Under scrutiny: Resident Zane Plsek voiced concerns over Mayor Jeremy Fey’s association with RCI Hospitality and the current issue of allowing sexually-oriented businesses in Central City.[/caption]

The Central City Council meeting on June 4, 2024 was well attended. After routine agenda items were addressed, those members of the public filling the meeting room expressed their concerns, ideas, and opinions in the public comment period regarding the potential introduction of a Sexually-Oriented Business (SOB) in the City.

Notably, Zane Plsek rose to speak, he said, for the citizens of the town. He recommended there be an unbiased investigation into whether Mayor Jeremy Fey has a conflict of interest regarding his connection to RCI Hospitality and their application for a SOB in Central City.

Plsek indicated that he had recently attended three of Fey’s public meetings on the topic held at the Elks Lodge, and reported that every resident at those meetings spoke in opposition to an SOB operating on Main Street.

Plsek said, “Mayor Fey operates a retail location on Main Street in a building owned by RCI where he pays sales percentage-based rent. Mayor Fey confirmed, after a resident directly asked him, that he has taken a trip on the RCI private jet and attended an event in Texas with RCI officials.

“When asked about this, Mayor Fey said he did not pay anything for this trip and viewed the trip as something a friend did for him and he did not consider it an ethics-in-government issue. Keep in mind this ‘friend’ [RCI] has business interests to be considered in front of this City Council, such as zoning changes, in order to allow them to open an SOB on Main Street.”

Plsek added that City residents believe there is just cause for an investigation into whether Fey has violated Article 29 of the State Constitution that limits the acceptable dollar amount given to any official to be $50 per year.

He also stated that residents believe the Council should wait on deciding anything until Gilpin County receives a response to its recent Request For Proposal (RFP).

The County has issued an RFP for a qualified consulting firm to provide all the necessary labor, research, and data required for the satisfactory completion of an SOB impact study.

The specific focus of this study would be targeted toward County budget impacts of the introduction of SOBs. The study would also examine all economic impacts, regulatory analysis, and community engagement. More information on the RFP can be found at https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/sites/gilpincounty/files/documents/adult_ business_impact_ study_FINAL_QA.pdf.

One resident spoke in favor of having an SOB on Main Street instead of the Parkway, which had been suggested as an alternate location, citing that the downtown area would be safer and other businesses would benefit. She suggested a burlesque test period in the basement of the proposed building instead of the main floor.

Rebecca Blondo said that members of the Planning Commission have shared with her that they feel misguided by the City’s attorney and would like to revisit the SOB issue and receive additional legal advice.

Resident Peter Droege asked Alderman Kara Tinucci whether her husband was or is an employee of RCI gaming, claiming a potential conflict of interest. He also asked Fey to recuse himself as having a conflict of interest during the scheduled Executive Session on the SOB matter.

During Council Comments, Tinucci responded to Droege’s question, saying it is no secret that her husband is a casino finance executive and that he had provided consulting services for RCI. She added that it was hard to share that his contract with RCI was terminated upon Division of Gaming’s delay.

Fey thanked everyone who attended the Elks Lodge meetings and for all the feedback he has received. He assured everyone there will be no movement on the issue in the coming weeks.

He said he would ask the Council for advice regarding whether he should recuse himself from the general issue and, therefore, also from the Executive Session.

Other activities during the meeting included a Board of Adjustment public hearing, and a resolution approving a professional services agreement.

The Council conducted a public hearing as the Board of Adjustment to hear Resolution No. BOA 24-01, approving the parking requirements at the Wright residence located at 314 and 318 East 4th High Street.

The two single-family cottages currently have limited parking, and cutting into the hillside to add more is not feasible. The resolution would grant a variance that would allow for four on-site parking spaces.

The applicant, Ron Wright, explained the limited parking situation. Resident Jack Hidahl commented in favor of the application. The board unanimously approved the resolution.

Central City Fire Chief Gary Allen presented details regarding Resolution No. 24-17, which would approve a professional services agreement with Emergency Services Consulting International, Inc. for master planning services. Allen said they have worked with the company before and their services will help with future planning.

City Manager Miera said the plan will assess current service levels, operational structure, capital improvements, and future needs.

Alderman Todd Williams asked if the cost will exceed the proposal of $50,000. Miera said that sufficient funds have been appropriated.

After some discussion about general liability insurance, the motion was amended to add that Emergency Services Consulting International be required to hold general liability insurance. Afterward, all voted in favor of approving the amended resolution.

During Staff Updates, Miera stated that there will be a special meeting held on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. for an Executive Session concerning SOBs and possibly other items.

He also said that the RFP issued by Gilpin County inaccurately portrays the SOB subject matter as a new land use, whereas it has existed in the Code for a number of years. He has corresponded with the County Manager on the matter.

The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

The next regular City of Central Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Central City Hall, 141 Nevada Street, second floor; or online via Zoom. Information can be found on the City website, centralcity.colorado.gov/meetings.