Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey welcomed the Gilpin County Commissioners, along with the County Manager and Community Development Director, to a work session with Central City Council held at 5:30 p.m. on March 19, 2024, in the Council Chambers at 142 Nevada Street. Central City Manager Daniel Miera was also present.

Highlights included planning joint meetings between the Central City Council and Gilpin County Commissioners, and public input regarding the City of Black Hawk’s request for disconnection of property.

Fey said the meetings will be held quarterly and invited Black Hawk to attend.

The first item on the agenda concerned housing. Fey asked County Manager Ray Rears about the current housing assessment. Community Development Director Rob Gutierrez said that the contract ends at the end of October.

Fey asked if the County is interested in creating a housing authority. Commissioner Susan Berumen responded in the affirmative, and that they are interested in a regional authority that would potentially include Clear Creek and Nederland.

Fey wondered if they should wait until the housing assessment is finished. Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth said that they could be done concurrently.

Fey then asked if there was an advantage to a regional housing authority instead of one that is more localized. Hollingsworth said it comes down to pooling resources. Berumen said grant opportunities are greater at a regional level.

The last housing assessment for the County was done in 2011, so a current one is overdue.

Berumen said gaining residents is not as expensive as gaming when it comes to impacts on the County. The commissioners noted that gaming brings expenses to the County more than traditional businesses.

Hollingsworth said the residents of Rollinsville would like an authority but dislike taxes. She said that organizing all the property owners is challenging without a city. Infrastructure and the availability of water are major factors when building new housing.

Hollingsworth added that there is a pervasive view that the County receives a great deal of money from gaming revenue. She continued that gaming does not cover County costs, but rather funds the Sheriff’s Department, with a small amount going to other departments. Because counties are mandated to provide certain services when there is gaming, the effect on the County budget is negative.

Fey asked Sheriff Kevin Armstrong, who sat in the audience, whether available housing is a major factor for law enforcement. He said yes, that would be a positive for employees.

Fey said the City of Central has been talking to developers about housing solutions. He also said ten new homes are being built.

Miera said there is a real lack of inventory. Prop 123 is an incentive for local governments and developers. Commissioner Marie Mornis said there is legislation that may involve converting historical buildings to housing.

Hollingsworth asked if Central allows ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). Miera said they will be evaluating ADUs in their code when trying to meet their affordable housing commitment.

Alderman Jeff Aiken said he would like to see some senior housing in addition to affordable housing.

Rears recommended that staff from both jurisdictions meet regularly and consult with County Development and housing from private and government sectors.

The group then discussed dispatch funding. Rears said Gilpin’s 9-1-1’s revenue is from the 9-1-1 Authority board and only a few government entities contribute. He said that Central City currently pays $30,000 for the Gilpin County dispatch service, but more partners, like Timberline, could contribute.

Miera said there will be IGAs that will replace some handshake deals between the City of Central and the County concerning things like Jake’s Gulch reservoir and the grading of City roads.

The work session then centered on public input regarding the property known as the “Bricks Lot” which is located across from the Red Dolly casino and Black Hawk’s request to disconnect the property. It is currently owned by Black Hawk but exists in Central City. Central City can permit certain uses of the property via zoning.

Members of the public spoke to the Council. Most expressed distrust of Black Hawk’s motives and warned of unintended consequences.

Fey said Black Hawk’s offer is generous but they will be contemplating all the factors. He would like to include the Central City Urban Renewal Authority (CCURA) and Central City Downtown Development Authority (CCDDA) in such a major decision.

The meeting concluded at 7:06 p.m.

The next joint meeting between Central City and Gilpin County will be held at the Historic Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street in Central City in June 2024.