Monica LaSalle, Central City. On April 16, 2019, the City Council held their regular meeting at 6 p.m. with all members of the council in attendance. After attending to the formalities, Councilman Jack Hidahl disclosed that he was contacted by a resident regarding Resolution 19-07 but did not respond, only took notes of the monologue. Councilman Aiken then disclosed that he was also contacted, and also just listened.

Attorney Marcus Mcaskin responded, saying it is not a conflict.

Confirming there were no other conflicts of interest or amendments/ additions to the agenda, the council settled down to briefly review and approve the consent agenda, with City Manager Miera bringing to the attention of the council the Walker Parking consulting contract that began before the majority of the new council started. Responding to a question brought up at the beginning of the year, he reported that the study should be completed sometime in July, with all information combined at that time. It is an ongoing process to establish parking needs, a response to frequent requests and demands from community members to increase parking. The funding comes from the Main Street budget. With no further issues, Councilwoman Laratta moved to approve, with Councilman Aiken seconding and unanimous approval.

The council moved on to hearing from resident Lisa Leben, who urged them to table Resolution 19-09 which establishes a sidewalk design of gray concrete with a broom finish. “As a fan of the red colored concrete, I would like more consideration for the design in the downtown corridor,” said Leben, requesting further discussion of the original plan. Resident Deb Wray chose to address council on the same issue, expressing agreement.

Moving on in the agenda, discussion turned to Resolution 19-07, where multiple questions were presented by Councilman Hidahl with responses presented by Mark Van Arc, broker and representative of the seller group and Philip Devon representing Global Funding Partners. Concerns discussed covered issues of water supply, storm water drainage, a secondary access road, ambiguity of future responsibility for maintaining infrastructure, the timing established in the current contract as applicable to new developer and general updating of contract terms regarding site improvement agreements. After a long debate over details of expressed concerns, the council agreed to table the decision once again in favor of a work session to be scheduled as soon as April 23, 2019, out of consideration for the new developers concerns over timing as well as consideration of a Title 32 Metro District as proposed by Councilman Hidahl. Councilwoman Mitchell motioned to approve, with Councilman Aiken seconding and unanimous approval.

Resolution 19-08 was next on the agenda for discussion, with Public Works Manager Hoover presenting and explaining his approval of a primary objective to upgrade storm water master plan with approval of a Professional Service Agreement with Miller Engineers. The expense would be for an on call engineering service not to exceed $20,000. Councilman Hidahl requested information about the background and reputation of the company in question, with Manager Miera giving some background information on the company. Councilman Aiken moved to approve, with Councilwoman Laratta seconding and unanimous approval.

Public Works Manager Hoover remained at the podium to help the council consider Resolution 19-09, the sidewalk installation. He publicly thanked the resident who spoke up to express her opinion, and reminded the council that the proposed changes to the original plan were requested of him at the behest of expressed safety concerns over the performance of the new sidewalks already installed. Hoover objectively reported all options that considered both aesthetics and affordability. After much discussion, Councilman Hidahl moved to modify the plan to install the remainder of the sidewalks in red with a broom finish, with Councilman Aiken seconding the motion. Councilwoman Laratta and Mayor Fey both voting disapproval. Alderman Aiken moved to table Resolution 19-09, the gray cement resolution, indefinitely and was seconded by Alderwoman Mitchell and Alderwoman Laratta simultaneously. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 19-10 was introduced by Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator Jack Beard. Approval of the resolution would be for a nonexclusive, revocable license agreement with the Colorado Division of Water Resources for City-owned property in Clear Creek County, relocating a stream gauging station that is located in Clear Creek County on Fall River Road. Owned by Idaho Springs, Central City has design rights for a diversion pipeline that Beard says should be protected. When Alderman Aiken asked if it helps protect the city’s water rights in the future, Beard affirmed. Alderman Aiken then moved to approve Resolution 19-10 which was seconded by Alderwomen Mitchell and Laratta simultaneously. The motion passed unanimously.

With no comments on staff reports, Mayor Fey initiated staff comments by requesting the opinion of his fellow councilmembers regarding having a farmer’s market in the lot at the intersection of Spring and Lawrence Streets, asking if they thought it would benefit the city. Councilman Aiken expressed it to be worth a try. The mayor then thanked Councilman Hidahl for his thorough research and presentation of concerns over resolutions they are asked to consider, stating “it helps me feel better about the decisions we make.”

With no other comments, the mayor then opened the floor to the public and the president of the Historical Preservation Commission, Deb Wray, announced they are having a 50th Anniversary Dinner on May 6, 2019 and would like people from the City of Central to attend. It is a fundraiser for the Gilpin Historical Society and will be at the Ameristar. Mark your calendars!

(Originally published in the May 2, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)