Mayor Jeremy Fey called the Central City Council meeting to order on Tuesday, April 16, with the entire council present. Also there were City Manager Daniel R. Miera and City Clerk Reba Bechtel.

The Council first addressed two items dealing with celebrations:

Resolution No. 24-13: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado for recommending the approval or conditional approval of the Special Event Application for the Gilpin County 31st Anniversary Parade scheduled for Friday, July 19, 2024, and authorizing the temporary closure of Main Street and Gregory Street during the event; and

Resolution No. 24-14: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado for recommending the approval or conditional approval of the Special Event Application for the Stills in the Hills scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2024, and authorizing the temporary closure of Main Street during the event.

They then went on to Ratify Historic Preservation Roof Reimbursement Grant Program Applications for four residences in Central City:

RG 24-02 340 Lawrence – Chinn; RG 24-03 455 Roworth – Gerkins; RG 24-04 395 Roworth – Lockerman; and RG 240-05 445 Roworth – Wightman.

The roof applications had been approved by the Historic Preservation Committee during their meeting on April 10, and were only awaiting final approval by the City Council.

The Council unanimously approved those resolutions and grants.

The following item of business was Resolution No. 24-15: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Central Downtown Development Authority. All were in favor of approving the resolution.

During Staff Updates, Fey highlighted the challenges faced by business owners and residents in acquiring fire insurance for their properties. “We are going to have to get creative around here,” he posited.

One comment during the Public Forum posed the question of closing Main Street for pedestrian shopping and fairs. Another commented on their insurance agent’s potential ability to insure others in the area.

During Council Comments, Tinucci agreed that finding insurance is challenging. Aiken said he enjoyed seeing the Belvidere Theater improvements. Williams thanked Eric Chinn for the Belvidere Tour and would like the town to have more entertainment options.

Fey said that the Levitt Street Market has come to an end. The Market had been subsidized by the Business Improvement District and the bondholders; it was not profitable enough to continue this year.

There will be a work session soon to discuss the summer closure of Main Street and the possibility of having a Main Street Market.

Fey adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m.

The next City of Central Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 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.