Central adopts a user-friendly subdivision ordinance

Lisa Kunz

04/10/2008 - The Central City City council meeting was called to order by Mayor Schmalz at 7:00 pm. Present at the meeting were Mayor Schmalz, Alderman Engels, Alderman Engels, Alderman Spain, Alderman Wiman and City Manager Lynette Hailey and City Clerk Wendy Heffner.

  No conflicts of Interest were presented.

  Manager Hailey added the Historic Preservation appointment of Gloria Gaines to the agenda as 14a.

  The Consent Agenda was moved to be approved by Alderman Spain to include the regular bill lists dated March 20 and 27, 2008 and the minutes of March 18, 2008. Alderman Engles seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously.

Presentation – Brannan Sand & Gravel, Hwy 119 Quarry Project

  Jeff Rumer, Division Manager and Dean Rossi, a Representative of Brannan had a short presentation for the City Council. They started the presentation detailing how Brannan assumed the application for the quarry project in the southern part of the county. When the original company presented to both the Black Hawk and Central City councils, both were in opposition to the quarry. Being present to answer questions and present the facts, the Brannan representatives hoped to change the resolutions previously passed by the city council as new resolutions are before the County at this time.

  Rossi gave a quick overview of the project explaining that the application is for 525 acres, but that the quarry would only use 98 acres in 100 years. The nearest resident is one mile away with natural ridgelines in place. In addition, Rossi explained that the quarry is behind a natural ridgeline blocking the view from Hwy 119. The process for the project would entail the first two or three years being used to construct acceleration and deacceleration lanes from the quarry to Hwy 119 with no traffic light in the plans. After the initial preparations and improvements are done, the quarry will be extracting one million tons of hard rock per year. Rossi explained that the quarry, while doing extractions, will have the unique feature of having concurrent reclamation - putting things back as they were prior to the extraction, using indigenous plants and grass while amending the soil. Rossi stated that there would be a buffer zone of 350 acres surrounding the quarry, leaving habitat intact.

  Alderman Spain questioned what hours the quarry would be operated, and the timing that the quarry had planned for the trucks entering and exiting onto and off of Hwy 119. Rumer stated the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brannan has had traffic studies conducted by experts; accordingly, they propose staggering the number of trucks in timed intervals to mitigate the convoy of trucks in the Clear Creek Canyon. To further help the traffic issue, Brannan plans to use the I-70 corridor for the empty trucks returning up from Denver to the quarry, reducing the number of trucks in the Clear Creek Canyon.

 Public Forum

  As is the norm for the meetings, any interested parties were given three minutes to state their comments on any issue.

  Resident Gloria Gaines stated that she is not sold on the quarry. Gaines stated that she had been stuck behind trucks in the canyon in the past and that she travels the 6^th Avenue corridor twice a day. She stated that she feels the trucks are either going too fast or too slow, and that there is no in-between. Gaines feels that the trucks are going to cause congestion that will soon require a light on Hwy 119 to accommodate the traffic. She stated that she feels the quarry would help the County budget, but she doesn’t like the location. Gaines also stated that she felt the endorsement by the Gilpin County School District was in answer to a bribe, but it had already been done.

  Gaines also asked the Council to consider the impact of a toll on I-70 for Central City. Approval from the first committee has been gained in the State Legislature. The placement of the toll is in question with its location being designated only as being somewhere between Floyd Hill and on west to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Gaines had additional concerns that the quarry and the toll coming within the same time frame would cause problems. The Councilmen agreed that a toll on Floyd Hill would be a problem.

Liquor Authority

  Alderman Engels moved to approve the liquor license transfer of Doc Holliday Casino II, LLC, Central City. Alderman Spain seconded and the motion carried unanimously.  

  Alderman Engels moved to approve the liquor license renewal for Century Casino, Central City. Alderman Spain seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Ratification of the change of date for the Special Election to May 20 – Resolution 05-08

  Alderman Wiman moved to ratify the change in Resolution 05-08 to change the date of the Special Election to May 20, 2008. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL A VACANCY ON CITY COUNCIL. Alderman Engels seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Light Bulb Program: Exchange and Recycling Program

  City staff recommended that the City establish a one-for-one exchange for all city residents. Alderman Spain moved to approve the recycling program as presented. Alderman Wiman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Alderman Wiman requested that the citizens dispose of the bulbs appropriately before bringing them to the city for the replacement as they contain mercury. City Clerk Wendy Wiman stated she would put the proper disposal instructions in the next news letter.

Ordinance 08-03 – An Ordinance adopting Chapter 16 Planned Unit Development

  City Counsel directed City Staff to develop regulations that would reduce the time frame for the PUD process for commercial projects. Accordingly, Staff developed a more “user friendly” and readable document. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed language and recommended approval. Alderman Wiman moved to approve

Ordinance 08-04. AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 17 OF THE CENTRAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE CITY OF CENTRAL SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 17 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND PUBLISHED BY THE CITY OF CENTRAL COLORADO and setting the public hearing for April 15, 2008. Alderman Spain seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Purchase Request – Plow

  Pricing was received for two plow blade assemblies. Alderman Wiman moved to approve the lowest bid of $7,895. Alderman Engles seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Historic Preservation Commission Appointment

  Alderman Wiman moved to appoint Gloria Gaines to the Historic Preservation Commission. Alderman Spain seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.

City Manager Update

  The next Council work session is scheduled for April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

  Petition packets are available in the Clerk’s Office and petitions are due April 18^th.

  Gaming revenues are down 20%. The Tourism Bureau is doing a good job in the advertising kick off. Many positive comments have come in regarding the new commercials. The City does not have the funds to offer incentives to businesses, but are cleaning up areas and sprucing up others to make the city look more inviting from the streets.

Council Comments

  Alderman Wiman commented on the commitment the City has to the Casinos. There was an ensuing discussion regarding the $50 million road, the lights put on the parkway, and the building of a casino with a parking structure. Also discussed was the $120,000 in public transportation and the $500,000 spent to make the City safe and presentable. This is all in addition to the $200,000 spent with Black Hawk for joint advertising of the combined gaming community. It was stated that if this money were not spent to support the casinos, the City would have more money to do other projects in the City.

  Alderman Wiman addressed the issue of the upcoming Firefall concert, which was conflicting with the fireworks scheduled for July 4^th. A rescheduling of one or the other will be examined.

  Alderman Wiman suggested a Boodle Mine tour with the Council. The tour will take place May 6^th and the councilmen will meet on site.

  Alderman Wiman shared some personal news in that his son, a Green Beret, had just passed Army Ranger School. Congratulations were given by all in attendance.

  Mayor Schmalz adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:40 p.m. The next meeting is set for April 15th.