During a special meeting on December 13, 2023, the Black Hawk City Council approved exterior and interior designs for the Copper Kitchen, and also the demolition of a building at 271 Gregory Street. The Council also approved the 2024 budget and pay schedule and an agreement for Tramway services.

Vince Harris with Baseline introduced a revised Certificate of Architectural Compatibility for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria and an associated public elevator at 307 Gregory Street. The City of Black Hawk had requested review and approval of a revised Certificate of Architectural Compatibility for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria and elevator consistent with the Gregory Street plan adopted by the City in 2013.

On October 27, the City of Black Hawk applied for review and approval of a Certificate of Architectural Compatibility (COAC) for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria and elevator. The request involved the new construction of the restaurant, the removal of the existing accessible ramp, and the addition of an elevator to better meet ADA accessibility requirements. Building and site improvements include the construction of a pizzeria restaurant and bar building, an exterior event deck with space for outdoor seating, a new public elevator, and new landscaped areas. The Copper Kitchen site is zoned History Appreciation Recreation Destination (HARD). The proposed restaurant and bar use is a permitted use within the HARD District.

This request is part of the continuing improvement projects outlined by the Gregory Street Sub-Area Plan adopted by the Black Hawk City Council in 2013. The Plan outlines the goals of the City to establish Gregory Street as a walkable pedestrian commercial experience.

The first set of buildings were approved for renovation and construction on Gregory Plaza on June 26, 2019. That approval included the McAfee House, the Woodbury House, the Norton House, a new Fire Truck Display building, the Bobtail Mine building, and two public restrooms.

This current request, for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria and elevator, will provide commercial space for a proposed restaurant and bar, an event deck with space for outdoor seating, and landscaped areas.

The Gregory Street Site Development Plan for City-owned properties located at 200 – 496 Gregory Street was approved on May 24, 2022. The First Amendment to this SDP has been submitted as a separate application and adds the proposed Copper Kitchen and elevator to the other existing improvements on Gregory Street.

While a site plan has been included with the drawing set for the Copper Kitchen and Elevator COAC application, review of the site plan is not included in this staff report. The COAC will be presented to the City Council; however, the Gregory Street Site Development Plan Amendment (Minor) will be reviewed and approved administratively.

Proposed building and elevator materials are complementary to the existing buildings on Gregory Plaza and include horizontal lap siding, copper roofing and gutters with standing seam metal panels, and stone masonry veneer in colors that are consistent with the historic color palette adopted by the City of Black Hawk.

Additional site improvements include landscaping surrounding the building foundation. Plant materials including perennials, grasses, and shrubs consistent with the existing Gregory Plaza landscaping. Ground covers include white quartz and cedar mulch that will also match existing landscape beds.

The Gregory Street Plaza is complete except for a vacant lot that remains between the McAfee House and Church Street, at the old Lilly Belle’s site. The Copper Kitchen Pizzeria project, to be built at this location, consists of a new single-story 2,800 square-foot edifice.

New retaining walls will be faced with architectural stone to match the other walls throughout the Gregory Street Plaza. Renderings of proposed improvements were presented to the City Council on November 8, 2023.

The original General Contractor Agreement with MW Golden Constructors was approved by the City Council on April 12, 2023. Approval of this Amendment would enable construction of the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria project and authorize MW Golden Constructors to begin work.

The Scope of Work includes construction of the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria project, as described in the approved Copper Kitchen Pizzeria construction plans and specifications prepared by PEH Architects and their subconsultants. The Guaranteed Maximum Price is based on the “Issue for Pricing” construction plans and Project Manual, dated September 25, 2023, and other supporting documents provided to the Contractor during the selection process.

The Council approved the resolution conditionally approving a revised certificate of architectural compatibility for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria.

Staff presented a resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to the General Contractor Agreement Executed on April 12, 2023, between the City of Black Hawk and MW Golden Constructors, establishing the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $6,501,189 for Construction of the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria Project.

The Council approved a resolution awarding the bid and approving the contract between the City of Black Hawk and Grapes & Sons Excavating for demolition of the structure located at 271 Gregory Street and excavation of a portion of the Livery Lot, in an amount not to exceed $97,900. The Livery Lot encompasses the area along the north side of Gregory Street between Church Street and the Grand Stair.

As part of the HARD District, the longterm vision is for the Livery Lot to contain non-gaming commercial establishments. The existing building at 271 Gregory Street and an outcropping of rock and soil will therefore need to be removed in order to maximize the buildable area. This contract would incorporate both of these projects. The Council voted to approve the project.

The Council approved the eighth addendum to the Agreement for Transit Related Services for the Black Hawk & Central City Tramway for 2024, between MV Transportation, Inc. and the City of Black Hawk.

The Tramway operates every day of the week, and ridership remains strong. The Tramway will continue to circulate between Black Hawk and Central City on a specific route with specific stops. The loop currently takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete. A single bus will continue to operate Monday through Thursday, while two buses will continue to operate Friday through Sunday. A portion of the cost of this operation will be funded with an FTA 5311 grant managed through CDOT.

The Council approved an ordinance approving the FTA Section 5311 Operating Grant Agreement between the Colorado Department of Transportation, Division of Transit and Rail, and the City of Black Hawk dba Black Hawk, and Central City Tramway, for 2024, in an amount not to exceed $116,271.

The City was successful in being awarded an FTA 5311 grant for operating the shuttle service. This grant amount is $112,884 and requires a 50 percent match. This grant is administered by CDOT. This is the same grant program the Cities have been fortunate to receive since 2018. It is used to offset some of the operating costs incurred with the operator, MV Transportation, Inc.

The Council approved an Ordinance approving the Cooperative Agreement between the Gilpin County Department of Human Services and the City of Black Hawk through the Black Hawk Police Department. Colorado law encourages cooperation between local departments of Human/Social Services and Local Law Enforcement.

Human/Social Services and local law enforcement have the responsibility to assess and investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect. Gilpin Human Services has taken the prime responsibility to assess and investigate child abuse and neglect cases, and the parties affirmatively state that this Agreement is not intended to change this custom.

The Council approved the 2024 regular meeting schedule for 3 p.m., in Council Chambers at 211 Church Street, Black Hawk. Council meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month with the exception of November and December. Regular meeting dates are subject to change upon Council approval and proper notification.

2024 dates are: January 10, January 24, February 14, February 28, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 14, August 28, September 11, September 25, October 9, October 23, November 6, December 4.

The Council also adopted the 2024 Holiday Schedule and the meeting schedule for the Historic Preservation Commission.

Lance Hillis presented the budget. The Council is required to adopt an annual budget for each fiscal year in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Local Government Budget Law of Colorado (CRS 29-1-101).

Highlights and significant changes to the 2024 Budget when compared to 2023 indicate that each Department’s 2024 budget is similar to 2023, with the exception of the items listed in the following paragraphs. The 2024 Budget includes a total revenue projection (excluding interfund transfers and debt proceeds) of $36.3 million for all funds.

This is a decrease of 3.1 percent compared to the estimated revenue for 2023, and a decrease of 3 percent from 2022 actuals. Staff projects Gaming Tax revenue to decrease by 5 percent for 2024 when compared to 2023. Device Fee revenue is expected to remain constant when compared to 2023, at about 7,020 device equivalents. City staff expects sales tax revenue to remain at 2023 levels throughout 2024.

The 2024 budget, as proposed, includes no increase in sales tax, use tax, device fees, or water rates. The 2024 budget includes total expenditures (excluding inter-fund transfers) of $57.1 million. This includes the addition of one new full-time police sergeant and the elimination of the junior engineer in Public Works.

The 2024 Budget includes funding for a 6.65 percent market adjustment to salaries, based on a comparison with our pre-established survey cities. City staff, with assistance from our benefits consultant, has estimated an increase in medical insurance premiums of 15 percent for the final six months of 2024.

Other benefits, including dental insurance, have been increased by 10 percent for the final six months of 2024. The 2024 Budget also includes the continuation of the City policy of contributing 50 percent of the deductible to each employee’s HSA, plus an additional $1,500 per employee.

Other enhancements to employee benefits include a $4-per pay period increase to the cell phone stipend and 20 additional hours of paid time off after 15 years of service and 20 more hours at 20 years of service.

The Capital Projects Fund proposed projects for 2024 include continued improvements to Gregory Hill / Artisans Point, rehabilitation work on one home in the Grant Program, construction 12 of 293, the Copper Kitchen, and Street Overlay of Main Street. Capital projects within the Preservation & Restoration Fund are focused primarily on the continued efforts along Gregory Street, including Gregory Point, Briggs Lot Trailhead & Bates Hill Trail system, and Bobtail Mine Improvements.

The Council approved an ordinance adopting the City of Black Hawk 2024 Pay Plan and Revised Job Descriptions. The attached Draft 2024 Compensation Plan includes a 6.65 percent increase in salary ranges as a result of the 2023 Market Analysis which was conducted in-house. Two job descriptions within the Police Department, Rotational Police Detective and Police Sergeant, have been changed.

The next meeting of the City of Black Hawk City Council will be on January 10, 2024, at 3 p.m. at 211 Church Street. For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.