By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Business regarding city projects and firefighters’ contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association came before the Chelsea City Council on Nov. 17.

The council passed a proposed resolution to award the lowest and best bid for the concession stand at the Chelsea Sports Complex off Shelby County 11 to Coston General Contractors, LLC, for $399,760.

Coston was among eight companies that submitted bids for the concession stand. The bids were opened Nov. 5.

Previously, the council voted Sept. 15 to accept the lowest and best bid of $1,133,187 from Coston General Contractors for Phase 1 of the project, along with $11,500 for decorative fencing at the complex’s entrance, and the lowest and best bid of $348,150 from Titan Electric for lighting and electrical components.

“I think this is all the contracts we need now to get that complex completed,” Mayor Earl Niven said after the council voted on the concession stand bid.

Plans are to complete the first phase of the project by the spring of 2016.

The council also approved an ordinance to grant a non-exclusive right-of-way use agreement to Southern Light, LLC for the construction and maintenance of a fiber-optic transmission line within certain public rights-of-way in the city.

“This would be a franchise with the city of Chelsea,” Niven said.

In other business, Erin Franklin with the MDA recognized Chelsea Fire and Rescue personnel for their help with the “Fill the Boot” program this year.

“We have had the privilege of working with the firemen here in Chelsea,” Franklin said. “For the last 15 years, they have raised over $25,000 for the MDA.”

The International Association of Fire Fighters has partnered with the MDA for 60 years “to save and improve the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and other diseases that severely limit strength and mobility, helping them live longer and grow stronger,” according to Mda.org.

Firefighters raise money through the Fill the Boot campaign.

Franklin said the money raised helps the MDA hold summer camp sessions for children with neuromuscular disease at no cost to their families.

“When these guys go out and fill the boot, that is one of the things they are working so hard to make possible,” Franklin said.

“I’m just proud to be able to be a part of that team,” Fire Chief Wayne Shirley said of the department.

After all business was taken care of, the council met in executive session to discuss security matters with Shelby County officials for about an hour.