Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. The Central City council meeting convened via videoconference at 2:06 p.m. on June 16, 2020. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Jackie Johnson and Alderman Jack Hidahl.

The council began the meeting with a vote of Resolution No. 20:21 approving the amended and restated Intergovernmental Agreement between Central City and Black Hawk. The original agreement was dated September 29, 1999, and identified growth areas between the two cities located in unincorporated Gilpin County. The new agreement will replace the original 1999 Agreement with desires to establish growth areas for the respective cities. The Resolution was approved 5-0. 

Resolution No. 20-22  extends the City of Central’s Local Emergency Disaster Declaration through July 8, 2020. The first Declaration was adopted on March 17, 2020, and has been extended several times. The current Resolution No. 20:20 runs through June 27, 2020. The Resolution was approved 5-0. 

Arleen Taniwaki of Arland Land Use Economics presented a market study of downtown Central City. The study showed there has been a significant impact on the economy due to Covid-19, however, the study showed long-term growth projections over the next 20 years.

The results of the study identified gambling, special events and seeing historic buildings as the top reasons visitors currently come to Central City. Suggestions for downtown features included additional arts, theater, music venues and restaurants. Additional retail and gaming venues were also stated. Building owners suggest that more foot traffic, housing options and activities would make property ownership more profitable. Owners would like to see the City take a more proactive approach toward filling empty buildings and bringing development and investment to the community. Mayor Fey asked for recommendations for growth and Taniwaki stated the economy should grow if people can find affordable housing closer to where they work. She also suggested one district to include both entertainment and residential. Alderman Hidahl inquired about growth along Central City Parkway. Taniwaki answered an industrial area could be expanded along the Parkway. 

Daniel Miera reported all casinos were approved to open June 17 at 8 a.m. Alderman Hidahl suggested a partnership between the City and the casinos to provide free masks to the visitors. 

Alderman Aiken remarked a property on the Historic Register had taken down the chimney and felt that was not coherent with code. Aiken also would like to see more cooperation between Black Hawk and Central City governments, and he acknowledged the officials do what is best for their city. Alderman Johnson was glad the casinos were opening and she would like to see people in masks for protection. Alderman Hidahl noticed in the last three months there have been a lax in code enforcement for sign violations and he felt that needed to be addressed. He would like to see the Council place a moratorium on code enforcements rather than have City staff take care of it. Alderman Aiken brought up a need for a 5 mph sign to be posted on Nevada Street due to the dangerous intersection in the winter. Mayor Fey declared June 17 was a big day for the City with the casinos opening back up giving people the opportunity to express their desire to gamble. The meeting was adjourned at 3:53 p.m. The next virtual council meeting will be held on July 7, 2020, at 2 p.m.

 Go to https://centralcity.colorado.gov/meetings to attend the meeting. 

(Originally published in the June 25, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)