Alexander Joseph, Central City. Central City Council started a work session, on  October 6, 2020, on the Revised Budget for the Fiscal Year of 2020 and a preliminary draft of the 2021 Budget. It was noted that by mid-october the draft of this budget is due with an end goal of having a budget adapted by December 15, 2020. 

There was first a discussion on the amended 2020 budget and some funds have been moved around to allow to get to a fiscal level of equity that needed to be achieved. It was discussed that after the last budget meeting they were still needed to find around $530,000 for the general fund from other funds, but with the amended budget this figure was only around $60,000. This money came from a variety of funds, including the hardest hit section which was transportation. It was mentioned that the revenues are down and that the city is expecting a financial hit from a water valve street in Eureka street. 

The work session then moved on to the proposed 2021 Budget. It was stated that there have been cuts that were made and that there have been reductions this year in revenue and that it is expected that those reductions will continue into the coming fiscal year. Those presenting the budget mentioned that the Budget included an expectation of more Covid-19 related closures for the coming year. It was discussed how in many revenue streams, the money that comes in was at times halved due to the pandemic. The potential savings and risks of canceling the shuttle were discussed. The amended draft of the 2021 budget was gone through in part, and it was mentioned that there will be more work sessions in which to discuss and amend this budget. 

At around 6pm The work session transitioned into a discussion on Ordinance 20-12 which was related to Proposed Special Event Regulations. The councilmembers deliberated upon the decibel level of street events and how or not to regulate these levels. One of the arguments against decibel measuring was that these levels were hard to enforce as it would require hiring someone with expensive and rare equipment to determine decibel ratings. The conversation then turned to street parades and their routes through Central City. It was decided closures needed to be defined. The precise dollar amount of fees was discussed for the special events. 

The Regular meeting of the Central City Council came to order at 7:13 p.m. Roll call was taken and in attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta and council members Jeff Aiken, Jackie Johnson and Jack Hidahl. Judy Laratta motioned that the council adjourned for executive session and that move was passed. The Council then went into executive session until 7:56 p.m. 

The meeting re-opened after the executive session and the pledge of allegiance was said. It was asked if there were any conflicts of interest and there were none. The Consent agenda contained the bill list for September 15th along with the minutes from the city council minutes from the same date. The consent agenda was approved unanimously. 

Lisa Roemhildt then presented on agenda number 7 which was “Resolution No. 20-35: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado adopting the 2020 Energy Action Plan and authorizing execution of the Memorandum of Understanding for Phase 2.” This Energy Action Plan includes sustainability and renewable energy initiatives for both residential and commercial enterprises. There were some questions about electric car charging stations and it was noted that the specifics of charging stations will be discussed in work sessions later on. The potential for getting grants to help implement this plan was discussed and the council seemed to want to continue to look into grant options. The resolution was voted on and passed with 4-1. 

Agenda item 8 was then discussed, this agenda item was Resolution No. 20-36: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado, approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between Gilpin County, the City of Black Hawk, and the City of Central regarding Lake Gulch Road. Judy Laratta moved to table the resolution indefinitely and this motion was passed unanimously. 

Agenda item 9 regarded Resolution No. 20-37: A resolution extending the City of Central’s Local Emergency Disaster Declaration. Councilwoman Judy Laratta motioned to pass this extension and this was passed unanimously. 

During the Council Comments, Councilwoman Judy Laratta urged her constituents to participate in local government more often. Councilman Jeff Aiken suggested the council support a ballot initiative to increase funding for the Gilpin County Sheriff.

Councilwoman Jackie Johnson in turn suggested that the council support a ballot initiative detailing increased funding for the Gilpin County Library. Councilman Aiken withdrew his request for the vote of support for the initiative when it seemed it would not be a unanimous vote for. 

At 8:55 the meeting was adjourned. 

(Originally published in the October 8, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)