New trucks for Black Hawk

Lynn Volkens

02/22/2007 - Black Hawk City Council convened their February 14^th meeting at 6:00 p.m. All Aldermen were present when Mayor David Spellman tapped the gavel and called for roll. He started the meeting off on a high note, the presentation of a commendation.

Well Done!

   Black Hawk Firefighter Lee Nida was presented with a Certificate recognizing his life-saving efforts at a January car accident that left two elderly people trapped in their car in Clear Creek. The Citation was presented on behalf of the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, City Manager, Fire Chief and the entire City of Black Hawk.

Joining Forces

   Gilpin County Commissioners recently approved joining the Cities of Black Hawk and Central, and the Black Hawk/Central Sanitation District in an Intergovernmental Agreement that binds all the parties to joint defense and confidentiality regarding matters of joint concern. Black Hawk Aldermen officially brought the County into the IGA by approving the first addendum to it.

Lease Amendments

   Mountain Mocha and Gilpin Chiropractic, the City’s retail building tenants, were reportedly happy at the news that Black Hawk will now pick up the tab for gas, electric and water/sewage expenses. The lessees agreed to pay $3.00 per square foot per year (Mountain Mocha = 720 SF, $2,160 per year: Gilpin Chiropractic = 688 SF, $2,064 per year) and will share the cleaning of the common area. Aldermen approved the amended leases.

“Up”-keep

   The Denver Regional Council of Governments had been providing the City’s elevator and escalator inspection services since 1995, and will continue to do so in 2007. The Aldermen approved the on-call contract at a cost to the City of $11,830.

Diving Black Hawk Style

   Advance Diving Services was awarded the City’s contract to clean the Dory hill and Miners Mesa water tanks and four pump station tanks. Their bid of $6,386 (with an added 15% contingency totals $7,344) was considerably less than that of Liquid Engineering Corporation’s bid of $9,880. The tanks must be cleaned every three years and were last done in the summer of 2004.

Water Heater Approval

   Black Hawk resident Rene Wiley submitted a reimbursement application under the Emergency Preservation Grant Reimbursement Program to cover costs of a new 40-gallon natural gas water heater at 235 Chase Street. The Aldermen approved the requested amount of $774 with the condition that the plumbing contractor be licensed by the City of Black Hawk.

BHTA Grant Opportunity

   At the request of Black Hawk Transportation Authority (BHTA) Director/ City Public Works Director Philo Shelton, the Aldermen authorized BHTA to submit a Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program to the Federal Transit Administration. The DBE is required for BHTA to receive grant money to construct their new bus barn. It is part of Civil Rights compliance that grant recipients “ensure that disadvantaged business enterprises have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts.” BHTA intends to request FTA funding of $1,080,000.  The total project cost of the barn plus bus washing equipment is $1,350,000. The City is to pay $270,000 of that with grant money making up the difference. So far BHTA has been awarded $203,150 for 2005-06 and expects to receive $100,000 in 2007. The actual money for all three years should be received in 2007, said Shelton, and that puts BHTA over the $250,000 limit for receipt in one year, triggering the DBE requirements. The objective of the DBE is to create a level playing field so that such businesses can compete fairly for FTA and Department of Transportation assisted contracts. The preliminary goal for Black Hawk’s DBE Certified firm contracts in 2007 is $4,388. The DBE public notice is required to be published and further details are available at the Public Works Office (460 Gregory Street).

New Vehicles   

   The Council had budgeted for several replacement vehicles this year. Three bids had been acquired for each one and the following were chosen:

   Aldermen agreed to purchase a new Chevrolet Tahoe for the Police Department to replace a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. (The older vehicle, with 103,950 miles on it, is to be displayed near Mountain City and put out to bid.) The Tahoe was chosen after surveying the other cities (Avon, Breckenridge, Silverthorne and Vail) and finding the Tahoe saves money in maintenance and is safer and more dependable. Fuel costs are comparable. Black Hawk will pay $33,121 for the vehicle plus another $14,000 for equipment, decals and paint. Total cost is expected to be $47,121.

   The Water Department will also get a new vehicle. Aldermen agreed to the purchase of a replacement pickup truck (with snowplow and utility box) at a total cost of $29,381. The new vehicle, a 2007 four-wheel drive GMC, replaces a 2001 Dodge pickup (110,000 miles). The department found the Dodge too light duty, having already replaced the front end twice ($2,200 each time) and also installed two new transmissions ($3,000 each). The four-wheel drive system is not currently working. Rather than attempt to bid out this vehicle, the Aldermen took staff’s recommendation to consider it a lemon and trade it in.

   City Manager Richard Lessner asked the Aldermen to designate a 2003 Honda as surplus so that it can be sold and removed from the City’s fleet. They agreed.

Banner Still Waves

   According to City staff (who recommended denial of the applicant’s request), the 320 square foot American flag gracing the southeast end of Riviera Casino is out of compliance with the City’s sign code and doesn’t meet the criteria for a variance. The Aldermen asked for the matter to be brought back at the next meeting after staff could review the comprehensive sign plan for another way to deal with it.

Citizen Appreciation Dinner

   City Clerk Jeanie Magno updated the Aldermen on her findings regarding a location for the Citizens Appreciation Dinner. Via consensus, the dinner will be held at the Canyon Casino on a date yet to be determined.

Easement is Easier 

   The Aldermen, via consensus, decided to maintain their traditional easement provision used in conjunction with the historic preservation program. City Attorney Corey Hoffmann had offered an alternative for Aldermen to consider, a covenant program he described as “unique” accomplished by encumbering the property with a deed restriction. That program, he cautioned, would be difficult to implement, would be binding (running with the land) indefinitely and expose the City to enforcement and tax risks. The Aldermen rejected the covenant program, to keep the easement option which gives the City an interest in the land, allows the City control over rehabilitation of the exterior of the structure and relieves some of the tax burden. Details of the entire program can be found in the revised City of Black Hawk Guide to Programs.

Memories for Sale

   A framed photo from the old Crook’s Palace, featuring horse and wagons on the street and Blake family members standing alongside, was offered by former resident Bobby Clay for the City to purchase. Mayor Spellman noted the photo had indeed hung in the bar prior to restoration, but also that he had a smaller version of the same scene that could be blown up and used the same way if the City so desired. They directed Clerk Magno to inquire Clay’s price or if he’d be willing to donate the memorabilia. They later decided not to buy it.

Executive Session

   The Council moved into Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. to consult their attorney about pending litigation. They reconvened and with no further official action, adjourned at 7:23 p.m.