Mayor Jeremy Fey called the Central City Council (CCC) meeting to order at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Marcia Enloe, and Alderman Todd Williams. Mayor Pro-tem Kara Tinucci was absent.

Staff present included City Manager Daniel R. Miera, City Clerk Reba Bechtel, and City Attorney Marcus McCaskin. Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth and County Manager Ray Rears were also in attendance in the audience.

During Public Comment, Main Street Commission Chair Barbara Thielemann told the Council that the current Commission formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit on January 17 and notarized their articles of incorporation on January 24. She explained that the upcoming Resolution, 24-06, dissolves the Main Street Commission and authorizes Mayor Fey to execute and update an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) regarding Central City’s participation in the DOLA Colorado Main Street Program. On behalf of the Commission, Thielemann thanked the Council for the City’s assistance over the years.

Fey then introduced Resolution No. 24-06: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado dissolving the Main Street Central City Commission and authorizing the Mayor to execute an updated Memorandum of Understanding regarding the City’s participation in the Colorado Main Street Program.

Lisa Roemhildt, Community Development Director, explained that in November of 2015, Main Street Central City was formed as a Colorado nonprofit corporation. During the January 17, 2024 regular meeting of the Main Street Commission, the commissioners moved to affirm a plan to formally transition program-related operations and activities to the Colorado nonprofit corporation known as Main Street Central City (MSCC), and to seek the approval of 501(c)(3) status for the nonprofit corporation. The motion was approved by the commissioners. The commissioners intend to serve as members of the Board of Directors of Main Street Central City.

Therefore, the Main Street Commission has fulfilled the purpose for which it was created, and is no longer needed as an advisory committee to City Council.

The City is currently a party to that certain Memorandum of Understanding for Participation in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ Colorado Main Street Program dated February 6, 2017 (the 2017 MOU). The 2017 MOU is a three-party agreement between the City, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, and MSCC. The 2024 MOU will also be a three-party agreement between the same parties.

DOLA has informed the City that it is in the process of updating its “form” MOU to align the Colorado Main Street Program to new accreditation standards.

Enloe moved to approve and Williams seconded. Tinucci asked why exactly the board wanted to dissolve it.

Roemhildt said the action is an effort to consolidate the Commission and the nonprofit, so that the nonprofit can take the lead on marketing and funding.

Fey said, “We are not ending it; we are giving it wings.”

Miera said this will help to clean up some of the organizational issues and that the MSCC will have more autonomy with funding.

All were in favor.

Resolution No. 24-07: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Central, Colorado authorizing the acquisition of a pickup truck and a backhoe/loader for the City Water Department.

Public Utilities Director Jack Beard said the pickup truck would be replacing an existing 2012 Ford F-150 that would be disposed of later this year per City requirements.

The backhoe/loader would be obtained through a trade-in of the existing 2005 John Deere loader worth an estimated $22,000, for a final price of $119,000.

Tinucci moved to approve. Enloe seconded, and without further discussion, all were in favor.

Fey asked Beard to look into getting new decals for the City trucks since the current ones are faded and old. Beard replied that they are looking into revitalizing the existing design and standardizing it across departments.

During Public Comment, Eric Chinn, Director of Historic Properties for Central City Opera, said they will be hosting the 92nd festival this summer starting June 29 through August 4. The organization is seeking summer housing for the festival artists from June 1 through August 9. Please contact Wanda Larson at 303-292-6500 ext. 100 if interested.

Fey asked if it has to be a distinct dwelling, not just a room. Chinn said they are looking for private apartments or accessory dwellings of some kind.

During Council Comments, Tinucci said the opera workers in the past have been excellent renters who pay on time and maintain the properties.

Aiken said the Crystal Palace got their gaming license approved and hopefully more applicants will be approved soon.

Williams and Fey thanked Commissioner Hollingsworth and County Manager Ray Rears for attending the meeting.

Fey wished Thielemann a happy belated birthday and welcomed her home from vacation. He then commented about the reason for the Executive Session, saying that the Council will be addressing the City of Black Hawk’s proposal to “disconnect” from Central City and taking the opportunity to speak with their attorneys.

He assured the public they will not be making any decisions during the Executive Session and will soon be calling on the staff, community, and businesses for a work session to discuss the issue.

The board then moved into Executive Session at 7:25 p.m. No comments were made after they returned and the meeting adjourned.

The next City of Central Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 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.