CENTRAL CITY - The Central City Council convened on March 18, 2025, for a work session at 6:09 p.m., focusing on critical issues including the fire department master plan and a temporary access request for the Mighty Argo Cable Car project.

Fire department master plan

Michael J. Hogan, project manager for Emergency Services Consulting International, presented the fire department master plan, emphasizing the need to modernize the Central City Fire Department and address staffing shortages. The City has seen a 26% population increase from 2010 to 2022, resulting in higher emergency call volumes.

Hogan and his team evaluated three potential locations for a new fire station, with the current Station 2 site and the Boodle Mill location at 1152 Upper Apex Road identified as the most suitable due to their proximity to residential areas. 

He also recommended acquiring a ladder truck to enhance emergency response capabilities, referencing the Clear Creek Fire’s use of such a truck during the Hawley Building fire on March 16. 

Additionally, he suggested increasing the department's paid full-time staff and implementing 24-hour shifts to ensure adequate coverage. The estimated cost for the new fire station ranges from $10.5 million to $19.8 million.

Fire Chief Gary Allen acknowledged the financial challenge but stressed the need for improvements, stating, “I totally understand it’s going to be expensive. I had six of my guys on the recent fire, and they were dead tired.”

Temporary access for the Mighty Argo Cable Car project

Bryan McFarland, project manager for Miners Point Ventures, presented a request to use a temporary staging area for constructing the Mighty Argo Cable Car near Central City Parkway.  The planned timeframe for the project is April to October, with helicopter activity limited to a single day.

The construction site, located on Santa Fe Mine Road, will receive shipping containers carrying gondola components. The gondola will span 1.2 miles, climbing 1,300 feet in elevation to reach Virginia Canyon, also known as “Miner’s Point.”

Mayor Jeremy Fey deferred to Alderman Chuck Spencer, whose KOA campsite is nearby, to weigh in on potential noise concerns. Spencer questioned the impact on campers, and McFarland assured him that noise would be restricted to Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The project will involve 70 trucks making deliveries over 90 days, similar to the truck activity seen in the Floyd Hill I-70 project.

Regular city council meeting

The regular session commenced at 7:09 p.m. with a full council in attendance. Among the key agenda items was the Central City Promise Program request from Alexander Rodriguez-Jimenez. He was awarded $5,000 to complete his education. Fey expressed enthusiasm for supporting students in achieving higher education goals.

Increased fines for snow and ice removal

City Attorney Alexis King introduced Ordinance No. 25-01, which amends municipal code provisions regarding snow and ice removal from city sidewalks in the Downtown Commercial Core. 

The ordinance proposes increased fines for non-compliance. Following a public hearing, the ordinance was unanimously approved.

Controversial admission fee ordinance

The council debated Ordinance No. 25-02, which establishes a new admission fee to fund public safety and event-related infrastructure improvements. The proposed fee originally stood at 10%, but following public pushback, it was reduced to 5%.

During the public hearing, representatives from Central City Opera, Gilpin Historical Society, and local businesses voiced concerns. 

Scott Finlay of Central City Opera warned that a 10% fee would significantly raise ticket prices, making attendance less affordable. 

Jim Crawford from the Gilpin Historical Society pointed out that smaller events already struggle with visitor turnout and that additional fees could further deter attendees.

Mary Laffey, manager of the Golden Rose antique store, asked how the fee went from 4% to 10%. She said 10% is too high for the opera.

Council members debated the best funding approach for City improvements. Alderman Marcia Enloe expressed a preference for a tax instead of a fee, as tax revenue could be allocated more flexibly. She stood against the 10% fee, favoring the original suggestion of a 4% fee.

Alderman Zane Plsek said the fee is for the greater good of residents and visitors alike, to make the city safer—for instance, improving the lighting, or crosswalks. He said he is behind the 10% number.

Alderman Todd Williams said every event costs the City some extra time and money. “The money needed to improve the city has to come from somewhere,” he said.

Following Fey’s request to reconsider the fee percentage, Spencer proposed an amendment to lower the rate to 5%, which was unanimously approved. 

At Fey’s request, another amendment was made to remove marketing expenditures from the ordinance, ensuring that funds would be directed solely toward safety and infrastructure improvements. The revised ordinance passed unanimously.

Public comment and closing remarks

During public comment, Barbara Thielemann praised the council for securing a new trash collection provider but criticized the high cost of recycling services.  She also suggested that vacant buildings be inspected and locked to prevent trespassing.

Gilpin County Commissioner and former Central alderman Jeff Aiken suggested that additional mill levies be considered to support the fire department. 

The council concluded the meeting by thanking Central City Fire Department personnel for their efforts in extinguishing the Hawley Building fire.

Fey theorized that the Hawley Building fire may have been caused by a vagrant attempting to keep warm. He pointed to the larger issue of many buildings in Central City sitting vacant, which creates conditions for such incidents to occur.

The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m., marking another step toward addressing Central City’s evolving public safety and infrastructure needs.

The next regular meeting of the Central City Council is scheduled for April 1, 2025, and can be accessed online via the website or attended in person at City Hall located at 141 Nevada Street.