Federal CARES Act funds BHPD Officer position

By Randy Beaudette

Highlights of the October 14, 2020 Black Hawk City Council Regular online meeting include an InterGovernmental Grant Agreement between the City of Black Hawk and the State of Colorado’s Department of Public Safety, approval of a Special Use permit for an RV campground and indoor shooting range, and an Ordinance Appointing Directors to the Board of the Black Hawk Business Improvement District.

Mayor Spellman called the Council to order followed by Roll Call and an online Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call revealed Council members that were present online included Linda Armbright, Paul Bennett, Jim Johnson, Hal Midcap, Greg Moates, and Benito Torres. Also present online were City Attorney Corey Hoffmann, City Manager Stephen Cole, City Clerk/ Administrative Services Director Melissa Greiner, and Deputy City Clerk Michele Martin.

City Attorney Hoffmann asked Council to declare any Conflicts of Interest on any issue appearing on the agenda other that than those already disclosed and filed with the City Clerk and Secretary of State. There were no objections from the City Council or from anyone online.

Executive Session

Black Hawk City Council moved to recess into Executive Session per CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) to confer with an attorney for the local public body for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions. After a brief Executive Session, Council resumed their regular session.

Approval of Minutes

Black Hawk City Council approved the meeting minutes from the September 28, 2020 Regular Meeting with no corrections or amendments.

InterGovernmental Grant Agreement (Ordinance 2020-27)

Black Hawk City Council approved an InterGovernmental Grant Agreement between the City of Black Hawk and the State of Colorado’s Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress on the finances of local jurisdictions. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Federal stimulus funds have been made available through the US Department of Justice from the CESF program to provide support to local governments. The City of Black Hawk has been granted $214,000 to pay for the salary and benefits of one police officer (PO1) from January 20, 2020, through January 31, 2022. The funds will be a reimbursement on expenses the City has already incurred to maintain staffing levels. Currently, the Black Hawk Police Department has four sworn officer positions, and one dispatch position frozen due to budget shortfalls. This grant will help offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis and allow the police department to provide continuous, uninterrupted public safety service to the citizens and visitors of Black Hawk.

Special Use Review (Resolution 65-2020)

The City of Black Hawk has received an application from Dalton Horan, Ventana Capital, Inc. requesting approval of two Special Review Uses – an RV campground and an indoor shooting range. The applicant proposed to develop Lot 1 Block 1 Miners’ Mesa Subdivision No. 4 with an RV campground, indoor shooting range, office, beer garden, and distillery. The property is located in the Commercial/ Business Services zone district, which permits the office, beer garden, and distillery uses, but requires a Special Review Use permit for the campground, and indoor shooting range uses. Black Hawk City Council approved Resolution 65-2020 unanimously.

Business Improvement District (BID) appointments (Council Bill 28/ Ordinance 2020-28)

The Black Hawk Business Improvement District (BID) was organized by Councilman’s Bill Number 26, Ordinance Number 95-8 of the City of Black Hawk on July 26, 1995. Under that Ordinance and subsequent enactments, the Board of Directors of the District has been appointed by the City Council. All Board members must, by law, be electors of the District. The BID currently has two vacancies on the Board of Directors that is required to be filled by the City Council. Based upon the recommendations provided by owners of taxable property in the BID and other information available to the City, and finding that there is presently two vacancies to be filled on the BID Board, pursuant to Section 31-25-1209(1)(b), C.R.S., the City Council hereby appoints, Tim Morrissey, General Manager of the Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, and Kenneth J. Ostempowski, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Isle Casino Hotel & Lady Luck Casino, Caesars Entertainment, Inc., to the office of Director of the Business Improvement District. Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Ostempowski were confirmed by the BID Board on September 1, 2020 with a unanimous recommendation for appointment. Black Hawk City Council also approved Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Ostempowski unanimously.

Quit Claim Deeds (Resolution 66-2020)

City Council approved Resolution 66-2020 which is a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Quitclaim Deeds on Behalf of the City to Registered Electors Qualified to Service on the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District.

Next Meeting

The next online Black Hawk City Council regular meeting will be held on October 28, 2020 at 3:00 pm. For more information visit www.cityofblackhawk.org.