Janet Perry, Central City.  Central City held only one Alderman meeting in October on the 6th with a full council and the Mayor present.  The meeting started off with a brief discussion of the cost for turnover in the Police Dept. prompted by Alderman Gaines.

Central City Manager Daniel R. Miera said that staff was working on ways to improve cost savings for the Police Dept.

The consent agenda, containing regular bill lists from Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1 as well the Sept. 15th Alderman meeting minutes were then approved unanimously.  There was no request to address the meeting during Public Forum.

The first action item under new business was a new sign code and the city’s Attorney Marcus McAskin gave an update.  Ordinance No. 15-07 would repeal the old sign code and reenact a new one.  Chapter 14 of the Municipal code would be rewritten where it regards sign regulations.

In accordance with the Central City Charter, the city retained special counsel, Todd Messenger from Fairfield and Woods, to draft the new sign code.  He did so under recommendation from Attorney McAskin and with input from the steering committee on the new sign code as well as from the Historic Preservation Commission, HPC.  The HPC held a public hearing on Sept. 9th and recommended approval of the new sign code.

Alderman work sessions on Sept. 15th and Oct 6th were held and the new sign code was discussed.  The consideration of regulations were for content neutrality, number, area, structure and placement of signs, allowed materials and design elements, lighting, illumination and the maintenance and duration of said signs.

A Public hearing and second reading was set for November 3rd meeting.  The motion to approve the Ordinance got a unanimous vote.

The Second action item under new business was the Prospectors Run Snow Removal Agreement.  Sam Hoover, Director of Public Works explained that in January of 2010, Central City and the Prospectors Run Homeowners Association made an agreement around snow removal on Mack Road.  Prospectors Run HOA was to provide snow removal and the city would pay $800.00 per month for the service.

Mack road is not an asphalt road and the city’s use of sand and salt mixture was a concern.  The agreement has been renewed each year.

The contract was up again for approval for the current winter season.  The 2015 and 2016 proposed budgets already reflect the amount.  Mayor Engels asked if the agreement benefits the City and what the condition of Mack road was.  Miera said that the HOA used sand instead of salt and that the agreement allows the city to focus on other streets.  The motion to approve passed unanimously.

The third action item under new business was the proposed acceptance of the 2016 CIRSA Property/Casualty & Workers Compensation Quotes.  As described by Finance Director Abigail Adame, CIRSA’s Preliminary Contribution Quotes for 2016 Property/Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Insurance had been received by the city.  She said the council must then formally accept in order for CIRSA to finalize the quotes, in effect choosing the carrier for 2016.  The quotes needed to be accepted by October 9, 2015 reflecting a time extension granted by CIRSA.

The Preliminary Quote for the 2016 Property/ Casualty Insurance was $74,677 and is a 5.5% decrease from the 2015 premium cost.

This is due to a decrease in CIRSA rates, a decrease in claims for 2015 as well as no anticipated changes with regards to vehicles or equipment in 2016.  If unexpected changes were to occur a premium adjustment would be made. There was a decrease of 8% between 2014 and 2015.

The Workers’ Compensation preliminary quote was for $46,935, reflecting a 14% decrease from 2015.  The quotes reflects a decrease in CIRSA rates and a decrease in payroll.  There was a 13% decrease from 2014 to 2015.

Once the council approves quotes, staff then executes the Acceptance Form and when received by CIRSA the coverage would be committed for 2016.  CIRSA is the carrier of choice for Central City and other municipalities due to it being a pooled insurance group.  It was explained that all losses and gains are shared by those municipalities participating as members.  This also affects the pricing to those municipalities, lowering costs.

Alderman Shirley Voorhies made the motion to accept the CIRSA quotes for 2016 and the motion carried unanimously.

The fourth new business action item was Ordinance No. 15-8.  The proposed ordinance would approve a License Fee Rebate Agreement between Central City and G.F. Gaming Corporation.  Attorney McAskin explained that the city needs to secure funds to help with the purchase of and improvements for the Big-T parking lot.  G.F. Gaming is willing to pre-pay $600,000 in annual license fees, in accordance with Section 6-5-30 of the city’s municipal code.

Negotiations continue on the initial draft of the Rebate Agreement.  The agreement would only involve the Device Fee.  The Transportation Fee would not be affected.

The city must recognize an additional $600,000 in revenue for Fiscal Year 2015 in order to approve the Rebate Agreement.  The adopted Fiscal Year 2015 budget does not reflect the amount.

G.F. Gaming currently leases the Big-T parking lot from record owner, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.  Once purchased by the city, the parking lot would be used as a public surface parking lot.  Employees and customers of the G. F. Gaming casinos would be permitted to use the lot.

Alderman Gaines moved to adopt Ordinance 15-8 with a second reading and Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  The motion carried unanimously.

The last new business action item was Ordinance 15-9.  The ordinance would approve the acquisition of the Big-T parking lot from Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.  The City is in the final stages of the purchase and sale agreement with ‘Pinnacle’ for the property.  The agreement would be available for review in the City Clerk’s office.

The Mayor and Council thanked the city manager and attorney for both their initiative and work to make the sale happen.

The motion was made by Alderman Voorhies to adopt the ordinance and it passed unanimously.

The next agenda item was staff updates.  Central City Manager Meira noted that, except for the S curves, the work was nearly completed on the Central City Parkway/FEMA Project and should be completed by mid-October.  KOP fencing had been relocated nearer to the building.  The Energy Mineral Impact Grant awarded $100,000 and $100,000 match to the 2003 Comp Plan, Design Guidelines and Land Use Codes.

The Belvidere building’s structural assessment should be done by the end of November as well as removal of contents belonging to a former owner.  The County has applied for a grant with the State Historic Fund for roofing.  The city is considering a $17,000 matching investment to the grant.  The funds would come from the 2016 budget.

Alderman Gaines thanked Sam Hoover, Director of Public Works for his completion of the Xcel/Eureka Project.

Central City Mayor Engels then presented Alderman Gaines a Certificate of Appreciation for her service to Central City.  The Council expressed their appreciation to Alderman Gaines as well.  A farewell Open House was announced by Alderman Voorhies for Alderman Gaines at the Elks on October 15th.

The meeting finished with comment from Jack Hidahl who reported independent water lines and separate meters at his home and the adjacent property.  He thanked Meira and McAskin for their work on the purchase of the Big-T lot.  The council concurred with that appreciation for their efforts and the meeting was adjourned.