Central casinos to install (more) speed bumps

by Michelle Saeger
May 6, 2008- The City of Central held its regular City Council meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Buddy Schmalz presided over the meeting attended by council members Ron Engels, Chip Wiman, and Bob Spain.
Public Forum:
During the time set aside for public comment, Century Casino's General Manager Mickey Rosenbaum addressed the Council about two items. First, he noted that Century Casino was fully in support of the traffic sign action plan on the agenda for later in the meeting. He said they were "willing to contribute to the cause" with financial backing.
Rosenbaum also asked the City to keep the local casino owners informed of the City's position on the enhanced gaming question planned for inclusion on the ballot statewide in this November's general election.
Then, Joe Behm from Fortune Valley Hotel & Casino echoed Rosenbaum's comments on the traffic sign action plan saying he was "very excited about it" and adding that the mockups provided "look pretty neat".
Behm also provided an update on the enhanced gaming ballot initiative noting that it had been filed with the Secretary of State and a formal title for the initiative would be set this Friday. Behm commented that the Colorado Gaming Association had drafted a "good plan" that "accounts for extraneous impacts". He explained that if the question of enhanced gaming passed at the state level this November, there would be an opportunity for local residents to vote on which portions of the rules they would allow at the City level.
Liquor Authority:
Fortune Valley Hotel & Casino was granted a modification of its liquor premises. The modification includes a second story outdoor smoking area as well as the 4th floor of the parking garage. Historically, the casino had to receive approval for each event they held on the garage rooftop and such events had to be associated with a not-for-profit organization to qualify for a temporary liquor permit. The casino plans to hold a couple of events per month on the rooftop this summer and will no longer have to secure a liquor permit for each event.
Due to a conflict of interest, Mayor Buddy Schmalz excused himself from the discussion and abstained from the vote on renewal of the liquor license for Dostal Alley. Since the establishment has not had any liquor license violations over the previous licensing period and all license fees were paid, the renewal was quickly approved.
Unfinished Business:
Resolution #07-08 was passed without comment. The Governmental Finance Officer's Association recommends that municipalities "establish financial policies that promote financial stability and facilitate proper financial management". This resolution formally adopts such financial policies for the City encompassing investment, budgeting, revenues, expenditures, fund balances and reserves.
The reserve policies include the statutorily required Tabor reserve of 3% of budgeted expenditures and call for an additional general fund reserve of at least 5% of budgeted expenditures in the fund balance and a 2% reserve in other governmental funds.
The revenue policy points out the significance of gaming revenues to the City in the form of both device fees and gaming tax revenues received from the state. The policy then states the City will "strive to achieve and maintain a diverse revenue stream".
Rather than a pricy $38,500 circuit board replacement at the water plant, the City will upgrade the existing system with new technology for $16,400. As a bonus, the new less expensive technology will outlast the replacement board.
After much discussion, the Council approved a temporary traffic/signage action plan. The changes will be made in an attempt to capture additional traffic off the Parkway to Central City businesses with local casinos and the Business Improvement District funding the improvements.
Local business owners worked with City staff to brainstorm solutions to capture more traffic. New banner signs will be installed to welcome people to Central City. Parking signs will be moved and additional directional signs added to advertise the free parking. Both Century Casino and Fortune Valley will be adding a speed bump in front of their parking garage to slow traffic. Additionally, delineators will be placed in the turn only lane in front of Fortune Valley's parking garage.
The entire project will be revisited this fall to judge its success and determine whether some or all of the changes should be made permanent.
New Business:
The first reading of Ordinance #08-05 was approved and a public hearing was set for May 27th to decide on the ordinance. If approved at the next meeting, the measure will amend the Municipal Code for the creation of an Impact Fee Fund and the imposition of impact fees on new residential development in the City. The proposed impact fees for police, fire, public works, and transportation total $2,557.
As the final action item of the meeting, the councilmen affirmed the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission for funding of 2008 residential grants. Due in part to the ways grant funds were budgeted, the majority of grant requests were not approved this year.
The budget set aside $150,000 for residential grants of up to $10,000 per property. Only $40,000 was set aside for each of the categories of non profit, commercial, and rock wall applications.
There were 41 residential grant applications totaling $339,508. Of those, only 21 were approved for a total amount of $149,397. All six requests from non-profit organizations were approved for a total of $35,325. Four of five commercial grants were funded tapping out the $40,000 budget. Only six of the ten grant applications for rock wall work could be funded for a total of $41,113.
Applicants who were not successful in this year's grant process were encouraged to apply again next year.
City Manager Update:
City Manager Lynnette Hailey noted she had been contacted by Black Hawk regarding their willingness to contribute financially to improvements at Russell Park. Watch for an Intergovernmental Agreement to formalize this.
The City will be contacting residents who live on the Casey regarding City plans to minimize traffic and parking during the Independence Day fireworks.
Hailey announced some changes to the typical first and third Tuesday of each month schedule for the Council meetings. To accommodate the election on May 20, the scheduled meeting was moved to May 27. The meeting scheduled for June 10 will be postponed to June 24 and the July Council meetings will be held on July 8 and July 22.
Council Comments:
At the request of the mayor, a work session was scheduled for May 15, 2008 to discuss the City's position on the ballot to enhance gaming in Colorado. Input from local casinos and the public is encouraged.
Executive Session:
The meeting was recessed into an executive session to instruct negotiators and receive legal advice related to the Young litigation and impact fees.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 7:00 pm.