Black Hawk revises grant program
Council pursues CLG status
Black Hawk’s City Council conducted three public hearings at their April 22nd meeting (with no participation from the public on any of them). Mayor David Spellman and Aldermen Linda Armbright, Paul Bennett, Diane Cales, Kathy Doles, Tom Kerr and Greg Moates were present.
Historic Preservation
Council Bill 13 changes language in the Municipal Code to comply with federal and state requirements needed to become a Certified Local Government (CLG). Legislation (Senate bill 101), if passed, will require the CLG status to receive future state historical funding. City Attorney Corey Hoffmann, told the Aldermen it is the first step towards becoming a CLG. Hoffmann had submitted the revised code to Dan Corson of the Colorado Historical Society for his opinion as to whether it meets the state’s CLG standards. Corson had assured via e-mail that it does. CB13 was approved but will not go into effect unless or until the City receives CLG status. At that time, the City intends to draft a companion ordinance to transfer current Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) duties to the new commission created by CB13. The new commission would then be appointed, per state requirements, and would advise the Council regarding grant applications.
SDMD Ambulance IGA
The Aldermen approved CB14, the seventh amendment to the service plan of the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District (SDMD) allowing them to provide (pay for) ambulance service to their members. CB14 requires an intergovernmental agreement between SDMD and Black Hawk to make that happen.
Ambulance Fee
With the approval of CB15, the Aldermen amended the Municipal Code so those casinos that are not members of the SDMD can be charged a fee to cover ambulance service. (Casinos belonging to SDMD pay for their service through that entity.) CB15 establishes a separate Ambulance Service Fund and details billing and consequences of non-payment. The amount of the total fee is determined by the casino’s number of gaming devices as that number correlates to the number of visitors (who could potentially need ambulance service) the casino serves. CB15 sets the current fee at $2.50 per device. Billings are set to go out shortly.Ambulance Agreement
Following an executive session, the Aldermen declined to sign the 2009 Ambulance Service Agreement as amended by Gilpin County Commissioners. Black Hawk, Gilpin County and Central City subsidize Gilpin Ambulance Company for its services within their jurisdictions. The company needed additional funding and applied to the governmental entities. The three met in a work session and agreed to divvy up the supplemental subsidy based on a formula requiring the County to pay a base fee of 25% and then splitting the remainder between the three based on number of patients transported from each jurisdiction. County Commissioners have paid their portion but disagree with continued use of the formula requiring 25%. There is also a dispute as to whether the agreement covers a time period that ends when enhanced gaming takes effect in July, or extends through December 2009. Hoffmann was directed to send a letter to the County with the Council’s decision. The Aldermen directed payment of their portion ($49,755) to Gilpin Ambulance in the meantime.
Ameristar Pool Parties
Ameristar Casino requested and received the inclusion of their new hotel lobby and tower (at the top of which is the swimming pool) as Liquor Premises. Additionally, Ameristar will be able to set up mobile bars near the events center and meeting rooms, entertainer’s dressing room area, hospitality suites, private suites and the spa and pool areas. With the inclusions, Ameristar guests will be able to have their drinks poolside and in the other areas throughout the new hotel.
Grant Program Revised
The Aldermen approved revisions to the Guide to Programs governing grant funding. The new version eliminates home maintenance items and projects from “emergency” funding. It also clarifies Black Hawk’s goal to make the residences “habitable and livable” regarding the interiors. Finally, it addresses designs and materials to be used, allowing quality “off the shelf” products versus expensive custom or cheap inferior materials.
Emergency Grant
Following up from previous meetings, the Aldermen approved funds (up to $2,900) for plumbing repairs at the 211 Horn Street home of Benito and Patricia Torres. The Aldermen agreed to pay for repairs essential to safety. The homeowners are paying for the secondary repairs.
Radon Mitigation Program
Black Hawk residents will be able to apply to the City for funding to mitigate radon in their residential properties. All but Alderman Kerr voted to approve a program allowing one-time funding of up to $500 per household. Property owners must use the funding to pay for a professionally installed radon mitigation system.
Dubois Street Reconstruction
The Dubois Street project has been in the works since 2004 and will now be in the works, literally. The Aldermen approved a total construction budget of $1,392,451 to reconstruct the rock retaining wall topped with new streetlights and wrought iron railing, a cul-de-sac to allow emergency vehicle access and snow plow turn-around, replacement of sewer, storm drainage and water lines, and burying the electric, telephone and television cable lines. If funding remains when Dubois Street is done, the utilities on High and/or Church Streets will be moved underground as well.
111 Marchant Change Orders
A first-floor wall at Don and Kathy Doles’s Marchant Street home was discovered to be unstable. The home is undergoing a full rehabilitation with Historic Preservation Grant funding. The brick behind the wall plaster was described as “like sawdust” and is so unsound it isn’t considered safe for workers to be in the room. The unanticipated additional work will require more funding but the amount is still unknown. The architect is working on new plans and a change order is anticipated. Mayor Spellman noted that finding such problem areas isn’t unusual in the City’s old structures.
Also at 111 Marchant, a change in the door location on the shed was nixed and the shed itself will be moved so the door won’t have to be redone, thus saving the City some money.
Grant Pursuits
Fire Chief Bob Norris told the Council his department had applied for a FEMA, Assistance to Firefighters, grant the past two years but had not been successful in getting one awarded. Could we try again, he asked. If successful in getting the $50,000 grant, the City would be required to come up with a 5% match. The Aldermen gave the ok. If the money comes through, it will be used for equipment (hoses, nozzles, air bottles, etc.).
Police Chief Stephen Cole also got the ok to pursue a similar, Justice Assistance, grant. As he is already pursuing a grant for a communications tower that requires a match, he will send in the Justice Assistance application with no match specified. Cole said the chances of success would be improved if the grant was a joint effort with another department. He was directed to see if Central City wanted to collaborate. If the grant is awarded, the department will buy portable radios that are part of the long-term communications plan.
Gregory Day
Bring out the antique fire trucks for the celebration at the Gregory Monument on May 6th at 1 p.m., the Council told Norris. Trim the hedges, fly the flags, and make sure the place looks spiffy. The celebration kicks off the special summer-long marking of the 150th Year Anniversary of Gregory’s discovery of gold.
Executive Session
The Aldermen met with their attorney in an executive session to discuss municipal court issues, pending legislation and a pending notice of claim, as well as the Gilpin Ambulance Agreement. Black Hawk City Council meets next on May 13, 2009.