The Central City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jeremy Fey on May 17, 2022, at 7 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Kara Tinucci, and Alderman Jill Story. Mayor Fey declared a conflict of interest on Resolution No. 22-20 authorizing the limited use of Levit Street for the summer market, for which Mayor Fey is the organizer.

Resolution No. 22-17 approves the Central City design guidelines. The guidelines recognize the historical preservation of Central City and have not been updated since 2018. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recommended revisions to improve the guidelines. The Resolution was passed unanimously.

The Council convened a Board of Adjustment at 7:06 p.m. and elected Alderman Aiken as the Chairperson. Resolution 2022-BOA-R-01 is a request to approve the Friedrich Variance concerning parking on Eureka Street Block 28-21.

Interim Community Development Director Lisa Roemhildt detailed the Variance to Council, then Applicant Terry Friedrich addressed the Council explaining a driveway would disturb the historic rock wall. There was also an electrical box and a tree that prohibited any on-site parking. He asked to be allowed two parking spaces for his property where he is planning on building a cottage. The cars would be three feet from the rock wall and allow a right of way for other vehicles.

Mayor Fey asked Staff if there would be any issues with future developments. The response was that future applications will be handled on an individual basis. Mayor Fey would like the fire department to verify that emergency vehicles can get through the road. The Resolution passed 4 to 1 with Alderman Aiken opposed.

The Promise Program Requests: Logan Lovingier and Alexander Rodriquez-Jimenez made a request for continuing secondary education tuition assistance through the Central City Promise Program. Logan will attend Front Range Community College in Ft. Collins then plans to transfer to CSU. Alexander will attend Red Rocks Community College and would like to go into construction engineering. Council approved an amount of $5,000 for each applicant.

The Council held public hearings for the Young Ranch Recourse Annexation: Resolution No. 22- 18 regarding the annexation of the property; Resolution No. 22- 03 regarding certain territories; Ordinance No. 22-04 establishing zoning; and Ordinance No. 22- 05 regarding the Hauling Fee Agreement.

Karl Barton, representing Young Ranch, addressed Council and explained each Resolution and stated the Planning Commission recommends approval of the Annexation. The owners plan to open a quarry operation if approved.

The community stated their opinions during public comment: Betty Mahaffey is in favor of the Young Ranch Annexation and pointed out gravel is necessary for daily lives. Sierra Rodd is opposed and felt a quarry would be bad for the environment and sacrifice homes. She pointed out another quarry is located not too far from Young Ranch.

Kate Zackerty is opposed to the quarry and stated concerns over the environmental impact on wildlife. Jeremy Kaiser is in opposition to the quarry and felt it would tax the natural resources. He added that a distillery in the area is already planned. Joe Behm of the Business Improvement District (BID) reminded Council that the property owner must petition the BID as a condition of the approval. The public hearing was then paused until June 7, 2022.

Resolution No. 22-19 approves a First Amendment for services with C&L Water Solutions, Inc.: extension and transfer of Appropriations related to the amendment. Water Director Jack Beard demonstrated the situation and how the valve operation is in need of repair with new hardware. He reminded the Council of a water main break that happened on Christmas Eve 2021 and advised replacing the faulty valves so another incident would not happen again. The project is estimated to take six weeks. Council approved the Resolution unanimously.

Resolution No. 22-20 authorizes the limited and conditional use of Levit Street. A Resolution was passed in 2021 to open Levit Street Market on Sundays throughout the summer. Council felt the Market was a success for the community last year and passed the Resolution unanimously.

Mayor Fey declared a public proclamation to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Weekly Register Call. The Proclamation was given to Don Ireland, who was covering the meeting for the newspaper.

Staff Updates: City Manager Daniel Miera reported that he attended a regional broadband services meeting through Gilpin County, Clear Creek County, and Nederland. There are opportunities to expand and improve broadband in all these areas.

Central City has been awarded $150,000 through the Main Street Program. A new vendor has been approved above the Visitor’s Center for a retail pottery business. The County is in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

Council Comments: Alderman Tinucci thanked the staff for their hard work and was excited about the opening of Eureka Street Popcorn. Alderman Story also congratulated Eureka Street Popcorn and JKQ on their grand opening at Crooks Palace. Mayor Fey commented that Eureka Street was the place to be on Saturday, May 14, at the Grand Opening of Eureka Popcorn. He reminded the public that the Gilpin Arts Association will hold their 75th Annual Juried show on June 11.

Public Comment: Gilpin County Manager Ray Rears is making it a point to visit meetings in the County and attended the City Council meeting as a way to keep in touch. Rears was recently appointed to his new position after serving as the Central City Community Development Director.

The City Council went into Executive Session at 9:21 p.m.

The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 7, 2022, at City Hall, 141 Nevada Street Central. City or online. Information can be found on the City web site centralcity. colorado.gov/meetings.