Janet Perry, Central City. At the February 16th Central City Alderman meeting, new Alderman Jeff Aiken was sworn into office by Central City Attorney Marcus McAskin.
During the Public Forum section of the meeting, CCBID representative Joe Behm spoke of their support of the billboard policy being presented. He noted that the casinos would prefer to be able to rotate spots rather than ‘be locked into one location for two years’.
Then the Alderman meeting was closed long enough to call the Local License Authority to order. Golden Nugget Dispensary, owned by Elise Kelcher, was seeking a Retail Marijuana License.
Mayor pro tem Kathy Heider was concerned that this would be the 5th retail marijuana store in a small community and questioned if they could be successful. Golden Nugget’s Co-manager Cody Mayasich explained that their great location, at 127 Main Street, will offset the fact that they are the 5th dispensary to open in town. Mayasich also pointed out that they plan to be a ‘high end boutique store’. He says that they will have tourist buses stopping and that this will increase tourism to Central City.
Police Sergeant Patric Stanton said the applicant’s background check passed and that he had no concerns with the application.
Heider then made a motion to conditionally approve the application and directed staff to prepare a Record of Decision and provide a copy of the decision to the Applicant as well as the State of Colorado Marijuana Licensing Authority within three days. The motion carried unanimously.
The Local License Authority was then closed and the Alderman meeting was reconvened.
Proposed Resolution 16-06, was to continue the term and compensation for the city’s Municipal Judge. City Manager Daniel R. Miera explained that the Central City Municipal Judge, David R. Gloss’ position needed to be renewed. It will be effective from February 1, 2016 through January 31st of 2018. The motion passed unanimously. The position pays $8,400 annually.
Resolution 16-07 would approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Black Hawk for snow removal services. Public Works Director, Sam Hoover explained that the services would be supplemental to Central City’s snow removal responsibilities. He noted that the service would be provided on Gregory and Lawrence Streets between D Street and the Black Hawk municipal boundary. The City of Black Hawk suggested this agreement and noted the benefits of a safer route for their plows, as well as the supplemental help to Central City’s snow-cleared streets.
There was a brief discussion of the arduous nature of snow removal in Central City and the Parkway as well as the more expensive ‘ice slicer’ utilized by Black Hawk. New Alderman Jeff Aiken noted that sand was needed for traction on the steep grades in Central City. The motion was approved unanimously.
Resolution 16-08 would accept and adopt the recommended 2016 Classification and Compensation Plan as well as establish policies for implementation. The resolution is the recommendation made from a study commissioned to update the Classification and Compensation Plan in 2015 and is to be presented to the Alderman Council in January of 2016.
City Manager Daniel R. Miera explained that nearly half of Central City’s jobs need updated titles and classifications. He also noted that the City’s benchmark positions’ salary structures are not aligned with the market. The City has established a 2016 Budget line-item in order to provide merit adjustments if feasible.
The city intends to adjust all salaries up to the Minimum suggested, increase all employee salaries, and update salaries based on job performance. The city also intends to utilize an annually adjusted Merit Increase Guide. Alderman Judy Laratta noted that these changes will help attract good employees to Central City. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 16-09 would approve a City Billboard Biennial Leasing Policy on the Central City Parkway. Community Development Director Ray Rears explained that the Reserve Casino and their predecessors hold the lease on 9 of the 10 ‘sign faces’. The resolution would create a leasing policy that is more reasonable and which also allows two-year leases.
Funds from the leases will be used for +marketing. One of the billboards will be used for Central City non-profits.
Staff suggested a random drawing in order to make the available leases an equal opportunity. Sub-leasing will not be allowed. It was also noted that the city is leasing the billboard signs well below market. This is to help ensure the success of local businesses.
The majority of funds would be used for the Visitor Center and Main Street Central City, as well as other marketing ideas. A small portion will be used for maintenance costs.
The sign faces will cost $571.03 per month between March 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. Total revenue is anticipated to be $60,842.70 during 2016.
Since casinos have been interested in ‘rotating’ locations, Miera was given discretionary control in order to consider allowing businesses to ‘rotate’ from one location to another. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 16-10 would approve the ‘Engagement Letter’ to continue legal services for Central City with the Michow, Cox and McAskin, LLP.
The change is necessary because City Attorney Marcus McAskin has been retained through the law firm Widner, Michow and Cox but that firm is realigning into two firms and McAskin will now be with the Michow, Cox and McAskin law firm. The billing for services will continue at the same rate. The motion carried unanimously.
City Manager Miera then gave a report with regards to the Central City Police Department, which has had two officers leave recently. The Police Chief recommends an agreement with Black Hawk or the County.
Alderman Shirley Voorhies announced that she has been receiving complaints about snow removal. Voorhies also noted that there is no IGA regarding police services. Mayor Ron Engels stated that staff is putting together an IGA draft for shared services.
New Alderman Jeff Aiken was welcomed to the Council by Alderman Judy Laratta. During Public Forum, Larry Bartlett offered suggestions for events, noting that the schedule of events should be easier to find.
The Council then went into Executive Session in order to discuss strategies for negotiations, with regards to a property on Nevada Street and the suggested IGA for police services. Police Sergeant Stanton was invited to attend.
