Alexander Joseph, Central City. On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, the Central City Council held both a work session and a regular meeting.

During the work session, Xcel Energy Representatives presented an Energy Action Plan to the Central City Council. A highlight of this plan was detailed by Sarah Martin. This plan entailed, in part, the opportunity for locals to invite Xcel service workers into their homes to get personalized information on energy efficiency measures, and for these servicemen to do this work as well. This work may include updates such as the changing of old lights into LED lights and the replacement of weather stripping, both of which would be done for low fees. This seemed to excite members of the council before a fifteen minute break was called before the start of the regular meeting. 

At 7 p.m. the regular meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta and council members Jeff Aiken, Jackie Johnson and Jack Hidahl. The Council discussed conflicts of interest with the proposed street closure. There were no conflicts of interest brought up.  

The consent agenda regarding the regular bill lists through September 3, 2020, and the City Council minutes from September 1, 2020, were passed unanimously. 

The forum was then opened to the public. Joe Behm, BID representative, voiced his concerns about the ability and legality of decibel measuring in parades. The public forum was closed at 7:06 p.m. 

Resolution 20-33, which extends the City of Central’s Declaration of Emergency to October 7, 2020, was passed unanimously by roll call vote. The Resolution will be discussed again at a meeting on October 6, 2020. 

The council then discussed Ordinance No. 20-12, which speaks to revisions that would “ensure event closure of major streets in the City would rest solely with City Council: while also ensuring a public notice process.” The details of which the City zones this ordinance would apply were much debated and spoken about at length. It eventually became clear that it was the preference of the council that it be required for event organizers to apply 45 days before the projected event and that the council would prefer it that the council approve all applications for events. It was then brought up that if there is a special event, would it be possible to amend this code to not deter special events that couldn’t apply in time. Discussion was then continued in regards to the day limit that would be required, as to if 45 days was too long or too short for all that needs to be done for a permit to be passed through the hand of the staff, the business owners and the council. It was eventually agreed that the second reading for this ordinance will be moved November 3, 2020, or later. This was passed unanimously. 

Public works director Sam Hoover discussed the ongoing 2020 Concrete Flatwork Project and the details of current bids for the concrete work that needs to be done, ultimately recommending a company to which the Council would award the job. There was much debate in regard to the cost of the job and some confusion as to if work was being approved during the pandemic. Ultimately, the motion to award the bid was approved 4-1. 

The Council discussed a request for a street closure for September 26 and 27, 2020. This street closure request is from the Central City Opera for the first day for their annual “Quick Draw Competition” and the second for an open-air concert. This street closure request was to limit traffic noise and also provide accessibility for expected handicapped visitors. Since the proposed dates are on a weekend, the Council determined that the street closure request would not be accepted. The application was denied unanimously.

Next, staff updates were shared, including information about the removal of dead trees from around the city. It was then recommended that certain areas of crash prone roads could be reduced to 5 mph. There were no decisions made during this time but there was much discussion of bad drivers in the area and how to make roads safer. 

Both the council comments and the public forum were opened and closed with no comments made. 

The council adjourned, moving into executive session.

(Originally published in the September 17, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)