Black Hawk honors law enforcement
Past and present
Black Hawk City Council began their May 13, 2009 meeting remembering a fallen hero from the City’s early days. Mayor David Spellman read the official proclamation honoring Marshal Robert A. Clark who was killed in the line of duty on July 10, 1869. Black Hawk’s Chief of Police Stephen Cole, and members of the City’s Police Department, had researched the life and death of Marshal Clark and submitted his name for entry on the Colorado and the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. On the evening of this meeting, in Washington D.C., Marshal Clark’s name was entered during a candlelight vigil. Chief Cole said that Clark’s name bears the earliest date on both memorials. May 15th is Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 15th is observed as National Police Week. Per the Council’s proclamation, in Black Hawk, May 13th will hereafter be observed as Black Hawk Police Recognition Day.
Education Enhancement Tax
Mayor Spellman noted the City’s first quarter payment to Gilpin County RE-1 School District had been made on Friday, May 8th. The $78,000 was generated from the City’s new Education Enhancement Tax. “It’s an excellent showing of the City of Black Hawk helping to meet the community’s needs,” said Spellman.
Pay Plan Amendment
In adopting Council Bill 16, the Aldermen amended the 2009 Pay Plan for the third time. The revision removes from the Part-Time Pay Plan, Reserve Firefighter Grades 100P and 200 P, and Seasonal Maintenance Worker Grade 300P. It adds Temporary Seasonal Maintenance Worker, Grade 100TS. In the Public Works Department, personnel needs have been restructured. Fleet Technicians have been decreased from three to two full-time employees; Fleet Technician Aide has been increased from ¾ time to full-time and a ¾ time Fleet Aide has been added. The changes represent annual salary savings of approximately $16,500. There was no comment from the public during the hearing for CB16.
SDMD Ambulance Agreement
At their April 30th meeting, with CB14, the Aldermen amended the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District ambulance service agreement to allow SDMD to provide the service to their members. Follow-up action required an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) spelling out the terms. There was no comment from the public on the hearing for this matter, and the Aldermen adopted CB17, specifying SDMD will pay the City $20,313 per month beginning this month. Black Hawk agreed to appoint an SDMD representative to one of its three seats on the ambulance company’s Board of Directors.
Planning IGA
In approving Resolution 12, the Aldermen accepted an amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with Gilpin County and Central City regarding joint planning areas. The original agreement dates from 1999 and incorporates the 1992 Gilpin County Master Plan as a guide for future land use. The amended IGA updates the document to reference the 2008 Master Plan. Black Hawk is the final authority to approve the amended IGA.
B & B Demolition
Terry Ballowe, owner of A Creekside Bed and Breakfast, at 531 Chase Street, requested and received the Council’s approval to demolish the portions of the building which was damaged by a January fire. Ballowe must obtain a Demolition Permit before beginning. Ballowe told City staff he intends to reconstruct the damaged portions with the exterior identical to the pre-fire building design. There is no timeframe for the work, yet, but the building plans must be submitted to the Council prior to work commencing. A dumpster will be needed but will be situated so as not to block Chase Street passage.
Lovingier Emergency Grant
Bill and Dixie Lovingier requested and received reimbursement of $1,924 for a new water heater, expansion tank and plumbing upgrade at their 101 Marchant Street residence. The Lovingiers had received an Emergency Grant of $4,525 in 2005 to replace a water heater, gas line and flue at the B&B located at the same address. Alderman Paul Bennett said it was his understanding the 2005 replacement was to service both the residence and the B&B. Mayor Spellman noted the 2005 grant was awarded in error as the structure didn’t meet the 50-year qualification, however he favored awarding the new grant. With Alderman Tom Kerr recusing himself (a relative had installed the new heater), the Council voted unanimously to approve.
Grant Update
Community Planning and Development Coordinator Cynthia Linker, told the Aldermen there are four applicants in line for grants for exterior painting, four more who are applying and others are asking. The Maintenance/Energy grant program had been suspended due to budgetary constraints. The Aldermen voted to reinstate the program, setting aside $300,000 to fund it. The money will be taken from the Church/High Streets undergrounding project which has been put on hold. Once the City becomes a Certified Local Government, per Senate Bill 101, there must be a new review committee who approves such projects. However, the funds being used for this project are pre-SB101, noted the Mayor.
The Aldermen approved (with Alderman Kerr voting against) payment of a pellet stove, a secondary heat source for 221 Chase Street. The City generally pays only for the primary source of heat, however the stove was overlooked when the scope of work was approved and is already installed with flue. There is nothing in the City’s policy to prevent funding a secondary heat source; however a policy revision will address that.
At 130 Chase, there were nine items that needed remedied. Linker said they have been agreed to and the project is now moving forward. The City expects to save about $6,000 due to a reduced bid for plumbing.
Work continues at 111 Marchant Street. Meetings between City staff, the architect, contractor and homeowners have dealt with issues regarding cabinetry, stairs, stone veneer, an unstable wall, floor patching, a bay window discrepancy and the shed location. A bid on the utility work is in progress.
Homeowners at 211 Horn Street, told Linker they are pleased with the City’s involvement to remedy heating, electrical and plumbing problems. The City was also pleased as the plumbing portion of the project came in under budget.
Dubois Street Project
Construction of a DuBois Street storm drain required an easement from Hal and Karen Midcap, owners of the 250 Chase Street property adjacent to the construction site. They granted the easement at a cost to Black Hawk of $10.
Wild Rose Annexation
A survey will be needed, along with a public hearing, prior to the Council’s consideration of annexing the Wild Rose property (across from and including the Gold Dust businesses on south Highway 119). The Colorado Department of Transportation will likely have input, as well. No action was needed or taken on this informational only item.
Funding Request
The Westmuttster Dog Day fundraiser for Charlie’s Place (the Gilpin/Clear Creek County Animal Shelter), is May 31, 2009, and the organizers need funding. The Aldermen expressed support for the cause, calling it “a worthy event,” but noted they had not budgeted for it. Black Hawk contributed $750 to the event last year and gave $10,000 to the shelter in 2007. Rather than fund individual events, the Aldermen said they will make future contributions to the shelter directly.
Executive Session
Following the public meeting, the Aldermen met with City Attorney Corey Hoffmann in Executive Session to discuss property matters involving the Eureka and Ameristar casinos, Miners Mesa, ambulance service, potential litigation, a lobbying contract and candidates for the vacant City Manager position. Black Hawk City Council meets next on May 27, 2009.