The Black Hawk City Council approved an election for November 2, 2021, and approved ballot language for the election during a regular meeting on August 11, 2021, at 211 Church Street.

City Attorney Corey Hoffmann introduced the ordinance approving the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Black Hawk and Gilpin County regarding the November 2, 2021, Special Election.

The Council approved the ordinance. Hoffmann then introduced an ordinance calling for a November 2, 2021, Special Election to be conducted as a coordinated mail ballot election pursuant to the Colorado Municipal Election Code, submitting ballot questions and setting the Ballot Titles.

The following ballot questions will be submitted to the registered electors of the City of Black Hawk at the November 2 special election:

The first question, Device Tax on Live Stadium Games, asks if Black Hawk taxes can be increased by an estimated $420,000.00 in 2022 and by whatever additional amounts are collected annually in subsequent years by the creation of new categories of occupational tax.

The second question regards a device tax on sports event betting on self-service betting devices. Hoffmann said the first question applies a device tax to new games. The second applies City tax to devices for sports betting.

The election will cost $273.48 for 86 voters at $3.18 per voter. Cost estimates include setup fees, postage, printing, processing, and election judges. The Council approved the ordinance.

The Council then approved an ordinance regarding the definition of recreational vehicle and equipment residential permits.

Recreational vehicles and recreational equipment may be allowed in residential districts of the City for 72 hours, subject to a permit issued by the Community Development Director or the Community Development Director’s designee. No such permit may be issued for the same residential property unless a minimum of 48 hours has elapsed since the expiration of the previously issued permit.

Hoffmann said the problem is getting permits so RVs can unload, without keeping them on the streets. This will require one simple change.

Senior Civil Engineer Matt Reed introduced a request to purchase benches, trash cans, and a picnic table for the History Appreciation Recreation Destination District (HARD District®) to add to the Gregory Plaza for an amount not to exceed $60,617.25. The new Gregory Street Plaza, which is substantially complete, requires these additional amenities.

After reviewing multiple options, staff recommended purchasing custom-designed benches that include the City of Black Hawk “hawk” design and the words “Black Hawk” cut into the backrest of each bench, giving the benches a unique appearance consistent with the design of the Plaza. Staff also recommended replacing the existing benches throughout the HARD District, extending from Stroehle Square to Gregory Point.

In addition, trash cans will be replaced as needed throughout the area to establish a uniform appearance in the HARD District. A single picnic table will be purchased for the Plaza.

Mayor David Spellman said it will all be consistent. Reed said he may come back for more tables, and the Council approved the purchase. Spellman asked the Council if they could have permission to add two or three tables, and the Council agreed.

The Council approved a resolution appointing Robert Mack to be a City of Black Hawk Associate Municipal Court Judge. City Manager Stephen Cole requested they add a second backup judge, especially for the summer. Spellman said, “We’re three deep on the bench now.”

Police Officer Troy Cooper introduced a new employee, Alicia Marotti, as Communications Officer 1. Marotti previously worked for the Black Hawk Police Department as a Communications Officer from 2011 to 2018, and as the Evidence and Property Technician for one year.

After a tough year of pandemic, she is grateful to have been invited back to the Communications Department and appreciates the opportunity to continue to grow with the City of Black Hawk. She has lived in Denver for a decade, but before that she worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee, and has more than 13 years of Communications experience.

In 2010, she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior architecture and design with a minor in art history. She loves to travel the world, read, write, hike with her corgi, and crochet.

The Council thanked her for coming back.

The next Black Hawk Council meeting will be at 211 Church Street in Black Hawk, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 3 p.m. For more information go to https://site. cityofblackhawk.org/.