CHELSEA – Chelsea officials are trying to clean up the city’s list of delinquent business licenses but need the public’s help.

Mayor Tony Picklesimer updated the Chelsea City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21, on the effort, including that a compliance officer is visiting businesses that have not renewed.

The delinquent list includes businesses that purchased a license for 2017 or a previous year that did not purchase one for 2018.

Renewal notices were sent in November 2017. Renewals are due Jan. 1 of each year but are not considered late until mid-February.

Further efforts will include a notice on the city’s website, CityofChelsea.com, and a compliance officer visiting businesses that have not renewed, Picklesimer said.

Business representatives who wish to renew their business licenses should see City Clerk Crystal Etheredge at City Hall, 11611 Chelsea Road; or call Etheredge (678-8455 ext. 3) with questions.

“It would be beneficial for you to come on and get that taken care of quickly,” Picklesimer said.

The delinquent list includes businesses that, for example, purchased a license to perform temporary work in the city several years ago but never renewed. There are “hundreds” of businesses on the list, Picklesimer said.

“The vast majority of the list don’t do business in Chelsea,” Picklesimer said but added that officials want to make every effort to ensure those that are conducting business purchase a license as required.

The cost of a license depends on the scope of the business, but the average license costs about $150, Picklesimer said.

In other business, the Council:

• Approved the enactment of a one-year moratorium on the issuance of business licenses and building permits for storage and warehouse facilities, in order to avoid any negative impact on the recruitment of other businesses. The moratorium went into effect Aug. 21.
• Heard a proclamation about September being named Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in Chelsea. Chelsea City Hall will be lighted teal, the color of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness, during the month.
• Approved an economic development incentive of a tax rebate not to exceed $15,000 for Holcombe Doors & Windows LLC. No one spoke for or against the measure at a public hearing that preceded the vote on the resolution.
• Approved an economic development incentive of a tax rebate not to exceed $60,000 for Rumur Properties LLC. No one spoke for or against the measure at a public hearing that preceded the vote on the resolution.
• Approved a retail liquor license for Station 31 Kitchen LLC, located at 104 Chesser Drive.
• Heard that a “boot drive” held by the Chelsea Fire Department collected $2,304 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• Approved the appointment of Cindy Garmin as a new Library Board member.
• Authorized Picklesimer to enter into a contract with Spurrier Consulting.
• Repealed a previous resolution to correct the price for the purchase of a 2018 Dodge Ram Transport Ambulance. The correct price was $263,624.50.
• Approved an annexation ordinance submitted by Terry C. Parker for a 3-acre lot located at 5835 Shelby County 51.