The Central City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeremy Fey at 7:16 p.m. on June 7, 2022. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Kara Tinucci and Alderman Jill Story.

The Council opened up a Public Hearing for the Ordinances concerning Young Ranch Resource LLC. Karl Barton, consulting planner, explained the procedure of the Ordinances. The owner of Young Ranch Resource is asking for Industrial Zoning and will ask to join the Business Improvement District (BID) and pay taxes into the BID. Hauling fee will help with costs to maintain the Parkway.

Robert Young, owner of the property, addressed Council, presenting the vision of building a quarry which would be built in phases, with plans to revegetate as they go. An asphalt plant will be built to create a shortcut road; this would save money and time as they wouldn’t have to haul the asphalt up from Denver. The road would cut down the distance from the parkway to the quarry.

Jack Hidahl inquired about the studies that have been done and the impact on wildlife. City Manager Daniel Miera explained impact studies are done as applications progress. Kate Dougherty expressed concern about the impact a quarry would have on the environment and the noise impact. Wayne Butler asked if a special committee could be set up to regulate the taxes to the BID to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

Mayor Fey thanked the City staff, Barton and Young for their work on getting the process this far. Fey pointed out the Young family has owned the land for many years and cares about the community.

Ordinance No. 22-03: Young Ranch Resource Annexation. Approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. 22-04: Land Development Code and Amending the Official Zoning Map. Approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. 22-05: Hauling Fee Agreement with Young Ranch Resource LLC. Approved unanimously.

Resolution No. 22-21: Opting out of Family and Medical Leave Act. Gives employees a choice to opt in or out of the program. If the City stays in the program, employees would have to pay a fee for the program. City Manager Miera asked for feedback from city staff; finding no disagreements, Council approved unanimously.

Appointment to HPC alternate: Shawn Connelly approved unanimously.

Resolution No. 22-22: Special Event Application for the Yellow Rose Ball on June 25, 2022. The event is a tradition with the Opera. Lisa Roemhildt asked Council for the street closure for 4:45- 6 p.m. The Resolution was approved unanimously.

Staff Updates: Miera gave Council questions to answer based on their retreat.

Council Comments: Mayor Pro Tem Laratta urged residents to watch the January 6 hearings on TV on Thursday, June 9. Alderman Tinucci thanked the Public Works Department for their outstanding work. Alderman Story also thanked the staff and everyone who attended the meeting. Mayor Fey announced Levit Street Market is now open on Sundays. He commented that Black Hawk Founders Day was a success and the upcoming Gilpin Arts Association 75th Jubilee will be on June 10 and 11, 2022.

Public Comments: Barbara Thielemann invited the Council to the Central City Opera Picnic on June 27, 2022, which is sponsored by the Belvidere Foundation. Bill Porter from the BID told Council they are comfortable with the documents from Young Ranch Resource and thought the Council made the correct decision approving the annexation. The meeting went into Executive Session at 9:32 p.m.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on July 5, 2022, at Central City Hall, 141 Nevada St. or online. Information can be found on the City website centralcity.colorado. gov/meetings.