The regular meeting of the Chelsea City Council was held on Monday, Sept. 14. 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. All seven council members were present. The meeting ran from 7 to 8:34 p.m. and included a closed session.
The full board packet is available on the City Council Meetings and Agendas web page.
Public Comments
Residents spoke on several topics, including the proposed deer ordinance and the formation of a deer management committee, a safety concern at Pierce School, and support for the council’s recent decisions.
Consent Agenda
The council approved the consent agenda, which included the Aug. 24 and Aug. 27 meeting minutes, payment of bills, and the Chelsea District Library’s August report to council.
Key Decisions from Sept. 14 Meeting
- The council adopted a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, 2026, requested by the Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Ordinance No. 197 (Bicycles) was adopted at second reading. The amendment removes an outdated 1960s licensing and registration program and clarifies the pedestrian-only portion of downtown sidewalks.
- Ordinance No. 198 (Lawn Extensions) was adopted at second reading. The amendment aligns the ordinance with a state law prohibiting yard clippings at the transfer station and with the city’s online brush pickup instructions.
- The council voted to form a Deer Management Committee of seven members, including one council member, for a minimum of one year. Mayor Henson will serve as the council representative. The committee, developed after a meeting between city officials, residents and the Department of Natural Resources, will investigate residential deer management options.
- The council approved a CLEMIS services contract for $28,492 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The figure corrects an amount approved at the previous meeting that the police chief said was in error. The Chelsea Police Department has partnered with CLEMIS since 2008 for records management and dispatching.
- The council approved the purchase of a 2023 Freightliner 70-foot bucket truck with chip box from Custom Truck, at a cost not to exceed $150,400, for the Electric Department’s tree-trimming and vegetation management work.
- The council approved the purchase of a Ventura crane from Automotive Service Company for $19,990.76, to service a new submersible lift station and for other daily use.
- The council approved the recoating of Clarifier #3 by OME for $27,510. The wastewater plant has five clarifiers, all needing repairs.
Closed Session: City Manager
Following a closed session, the council voted 5-2 to adopt Resolution #2026-45 accepting the resignation of former City Manager Elle Cole, ending the termination process approved at the Aug. 27 special meeting.
More details: City Council Votes 5-2 to Accept Cole’s Resignation Instead of Termination.
Other Updates from Council and Staff
- Police Chief Kazyak presented the August activity report and thanked the DPW, his own staff and others who supported the Fair Parade.
- Interim City Manager Marc Thompson reported on a meeting with the Michigan Municipal Power Agency about potential expansion of the city’s generation capacity, with a presentation to council expected soon. He noted upcoming updates on the water plant expansion and that the annual audit is nearly complete, with auditors expected to report in late October or early November.
- Council members reported on committee and community activity, including the Chelsea Area Fire Authority’s search for a permanent fire chief, a potential WAVE-Chelsea School District busing collaboration, the Parks Commission’s work on Veterans Park revitalization and Pierce Park feedback, an open Human Rights Commission civility survey, and Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority grant awards.
The full draft minutes are below.
City of Chelsea Regular Council Meeting – Draft Minutes from Sept. 14, 2026
Chelsea City Council and commission agendas, packets, and minutes are available at city-chelsea.org.
