Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. The June 12, 2019, Black Hawk City Council was called to order with the ringing of the bell at 3 p.m. at 211 Church Street, followed by roll call and the pledge of allegiance. All council members were in attendance. No changes to the agenda were proposed and no conflicts of interest reported. The minutes for the previous meeting, on May 22, 2019, were approved. 

Three public hearings were held to discuss passing three resolutions. Four action items were put to a vote as well. 

Resolution 33, a resolution conditionally approving a certificate of architectural compatibility for exterior renovations to the existing porte cochere of the Isle of Capris Black Hawk, LLC. was approved unanimously. 

Resolution 34, a resolution approving a certificate of architectural compatibility for exterior improvements to the property located at 241 Dubois Street, was approved unanimously. 

Resolution 35, a resolution conditionally approving a certificate of architectural compatibility to allow the performance of roof repair and replacement and limited demolition of the Golden Gilpin Mill property, located at 7593 State Hwy 119, was approved unanimously after discussion and comments from Black Hawk residents, and a comment from council member Alderman Paul Bennett, who jokingly requested, “And tell them to hurry it up.”

Lawrence James, a retired geologist, voiced concern regarding the future use of the property in question. Primarily he wanted to make the council aware that he had once run a company that purchased the mill from the Morrison family in the 1980s.  In his time there, the minerals mined at the mill represented the time. Now, there are different minerals, such as zinc, that are being mined. Additionally, there are minerals that had never been heard of in the 1980s that could be mined at the site now, though no one knew to look for them when the property was a functioning mine.

Lawrence’s concern was that the property would be legislated in such a way that mining would not be possible in the future. He reported that he was in support of the resolution but wanted to make the council aware of the additional practical mining potential for the property, outside of its value as an attraction in a gambling town.

David Grim, a professor at the School of Mines and resident of Black Hawk, spoke in support of “fixing up something old,” and commended the council for its attention to preserving the property. 

The three action items on the agenda passed unanimously as well. The first action approved, resolution 36, a resolution reappointing two regular members to the city of Black Hawk Historic Preservation Commission, passed following discussion revealing that the commission adhered to statutes requiring residents of Black Hawk be given notice that the seats were available if another citizen wished to run. The commission took out an ad in the Weekly Register Call newspaper, and there were no new applicants for the commission seats. 

Resolution 37, a resolution approving the agreement to remove and dispose of hazardous materials from the property located at 500 Chase Street, with Weecycle Environmental Consulting, in a total amount not to exceed $5,500, passed unanimously. According to discussion, it is likely the property will require additional funding at a later date to completely remove hazardous materials. 

Resolution 38, a resolution accepting the city of Black Hawk 2018 audit, passed unanimously. 

The final item, regarding the change of liquor license for the Isle of Capris of Black Hawk, LLC. was set for a public hearing on July 24, 2019. 

The city manager reported a plan to review the properties in Black Hawk for code violations and report the findings to the council at a later date. 

The meeting adjourned for an executive session for the council to confer with the city attorney, at 3:45 p.m. 

(Originally published in the June 20, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)