Alexander Joseph, Central City. The regular meeting of the City of Central Council began at 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. 

In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta and council members Jeff Aiken, Jackie Johnson and Jack Hidahl. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and there was one addition to the agenda. The public forum was closed at 6:13 p.m. after no participation. 

The first of many agenda items involved the detailed final adoption draft of the Central City Trails Master Plan. Community/Environmental Planner Kristina Kachur, presented an overview of the plan processes and detailed the vision for this plan which is to create a comprehensive plan of hiking trails in and around Central City. Mayor Pro-Tem Laratta motioned to pass this resolution which was seconded by Jackie Johnson. Mayor Fey then opened the floor for discussion on this and many concerns were shared in regard to the current financial struggles of the city due to the ongoing pandemic. The motioned carried 4-1. 

The next item on the agenda was the Colorado Tourism Office Central City Marketing Plan, which was detailed by Ryan Burke of Slate Communications who was selected to create this plan. Burke showcased the new Central City Website and Blog. He shared digital marketing techniques such as e-newsletters. This is to help local businesses promote themselves online by educating them on their online presences and various specific targeting schemes to attract younger people, families and casino gamers to the area. 

Next, the Main Street Liaison Lisa Roemhildt gave the Main Street Annual Report which highlighted the few in person events that happened this year including a Town Clean Up and the ongoing City Lights Competition. 

Historical Preservation Officer Lindsey Flewelling presented the Historic Preservation Commission Report. 

The council then moved onto Resolution No. 20-44: A resolution extending the City of Central’s Local Emergency Disaster Declaration until December 16, 2020. This resolution carried unanimously. 

Resolution No. 20-45: A resolution to adopt and appropriate the 2021 Budget, adopting the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, setting a Property Tax Mill Levy, and approving the Central City Business Improvement District 2021 Operating Plan and Budget. This resolution included a presentation by City Manager Miera. The budget was not approved as there were some suggested amendments including a renegotiating of funds to provide small scale grants for residential projects, which need to be added to the budget. 

The city then moved onto the first reading on Ordinance No. 20-14: An ordinance of the city council amending Chapter One of the City of Central Municipal Code by adding a new Article VIII regarding limited gaming to implement the statewide and local voter approval of Amendment 77. As well as Resolution No. 20-46: A resolution authorizing additional approved games in the City of Central pursuant to Section 1-8-20 of the City of Central Municipal Code. Jack Hidahl suggested that there be an additional game added to the list, this game being the historic game Faro which would make Central City the only place to engage in this game. This suggestion was agreed on by the council.

Mayor Pro-Tem Laratta moved to approve both the ordinance and resolution, the motion was seconded, and both of these action items carried unanimously. 

The final action item was Resolution No. 20-47: A resolution ratifying the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval of the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan. The resolution carried unanimously. 

During the staff updates it was asked of Sheriff Armstrong to update the council on Covid-19 numbers. It was confirmed that Gilpin County had its first Covid-19 related death and that the infection cases were at 87. 

At 9:08 p.m., Mayor Pro-Tem Laratta motioned to go into executive session. 

The next regular meeting of the Central City Council will be Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

(Originally published in the December 3, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)