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Special event applications approved

Posted 3/23/23

Mindy Leary, Central City. Mayor Jeremy Fey called the Central City Council regular meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Alderman Jeff Aiken,

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Special event applications approved

Posted

Mindy Leary, Central City. Mayor Jeremy Fey called the Central City Council regular meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Marcia Enloe, and Alderman Todd Williams. Mayor Pro-tem Kara Tinucci attended virtually. Staff present included City Manager Daniel R. Miera, City Attorney Marcus McCaskin, City Clerk Reba Bechtel, Utilities Director Jack Beard, and Community Development Director Lisa Roemhildt.

Mayor Fey asked for a motion to authorize the City Manager to negotiate an engagement with Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck to pursue matters discussed in Executive Session. A motion was made to do so via the contract letter, to discuss the potential sale or lease of City-owned property, and to determine negotiating positions and instruct negotiators regarding the terms of said sale or lease.

The motion is pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) and -402(4)(e) for legal advice related to the potential formation of a Downtown Development Authority, Urban Renewal Authority, or other tax increment mechanism to support the potential siting and development of a parking garage in the historic downtown core, and to determine negotiating positions and instruct negotiators regarding retaining special counsel to assist the City with entity formation and related issues. All were in favor.

The Consent Agenda contained the Regular Bill Lists through March 15 and the City Council Minutes from March 7. It also included Resolution No. 23-07, to conditionally approve the special event application for Madame Lou Bunch Day, scheduled for Saturday, June 17; and Resolution No. 23-08, recommending the approval of the special event application for Stills in the Hills, scheduled for Saturday, July 1. Tinucci recused herself from the approval of the Consent Agenda due to her affiliation with Stills in the Hills.

Both the events would temporarily close Main Street. Aiken made a motion to approve; all were in favor.

Public participation was opened for any questions pertaining to the Consent Agenda. A resident asked about the public consumption of alcohol from the casinos, and voiced a concern regarding the liability of the casinos in monitoring the public, asking if all the casinos were in favor. 

Joe Behm, a marketer and manager of the event, responded that it is the premises’ responsibility to check IDs and be TIPS certified, and that it is the special event staff’s responsibility to monitor the public consumption and be TIPS certified. He emphasized that the event organizers would ensure proper education and training.

Tinucci responded in kind that the staff will be TIPS-trained and will professionally monitor the public drinking in the street. 

Behm commented that there will be cars parked on Main Street during the Gilpin County Fair’s 30th Anniversary Parade mentioned in the Consent Agenda. Krystal Meyer, the Special Events Coordinator for Gilpin County, remarked that they are aware cars will be parked on the street during the parade and that she has met with all the first responders about the event to ensure safety in the case of an emergency. She also mentioned there would be no one on foot during the parade for safety. 

A second reading and public hearing was held for Ordinance No. 23-02: An ordinance repealing and reenacting Article X of Chapter 4 of the City of Central Municipal Code pertaining to the development of impact fees. Public forum opened at 7:27 p.m. 

Roemhildt summarized the ordinance in that it has new land use classifications for residential, commercial, office, and industrial, with respective fee structures. She said that the ordinance would have no immediate impacts but as new development occurs there would be new rates imposed. 

The public hearing closed at 7:29 p.m. Aiken moved to approve Ordinance No. 23-02. All were in favor.

A second reading and public hearing was also held for Ordinance No. 23-03: An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Central setting new plant investment fees under Section 13-2-310 of the City’s Municipal Code.  

Miera explained that the impact fee study performed by Wildan concluded that a 5.3 percent change across the board was recommended. Eric Linen asked if a new water main for casinos would relate only to tap size or if it also pertained to the number of gaming machines on the premises. 

Beard responded that tap fees have been structured to either one or the other, as a way to calculate the needs of the property and find what works best for the developers. The ordinance would apply to any new construction.

The Public Forum closed at 7:45. Council wanted clarification on the aforementioned issues, and Williams moved to continue the second reading of Ordinance 23-03 on April 4. Miera later clarified that the continuance could equal a savings for developers and that more time is necessary to look at the Ordinance. All were in favor.

The first action item of new business was an Animal Shelter Subsidy Request for Charlie’s Place. Council members received a letter from Clear Creek County requesting a $1,500 contribution from the City to match some of the grant funds. Aiken moved to approve the request; all were in favor.

Fey introduced the last action item, Resolution 23-09: A resolution of the City Council recommending the approval or conditional approval of the Special Event Application for the Gilpin County Fair’s 30th Anniversary Parade scheduled for Friday, July 14, and authorizing the temporary closure of Main Street and Gregory Street during the event.

Roemhildt summarized that this is a new event and anticipates about 100 people. They are not requesting support from Public Works nor do they expect to have a full traffic detour. The parade would start on Main Street and last about 45 minutes. 

She said they are prepared to work with the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department, the Central City Fire Department, Colorado State Patrol, and Timberline Fire to move traffic at the intersections as the parade makes its way through the streets. Notice will be given per the code to the Central City Business District and local businesses 45 days in advance.

She continued that, after the parade, at the fairgrounds during the Gilpin County Fair, there will be a 4-H Livestock Show and a Volleyball Tournament in the arena. There will be booths and a rodeo on Saturday and a pancake breakfast on Sunday. 

Enloe moved to approve Resolution 23-09. All were in favor.

During Staff Updates, Miera commented that council will hear a discussion at a future date about dual band radios for the Central City Fire Department. He also noted that there have been additional settlements in the opioid cases that the State and Central City have been party to.

Council comments included Fey’s encouragement to fill open positions for the water department and public works. Tinucci apologized for the virtual lag she experienced and wished everyone a happy spring. Enloe said she was happy for warmer weather to plant flowers. Fey thanked the staff for their hard work, and although they may be short-handed, everything is running smoothly. He said the City of Central is a good place to work, with very little turnover, and that there are good opportunities for hiring.

Public comment included Behm reminding everyone that during the mayoral race in Denver, one of the candidates learned to drive a snow plow, and that perhaps that role is in Fey’s future. Chuckles followed the remark.

At 8:01 p.m., Fey adjourned the meeting.

The next Central City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 4, 2023, 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.