Published in the March 22 issue of The Mountain-Ear.

Kim Habicht, Black Hawk.

The city of Black Hawk welcomed three new employees at a city council meeting on March 14. Police Chief Stephen Cole presented Police Officers Joseph Nguyen and Nickolas Steckman, and Communications Officer Kelly Lodgson, to the council.

“We’re very pleased to have all three of them,” said Chief Cole. “We’re fully staffed now.”

A public hearing concerning an amendment to the International Fire Code and International Building Code was held during the council meeting. The codes are being amended in order to be more consistent with state law and other similar national laws.

Community Planning and Development Administrator Cynthia Linkler presented the measure to the council. There was no public comment on the item, and the council unanimously approved the amendments.

Jim Ford, Black Hawk Senior Civil Engineer and Water Resources Employee, presented an agreement between Black Hawk and Georgetown for the maintenance and construction work of Georgetown Lake.

In 2014, Black Hawk and Georgetown reached an agreement that allots 40 percent of the costs associated with major repairs to Black Hawk, and the remaining 60 percent to Georgetown. This agreement also granted Black Hawk the right to store 154.5 acre feet of water in the lake for augmentation purposes.

Sediment build-up in Georgetown Lake must be removed. This measure reaffirmed each party’s role in the new project and restated the burden of payments.

“This is an agreement so that we can join forces with Georgetown again,” said Ford. The measure was approved unanimously.

The contract between the PR firm M&C Communications and Black Hawk was reestablished for the year 2018, in a unanimous vote. M&C Communications has previously worked with the city to establish publicity efforts around events like the fireworks presentation and the ribbon ceremony.

The firm has several projects in store for the upcoming year, including events surrounding the grand opening of the Canyon Parking Garage, as well as a Chef’s Cookout at Crook’s Palace, in which casino chefs will work alongside Metro State culinary students. Proceeds will go toward the students’ tuition payments.

Mayor Spellman commented on the importance of getting positive news about the city out. “It’s making sure we have a positive face,” said Mayor Spellman, about the firm.