Council Member, Ward 10· 2023-01-03–2027-01-04; exact dates from Ballotpedia John_Gianola page (assumed office and term end for the Nov 8 2022 council cycle); applied to the whole cycle, individual pages not read
Chelsea Steelhammer
Charleston
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 5
- Total speaking time
- 6:08
- Avg per meeting
- 1:14
- Segments
- 70
Want every word Steelhammer has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Steelhammer said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Cato Park and Kanawha City pool repairs
Up to $2.3 million in city matching funds if the grant is awarded.
GoMart Ballpark condition assessment
$55,000 for the study; any future repairs would be separate decisions.
Mountaineer Food Bank takes over 748 Virginia Street West
Preserves the original ARPA investment; the food bank assumes the remaining obligations.
Committee discharge fight over Resolution 964-24
New Fire Department Interceptor Vehicle
$89,103 combined for the truck and gear.
Charleston Police Department staffing and facilities
Closing the gap would cost roughly $10,000-$16,000 more per officer annually.
Harm reduction policy
It could mean public health spending up front, with possible long-term savings if it prevents costly infections, but no cost estimates are given.
CDBG funds redirected to 915 Main Street demolition
About $300,000 in federal grant funds moved between accounts — no new city money.
Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program
Unknown; officers may see modest added paperwork, and landlords could face liability questions.
Holiday Citizen Appreciation Parking
The city forgoes meter revenue on those Saturdays.
Vacant Ward 16 council seat
Quarrier Street handicapped parking zone
Youth sports field access and Little League exclusions
About $4,000 for five games' field costs, per the speaker.
Medicare retiree health plan renewal
Roughly $2.4 million in annual premiums, with the city absorbing a 6.12% increase.
Flood response and state of emergency
Recovery costs were not quantified.
Preservation of historic Garnet school building
West Side crosswalk safety
Cost of crosswalk installation not stated.
FY 2025-2026 General Fund Budget Amendment No. 7
$1.4 million budget adjustment, mostly for vehicles and equipment already approved.
Council transparency and lobbying disclosure
Skate park closure and temporary King Center park
The city bought some new features at low cost and moved portable ones for the temporary park.
Decisions during term (296)
Recorded while Steelhammer was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Bill No. 8091 - Accessory dwelling unit and dwelling unit definition amendment
Bill No. 8092 - Vape and smoke shop zoning amendment
Bill No. 8093 - Handicapped parking zone on Quarrier Street
Bill No. 8094 - Stop intersection at Bridge Road and Walnut Road
Bill No. 8098 - All-way stop at Venable Ave SE and 44th Street
Bill No. 8099 - Street closure notice provisions
Approval of September 14, 2026 meeting minutes
Approval of Vandalia Health naming rights sponsorship agreement
Resolution No. 26-116 – Pool repair/replacement grant application
Resolution No. 26-117 – Amwins retiree health contract
Resolution No. 26-118 – FY 2026-2027 budget Amendment No. 4
Resolution No. 26-119 – Chief360 fire station alert system
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8079 (staggered council elections)
Motion to discharge Resolution No. 26-101 (expanded public speaking time)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8080 (harm reduction policy)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8073 (mayoral term limits)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8070 (council term limits)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8071 (municipal judge term limits)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8072 (treasurer term limits)
Motion to discharge Bill No. 8088 (default roll call votes)
Voting record (37)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
approve the resolution
Resolution No. 26-111 – FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget Amendment No. 3
Resolution No. 26-114 – Mountaineer Food Bank Novation Agreement
Appointment of Jessica Hudson to Ward 18
nominate Jessica Hudson
approve the bill
approve the bill
approve the resolution
approve the resolution
Bill No. 8084 – Restricted Use Area at 508 Roane Street
Bill No. 8083 – Animal waste fines (Steelhammer amendment)
Giving the judge authority to suspend the fine avoids discriminating against people with disabilities.
Bill No. 8083 – Jenkins amendment (restore $10 minimum and service-dog exemption)
Bill No. 8083 as amended – animal waste removal fines
Bill No. 8077 – impoundment of animals subject to cruelty or poisoning
Bill No. 8078 – aggressive dogs at large
Dogs charged a second time can be impounded if loose again; her neighborhood was terrorized by dogs whose owners skipped court.