CHELSEA- The city of Chelsea introduced two proposed ordinances concerning the establishment of a municipal court at a regularly scheduled council meeting on Tuesday, March 21.

If passed, the first ordinance would establish the Chelsea Municipal Court and the second ordinance would adopt state offenses and traffic violations within the city as municipal violations.

“A municipal court is a major step in a city gaining its sovereignty over the city limits,” Mayor Tony Picklesimer said.

Picklesimer said establishing a municipal court was discussed during Chelsea’s municipal elections in 2016.

“I have been thinking about a municipal court for several years, and it became a priority for me when I was putting together my campaign for mayor of Chelsea,” Picklesimer said.

City council member Cody Sumners was credited for his efforts to help start the Chelsea Municipal Court.

“Cody has been part of the energy behind getting the municipal court established,” Picklesimer said.

According to Picklesimer, establishing a municipal court will be a lengthy process, and proposing the ordinances is the first step in that direction.

“The introduction of this ordinance tonight is step one of 100,” Picklesimer said.

Picklesimer said the municipal court has not been set up in the first 100 days of his administration, like he had hoped, but it is important for the council to be cautious during this process.

“We want to be prudent, take our time and do it exactly right the first time,” Picklesimer said.

The ordinances will be discussed at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 4.