Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. Black Hawk City Council met for their regular bi-weekly meeting at 211 Church Street on September 11, 2019. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. with the ringing of the bell, followed by roll call, all council members were present. After the pledge of allegiance Mayor Spellman asked all in attendance that we bow our heads for an extended moment of silence, “for the horrific events that took place 18 years ago, for the lives lost at that time and the lives we continue to lose, and those affected by that horrific terrorist attack, that was perpetrated on this great country.” 

After the moment was observed the meeting continued with regular announcements. There were no changes made to the agenda and no conflicts of interest were disclosed or reported. The minutes from the previous meeting, held August 28, 2019, were approved unanimously. 

In public comments, resident Tom Fieney gave his compliments to the council, Mayor Spellman and the Black Hawk Fire Department for outstanding work at a fire that morning. Fieney asked the council to consider funding a scholarship program for firefighters to reward the exemplary job he had witnessed.

In public hearings, a bill for an ordinance repealing and reenacting article XIX of chapter 6 of the Black Hawk municipal code, eliminating social clubs and creating a licensing system for marijuana hospitality establishments, passed unanimously. According to City Attorney Corey Hoffman, the model adopted for this measure would allow only one establishment within the city of Black Hawk to allow guests to use marijuana indoors, in designated areas, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Marijuana will not be sold at the establishment, but guests will be allowed to bring their own. 

Jeffery Gordon, of Black Hawk, spoke in opposition to the bill. Gordon asked that the council consider alllowing more than one establishment to participate in the allowances accorded by the bill, in the future. 

Three others spoke in support of the bill, Eric and Kyle Speidell, who will be involved in opening the hospitality establishment in question, and Tom Feiney. The arguments for the bill included; limiting marijuana consumption on the streets and in random areas within casinos, as well as inside of hotel rooms and other establishments. 

In action items, a resolution setting a public hearing on the proposed material modifications of the service plan of the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District, was approved unanimously. The hearing was set for September 25, 2019. 

A resolution approving the first addendum to trade contractor agreement for the complete demolition of 500 and 531 Chase Street with Grapes and Sons Excavation, was approved unanimously. Asbestos removal at these properties has slowed the progress of the demolition. It was reported to the council that all asbestos is now removed. 

A resolution approving the professional services agreement between the city of Black Hawk and PEH Architects in an amount not to exceed $262,070.00 for design services pertaining to the Gregory Street Commercial Building, was also approved unanimously. 

City Manager Stephen Cole reported that following an inspection of abandoned casinos in Black Hawk, a letter to the owners of casinos in violation of city codes had been drafted and was ready to be sent. The council decided after reviewing the letter, it was best to notify owner’s sooner, rather than later, as it gave the owners ample time to budget for repair or clean-up as needed. 

City Attorney Corey Hoffman had nothing to report and did not ask for an executive session following the regular meeting. The council adjourned at 3:35 p.m. 

(Originally published in the September 26, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)