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Chelsea council appoints commissioners, selects legal counsel and approves equipment and service purchases
Summary
At its Dec. 19 meeting, Chelsea’s Council filled two commission seats, authorized negotiations with Fink & Fink for city legal services, accepted procurement bids for a roll‑off container and leachate pumping, approved a new patrol vehicle and introduced a new police officer.
Chelsea’s City Council used its Dec. 19 meeting to handle a slate of routine but consequential local decisions: two commission appointments, authorization to negotiate with outside legal counsel, award of several procurement contracts and the introduction of a new police officer.
Appointments and recusals: The Council appointed George Merkel to the Parks and Recreation Commission for the unexpired term ending March 31, 2023, after rank voting of applicants Domenico Consiglio, Amy Fraser and Merkel. The Council also appointed Mary Keaton to the Human Rights Commission for a term ending Feb. 1, 2024; Jacquelyn Bullerman withdrew her application. Council Member Eric Keaton recused himself from the Human Rights Commission vote because of a personal relationship with the appointee.
Legal services: Following a competitive request for proposals prompted by the retirement of City Attorney Peter Flintoft, the Council authorized staff to enter negotiations with Fink & Fink law firm after interviews with responding firms (Harness Law Firm and McGraw Morris P.C. were among respondents). Council Members Charles Wiseley and Bill Ruddock recused themselves from that vote because of personal relationships with one of the firms; the motion to enter negotiations with Fink & Fink passed.
Procurement and operations: The Council accepted a Contract Welding bid of $16,325 to replace a 50‑yard roll‑off container used for demolition/construction waste and accepted a US Ecology bid of $11,076.25 (plus demurrage) for leachate tank pumping service. The Council also approved the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango patrol SUV at a total cost of $53,836.25 to replace aging patrol vehicles; Chief Kazyak introduced Officer Roni Khouri and presented the police activity report for November. Sergeant Kinsey reminded residents that overnight parking on city streets is restricted and will be ticketed between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Votes at a glance: The meeting minutes record the following formal actions and outcomes: approval of the consent agenda and regular agenda (motions by Feeney; all votes recorded as 'All Ayes'); appointment of George Merkel to Parks and Recreation (MOVED Keaton; All Ayes); appointment of Mary Keaton to Human Rights Commission (MOVED Ruddock; Keaton recused; motion carried); authorization to negotiate with Fink & Fink for city legal services (MOVED Feeney; Wiseley and Ruddock recused; motion carried); approval of the PPC capacity transaction and authorization for the City Manager to sign the third amendment (motions recorded as 'All Ayes'); acceptance of bids for the roll‑off container (Contract Welding, $16,325) and leachate pumping (US Ecology, $11,076.25 plus demurrage); approval of the new patrol vehicle purchase (Dodge Durango, $53,836.25). The Council recessed into a closed session at 8:53 p.m. and adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.
Council members used the meeting’s report period to summarize outside meetings and planning activities; Mayor Jane Pacheco and staff noted ongoing RFP work, intergovernmental conversations on housing and grant opportunities for parks.
All votes cited in the minutes are recorded as 'All Ayes' where roll call details are not listed; the minutes mark recusals where they occurred but do not always list the individual roll call tallies.
