The Black Hawk City Council dissolved the Black Hawk Business Improvement District during a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 211 Church Street. The Council also approved a contract for the residential rehabilitation program, a change order for Gregory Point services, and amendments regarding the Tramway and repair of the Hidden Valley water pump.

City Clerk Melissa Greiner said the City of Black Hawk received a petition on October 3 from the Board of Directors of the Black Hawk Business Improvement District (BID) petitioning for its dissolution, since the operations of the BID have been taken over by the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District. Notices were sent to the newspapers and to each property owner within the BID on October 11.

The petition from the Business Improvement District stated that the District should be relieved of all liability for taxes, assessments, and other obligations. The signers of the letter represent the owners of at least 50 percent of the valuation for assessment of all real and personal property within the service area of the District.

All services of the BID, including improvements, were suspended in 2019, with those services or improvements having been assumed by the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District. Lynette Hailey, John East, and Sean Demeule have the legal authority to enter into agreements regarding the organization of the District.

The Council approved dissolving the BID.

Black Hawk intends to enter into a contract with a qualified professional construction manager and general contractor to provide pre-construction and construction services necessary to complete the Residential Rehabilitation Program on two historic residences. Community Planning and Development Director Cynthia Linker introduced a resolution approving the agreement for a construction manager and general contractor to perform the necessary work, for an amount not to exceed $14,500.

The purpose of the Residential Rehabilitation Program is to enhance certain areas of the City by providing property owners with the resources needed to rehabilitate qualified properties and preserve them in a historically appropriate manner. The City intends to perform complete rehabilitation of two historic residences concurrently.

These homes are located at 187 Clear Creek Street and 121 Marchant Street. Work will include complete exterior renovation, interior reconstruction, and associated site and utility construction. The White Construction Group will provide professional services during design, construction, and warranty periods.

The Residential Rehabilitation Program will require the contractor to enter into two separate contracts: one with the City for preservation easement exterior work, and another with the homeowners for rehabilitation grant interior work.

The City is contracting directly with professional design firms to perform the design work required for the project. If White Construction Group performs to the City’s expectations in the design phase, staff will return with a request to amend their contract to include their construction fees, currently estimated at $518,681. The Council approved the resolution.

Tom Isbester and Matt Reed of Public Works introduced a resolution approving Change Order No. 3 to the Gregory Point Contract between the City and PEH Architects in the amount of $29,095. This allows PEH to design a WiFi system along the Gregory Street corridor.

The City is currently under contract with PEH Architects to design site improvements at Gregory Point, which include an elevator, new exterior lighting, and new railings. Design is complete for the original project; however, additional scope is being considered.

Change Order No. 3 would authorize PEH Architects and their audiovisual subconsultant to design a WiFi system throughout the Gregory Street corridor from 221 Gregory Street up through Gregory Point. This system would be used to enhance the Gregory Plaza audio output, allow WiFi guest access to the general public, provide security camera coverage at desired locations, and provide opportunity for a multimedia historic tour at specified locations throughout the Gregory Street corridor.

The Council also approved this resolution.

Isbester then introduced a resolution approving the seventh addendum to the agreement with MV Transportation, Inc. for transit-related services for the Black Hawk & Central City Tramway for 2023.

The Tramway continues to operate successfully. Ridership has steadily increased since the Covid shutdown, according to staff. The Tramway will continue to circulate between Black Hawk and Central City on a specific route with defined stops. The loop currently takes about 25 minutes to complete. A single bus will continue to operate Monday through Thursday, and two buses will operate Friday through Sunday. It is hoped that a small portion of the 2023 operations will be funded with an FTA grant.

The Council approved this resolution as well.

Isbester and Jason Fredricks introduced a resolution authorizing the repair of the Hidden Valley Raw Water Pump #1 by Arvada Pump Company in a total amount not to exceed $53,300. The raw water pump is one of three pumps used to move water from the infiltration gallery to the treatment plant.

The pump is in a 35-foot deep wet well and requires a crane to remove and replace it. The pump is about 23 years old and is beyond its useful life expectancy. The motor will be rebuilt, as it is still serviceable, but the pump will be replaced with a new four-stage vertical turbine pump. Arvada Pump has performed work for the City previously and staff was pleased with their service.

The Council also approved this resolution.

The next meeting of the Black Hawk City Council will be on Wednesday, November 9, at 2011 Church Street in Black Hawk. For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.