Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. A special meeting of the Black Hawk city council was convened at 211 Church Street, on March 18, 2020, at 3 p.m. This was not the regularly scheduled meeting for the city council and only two items were scheduled for discussion. Roll call revealed one absence. Although most Alderman had phoned in their presence via video calling, Mayor Spellman and City Manager Cole were in attendance physically. The first action item, a resolution approving telephonic participation for city council meetings, passed unanimously, allowing the meeting to continue. 

The second action item, and purpose of calling the special meeting, was a resolution forgiving certain taxes for the month of March 2020, payable in April 2020. The Mayor spoke to the item prior to the vote saying, “Because of the executive order passed by the governor resulting in the mandatory closing of the casinos, it is in the best interest of our industry that we waive their device fees, totaling $695,331.00, for that time period.” 

Mayor Spellman then gave each Alderman the opportunity to speak to the item, separately. Alderman Armbright stated, “I think it’s a fantastic idea. We have to do everything we can to help.” Alderman Bennet agreed. Alderman Johnson stated, “I think it’s a good idea we need to do it.” Alderman Midcap said, “I agree 100%. It’s just one more thing that makes Black Hawk a great city.” The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned for an executive session. 

After the meeting, Black Hawk Finance Director, Lance Hillis, was asked some follow up questions to the item discussed. He reported the city was not approached by any casinos for tax relief, to his knowledge. When asked if any plans were being discussed to offer relief to casino workers in Black Hawk Hillis replied, “Not from the city. We will help the businesses first and they should help the employees if they expect them to still be available to come back to work when they open again.” 

(Originally published in the March 26, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)