Mayor Jeremy Fey called the Central City Council meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. On August 16, 2022. In attendance was Mayor Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Kara Tinucci, Alderman Jill Story.

Consent Agenda: Resolution No. 20-31 awards the work for the 2022 Rotomill and Overlay Projects to Straight Line Sawcutting Inc. and authorizes the City Manager to execute the construction contract. Resolution No. 22-32 awards the work for the 2022 Flatwork Project to Fasick Concrete Inc. and authorizes the City Manager to execute the construction contract. Resolution No. 22-33 awards the work for the 2022 Moriarty Street Guardrail Installation Project to Ideal Fencing Corporation LLC and authorizes the City Manager to execute the construction contract. Resolution No. 22-34 approves a revocable month to month Lease Agreement with E and B Enterprises for retail use of a portion of Visitor Center property located at 103 Eureka Street. All Resolutions were approved unanimously.

Central City Promise Program: Ashley Blondo requested $5000 to continue her education at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and was a recipient of the program last year. Ashley is studying Psychology and Philosophy with a minor in Communications. She would like to become a therapist and work with children with communication disorders. Finance Manager Abagail Robbins informed Council all the money in the program had been spent and more money would need to be allocated to award the scholarship. The Council voted to increase the Promise Program budget and awarded the scholarship to Ms. Blondo.

ResolutionNo.22-30awardsaChange Order to contract with A-1 Chipseal for the Cape Seal Project. Public Works director Sam Hoover explained to the Council the company did additional work due to an accounting error by City staff and should be compensated for the work. Mayor Fey wanted to wait on voting until they could hear from the company. Mayor Pro Tem Laratta asked if Hoover thought A-1 Chipseal was a good company and he vouched for the responsibility they displayed over the oil spill incident in July. Alderman Story was in favor of awarding the money but wanted A-1 Chipseal to clarify their mistakes. Attorney Marcus McAskin pointed out A-1 Chipseal had extended their warranty from two years to three years. However, it was not stated in the change order. McAskin recommended amending the Resolution to include the warranty. The Council amended the Resolution and it passed 4-1 with Mayor Fey voting no.

Ordinance No. 22-07 submitting a Ballot Issue on the November 8, 2022, General Election concerning the imposition of Occupational Tax on Gaming Devices. City Manager Daniel Miera explained the need to increase the device fees due to the lack of adjustment and resultant stagnation in fee amounts along with annual inflation and the declining purchasing power of the US dollar continues to adversely affect the City’s budget. Miera explained without an increase the City will not be able to continue to provide current levels of service. The Council would like to hear from the casino owners at the second reading. The Ordinance was amended to include $1,581 per device fee but not to exceed $1,665. The Council approved the Ordinance and will have a second reading on September 6, 2022.

Council Comments: Mayor Pro Tem Laratta would like to see “Welcome to Central City” signs on the Scarlet building and the Century Casino building. Alderman Tinucci thanked the staff for their work on Lou Bunch Day and thought it was a success. Alderman Story stated Lou Bunch was her favorite in Central City and had a great time. Story announced she would like to start the Clara Brown Society as a non-profit that would help others in the area and is looking for people to get involved. Mayor Fey reported he had a meeting about developing a Creative Arts District for the area and encouraged anyone to contact him that would like to be involved. Fey commented on the recent incident at Gilpin School District where school was closed due to a threat from a social media post. He thanked the Sheriff’s Office for their judgment to investigate the post and thanked the Gilpin School District for their quick messaging to parents. Fey added his heart also went out to the child who made the post and his family.

The Council voted to go into Executive Session at 8:52 p.m.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on September 6, 2022, at Central City Hall, 141 Nevada Street or online. Information can be found on the Central City website centralcity. colorado.gov/meetings.