Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta called the Central City Council meeting to order on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 7 p.m. In attendance was Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken and Alderman Kara Tinucci. Mayor Jeremy Fey and Alderman Jill Story were absent.

Ordinance No. 22-08 pertains to hauling fees, amending the Central City Municipal Code and establishing a Hauling Fee fund. City Manager Daniel Miera explained a public meeting was held on September 20, 2022. Young Ranch Resource is requesting to annex land for a quarry and a hauling fee fund is required for the hauling route. Under the terms of the agreement, Young Ranch Resource Quarry will provide funds for maintenance and repair of Central City Parkway. If repairs expenses exceed the fund, the operator will be responsible for the additional expense. A public forum was opened where Todd Williams asked if there is an opportunity in the future to raise the hauling fee if needed. Miera responded that a road condition index is built into the agreement and fees will automatically raise with inflation. The City can call for a study of the Parkway and renegotiate the contact if necessary. The Ordinance was approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. 22-09 approves the Development and Vested Property Rights Agreement with Young Ranch Resource LLC (YYR). City Attorney Marcus McAskin gave an overview of the Ordinance. The Ordinance was approved at its first public hearing held on September 20, 2022. Another public hearing was opened with Special Land Use Counsel Todd Messenger reviewing the terms of the agreement to provide rights to Young Ranch Resource LLC (YRR) during the lifespan of the mine. The standard period of time for the agreement is three years and the Ordinance extends the Vesting Period providing for stability of the rights granted if YRR satisfies conditions pertaining to the agreement. The Ordinance was passed unanimously.

Resolution No. 22-36 urges a yes vote on ballot Issue 2A in the general election on November 8, 2022. McAskin told Council they adopted Ordinance No. 22-07 which referred to an Occupation Tax on casinos gaming devices. This Resolution urges voters to approve the tax on the ballot. Alderman Tinucci inquired how the Resolution gets distributed. McAskin answered the normal means is the Resolution would be on the City website. No public advertising will be done to get the word out. Miera explained the Resolution replaces a fee with a tax on devices. The Resolution was approved unanimously.

Staff Updates: Aiken commented about the work the City has been doing and the hole on St. James Street. City Works manager Sam Hoover responded their crew has not finished with patching the roads.

Council Comments: Tinucci commented there will be a First Friday event on October 7, 2022, at the Hard District in Black Hawk. The Gilpin Recreation Center will hold a Spooky Monster event on October 22, 2022. Alderman Aiken was sorry Mayor Fey could not make the Council meeting tonight due to religious obligations. Mayor Pro Tem Laratta commented on the word “liberal.” She explained a liberal is a supporter of political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, democracy and free enterprise. She felt it has been given a bad name. She also felt it is very important to vote in the upcoming election.

Public Comment: Jim Crawford spoke on behalf of the Gilpin County Historical Society about the upcoming Creepy Crawl on October 14, 15, 21, 22, at 7 p.m. The crawl starts at Century Casino. Eric Langdon reminded the Council about 130 Main Street under contract for a new casino and he also reported there are plans for a new casino/restaurant called Bombshells Sportsbook and Casino to open on Gregory Street.

The meeting went into Executive Session.

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