Black Hawk - The Black Hawk City Council convened on September 25, 2024, addressing several key resolutions and City matters,  most importantly their proposed IGA with Gilpin County. They also dealt with insurance renewals, commercial leases, and equipment contracts. 

Present at the meeting were Mayor David Spellman and Aldermen Linda Armbright, Paul Bennett, Jim Johnson, Hal Midcap, Greg Moates, and Benito Torres.

A new addition to the business community, Ted Garcia, was recognized for the imminent opening of his art gallery at Gregory Plaza. As the town’s newest retailer, Garcia also took on the ceremonial role of bell ringer for the meeting.

During the Aldermen Comments section of the meeting, Mayor Spellman suggested that newsletters be mailed to residents to inform them of the City’s use and sales tax reimbursement policy, noting that new residents may not be aware of the benefit. “I think we have some new residents that are not aware of the policy,” Spellman stated.

The Mayor then strongly addressed recent Letters to the Editor written by Eric Douglas of Gilpin County, who had criticized the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Black Hawk and Gilpin County. 

Douglas alleged that the IGA, which involves Black Hawk contributing $1 million per year to the County, which must then agree not to raise local taxes, would disproportionately benefit casinos and wealthier citizens. 

Spellman refuted these claims, stating, “I was the one that came up with this idea, and the casinos were not top of mind when I had this idea….It’s misinformation. It’s deceitful. It’s an outright lie. He has no idea what we had in mind.”

Spellman emphasized that the IGA would help keep property taxes low, benefiting all Gilpin County residents. He also dismissed calls to amend the agreement from Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth and candidates like Jeff Aiken and Jeremy Fey. 

In his words, “Commissioner Hollingsworth’s mouth is outpacing her perceived power of persuasion and negotiation,” adding that no aldermen expressed interest in meeting with the County Commissioners to discuss altering the IGA.

Aldermen unanimously rejected any further discussion on amending the agreement, echoing Spellman’s assertion that continuing to suggest the possibility of such changes would mislead voters. The current offer, as part of the IGA, remains in place until the end of March.

Additionally, the council passed several resolutions, including:

Resolution 81-2024: Approval of the 2025 Property Casualty Insurance proposal with the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA). The city secured a favorable quote, with a total cost of $446,645.60 after credits, representing a 2.49% decrease from 2024.

Resolution 82-2024: Approval of a commercial lease with Ted Garcia Fine Art, LLC, for the property at 327 Gregory Street, with the term extending through December 31, 2028.

Resolution 83-2024: Approval of a copier lease contract with Pacific Office Automation, replacing copiers in City use that are over six years old.

Resolution 84-2024: Approval of a trade contractor agreement with Brannan Sand and Gravel for the paving of Chase Street and Plant Road, with the cost of the project not exceeding $124,974.65.

Last, City Attorney Corey Hoffman noted a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on public camping, which aligns with Black Hawk’s existing policy. This decision allows the City to continue enforcing its ban on public camping without needing to offer shelter availability.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Black Hawk City Council is scheduled for October 11, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at 211 Church Street, Black Hawk, Colorado.