Mindy Leary, Central City. On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Central City Council held a special meeting. In attendance were the Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-tem Judy Laratta, and council members, Jeff Aiken, Jackie Johnson and Jack Hidahl. Topics included an IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) regarding Coronavirus relief fund distribution and economic resiliency concerning the reimagining of Main Street.

The first topic of ratifying HPC approval of HR 20-09, the demolition of sheds at 234 E. 6th High St. was voted off the current consent agenda to allow for questions and discussion. The primary shed built in 1875 is deemed historic and wouldn’t meet the requirements for demolition. Full consideration of the application with the applicants present will be held during the next council meeting. 

Public participation on agenda items was then offered but no one responded. 

Resolution 20-23 approving the IGA of CARES Act funding distribution was then discussed. The City of Central, Black Hawk and Gilpin County are working together to submit their application to DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) for funding for Covid-related reimbursement. Population will determine how the funds will be divided using the most recent census data. The county will receive 55%, about $295,000 and the remaining $241,000 will be split between the cities of Central and Black Hawk. Central City will be eligible for about $207,000, as it holds more of the population.

Any funds not appropriated for Covid-related expenses would be returned to the state in October. The IGA was modeled after Jefferson County. This agreement goes until 2021 and expenditures will be accounted for and given to DOLA for reimbursement. 

Laratta moved to approved Resolution 20-23, IGA of CARES Act Funding and it passed 4-nil.

Next on the agenda was a discussion of closing off Main Street and allowing merchants to have locations out on the sidewalk for pedestrian shoppers and diners. Fey said he has seen it in Idaho Springs and it was successful. Laratta said, “I think it should be individually up to the restaurant.”

Fey responded that he didn’t know how individual businesses would opt in or out without the infrastructure present. He also said that weekends would be a good idea with possibly outside vendors, and that it could be a good marketing opportunity. 

Councilwoman Johnson said she supports the idea and agreed that Idaho Springs has been successful in creating a lively, outdoor commercial atmosphere. The council agreed that they should strongly consider this in the next work session. 

The council decided to move future meetings back to their original time of 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The next Central City Council meeting will be held online Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 7 p.m. and can be accessed via https://centralcity.colorado.gov/meetings. 

(Originally published in the June 25, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)