John Scarffe, Black Hawk. The Black Hawk City Council approved an ordinance regarding the need for automatic sprinkler systems and a lease agreement for a cellular tower facility on Miners Mesa during a regular meeting at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 211 Church Street. The meeting followed a work session on the Gregory Street Master Plan at 1:30 p.m.

Fire Chief Christopher Woolley introduced an ordinance amending the Black Hawk Municipal Code regarding the need for automatic sprinkler systems under the International Fire Code. Fire Department Staff reviewed the current provisions of the City’s Fire Code and recommended revision of the sprinkler requirements for Occupancy Group B and Occupancy Group B buildings.

Woolley told the Council this will bring the sprinkler systems in compliance with the actual fire code itself. Automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures must be provided throughout buildings and structures where the fire area exceeds 2,500 square feet, the fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more and the fire area is located on a floor area other than the level of exit discharge, according to the proposed code.

Automatic sprinkler systems must be provided throughout buildings and structures where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet, the fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane, the combined area of all fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 10,000 square feet and occupancies used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet.

The Council approved the amendment, and also approved ordinances repealing the Bylaws of the Black Hawk Fire Department and the previously approved fire department Rules and Regulations or Standard Operating Guidelines. The first ordinance would repeal a requirement that the Fire Chief prepare, adopt and submit By-Laws to the Board of Aldermen for approval.

The second ordinance would repeal the previously approved City of Black Hawk Fire Department Rules and Regulations or Standard Operating Guidelines. Woolley said he is asking the Council to allow the fire department to manage its own policies and guidelines.

City Attorney Corey Hoffmann said the fire department needs to have its guidelines, but they don’t need to be approved by Council, because the fire department will be adopting City policies.

Public Works Director Thomas Isbestor introduced a lease agreement with Vertical Bridge Development, LLC, for the installation and maintenance of a cellular tower facility on City property on Miners Mesa for an initial term of five years at a rate of $24,000 per year.

Isbestor said he has been working on this for several years. It will be in the diamond lot on Miners Mesa where Public Works currently stores and processes rock and other materials. This will be a 50 x 50-foot facility including an enclosure and tower similar to what is located midway up Miners Mesa, according to the request for Council action.

The tower is anticipated to be 100-feet tall but will need to go through all of the development approvals, according to the request. The contract is for an initial term of five years at $24,000 per year and includes a provision for an additional four, five-year terms with appropriate termination provisions.

Each five-year extension would include a 10 percent increase in the annual rental rate. Approval of this lease will start with a $3,000 payment for a one-year option period while they pursue development approvals, according to the request. The Council approved the lease agreement.

Isbestor requested the purchase of a sweeper from Ace equipment for $53,000. He said it will be used at the new St. Charles Carriage House parking garage.

It’s a smaller unit than their larger sweepers, and they don’t want to get too far behind on maintenance, Isbestor said. The proposed resolution would approve the purchase of a 2019 Nilfisk Advance SW8000 Sweeper from Ace Equipment in an amount not to exceed $53,850.

The 2019 Capital budget includes funding for a parking garage sweeper. With the Carriage House coming on line, Public Works will need to begin maintenance of the facility. “This unit will assist in that endeavor,” according to the request.

The Council approved the request.

(Originally published in the February 7, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)