Bull Riding event returns

Lynn Volkens

Black Hawk Council says to rebuild, repair, renovate and… rodeo

2/03/2005 - Partial Audit - Official business at the Wednesday evening’s Black Hawk City Council meeting began with a presentation of the 2003 audit by the representative of Clifton Gunderson LLP, the accounting firm contracted to conduct the audit. The audit was done to obtain a professional opinion on the financial statements of the City, not to provide assurance of internal control. However, some internal control procedures were reviewed and recommendations were made to adjust some journal entries to provide better documentation. Areas of comment included 32 journal entries to various City funds, tracking of parking impact fees, determining refunds due to developers for completed projects, formalizing purchasing policy, and reviewing beginning fund balances in the 2003 budget. This was not a complete review of all of the City’s accounting procedures.

Rohling Inn Might Survive - The room was packed with more than 40 people at Wednesday evening’s Black Hawk City Council meeting. Most were there to hear the fate of the Rohling Inn building following the collapse of the building’s southeast corner last week. Aldermen decided to  shore-up the building and attempt to save what remains. Once that was determined, the meeting room cleared to half a dozen spectators.

Richman Overpass, No Go - Aldermen voted to table, indefinitely, the proposed construction of a pedestrian overpass at the intersection of Richman and Highway 119. Alderman David Spellman noted that opposition from the casinos located at the corners of that intersection (Mountain High, Richman, Lodge, and Mardi Gras) was the reason progress wouldn’t proceed. Black Hawk City Council determined the intersection to be a safety problem for pedestrians more than two years ago and began looking for a solution. Spellman said that now the casino owners will need to take on the responsibility of pedestrian safety. Although several representatives for the casinos were there, none responded when invited to speak, and Spellman noted that there wasn’t much more the City could do.

Special Election Scheduled - Black Hawk will conduct a special election on April 5, 2005, in order to fill the vacancy on the Board of Aldermen created when Al Price left. Price was elected to the office of County Commissioner in November.

Renovation/Repair Grants Continue - The City continues to help property owners within City limits repair and preserve Black Hawk’s historic homes. The residence located at 171 Marchant Street received a final grant of $260,000.00 to renovate both the interior and exterior of the house. The City had already granted $57,000.00 for previous work done to the 1890 structure. It is owned by George Works. Works also owns the main house and an out structure at 101 Hillside Street. Alderman granted $96,000.00 to Works for exterior and interior improvements for both structures. The main house dates from the 1900’s and the out structure (bunk house) dates back to at least the 1940’s, thus qualifying for funding as well. Works had previously received approximately $50,000.00 in grant money for this property.

Bull Durham Gets New Look - Bull Durham Casino at 110 Main Street asked approval to add window graphics to the windows fronting Main Street on their building. The graphics will be done with a combination of paint and 23K gold leaf applied directly to the windows. They will not be illuminated. City Council approved.

Municipal Complex Moves Forward - Progress continues on the new municipal complex and maintenance facility for the City. Aldermen voted to spend $48,895.00 to contract with Boyle Engineering Corporation to design 3,000 feet of sewer line and utility lines to the complex. City staff had reviewed proposals from ten different consultants, narrowed it to four, and ultimately recommended Boyle’s mid-range bid.

Land Deal In The Works - Progress also continues in the City’s effort to acquire properties in and around Black Hawk that are currently owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Aldermen approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement to buy 1,600 acres near Canon City. That land is owned by the Dilley Family Trust, who has agreed to sell it to Black Hawk for $1,428,000.00. Once the deal goes through, Black Hawk wants to enter into a land exchange, trading the Canon City property for the local parcels.

Homeland Security Funds, Maybe - The City will be “looking into” applying for Homeland Security grant money to purchase equipment for monitoring the water quality of North Clear Creek. Several Aldermen wanted to know, “what are the strings attached?” None welcomed the prospect of answering to Federal overseers and decided to have City staff check into everything that would go along with accepting the grant money. The City will apply for approximately $32,600.00 in funding, but said Black Hawk may turn down the funding if there are too many bureaucratic regulations tied to it.

Bullriding Event Returns - Plans are already in the works for another Bull Riding Event, sponsored by the City, in 2005. Last year’s “Mother Lode” Bull Riders Showdown was a popular event among Gilpin County residents. This year, City staff wanted to know, should the event be in conjunction with the Gilpin County Fair? Sean McCartney, Community Planning and Development Director, said he had been told that the County may pursue the Junior Rodeo for this year’s fair. In that case, Black Hawk could bring in the Professional Rodeo as part of the fair. Aldermen instructed McCartney to request proposals from different promoters, possibly to do a full rodeo, separate from the fair, in September.

Thanks and Appreciation - There were two expressions of gratitude to City Aldermen. The first, when former Police Chief Art Hutchinson appeared personally to thank Council for their prior years of support. Hutchinson’s employment was terminated by the City approximately two weeks ago. The reason for the termination has not been disclosed to the public.

   Alderman Doles presented the Council with a plaque from the Central City Opera Association, expressing appreciation for Black Hawk’s support during the 2004 Opera season.