Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. The Central City Council meeting convened on November 5, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. Council members in attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Jack Hidahl and Alderman Jackie Johnson. 

The first item on the agenda was a public hearing of the council acting as the Local Licensing Authority concerning the application of JKQ Consolidated LLC, dba Mountain City Cantina for a New Tavern Liquor License at 430 Lawrence St. Kara and Joe Tinucci have been running JKQ BBQ located in the Teller House for the past year. They are opening up a new Cantina on Lawrence St. previously called The Burger Joint. The purpose of the hearing was to receive evidence from interested parties in order to enable the authority to determine whether the application should be approved or denied. Mayor Jeremy Fey addressed if he had a conflict of interest because he worked at JKQ BBQ over the summer. It was determined he had no conflict of interest as he no longer works for JKQ BBQ. Kara and Joe Tinucci presented their case to the board and described their new venue would be a restaurant, not a bar. They would offer Mexican style food with margaritas and Mexican beer along with other spirits. The location would be family oriented and would meet the comprehensive plan by the city to add more restaurants in the area. Mayor Fey commented JKQ has a strict adherence to the liquor license code and they are in excellent standing. Alderman Aiken thought it was great to have another restaurant opening in Central City. Local resident Sharon Bell showed her support by telling the board JKQ doesn’t allow excess alcohol consumption and agreed with Alderman Aiken there was need for new establishments in the city. The board approved the liquor license 5-0 and congratulated the Tinuccis on their victory and wished them much success with their new venue. 

The council heard the second reading of Ordinance 19-09 which amends the Municipal Code to change the maximum jail sentence for criminal offenses to three hundred and sixty four days instead of one year. Alderman Hidahl asked for verification if the primary purpose of the Ordinance was to avoid triggering immigration action. City Attorney, McAskin replied it preempts the state level for Homeland Security to take action if necessary and act in their own best interest. Hidahl commented the state was taking over and city didn’t seem to have any say or choice in the matter. The Ordinance was passed 5-0.

The council made a decision on the new alternate appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. Two candidates applied for this positon: Casey Saltness and Barbara Thielemann. Mr. Saltness was in attendance and spoke to the council on his interest in the position. He has been a resident of Gilpin County sine 2001 and has worked as a computer network administrator in the gaming industry. He served a short period as the Central City HPC Commissioner until a job change forced him to resign. He is currently a licensed appraiser and has no conflict with serving on the commission. Ms. Thielemann could not attend the meeting so Mayor Fey asked if anyone wanted to speak on her behalf. They council agreed Thielemann was a great asset to the city as she currently serves on Main Street City Board and the Planning Commission along with other boards. Alderman Hidahl expressed concern that one resident being on two commissions that were similar in nature might be a conflict of interest. Alderman Johnson agreed and thought there should be a rule to not allow the same person to serve on both commissions where they could vote twice on the same item. Alderman Laratta and Aiken agreed with Johnson. The council voted in favor of Casey Saltness 5-0 and appointed him alternate for the HPC.

In staff reports; City Manager Daniel Miera reported a water line break at the Scarlett on Oct. 31, which is owned by the city. Action was taken immediately by a restoration team to dry out the property and the insurance company has been contacted. Miera recommended making repairs to the dry heating system to avoid any future damage and mentioned a similar incident happened in the past. Alderman Laratta brought up a much needed maintenance on the Casino Parkway sign where the lights are flashing. City Works Manager Sam Hoover would look into it. Aldrman Hidahl asked if the construction for Spring St. was closed down for the winter. Miera reported there will still be some work done and Hoover replied the construction team should resume next week. Alderman Johnson addressed the noise complaints with the big casino buses on Gregory St. when they are constantly applying their breaks as they go down the hill. She  asked the council if they had the ability to prohibit loud vehicles. Miera pointed out there is already a noise ordinance from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Alderman Laratta didn’t see a need for any more restrictions and this was a common part of mountain life. Alderman suggested a letter should be written to the bus companies informing them of the complaints. Mayor Fey commented he was proud of the progress the city has made so far in solving the vacancy problems in Central City. He felt the economic development and the incentive programs were working to promote growth in the city and this was a positive direction. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. 

(Originally published in the November 14, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)