Janet Perry
Central City
The October 4, 2016 Central City Alderman meeting was called to order by Mayor Engels at 7:06 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers.
Mayor pro tem Kathy Heider, Alderman Shirley Voorhies, Alderman Judy Laratta and Alderman Jeff Aiken were present. Also present were City Manager Daniel R. Miera, Attorney Marcus McAskin, City Clerk Reba Bechtel, Finance Director Abigail R. Adame, Community Development Director Ray Rears, Public Works Director Sam Hoover, Fire Chief Gary Allen and Acting Police Chief Patric Stanton.
There were no requests from the public for comment and the meeting moved into a Public Hearing. The Hearing was for Ordinance No. 16-03, the Quartz Hill Overlay District and adopting regulations pertaining to the Overlay District. The hearing was continued to the October 18, 2016 meeting.
The first Action Item under New Business was the 2015 Audit Presentation. Finance Director Adame explained that last May, Swanhorst and Company, LLC did an audit of the city's financial procedures, practices and financial statements for the year ending in December of 2015. Staff has worked with the company to draft and prepare the finalized 2015 audited financial statements. Before sending the statements off to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Council must approve them. Alderman Laratta moved to approve the 2015 Audited Financial Statements and the motion carried unanimously.
The next order of business was Resolution No. 16-24, approving an agreement with Prospector's Run Homeowner's Association, Inc. for snow removal services. Public Works Director Hoover gave the background. In January of 2010, the city entered into an agreement with the HOA, with regards to snow removal on Mack Road. The HOA agreed to provide snow removal for the cost of $800 per month. The road is not asphalt, and therefore the city's sand and salt ice mixture is not appropriate for use there. As well, the HOA is capable of handling their own snow removal.
The agreement has been continued each subsequent winter. Resolution No.16-24 would continue the agreement from October 1, 2016 through April 30th, 2017. The amount is reflected in the 2017 Public Works proposed budget, with a total of $5,600 for the winter. Alderman Laratta moved to approve the resolution and without discussion, it passed unanimously.
The next item of business was Resolution No. 16-28, approving a settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Agency regarding the Quartz Hill Tailings Pile. Attorney McAskin told the Council that the resolution will be brought to the council along with Resolution No. 16-03 when the EPA has final approval. The motion to postpone Resolution No. 16-28 was made by Mayor pro tem Heider and approved unanimously.
Next was Resolution No. 16-30, for adopting the 2016 Gilpin County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Fire Chief Allen informed the council that the Gilpin County Hazard Mitigation Plan had been prepared by the Gilpin County Office of Emergency Management with input from Central City and Black Hawk.
Although Gilpin County previously participated in hazard mitigation plans through the Denver Regional Council for Governments (DRCOG) 2011 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which encompassed seven counties. However, the DRCOG plan was not specific enough and therefore Gilpin County opted to develop a new plan, focusing on Central City and Black Hawk.
The new plans reveal Gilpin County's desire to be proactive when dealing with the impacts of natural disasters. The City must adopt a plan or forfeit FEMA funding for pre and post-mitigation grant programs. This would leave the city to deal with natural disasters without this funding.
The final draft of the HMP includes all federally required elements of a disaster mitigation plan. This includes (a) a description of the planning process, (b) a public involvement strategy, (c) a list of goals and objectives, (d) a countywide hazard risk assessment, (e) countywide mitigation actions, (f) a plan maintenance strategy and (g) jurisdiction-specific elements for each participating jurisdiction.
In 2000, the federal government adopted legislation, The Disaster Mitigation Act, (DMA) requiring proactive pre-disaster planning as a prerequisite for some funding available under the Robert T. Strafford Act. The DMA encourages state and local authorities to work together on the disaster planning. Adoption of the HMP would bring the city into compliance with applicable DMA requirements.
Alderman Voorhies made the motion to approve Resolution 16-30 and it passed unanimously without discussion.
Ordinance No. 16-04, Annual License Fees and Gaming Device Fees, was the next agenda item. City Manager Miera explained the ordinance would modify the current Annual Licensing Fee and Gaming Device Fee.
The current fees, set forth in Article V of Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code include an Annual License Fee of $1,000.00 per year per device, and a Transportation Fee of $264.96 per year per device. The Marketing Fee runs between $60.00 and $84.00 per year per device.
The Transportation Fee helps the Central City Transportation Enterprise pay costs related to transportation services and improvements. The Marketing Fee (2011) assists Central City's funding of marketing and advertising for the city and especially the Central City Business Improvement District. (CCBID)
The Device Fees have been approved yearly and will expire on December 31, 2016. The Alderman must approve the extension of the fee. The proposal would set the Annual Licensing Fee to $850. per year and the Transportation fee to $414.96 per year.
The decrease in the Licensing Fee and the subsequent increase in the Transportation Fee reflects the city's need for funding for transportation related improvements.
The Marketing Fee will sunset at the end of 2016, as explained by City Manager Miera. Miera also explained that the BID has the option of creating a marketing coop.
Alderman Voorhies moved to approve Ordinance 16-04, calling for a Second Reading and Public Hearing on the ordinance on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The motion carried, without discussion, unanimously.
Community Development Director Rears presented models of the sign materials and explained costs associated with the new Wayfinding signs. The Council is in agreement to change the Colorado logo to the City logo. Mayor Engels expressed his approval for the new signs.
Mayor Engels in his report, informed the council that the city now has bill-pay online for water customers. Finance Director Adame said that every day new people are signing up.
Alderman Laratta thanked Public Works Director Hoover for the signs on the Parkway.
During the closing Public Forum, Jack Hidahl commended the Council and the County Commissioners for the Belvidere acquisition. Since the restoration will be a long term project, Mr. Hidahl presented the council with a draft resolution to cover those costs. Mayor Engels liked the intent of the resolution and asked Staff to review it and bring it forward for Council review at the next meeting.
Deb Wray thanked both the Council and Staff for support of several cemetery issues. She said the next step was a meeting with the Forest Service and that Senator Gardner's staff would be included. She asked that the city send a representative. She also requested more signs. Council agreed to have Manager Miera or his designee attend.
Joe Behm of the CCBID said that the Hot Rod Hill Climb event was very successful. He also said that it was well organized and in its first year brought business to the city. He then added that the Pit Rally event, although in its third year, was actually not well organized and the closure of the Parkway hurts local businesses. He then commented on the difference between the flowers in Central City and Black Hawk. Manager Miera said they hoped to keep flowers going until Labor Day each year.
Mayor Engels closed the meeting at 8:12 p.m. The next Alderman meeting was held on October 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
