The Black Hawk City Council approved creating the Clear Creek Watershed and Forest Health Partnership during a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 211 Church Street.

The Council also approved the First Amendment to a Subdivision and Development Agreement between the City and Club Vista Properties II, LLC, and continued a resolution conditionally approving a Certificate of Architectural Compatibility for the Demolition of Gold Mine and Silver Hawk casinos.

Public Works Director Tom Isbester introduced the ordinance approving a Memorandum of Understanding Creating the Clear Creek Watershed and Forest Health Partnership. He said retired Water Manager Jim Ford started the project in order to make sure the forests stay healthy.

The Partnership grew out of the Clear Creek Watershed Association’s wildfire study done by Matrix Engineering between 2019 and 2021. It recommended many improvements for the watershed.

The Partnership members will be the City of Arvada, Clear Creek County, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Town of Empire, Gilpin County, City of Golden, Jefferson County, and City of Westminster. The agreement states, “By joining this Partnership, we will coordinate with the other Clear Creek water users to reduce wildfire risk through mitigation and forest health projects in our watersheds.”

All participation is voluntary and any specific project funding will be subject to appropriation. The term of the MOU is five years from the effective date. According to Isbester, “Because wildfire would severely disrupt Black Hawk’s water supply, staff recommends approval of and membership in this MOU.”

Mayor David Spellman said the Colorado Department of Transportation should participate because they have many dead trees on the highway right of way. He suggested that they seem not to be able to take care of their own property.

Isbester said he would look into it, and the Council approved the ordinance.

City Attorney Corey Hoffmann introduced a resolution approving the First Amendment to the Subdivision and Development Agreement between the City and Club Vista Properties II, LLC, regarding the Black Hawk Park Subdivision.

The City and Club Vista previously entered into an agreement dated March 24, 2021, which required the developer to complete the necessary overlot grading on Miner’s Mesa by June 1, 2021; however, the work wasn’t completed until July 19, 2021.

This resulted in a claim for delay damages from JBS, the contractor performing the work on Miner’s Mesa for the City. “The amount of the delay damages won’t be fully known until the project is complete.”

This amendment allows the project to move forward pending the resolution of the delay damages, which is expected by October 1, 2022. “The City and Club Vista agree the developer’s financial responsibility for delays related to JBS will not exceed $300,000. The City may also withhold any certificate of occupancy until the grading delay with JBS is resolved.”

Hoffmann said the amendment was drafted this way because the City needs the ability to exert its authority. Spellman said it also involves a land swap that will give them contiguous lots. The Council approved the resolution.

The Council agreed to continue a resolution conditionally approving a Certificate ofArchitectural Compatibility for the Demolition of Gold Mine Casino and the Silver Hawk Casino located at 7291 Black Hawk Boulevard and 100 Chase Street. The Public Hearing was extended to August 24.

The next meeting of the City of Black Hawk Council will be on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 2011 Church Street in Black Hawk. For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.