Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. The Central City Council held a work session before their regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on October 1, 2019. The session focused on the Belvidere Theatre Rehabilitation Project. City Manager Daniel Miera presented an update on the financial status for the restoration of the theatre. Miera provided two options for an implementation plan for the council to consider as a return on investments from tax benefits from Central City businesses (most likely casinos).

The restoration of the Belvidere will be in three phases with funding budgets for each phase. Deon Wolfenbarger, who was hired by the city as a grant writer, also gave an update on funding opportunities for the theatre. She explained funding could come from multiple sources including tax credits, DOLA grant, private foundations and an enterprise zone. The city council will vote, and if approved, will move forward with the grant proposal and the other initiatives. 

The City Council meeting started at 7:12 p.m. with all council members present including Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jack Hidahl, Alderman Jeff Aiken and Alderman Jackie Johnson. 

The main item on the agenda covered a scholarship from the Central City Promise program request by Adria Bleske (Robbins) for $5000. The city developed the program to support their residents in continuing education. The Promise Program makes it possible for residents to attend universities, community college or trade school. Bleske addressed the council regarding her need for financial assistance to attend Rocky Mountain School of design. She relayed that she currently has a 3.8 GPA and a scholarship from the city would allow her to continue her schooling without getting student loans. Mrs. Bleske is a second-time applicant of the Promise Program and received funds in 2018. The city council applauded Bleske for her achievements and voted unanimously to award her the full scholarship. 

Mayor Fey reported that the city has been awarded a grant by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to create a master plan to build trails in and around the city. Other updates included projects from CU Denver student contributions to develop terrain and work on the Masonic Lodge. Alderman Judy Laratta relayed her concern about the dead trees along many of the streets and believes the chloride from the winter snowplows are to blame. 

City Manager Daniel Miera explained there is a lack of drainage from the runoff and the city has explored reducing the amount of ice slicer and adding more sand to the snow trucks. This would result in more sand on the road that would need to be cleaned up. Mayor Fey suggested using the ice slicer in areas where there are fewer trees. Public Works Director Sam Hoover claimed there is no evidence that the ice slicer is the problem and pointed out that additional product would require more storage. 

Alderman Aiken asked Hoover if the sand could be recycled. Hoover replied that this has been tried in the past but did not prove to be effective. Mayor Fey inquired if there is a plan to remove the dead trees in the city and City Manager Miera responded they are trying to identify a solution and currently looking into fire mitigation. 

Alderman Hidahl wanted to know the effect of the chloride on vegetation. He believes some trees are overgrown and they might be killing themselves. He pointed out rotting trees could fall and damage property and he would like to see about contacting CSU or the forest service for recommendations on this problem. 

Council comments included Mayor Fey’s announcement of the purchase of three casinos: Grand Z, Johnny Z’s and Z Casino in Black Hawk, by Maverick Gaming. 

Alderman Laratta thought there were great festivals and activities on Main Street over the summer, and Alderman Aiken felt the progress on the Belvidere Theatre is encouraging since the building has not been in use since 1992. Mayor Fey thanked the community for its involvement and support for the Plein Air Festival by the Central City Opera and the Gilpin County Arts Association. He thought this was a good model for future arts and entertainment in Central City. Alderman Hidahl wanted to discuss more topics as there was only one item on the agenda needing attention. 

Three people spoke in the public comment section. Mark Ragan, of Peak to Peak Players, announced the grand opening of their resident theater company at the Stables. The opening show features a meal and concert by Doug Fisichella on October 5, 2019. Future plans include an actors studio for children, a meeting space, square dancing, reading for toddlers, movie nights and much more. Ragan acknowledged Central City Opera for making the space available.

Barbara Thielemann represented the Main Street Commission and reported there will be cornstalks displayed along the street until the end of November. The third annual Pumpkin Patch will take place on October 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Big T lot across from City Hall. The festival will have a bounce house and trunk or treat activities. 

Deb Wray, from the Gilpin County Historical Society, reported the upcoming Creepy Crawl on October 18, 19, 25, 26 has some time periods already sold out. They are hoping to bring in huge crowds, as this event is their major fundraiser. The Cemetery Crawl held on September 7 brought in 200 people at Fairmont Cemetery. The museum is closing for the winter; however the society plans to have a volunteer appreciation event at the Stroehle House in the future. 

(Originally published in the October 10, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)