The Central City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeremy Fey on January 4, 2022, at 7 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken and Alderman Kara Tinucci.

City Manager Daniel Miera requested an executive session to be added to the agenda following the Public Forum. Council approved the amendment to the agenda.

A moment of silence was observed for Cody and Shelby Allen in remembrance of their deaths on December 11, 2020.

The Council approved the following annual appointments: Judy Laratta to remain as Mayor Pro-Tem for 2022, The Weekly Register Call as the Legal Publication for 2022, Alderman Tinucci to remain as representative for the DRCOG. Daniel Miera will remain as representative for the Gilpin Ambulance Authority until after the January 25 special election, Mayor Fey will remain as the representative for the I-70 Coalition, Mayor Pro Tem Laratta will remain as the representative for the Local Emergency Planning Commission.

Resolution No. 22-01 designated the public place for posting of notices and meetings in Central City. Postings will be found on the City website, the entrance to City Hall, and the Central City Post Office. The motion was approved unanimously.

Resolution No. 22-02 approved the Memorandum of Understanding with CC Tollgate, LLC, regarding the installation, use and maintenance of an Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Station at the Century Garage. Central City Planner and Main Street Advisor Lisa Roemhildt reported that City Staff had presented information to the City Council for funding opportunities of EV charging stations during a work session.

Funding has been secured from a Charge Ahead Colorado grant for $9,000 and The Colorado Main Program in the amount of $7,500. Century Garage is being proposed as the location for one dual port charging station. The funding would cover equipment, construction, labor, maintenance, and software updates for five years. The charging station fee for the public would offset utility usage and software management. The motion was approved unanimously.

Staff Updates: Public Utilities Director Jack Beard reported on the recent water main breaks as a result of poor installation in 1993. He stated that the department has an aggressive plan to make repairs this year. They also plan to create the ability to pump water to other parts of the City if another break occurs.

Miera reported there have been 47 cases of Covid registered in Gilpin County in the last five days; however, there have been no hospitalizations or deaths.

Council Comments: Alderman Tinucci attended the meeting remotely and explained she had tested positive for Covid. She is vaccinated and dealing with the symptoms. She encouraged everyone to be careful and she understands the current testing issues are challenging.

Alderman Aiken thought the City crew did a great job on the streets during the snowstorm on New Year’s Eve. Laratta wished everyone a Happy New Year.

She also read a statement concerning her embarrassment about a post on Twitter that Mayor Fey had made regarding Bitcoin and his wish for it to be a reality for Central City in the future. She pointed out Bitcoin is not allowed under Colorado Law as a currency for the City. Fey responded that he would like the Council to learn more about Bitcoin and would welcome a work session on it. He felt it was part of leadership to be curious about future technology.

Public Forum: Shawn Michael Connelly requested that the speed limit sign on Gregory Street with a low battery be fixed. He would also like to see a stronger law enforcement presence for drivers going the wrong way on the oneway street.

Jill Story inquired if the City rents out property that it owns. She would like to see a dog park on ten acres that the City owns. David Josslyn reported there is Covid testing at the Gilpin County Public Health Building on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The lines are long and he encouraged people to go at the end of the day.

At 7:53 p.m., Council went into Executive Session.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on January 18, 2022, at Central City Hall, 141 Nevada Street or online. Information can be found on the City website centralcity.colorado.gov/ meetings.