The Central City Council held a work session at 6:30 p.m. before the regular scheduled meeting on September 21, 2021. The work session focused on a lease agreement between the City and the Belvidere Foundation. City Manager Daniel Miera suggested the City should lease the Belvidere Theatre to the Belvidere Foundation for purposes of obtaining tax credits to fund the restoration of the building. Miera suggested a 10-year lease with the option to terminate or renew upon completion of the Belvidere restoration. Estimated time frame is three to five years to completion. Information on the Belvidere can be found on the City website www.centralcity.colorado.gov.

The regular City Council meeting was called to Order at 7:01 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, and Alderman Kara Tinucci. Alderman Tinucci recused herself from Historic Preservation Reimbursement Grant Application recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission because her residence was one of the applicants.

Deb Wray spoke in the Public Forum pertaining to the Colorado and Southern Gondola Railcar non-compliance notice. The gondola is on loan to the South Park Rail Society, which is repairing the gondola and will display it until 2028. Wray requested the City terminate the agreement and return the gondola to Central City sooner because the South Park Rail Society has not completed the repairs within the timeline.

Community Development Director Ray Rears asked the Council for direction regarding the non-compliance. The current agreement stipulates the work would be completed by September 4, 2020. An extension was given because of the pandemic; however, the work has not yet been completed. Tom Lawson of the South Park Historical Society addressed Council and explained the delay in the restoration. Tim Bain attended the meeting remotely and formally requested an extension from Council. The Council voted unanimously to extend the lease agreement to August 15, 2022 to complete the project.

Resolution No. 21-26 repeals Resolution No. 19-03 to adopt remote participation and remote meeting policy, while Ordinance No. 21-05 amends Rule 9 of the City Council Rules and Procedure. Miera told Council the Ordinance is required to come before City Council and the Resolution specifies the circumstances under which the members of City Council and the members of Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees may participate in meetings by telephone or other electronic means. Council approved the change unanimously.

Alderman Tinucci left the room and Council addressed the Historic Paint Reimbursement Application. The HPC denied an application for the grant because the work was done prior to the approval of the Committee. After some discussion, City Attorney Marcus McAskin suggested the Council send the request back to the HPC with their recommendation to approve the application. The Council approved the suggestion.

Staff Updates: Speed limit enforcement signs have been ordered for Central City Parkway. The Central City Press Club will hold an event at the Belvidere Pocket Park on Sept. 30, 2021. The Division of Gaming Free Pilot Program was posted on the web site July 10, 2021, with new rules. Lake Gulch Road/Miners Mesa Road will be closed to through traffic with repairs.

Covid-19 Update: As of September 21, Gilpin County has had 378 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with three cases reported in the last seven days. There have been 19 hospitalizations and three Covid-related deaths.

Council Comments: Alderman Tinucci thanked the staff and volunteers for the 9/11 sign that was recently put up and thought it was well done. Alderman Aiken agreed with Tinucci and was glad a local artist was found to do the work. Mayor Pro-Tem Laratta stated she was sorry to have missed some recent events due to surgery and her recovery. Mayor Fey promoted the upcoming Plein Air Festival on Sept. 25 and 26.

Public Comment: Joe Behm felt the speed limit on the Central City Parkway was too low and should be changed to 10 mph above the current limit.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on October 15, 2021 at the City Council building or on Zoom. Information can be found at www.centralcity.colorado.gov.