
The full board packet is available on the City Council Meetings and Agendas web page.
Public Comments
No members of the public spoke.
Consent Agenda
The council approved the consent agenda, which included the Sept. 28 meeting minutes, payment of bills, two block party permits (Elm Street and Jefferson Street), and the quarterly financial report.
Key Decisions from Oct. 19 Meeting
- The council voted to expand the Deer Management Committee and appoint all 10 applicants. The committee, formed at the Sept. 14 meeting, was originally designated as a seven-member group; the city received 10 applications in response to its call.
- The council accepted the Human Rights Commission’s annual report. Commission Chair Mary Keaton was present to answer questions.
- The council approved an access agreement with Federal Screw Works, allowing the company to conduct ongoing environmental testing on the Holmes Family Park property, which the city owns.
- The council adopted Resolution #2026-44, granting local government approval for an on-premises tasting room. Manchester Brewing has applied to the state for a tasting room to be housed inside Ugly Dog Distillery. (Local approval is required before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission will review the application.)
- The council approved the purchase of four Prolec three-phase pad-mount transformers from IRBY for the Electric Department, at a cost not to exceed $89,315.45.
- The council approved an agreement with Washtenaw Concrete & Excavating for the 2026/2027 sidewalk replacements. The city’s previously approved contractor, Grass Lake Concrete, informed the DPW it was unable to perform the work.
- The council approved four contracts with Security Pros totaling $39,589.66, for automated bathroom locks at Holmes Family Park and Palmer Commons and security cameras at Holmes Family Park. The vote was 5-1.
Other Updates from Council and Staff
- Police Chief Kazyak presented the September activity report, and Interim City Manager Marc Thompson noted upcoming items including the Plante & Moran financial audit, a review of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority lease, and an amendment to the Notice of Intent to Issue Bonds. Director Leland presented the quarterly investment report.
- Council members reported on committee and community activity, including the first Deer Management Committee meeting coming up, Parks Commission discussion of Veterans Park and Pierce Park changes, an upcoming effort to standardize city park reservations, the Chelsea Aquatic Center subcommittee’s continued work with the schools on a new pool, and the DDA work session and regular meeting.
The full draft minutes are below.
City of Chelsea Regular Council Meeting – Draft Minutes from Oct. 19, 2026
Chelsea City Council and commission agendas, packets, and minutes are also available at city-chelsea.org.
