By Lisa Allmendinger
During the first Chelsea City Council meeting in June, elected officials approved a wide range of city business from the FY 2026-2027 millage rate and budget to hearing about a proposed STEM-themed (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concept for Veterans Park.
On the consent agenda, City Council approved the following:
- Fireworks at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds on June 27 brought to the community for a second year by the Chelsea Rotary Foundation.
- Reappointment of Planning Commissioner Heather Hunnell for another 3-year term that ends on June 30, 2029.
- Approval of the Chelsea Senior Center’s annual contribution of $60,000, which was included in the city’s upcoming FY budget. The contribution is used to support continued senior services, core staffing, and community programming for Chelsea residents.
- Three contracts for road projects – The west North Street reconstruction bid to T&M Asphalt for about $539,800 and engineering services of about $107,500 to Midwestern Consulting for the project. The project is scheduled to begin in July and be open to traffic in September, with a final completion date in November.
- Approved a contract for engineering services for the Belser Estates crosswalk project to Midwestern Consulting for about $59,700. It’s expected that this project is substantially completed by mid-August with a final close-out date of the end of August.
In business items, the City Council approved an audit engagement letter with Plante Moran, PLLC for the city’s financial statements for the FY ending June 30, 2026 with an estimated cost not to exceed $83,895.
Park Commissioner Sharon Castle updated the City Council on the upcoming plans for Veterans Park that will include STEM play equipment and signage and display information for Letts Creek as well as new fencing. It’s expected that the project will begin and be completed this summer with programming expected to begin this fall.
According to the presentation, “…the idea of science as a park focus is a new concept for Chelsea parks, rather than a duplication of current park offerings.”
When completed, Veterans Park will have two areas: one that honors the “reflective nature of the Veterans Memorial” and a second that will focus on the natural world and STEM – encouraging learning, curiosity, play and environmental awareness,” according to the presentation.
City Council also adopted a resolution to continue its 80/20 cost-sharing model for employee medical insurance to remain compliant with Public Act 152 requirements that the city choose a medical benefit plan. The city pays 80 percent of premium costs while its employees pay 20 percent.
Also adopted was a resolution for the FY millage rates of 14.1039 mills, which includes general operations (11.2 mills), solid waste (1.5 mills), and streets (1.4039). The total 2025-2026 FY millage rate was 13.1555. For FY 2025-26 the rates were 11.2 mills for general operations, 1.22 mills for streets and 0.7355 mills for solid waste.
City Council also approved an about $8 million operating budget for the city.
The long-planned water plant expansion project took a step forward with the unanimous hiring of IMEG for engineering and design services at a cost of about $400,000.
The city council tabled on first reading a request for a conditional rezoning of a property at 175 Park St. from R-2, two-family residential to DT, downtown for additional information.
In the last action item, City Council approved the purchase of a replacement administrative vehicle for the police department. Currently, the department has a 2016 Ford Taurus with 103,684 miles. The new vehicle will be a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse for about $40,000 from Todd Wenzel GMC.
All votes were unanimous but Council Member Eric Keaton was absent from the meeting.
The city currently has openings on several boards and commissions. For more information, visit the City of Chelsea boards and commissions page.
If you would like to listen to the entire meeting, please go to the city’s website: www.city-chelsea.org and look for the meeting video.
