On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Mayor Jeremy Fey called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Kara Tinucci and Alderman Jill Story.
Resolution No. 22-25 adopts a Cash Management & Investment Policy which has been amended to include all allowable investments under State law. The Resolution was approved unanimously.
Resolution No. 22-26 approves First Amendment to Service Agreement for the Development Impact Study Fee. The Council approved retaining Willdan Financial Services in May 2022 to complete a Development Impact Study Fee. A request from the Water Department to amend the Resolution to engage the company to review and analyze the City’s water tap fee was approved by the Council unanimously.
Audience Participation: Steve Boulter spoke on behalf of his son, Blake Boulter, who was applying for the Central City Promise Program. Mr. Boulter thanked the City for the program and remarked how wonderful the support was to allow his son to further his education.
Ordinance No. 22-06: A Public hearing on property 341 Gregory Street to exclude taxes from the Business Improvement District (BID). The property was zoned residential at the of purchase in October 2021 and the residents petitioned the Council to exclude them from the taxes through the BID. City Attorney Marcus McAskin recommended that Council not approve the Ordinance due to the statutes of the BID. The property was zoned classified at the time of the BID statutes. Attorney Robert Gunning, representing the Connelly family that resides there, stated the property was zoned residential at the time of the purchase on October 8, 2021, and should not be required to pay the mill levy of the BID. The Council was asked to approve the petition and remove all fees as of 2021. Alderman Aiken agreed with McAskin to deny the petition. Alderman Laratta thought the Ordinance was ridiculous that a resident was required to pay the taxes. Aldermen Tinucci and Story thought the wording of the Ordinance was confusing. The Ordinance was amended as requested in the Petition for Exclusion by the property owners. This motion failed with a vote of 2/3. The second motion was to approve the Ordinance as written and the motion carried 3/2.
2021 Audit Presentation: Abagail Robbins presented the findings from an audit. In April 2022, Prospective Business Solutions performed an audit on the City’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2021. The auditor’s report came back favorably with no adjustments recommended. The Resolution was approved unanimously.
Central City Promise Program: Blake Boulter requested a $5000 scholarship from the Council and is a second-time applicant. Blake is attending Colorado School of Mines and is working toward a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was placed on the Honor Roll his first semester and on the Dean’s List for the Spring semester. The scholarship was approved unanimously.
Resolution No. 22-27: The Great Central City Beer Festival, scheduled for August 27, 2022, requests closing Main Street for the event. All street closures must be approved by Council. The Resolution was approved unanimously.
Resolution No. 22-28 was adopted to amend the Historic Wall Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program. Resolution No. 22-18 was approved by Council in April 2022 by City assigned contractors. The amendment allows for residents to hire private contractors. The Resolution was approved unanimously.
Staff Updates: Lisa Roemhildt was promoted to the permanent position of Community Development Director of Central City. She has been in the role as interim Director since Ray Rears vacated the position to become the County Manager. Fire Chief Allen has obtained breathing apparatuses through a grant.
Council Comments: Mayor Pro Tem Laratta commented the flowers looked beautiful that the City placed around the area. Alderman Tinucci congratulated Abagail Robbins on budget, Lisa Roemhildt on promotion, Chief Allen on the new equipment and Blake Boulter on the scholarship. Alderman Story also congratulated Blake Boulter on scholarship and Lisa Roemhildt on promotion. Alderman Aiken announced Central City Opera performances have been cancelled due to a Covid outbreak. Mayor Fey stated the Opera was proactive in getting the information out to the ticket holders about the cancellations. Fey also announced a new medical facility, Clinica, was opening up in the area.
Public Forum: Matt Price thanked the Council for appointing him to the Planning Commission at the last Council meeting and appreciated the trust they put in him. Steve Boulter thanked Lisa Roemhildt for her help on the Main Street Business Program grant for his business.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on August 2, 2022, at City Hall, 141 Nevada Street, Central City or online. Information can be found on the Central City website centralcity.colorado.gov/ meetings.