Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. The June 26, 2019, meeting of the Black Hawk City Council was called to order at 3 p.m. with the ringing of the bell. The minutes from the meeting held June 12, 2019, were approved following the pledge of allegiance and roll call. All members of the council were in attendance and no changes to the agenda were proposed or conflicts of interest revealed. There were no members of the community present to comment on public hearings. 

A bill for an ordinance adding a new Article XV to Chapter 10 of the Black Hawk municipal code regarding unlawful conduct on public property, and a bill for an ordinance amending the Black Hawk municipal code by the addition thereto of a new section 10-136 prohibiting sitting or lying down on public sidewalks and rights-of-way in designated areas, were combined and passed unanimously. The purpose of these bills, according to comments by the city attorney, is to address, “conduct that could make visitors to Black Hawk uncomfortable and could impair the experience.” 

The first ordinance, according to the attorney, prohibits camping on public property, including; parks, streets, or parking lots. If campers leave their belongings in the city, the ordinance allows the city to remove and store these belongings, once proper notice is given. 

The second ordinance prohibits people from sitting in areas that are designated as a right of way. This ordinance is meant to help discourage panhandling by campers passing through town. 

An ordinance approving a water storage agreement between the city of Black Hawk and the city of Golden was approved unanimously. This agreement allows Black Hawk to store water in a reservoir owned by Golden, located above Empire. The needed water is split 50/50 with Golden, and what is not needed is released to Golden and other cities via Golden. 

A resolution conditionally approving a certificate of architectural compatibility to allow the renovation of four existing buildings, the addition of a deck to one existing building and the construction of two new buildings located on Gregory Street as part of the Gregory Street Project approved unanimously.The houses scheduled for rehabilitation included addresses; 211, 221 and 351 Gregory Street. 

Two new buildings, a restroom building at 341 Gregory Street and a fire truck display are scheduled for construction. The bunk house is scheduled to be moved and the Bobtail Mine is scheduled for rehabilitation. All commercial design guidelines for preserving historical value to existing buildings were followed. Designs for new buildings followed the guidelines as well, and necessary permits were submitted prior to the request for approval from the city council. 

A resolution approving the exterior paint program contracts in a total amount not to exceed $87,518.25, passed unanimously. A total of 12 buildings will be included in program; eleven residences and The Presbytarian Church. The city received bids for residential properties ranging in cost between $10,000 and $32,000. Aspect Painting, with a bid of $12,915.00 was awarded the bid, based primarily on work history and performance. Gonzales Painting was awarded the bid for the twelfth property. Gonzales Painting has worked on similar projects with the city previously, and has handled potentially costly issues that have arisen, swiftly, without exorbitant additional costs or change orders. 

A resolution approving the proposal from HR Green for an assessment of public works and community planning and development was approved unanimously. The need for an updated assessment was determined based on new construction of buildings and evolving  technologies that could provide more efficient data storage capability. 

A resolution ratifying the phone poll approving a first amendment to the Taylor Kohrs CMGC contract and the payment of $60,000 to Taylor Kohrs for the design of the hidden Treasure Trail Head Bridge approved unanimously. The bridge will be created off-site and brought up in three pieces to be assembled on site. 

A resolution approving the first amendment to the agreement of lease between the city of Black Hawk as lessor and Gilpin County Education Foundation as lessee for property located at 137 Clear Creek Street, Unit A, Black Hawk, Colorado approved unanimously. This resolution allows for a rent credit to be applied for the amount of the city’s paid general sales tax. 

The city attorney and city manager both stated they had nothing additional to report and the meeting was adjourned at 3:31 p.m. 

The next meeting of the Black Hawk City Council will be held at 3 p.m. on July 10, 2019, at 221 Church Street in Black Hawk. 

(Originally published in the July 4, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)