John Scarffe, Black Hawk.     The Black Hawk City Council approved a resolution modifying the City’s building permit fees during its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 23, at 3 p.m. at 211 Church Street. According to the resolution, the Board of Aldermen desires to modify the fees established for the issuance of building permits in the City. New building permit fees range from $23.50 for a valuation up to $500, to $5,608.75 for valuation of $1 million, plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000.

Building Plan Review Fee will be 65 percent of the building permit fee.

Electrical Permit Fee for Nonresidential Buildings and Residential Alteration or Additions, when the project valuation totals $0.00 to $2,000, will be $115; $2,001 or more, $115 plus $11.50 per $1,000 or portion thereof of valuation.

Electrical Plan Review Fee will be 65 percent of the electrical permit fee..

Police Annex and New Officer

Public Works Director Thomas Ibester presented a request to approve a professional services contract with Roth Sheppard Architects in the amount not to exceed $144,350 to complete the design and construction of documents for a police annex and parking facility on the mesa.

Roth Sheppard completed an initial space study and determined that 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of space would be beneficial if located adjacent to the parking area for the patrol vehicles.

The annex portion of the facility would house a bathroom, shower, locker facilities and storage, a break room, armory and weapon cleaning area. The parking facility would be connected and have space for 14 patrol cars, one secure impound bay and six bays for use by fire, public works and transit.

Several locations on the mesa will be evaluated for suitability. Mayor David Spellman said the City had $1.5 million in the budget for the project and the new storage space would take the pressure off their storage needs. The Council approved the request.

New Police Officer Heshaum Gari was introduced to the Council. Born in Fort Collins, he grew up in Saudi Arabia for 12 years. He graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

While in college Heshaum was a volunteer wildland firefighter.  After graduating from CSU, he attended the Arapahoe Community College Law Enforcement Academy.

Wildland Fire Staffing

Fire Chief Don Taylor said the State is transitioning to the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and they have to have a minimum number of personnel on their fire engines. If a seat is available on a fire truck and he has staff available, a staff member would have the opportunity to assist in staffing their wildland fire engines.

Taylor said the staff member could go anywhere, such as Washington State, where fires are currently burning, and could be gone for up to two weeks. He will have another staff member prearranged to take his place.

“This will provide our staff with an excellent training and experience opportunity. Deployment plan has been presented to City Manager to ensure no reduction in level of service,” Taylor said. The Council approved the request.

Property for Urban Renewal Authority

The Council received a request for a Quit Claim deed conveying property at 211 and 221 Gregory Street to the Black Hawk Urban Renewal Authority for $10. City Attorney Corey Hoffmann told the Council that typically the City would restore the property, but in this case, the property will be leased to a third party, which will be doing the restoration project.

The Urban Renewal Authority will be the landlord and will be overseeing the tenant’s rehabilitation of the property. The Council approved the resolution.

The next meeting of the Black Hawk City Council will be at 3 p.m. on August 13, 2014, at 211 Church Street.