The Black Hawk City Council approved a criminal justice grant during a regular meeting at 211 Church Street on June 23, 2021. The grant from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF), in the amount of $46,600, reimburses overtime staffing expenses

The Police Department asked the Council to approve and accept the grant, which originated from the United States Department of Justice and is managed by the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, these federal stimulus funds have been made available to support local governments.

These grants were developed because the Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress on the finances of local jurisdictions. The Police Department relies heavily upon overtime pay to backfill shifts and maintain minimum staffing or manage call load during busy periods.

The Black Hawk Police Department has three sworn officer positions and one dispatch position frozen due to budget shortfalls. This grant will help offset the financial impact of the required overtime shifts needed to manage staffing levels and maintain adequate coverage for Black Hawk emergency services. This funding will help provide continuous, uninterrupted public safety service to the citizens and visitors to the City.

The Council also approved a resolution accepting the 2020 Audit. Colorado State law requires that the financial statements of the City be audited by an independent Certified Public Accountant. The City’s auditor, John Cutler & Associates, LLC, has issued a clean or unqualified opinion. This means the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the City. Finance Director Lance Hillis said, “This is the best type of opinion an auditee may receive from an external auditor.”

The City contemplates expanding its open space/park system to include Gregory Hill and Bates Hill. As a result, staff sought approval from the Council to purchase about 30 acres of vacant land on Gregory Hill consisting of several mining claims and City lots owned by 101 Horn Inc. for $225,000. In addition, staff also sought approval to purchase several City lots, consisting of about three acres, near Bobtail Road, Highway 119, and Chase Street, from the Kathryn L. Lorenz Revocable Trust for $25,000 on a separate agreement.

The purchases represent all the holdings by 101 Horn Inc. and the Kathryn L. Lorenz Revocable Trust within the City of Black Hawk. The City will pay all closing costs, excluding prorated taxes owed by the sellers.

The Council approved the purchase of these properties for a total amount not to exceed $275,000 for 33 total acres of vacant land consisting of mining claims and City lots to accommodate the expansion of the City’s open space and park system for public use. Council also authorized the City Manager to execute this purchase.

The next Black Hawk Council meeting will be at 211 Church Street in Black Hawk, Colorado, on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 3 p.m. For more information go to https:// site.cityofblackhawk.org/.