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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

CHELSEA – The Chelsea City Council approved more than $87,000 in grants for classrooms in Chelsea schools during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The Classroom Instructional Support Grant program, formerly known as Nick Grants, are made possible through the city’s 1 percent sales tax that was implemented in October 2019. The program aims to assist Chelsea schools by providing instructional supplies needed that are not funded by the Shelby County Schools Board of Education. Grant applications for the program are accepted twice a year for review.

During the meeting the Chelsea City Council unanimously approved $87,159.09 in Classroom Instructional Support Grants for programs, materials and activities at Chelsea Middle School, Chelsea High School, Forest Oaks Elementary School and Chelsea Park Elementary School.

Chelsea Middle School received $13,779.50 for the following programs and materials:

• 1 year subscription to Flying Colors Science website
• 4K TVs, gaming consoles and accessories
• Gizmos license renewal
• 14 inch MacBook Pro

Chelsea High School received $42,597.04 for the following programs and materials:

• Class set of TI-Nspire calculators
• Teacher manuals and student workbooks
• Miscellaneous art supplies
• Home economics type supplies for special education department
• Electric pottery wheel
• “Fahrenheit 451” novels
• Grammar for writing – grade 10

Forest Oaks Elementary School received $15,273.47 for the following programs and materials:

• Insta-Print kid cameras and replacement film
• Six iPads and cases
• Four iPad minis and cases
• Digital/Print resources for math/reading
• Wireless Solo Hover Cam
• Schoolwide Generation Genius subscription
• Alabama Stock Mark Game registration fees
• Reading and math resources
• Science and reading manipulatives
• Reading and math resources – Teachers Pay Teachers – Mega Bundle

Chelsea Park Elementary School received $15,509.08 for the following programs and materials:

• Noise cancelling headphones
• 55 inch ViewSonic panel
• CPU, monitor & ELMO
• Two sets, including a 75 inch ViewSonic Interactive Panel, cart and Document Camera
• HP Chromebook/white glove fee, etc.
• CPU, monitor & Solo Hover Cam
• HP ProBook G10 Laptop
• Document Camera

In other news, the Chelsea City Council also approved a resolution to accept the donation of two 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe C15’s from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for use with the Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol.

During the meeting, the Chelsea City Council approved an ordinance to update the city’s Fire Code Ordinance. The ordinance aims to promote fire safety and to minimize property loss due to fires. According to Mayor Pro Tempore Scott Weygand, the ordinance on the agenda was passed in order to update the wording in the previous ordinance to be accurate with the current state of the city.

The Chelsea City Council also approved a resolution to appoint Monica Williams to serve on the Chelsea Tree Commission to complete the term of Brindley Elliott whose term ends in December 2025.

Additionally, the Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept a bid from Central Alabama Asphalt and Construction Co., LLC in the amount of $302,525. The bid is for the city’s annual asphalt contract and road repair. Chelsea received bids from four other contractors but Central Alabama Asphalt and Construction Co. presented the lowest bid.