The Black Hawk City Council approved the repair of rock walls at 171 Marchant Street during a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 211 Church Street. The Council also approved an agreement with the Gilpin County Ambulance Authority, holiday decorations, and an agreement with Arborist Prime Tree Service for the removal of trees adjacent to Highway 119.

Cindy Linker with Community Planning and Development introduced a resolution approving a Historic Preservation Easement for excavation, wet and dry utility construction, and rock wall reconstruction for the property located at 171 Marchant Street. Public Works detected a waterline leak on December 3, 2021, behind the rock retaining wall at 171 Marchant Street.

A Public Works crew attempted to shut the water off, but due to the shifting of the earth, presumably due to the water leak, they could not do so. Public Works made another attempt on Monday, December 6, 2021, by excavating out to the water main in the street. As a result of the leak and the subsequent attempts to shut off the water, the rock wall began to fail.

“Due to the failure, the rock wall requires complete demolition and reconstruction. Because of the extensive nature of necessary reconstruction, Public Works shut off the water, and the property owners entirely shut down and winterized the home.

“The property owners contacted their insurance company and discovered the new utility work and rock wall reconstruction were not covered under their policy. They then reached out to Community Planning and Development to apply for a Historic Preservation Easement, and Public Works began the tedious process of securing the wall and started the procedure.”

Public Works solicited a Geotechnical Engineer to perform fieldwork and provide a report of their findings. Terracon Consultants, Inc., was awarded the contract and is scheduled onsite in February.

Public Works created a scope of work to replace the rock wall adjacent to Marchant Street and relocate the water line, sewer line, and dry utilities behind the rock wall. Public Works solicited a civil engineer and entered into a contract to conduct a site visit and prepare drawings based on the Geotechnical Engineer report and scope of work.

They need to obtain a Certificate of Architectural Compatibility and solicit contractors and enter into contracts to rebuild the rock wall and relocate the water line, sewer line, and dry utilities behind the rock wall. The project cost may require City Council approval.

The City of Black Hawk intends to enter into a Preservation Easement with the property owners of 171 Marchant Street to perform excavation, install wet and dry utilities, and reconstruct the rock wall with a project cost not to exceed $200,000.

Linker said the property has been without water since December 2021. The Council approved the resolution.

The Council approved a resolution awarding the bid and approving the contract between the City and JD Masonry, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $149,497 for the 171 Marchant Street Retaining Wall Reconstruction Project and a resolution awarding the bid and approving the contract between the City and Grapes & Sons Excavating, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $48,500 for site and utility work related to the 171 Marchant Street Retaining Wall Reconstruction Project.

Reed introduced a resolution awarding the bid and approving the contract between Black Hawk and Grapes & Sons Excavating, LLC., in an amount not to exceed $57,500 for Rockslide Repairs in Upper Chase Gulch. Reed said that just in the last month a section of the wall collapsed onto the road.

Another wall is also on the verge of collapse. Grapes and Sons would construct a laid back wall with drainage features. The mortar will not be exposed. Mayor David Spellman said it would be a shame to lose the historic wall. The Council approved the resolution.

Fire Chief Christopher Wooley introduced a resolution approving an agreement with Arborist Prime Tree Service for the removal of trees adjacent to Highway 119 and within the Black Hawk city limits in an amount not to exceed $75,000.

Mayor Spellman said they are taking on work that should be the responsibility of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Wooley said that these trees are going to die, and this will increase the width of the corridor, helping with egress in a wildfire.

Wooley said they are dealing with a variety of landowners, including Xcel. Spellman said they are looking at an enormous task.

Wooley said the beetle problem is significant. When the pine needles all turn orange, that’s an indication that these ponderosas are infected. The Council approved the resolution.

The Council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the Gilpin Ambulance Authority regarding maintenance of the Authority’s ambulances. Public Works Director Tom Isbester said this is an annual agreement that allows the ambulances to use the Town shop and tools.

Isbester also introduced a resolution approving the agreement for professional services for holiday decorations with Alpine Artisan Studios in an amount not to exceed $214,730. He said they will be adding bows and lights this year. The Council approved the resolution.

The next meeting of the City of Black Hawk Council will be on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 2011 Church Street in Black Hawk. For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.