Monica LaSalle, Central City. The Central City Council held their regular meeting at 6 p.m. on April 2, 2019, with all members of the council in attendance. After attending to the formalities to open the meeting and confirming there were no conflicts of interest or amendments/additions to the agenda, the council settled down to briefly review and approve the consent agenda, with Councilwoman Laratta moving to approve and Councilwoman Mitchell seconding. There were no concerning issues to be found with either the bill list or the meeting minutes from the previous meeting.

When Mayor Fey opened the public forum, once again there were none in attendance who had signed up to address the council. The meeting moved on to considering the Historic Preservation Commission’s appointment of Ed Schoenradt, a new resident to town who is known to be energetic and active in the community with the Peak to Peak Players as well as the Historical Society. Councilman Aiken motioned to approve the appointment, with Mitchell and Laratta simultaneously seconding. Mr. Schoenradt will be filling the alternate position with the commission.

Moving on, the council addressed Resolution No. 19-07 regarding the Morrone Ranch/Gold Mountain Development Agreement dated May 17, 2011 and the request of the property owners to find the agreement null and void. The owners originally made the agreement with Wedgewood Heights Development Company, LLC.

Over the past 8 years, no mutual agreement or joint venture was ever formed between the owners and the development company, and discussions have terminated at this point with the developer never acquiring any legal interest in the property. The owners are asking for the agreement to be declared null and void so they can move forward with a new development company that intends to implement a plan for residential affordable housing.

Councilman Hidahl commented that since none of the current members of the board were involved or familiar with original negotiations, taking two weeks to review prior to making a decision would be wise. The council unanimously agreed, with Councilwoman Laratta motioning to table it and Councilman Aiken seconding. The resolution will be revisited at the April 16, 2019 regular council meeting.

Having finished with all New Business, the council moved on to reviewing staff updates, with the location of the 2019 Opera Picnic of primary concern. At the previous session, council discussed and approved holding the picnic at the Teller House parking lot. City Manager Miera reported that members of operations expressed concerns about being able to run power to the location, having to relocate the regular location of the roll off dumpster, and the impact on community and residential parking in the area as well as stage crew parking for the opera.

The William C. Russell Park was suggested, with Mayor Fey commenting, “I have been the lone voice trying to integrate it into Main Street, so it looks like we are moving the picnic back to Russell Park.” Councilman Aiken motioned with Councilwoman Laratta seconding, with the council unanimously expressing agreement.

Councilwoman Mitchell expressed concerns over transportation issues to the park, with Mayor Fey suggesting he would ask Grand Z for help with shuttles and Councilman Aiken offered to set up a car pool system with locals.

Councilman Jack Hidahl started off council comments with expressed concern over unfinished contractor work to close broken windows in the Belvedere, joking that perhaps ramps should be installed to provide easy access for wild cats to get rid of the pigeon problem.

City Manager Miera reported that the contractor crew was on site that day to implement the plan of removing the windows to be repaired safely in the shop so they can be reinstalled. Satisfied with this answer, Councilman Hidahl then commented that the sidewalk in front of the Teller House has a 2 inch gap between it and the foundation of the building as well as around the lamp posts out front. Public Works Director Hoover stated he was unaware of the current gap and would look into making repairs, as he believes it may have been an issue in the past.

Councilwoman Mitchell declined to comment this session, proceeded by Mayor Fey making his comment an appreciation of how quickly Public Works had been making improvements and reacting to emergency situations such as the gas line break. He expressed thanks for the recent installation of the mirror and ballasts protecting the location from future injury.

Councilwoman Laratta also declined to comment, and Councilman Aiken spoke of the recent passing of longtime residents in the area previous Mayor Tim Casey and resident Linda Jones.

With still no public taking the opportunity to address the council with any non-agenda items, Philip Devon, of Denver, got up to speak, expressing that as a partner with the potential new development company for the Morrone Ranch/Gold Mountain property, he is highly anxious for the council to make a decision so he can determine if the property is suitable for development at all, stating he does not want to make the purchase only to find out it is only suitable for duck habitat. The council assured him they would make the decision at the next meeting. Subsequently, the meeting came to a close.

(Originally published in the April 11, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)