Black Hawk wins award for Public Works project

Lynn Volkens

3/2/2006 - All Aldermen were present February 22^nd when Mayor Kathryn Eccker called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Award-winning Bobtail Street Project

  The Council congratulated Tom Isbester of the City’s Public Works Department, along with Public Works Director Philo Shelton, for receiving the 2005 Project of the Year Award from the Colorado Chapter of the American Public Works Association. Their project, the City’s Stormwater Master Plan, was featured in the Colorado Public Works Journal, January 2006 issue. It was lauded for innovative design, specifically in dealing with debris-laden Canyon Gulch storm flows via a debris pond and cascading drop structure. The project, located above Bobtail Street, safely transports significant amounts of stormwater through cells and grates that capture the debris and discharge the water to North Clear Creek at a manageable rate. The City has been plagued throughout its existence by flooding and boulder/debris damage because of the steep terrain above the City. It took four years of planning, working with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the owners of several individual properties, various City departments, the City’s Council and Historical Architectural Review Committee and a design team. The project was completed last summer.

Traffic Flowing Smoothly Through Town

  Shelton was also on hand to answer Council members’ questions about the traffic flow through Black Hawk since installing a sensory camera on the signal light at the City’s major intersection. The camera senses vehicles approaching and changes the traffic signal accordingly to best prevent gridlock. The timing has also been reduced on the light at Highway 119 and Black Hawk Street from 110 to 90 seconds. The changes have improved traffic flow, said Shelton, but will be observed for a week by the City’s police personnel and Shelton for further evaluation. The opening of the Central City Parkway has reduced the number of vehicles passing through Black Hawk to access/exit Central City. That change, plus increased pedestrian traffic in Black Hawk have both impacted the vehicle flow along the City’s major thoroughfares. Colorado Department of Transportation had already been up to check on the new system, said Shelton. CDOT personnel watched the lights from 3:00 p.m. to midnight on a Friday, he said, “They were happy with it.”

Gilpin Misses the Bus – BHTA Moves On

  Council was officially advised by Shelton that Gilpin County Commissioners had not accepted the Black Hawk/Central City Transit Authority’s offer to go ahead with a Memorandum of Understanding for bus service to County destinations. The transit authority and County could not come to agreement on the number and location of stops, he said. The transit authority was ready to begin service from the apartments above Central City, north through the County to the school, justice center and recreation center, said Shelton. Radio communication with the City’s current capabilities is non-existent as the bus travels further north, he said, making the transit authority reluctant to proceed to the library, Rollinsville, or further as the County wanted to do, he said. “I feel bad,” said Shelton, “after all of the work that’s been done – I really did try my best,” he told Council. Alderman Dick Cottrell told Shelton to, “Consider the County issue a dead issue.” “Just continue to run the successful bus service we have now,” instructed Alderman David Spellman. Shelton said they would concentrate their efforts and money on a new maintenance facility.

Everything’s Coming up Roses? Geraniums? Daisies? IGAs With Central

  The Cities of Black Hawk and Central have partnered in an Intergovernmental Agreement for light equipment and flowers. Black Hawk Aldermen approved the IGA, an update to a previous agreement between the two cities to allow small equipment to be loaned by Black Hawk to Central and for Black Hawk staff to order, deliver and maintain the flowers, plants and shrubbery that beautifies both cities in the summertime. Central City reimburses Black Hawk at cost for the plants and service.

  By approving an amendment (the second) to the IGA for Fleet Maintenance Services for Central City, Black Hawk’s Council adjusted the hourly rate at which it will provide maintenance to Central City’s public works, police and fire vehicles/equipment. The new rate is to be based on an average of wages and benefits paid by Black Hawk to its employees providing the services, the rate charged to be the same as that actually paid by Black Hawk.

Annual Health Fair Date Set

  The Aldermen gave City Manager Richard Lessner the go-ahead for the annual Health Fair. The City picks up the tab for its employees and their families to obtain various medical tests. Last year the Health Fair cost the City a total of $1,115. The Health Fair is scheduled for April 24th, 2006 at the White Buffalo.

No “BHFD” News for Gilpin News

  Fire Chief Brian Lesher asked for direction from the Council regarding a request from the Gilpin County News for a weekly “Call Report” from the Black Hawk Fire Department (BHFD). The Call Report lists the number and nature of events the department is called out on each week. Alderman Kathy Doles asked the GCN reporter to clarify. The volunteer fire departments in Gilpin County have recently requested the News publish their call reports, Doles was told, and the GCN has begun printing their Call Reports as space allows – just as is done with the police reports. The editor, wanting to be fair to all area fire departments, had sent the letter offering the same type of press coverage to Black Hawk’s department. The GCN requires Call Reports be sent to the paper by the Monday deadline and in text-only format - basically press ready. Noting that someone in the department would have to go through the Black Hawk reports and remove names and confidential information from the medical reports before sending them on, Lesher wanted to know if the Council wanted him to pursue it. Several Council members said they didn’t want the fire department to be burdened by the submission.

In Case of Flood – Climb Higher

  Community Planner for the City, Sean McCartney, asked Aldermen if they wanted a brochure done regarding the flood dangers in Chase Gulch. Council members said no. The consensus was that residents living in Chase Gulch already know about the snowmelt and spring run-off, and are generally aware when there is risk.

Cracking Down on Loose and Unlicensed Dogs

  Black Hawk dog owners, take heed. The City has a leash law and a license law. Several Aldermen voiced their exasperation with loose dogs and having to clean up after them. Council advised staff to impound unlicensed dogs every time they are picked up. A dog license is $3 if the pet is spayed/neutered, and $5 if not. Alderman Spellman then asked about cats, sparking a tongue-in-cheek running commentary, “Well, if you can catch them…” Doles trailed off. “Do we (the City) have a hunting license?” asked Alderman Tom Kerr, grinning. “But then there’d be no food for coyotes,” objected Cottrell. With joking aside, cats were let off the hook because they keep the rodent population down. Council indicated that dogs, however, had best be licensed and leashed or fenced. They instructed City Clerk Jeanie Magno to send a letter to all residents to that effect.

Executive Session

  The Council entered executive session shortly before 3:00 p.m. to consult with City Attorney Corey Hoffmann regarding pending litigation and potential claims against the City. They took no action after executive session and adjourned at 4:10 p.m.