During their regular meeting on February 14, 2024, the Black Hawk City Council canceled April elections. The Council also prohibited new short-term rental licenses, and approved the partial demolition and reconstruction of property at 121 Marchant Street.

Deputy Clerk Michelle Martin introduced the resolution canceling the April 2, 2024, election and declaring candidates elected. She said the Town did not receive any applications for the Town council other than those of sitting members.

The City may, by Resolution, direct the City Clerk to cancel the election if the City has received the same number of candidate petitions as the number of offices to be filled, including affidavits of intent to be a write-in candidate; and if there are no other matters before the voters.

The City received no more candidate petitions than offices to be filled, and no write-in candidate affidavits of intent were received by the January 29 deadline. The election of candidates to office is the only matter before voters.

According to the resolution, “The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to cancel the April 2, 2024, election and declares the following candidates elected to the following offices for the following terms: David D. Spellman, Mayor: 4-year term, Paul Bennett, Alderman: 4-year term, Gregory Moates, Alderman: 4-year term, Benito Torres, Alderman: 4-year term.”

City Attorney Corey Hoffmann introduced an ordinance prohibiting short-term rental properties in the City of Black Hawk. He said this is the first ordinance. The second will be introduced at the next meeting.

The City Council desires to prohibit short-term rentals while permitting any existing short-term rentals licensed as of the date of the ordinance. Any property with a valid short-term rental license existing as of February 14, 2024, shall be a legal nonconforming use.

The Council approved Community Planning and Development Director Cindy Linker introduced a resolution conditionally approving a certificate of architectural compatibility to allow for the partial demolition and rehabilitation of a structure located at 121 Marchant Street. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed this agenda item on February 6, and recommends approval.

The house at 121 Marchant Street is constructed on a terrace above Marchant Street. The terrace is supported by a stone retaining wall. The existing residence is a vernacular “Hipped-Roof Box” residence constructed circa 1887. The character-defining features of the residence’s form and style are the hipped roof and the pediments above the windows.

There are two entry doors, and the one-story porch is set on the south elevation fronting onto Marchant Street. The proposed partial demolition, reconstruction, and rehabilitation maintain the character of surrounding residential areas along Marchant Street.

The design and selection of building materials are consistent with the historic character of Black Hawk, and all colors have been selected from the historic color palette adopted by the City and recommended for use. Nonconforming building setbacks have existed on the site since the initial construction of the residential structure.

This nonconformity does not affect the feasibility of this rehabilitation project. The proposed partial demolition and rehabilitation of the residence at 121 Marchant Street meets the intent of the criteria. The Council approved the resolution and also acknowledged the legal nonconforming structure located at 121 Marchant street.

The Council approved the abandonment of sanitary sewer taps on various City-owned properties and the replacement of signal cabinets, controllers, and uninterrupted power sources for three city intersections, for an amount not to exceed $186,675; the installation of two 2-inch pressure-reducing valves within the Black Hawk water distribution system for $28,300; the purchase of three Ford Ranger pickup trucks for $122,070; the purchase of a utility body truck for Public Works for of $70,95; and the purchase of two trucks for Public Works for $171,722. They also approved a letter to Central City regarding building a trail system.

The next meeting of the City of Black Hawk City Council will be on February 28 at 3 p.m. at 211 Church Street. For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.