Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. The Black Hawk City Council was called to order at 3 p.m. on May 13, 2020, in a virtual meeting via Zoom. All city council members and Mayor Spellman were in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed, and no conflicts of interest were reported. The minutes from the meeting held April 22, 2020, were carried unanimously. 

In public hearings, a bill for an ordinance rezoning lot 1, block 1 of Miners Mesa Subdivision filing no. 4 from Hillside Development (HD) to Commercial/Business Services (CBS) zoning district, and amending the city’s zoning map to conform moving forward, carried unanimously. Another resolution, approving the release of the city’s interest in the helipad license agreement located on Lot 1, Block 1 of Miners Mesa Subdivision, carried unanimously, in action items. These resolutions allowed for the removal of a helipad on the property. Mayor Spellman added the helipad was primarily used for commercial helicopter landings, and there are other locations available for emergency helicopter needs. 

In action items, a resolution consenting to and extending the order declaring a local disaster emergency in and for the city of Black Hawk, Colorado, carried unanimously. This order would leave the declaration in place indefinitely, until council meets and agrees to terminate it, rather than continuously renewing the emergency order. The declaration could allow Black Hawk to receive federal relief money, at some point. City Attorney Hoffman spoke to the resolution stating, “With all of the uncertainty there is no downside to continuing the local disaster emergency.” Hoffman did not appear to believe Gilpin County or Black Hawk was likely to receive federal disaster relief funds allocated for local governments, but stated it was a possibility. 

Two resolutions continued from March 25, 2020, due to Covid-19, were carried unanimously. The first approved the minor subdivision for the property located on Gregory Street, particularly portions of lots 2, 3 and 4 and all of lots 5 through 8, block 28, city of Black Hawk, Colorado to be known as city of Black Hawk, block 28, amendment no. 1. The second resolution approved a certificate of architectural compatibility for the building located at 221 Gregory Street. 

A resolution approving the license agreement between the city of Black Hawk, Colorado, and Isle of Capri Black Hawk, LLC, carried unanimously, allowing for signs to advertise the second Starbucks location in Black Hawk. 

A resolution approving the proposal from CIGNA for 2020- 2023 ancillary coverage, a resolution approving the contract with Delta Dental in the estimated amount of $122,522 for group dental insurance, and a resolution approving the contract with Kaiser Permanente in the estimated amount of $1,116,622 for group health insurance, all carried unanimously. These three items involve the health benefits of city employees and represent a savings of $8000 a year with a three year price guarantee with CIGNA. Delta Dental increased costs by 12.5% and forgave half of two months premium costs for two months in 2020 due to Covid-19. Kaiser increased rates by 6.9% this year and are expected to increase rates again next year due to Covid-19. 

A resolution approving a telephonic participation policy for Historic Preservation Commission Meetings, and a resolution revising a job description for police chief carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m. for an executive session. 

(Originally published in the May 21, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)