Chelsea council appoints ZBA member, reappoints human-rights commissioner and adopts hardship and energy resolutions

The Chelsea City Council at its Jan. 26 meeting carried a series of routine but consequential actions: it appointed John Hansen to a vacant seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals, reappointed John Luther to the Human Rights Commission, adopted updated Poverty/Hardship Guidelines (Resolution #2026-1), and authorized the city's participation in the Michigan Public Power Agency's Commercial and Industrial Demand Response Program (Resolution #2026-2).

Appointments and reappointments: The council voted to appoint John Hansen to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill a seat with a term expiring Sept. 30, 2028 (MOTION Stump SECONDED Keaton; all ayes). The council also reappointed John Luther to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term ending Feb. 1, 2029 (MOTION Angus SECONDED Bullerman; all ayes).

Poverty and hardship guidelines: Interim Finance Director Watkins explained that the 2026 Poverty & Hardship Guidelines and applications incorporate updated maximum income rates and asset values using 185% of the federal poverty level, consistent with the Chelsea School District and the annual USDA Federal Register levels. The forms, updated to comply with Public Act 253 of 2020, will be made available online and at the city office. Applications should be submitted before July 1 to apply to July 1 tax bills; later submissions may be considered by the December Board of Review. The council adopted Resolution #2026-1 by motion (MOTION Keaton SECONDED Stump; all ayes).

Energy program participation: Operations Manager Stevens summarized the Michigan Public Power Agency demand-response program that allows participating commercial and industrial customers to reduce usage during peak grid events for a financial incentive. Council adopted Resolution #2026-2 authorizing the city to participate in the MPPA program (MOTION Keaton SECONDED Merkel; all ayes).

Why it matters: The poverty/hardship forms determine eligibility for property tax exemption for residents judged by assessors and the board of review to be unable to pay due to poverty (MCL 211.7u and related law). Participation in the MPPA program gives local businesses a voluntary way to help manage grid demand and potentially receive compensation.

What comes next: The updated hardship forms will be posted online and at city offices; the council did not record additional follow-up actions beyond adoption and appointments at this meeting.