John Scarffe & Patrice LeBlanc. Central City.

January

On January 2, during a regular meeting at 7 p.m. at the Central City Hall, the City of Central Council appointed Alderman Judy Laratta to serve as Mayor Pro-tem. The Council approved a resolution establishing financial procedures for check signatories, establishing Mayor Jeremy Fey and Mayor Pro-tem Laratta as authorized signatories on bank accounts to sign checks. The Council discussed snow removal on sidewalks and asked that staff bring forward a revised policy including fines and fees.

The Council approved a resolution regarding a telephonic participation policy on January 15. This resolution establishes a written policy to govern telephonic participation of Council members at City Council meetings. With advancements in communication equipment, telephonic meeting participation has become more common with many local governments in Colorado, so the Policy specifies when a City Council member may participate in regular and special meetings by telephone. The Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance and new Municipal Code chapter titled Snow Removal, concerning the requirement to remove snow and ice from City sidewalks. The ordinance provides that the City may abate snow hazards on behalf of a property owner, tenant, occupant or party controlling the property after the responsible party’s violation and failure to cure upon notice. The Ordinance provides that the City Council may impose fines for failure to comply, to be set by separate resolution. The Council scheduled the second reading of the ordinance for the next meeting. 

February

On February 5, the Council approved the second reading of the ordinance establishing more robust snow removal requirements for public sidewalks within the historic commercial core and including an administrative enforcement process for the new regulations. The Council approved the first reading of a related ordinance amending the Municipal Code to establish an administrative citation procedure for addressing Municipal Code violations by adding a new article. The Council amended the City Comprehensive Fee Schedule related to fees for grading, excavations and erosion control permits and an automatic adjustment for water rates. The City’s current charge for grading is high and if lowered the fee would be more in line with the cost of administering a grading permit.  Staff expects the revenues received to be minimal and almost all of the fees are designed to recover costs, not be sources of additional revenue.

March

The Council met on March 1 for an executive session. On March 5, The Council approved the second reading of the ordinance establishing an administrative citation procedure for addressing Municipal Code violations. The Council also approved an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to make explicit that the City is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Independent Ethics Commission or the ethics provisions of Article XXIX of the Colorado Constitution pursuant to an exemption for home rule municipalities. The Council appointed Allyson Shellhorn to serve on the Planning Commission and Jeff Hentschel as Alternate to Main Street Commission. 

On March 19, the Council approved a variance request for the Shores Residence. The applicant proposed building a new home on the north side of Eureka Street, six feet from the front property line. The size of the home to be constructed is about 20’-8” x 50’-0” with a small courtyard on each end and a covered 6’ deep porch across the full length of the front. The applicant applied for and received a similar variance approval on July 30, 2015, but it expired one-year from the approval date. The Council also appointed Dena Hunter to serve on the Planning Commission. 

April

The Board appointed Ed Schoenradt to serve as the alternate on the Historic Preservation Commission on April 2 and tabled a development agreement with Morrone Ranch and the Gold Mountain Development Agreement, which was dated May 17, 2011. The agreement, which addresses the contemplated future development of Morrone Ranch or Gold Mountain owned by Gloria Morrone and Gina Melstrom, is considered null and void. The Agreement contemplated the owners’ sale of the property to Wedgewood Heights Development Company, LLC. The owners and developer have failed to reach mutual agreement as to the owners’ sale of the property to developer. The owners would like to table this resolution to have time to work with the City and have a plan to move forward prior to a dissolution. 

On April 16, the Board voted again to table the resolution conditionally consenting to the assignment of the Morrone Ranch and Gold Mountain Development Agreement to Global Funding Partners at the request of the property owners, and the Council agreed to a Special Council Meeting on April 23 to address this topic. The Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Miller Engineers, Inc. d/b/a Souder, Miller & Associates for environmental consulting services and civil engineering consulting and design services with a not-to-exceed cap on consultant compensation at $20,000.  The Council also approved a Nonexclusive Revocable License Agreement with the Colorado Division of Water Resources for City-Owned Property in Clear Creek County to relocate and reinstall a gaging station and related equipment adjacent to Fall River.  

During the April 23 special meeting, after discussion, the Council voted on a three to two vote to approve the change for the closing date to June 20, 2019, for the Morrone Ranch and Gold Mountain Development Agreement to Global Funding Partners.

May 

On May 7, the Council approved a Services Agreement with Revenue Recovery Group, Inc. (RRG), to continue the services of RRG that may include, but are not limited to, consulting, training, development and implementation of education programs, administrative functions for the collection or enforcement of taxes, fees and other revenues, auditing, and other related activities, including but not limited to attendance and testifying at administrative hearings related to the City’s sales and use tax collection activities, The City and RRG previously entered into a services agreement dated March 5, 2018, which established a not-to-exceed amount of $20,000. The Council approved a clean-up ordinance amending the Municipal Code to repeal an article called “Electric Franchise” in its entirety, given that the City’s franchise with United Power has expired.  The Council approved an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to expand the authorized hours of operation of medical marijuana establishments and retail marijuana stores in Central City to the hours of operation authorized by state law between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 a.m., Mountain Time, Monday through Sunday. The Council approved a construction contract with Rodney D. Burrows & Associates for the 2019 West Public Stairway Project.

On May 21, the Council approved the second reading of the ordinance amending the Municipal Code to repeal the Municipal Code chapter titled “Electric Franchise” in its entirety. The Council approved extending the hours for the Jazz Event music event at the Teller House Lot on June 7 and 8 from 10 p.m. to 11p.m. The Council approved a change order for the Stairway Project after a prior resolution authorized the City Manager to execute the construction contract not-to-exceed $115,689.00. The City directed the Contractor to work with staff to modify the scope of work related to the Project, substituting the Central Stairway Project for the West Stairway Project. The change order increases the NTE amount in the construction contract from $115,689 to $120,771. The Central Stairway is 4-foot- wide, and the West Stairway was 3-foot-wide so the cost increase is due to additional material cost. 

June

On June 4, 2019, Council appointed Mike Keeler, Barbara Thielemann and Jeremy Kaiser to the Main Street Commission unanimously. The Council approved a resolution supporting the City’s Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Grant Application for the Central City Trails Master Plan, which would capitalize on heritage and cultural assets to attract visitors and enrich the visitor experience. The Council approved a resolution that awards the City’s 2019 Parkway Slurry Seal Project to A-1 Chipseal Company for resurfacing of Central City Parkway. The project would use 66,897 square yards of slurry seal plus related mobilization, traffic control and pavement striping costs not to exceed $146,625.63.

July

Central City will move forward with a grant application to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to plan trails in the City after approval by the Council. The Council also approved calling for a special election with Gilpin County on November 5, 2019, and using the upstairs of the Visitor Center for economic development. The City will conduct a special election to ask City voters whether to authorize sports betting in designated portions of the City. During a work session at 6 p.m. before the regular meeting, the Council discussed calling for the special election. 

August

On August 20, 2019, the Council approved a resolution memorializing the acquisition of a permanent easement over the area known as the West Staircase. The staircase needs repair, and the public will not be able to use it if repairs are not made. The cost estimate to replace the whole stairway is $125,000. The Council accepted a donation of property at 130 Main Street (formally Scarlett’s Casino) from Central City L.L.C. with acquisition costs estimated between $11,000 and $16,000. The Council approved a resolution referring a ballot question to the registered electors at the November 5, 2019, election regarding sports betting and approved a professional services agreement with C & L Water Solutions, Inc., who requested $125,000 to repair additional fire hydrants.

September

The Council heard the first reading of an ordinance about length restrictions of large vehicles like trailers and buses on Spruce Street and approved another Spring Street change order on September 3. The amendment clarifies that in addition to commencing a civil action to recover damages to any street or parkway structure from the owner or driver of any vehicle, the City is also authorized to file a claim with the driver’s or owner’s insurance company. The Council also met for a work session at 5 p.m. to discuss a downtown parking study, a proposed railroad and mining museum and legislation about family leave.

On September 17, the Council addressed the second reading of an ordinance regarding a special length for vehicles and vehicle and trailer combinations, which had been approved on the first reading at the September 3 meeting. The ordinance came about as a result of a citizen calling attention to the issue of oversized vehicles using Spruce Street between Nevada Street and Moriarty Lane, causing destruction to the road and the vehicles due to the steep decline. Mayor Fey proposed changing the grade of Spruce Street as a preventive measure. The council amended the ordinance of vehicle length from 25 feet to 22 feet and then approved it. The Council approved a Professional Services Agreement extension with Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc., for on-call water rights related to engineering services for additional work on three projects, and the State is changing how the water rights report is submitted. The Council approved an additional $90,000 to cover the estimated $50,000 shortfall plus a reserve for any future projects that may arise. The Council agreed on a grant to the Central City Opera for $25,000 consistent with past grants to the Opera, however, the council requested documentation on how the funds are spent.

October

During a work session before the regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on October 1, the Council focused on the Belvidere Theatre Rehabilitation Project. Funding could come from multiple sources including tax credits, a DOLA grant, private foundations and an enterprise zone. The Council will vote, and if approved, will move forward with the grant proposal and the other initiatives. During the regular meeting, Mayor Fey reported the City has been awarded a grant by Great Outdoors Colorado to create a master plan to build trails in and around the city. Other updates included a project from University of Colorado-Denver students’ contribution to develop terrain and work on the Masonic Lodge. Mark Ragan of Peak to Peak Players announced the grand opening of their resident theater company at the Stables on Oct. 5. Barbara Thielemann represented Main Street Commission and reported on a cornstalk display along the street until the end of November. The third annual Pumpkin Patch will take place on October12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Big T lot across from City Hall. Deb Wray from the Gilpin County Historical Society reported on the upcoming Creepy Crawl on October. 18, 19, 25 and 26.

On October 15, The Council approved an agreement with Municipal Prosecution Services after the Law Office of Donna M. Stewart Inc. terminated services with the City. The firm Michow Cox and McAskin LLP has offered to fill the role as interim prosecutor by appointing Christiana McCormick. The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to change the maximum jail sentence for criminal offenses under the City’s Municipal Code to 364 days instead of one year. The ordinance follows previsions set forth by state. The Council approved an agreement between the City and the Business District to identify the specific circumstance under which the City will require a property owner to submit a Petition for Inclusion to annex any commercial property, seek to lease or purchase property from the City for commercial purposes, seek an access permit to the Central City Parkway, or seek to rezone or subdivide in the future.

November

On November 5, the Council approved the application of JKQ Consolidated LLC, dba Mountain City Cantina, for a New Tavern Liquor License at 430 Lawrence Street. The Council approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to change the maximum jail sentence for criminal offenses to 364 days instead of one year. The council appointed Casey Saltness as the new alternate appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. Saltness and Barbara Thielemann applied for the position. Due to the fact that Thielmann is already on two City boards, the Council voted in favor of Saltness. 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.

December

On December 3, the Council approved the 2020 budget, adopting a five-year capital improvement plan, setting the property tax mill levy and the district’s operating plan and budget. The Council conducted a public hearing on November 19, 2019, to adopt the resolution. The council looked over a resolution approving a General Fund purchase of Development Fee Credits from the Water Enterprise Fund for issuance to a City Economic Development Incentive Program. The City loaned funds over a number of years from the General Fund to the Water Fund for operational and capitol expenses. The current fiscal year end balance on the loan is $819, 205. The City intends to establish a program that can provide economic incentives to the development projects.

(Originally published in the January 2, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)