Central City’s Final Council Meeting of 2018
By David Josselyn
The Central City Regular Council Meeting of Tuesday, December 18, convened at 7:05 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Council members; Jeff Aiken, Shirley Voorhies, and Mayor Kathy Heider were present. Alderwoman Judy Laratta was not present. In attendance for Staff were City Clerk Reba Bechtel, City Attorney Marcus McAskin, Finance Director Abigail Robbins, City Manager Daniel Miera, Community Development Director Ray Rears, Public Works Director Sam Hoover, Utilities Director Jason Nelson, Fire Chief Gary Allen, and County Sheriff Captain Tom Ihme.
Mayor Heider led the Pledge of Allegiance and then asked for any amendments or additions to the evening’s agenda. There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.
Mayor Heider next inquired if anyone had any conflict of interest or knew of anyone with a conflict of interest on any item on the evening’s agenda. No one spoke up.
Consent Agenda
The Mayor called for a motion to approve the consent agenda which consisted of the minutes from the December 4 meeting, regular bill lists through December 13, and the third addendum to the City Manager Employment Agreement. The addendum extends the contract for the City Manager for one year. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Forum
Mayor Heider opened the first Public Hearing for items on the evening’s agenda except for the second reading of Ordinance 18-14. No one chose to address the Council.
Power to the Council
City Attorney McAskin reviewed the second reading of Ordinance 18-14 which would enable the Council to appoint a person to fill a vacancy at any point during the four-year term should a sitting member not be able to finish their term. The Council may also choose to hold a special election in lieu of appointment. This Ordinance puts into effect Ballot Measure 1B passed by voters in the 2018 regular election.
Mayor Heider opened the public forum for this Ordinance, but no one chose to address Council.
Alderman Aiken moved to approved Ordinance 18-14 and was seconded by Alderwoman Voorhies. The Ordinance passed unanimously.
Historic Preservation Commission Appointment
The Council approved the retention of Alex Thome, David Forsyth, and Deb Wray to the Historic Preservation Commission. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve retainment of all three and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The motion passed unanimously.
Planning Appointment
The Council approved the retention of Lisa Leben and Bobbie Hill to the Planning Commission. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve retainment of both candidates and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The motion passed unanimously.
Main Street Central City Annual Report
Lisa Roemhildt presented the annual Main Street Central City report. The City supported Main Street with $25,800 in 2018. Main Street hosted the 3rd annual Beat the Heat Wing Fest, the Pumpkin Patch, the 21st annual Tommyknocker Holiday event, and the holiday lights contest. (Congratulations to winners Richard Hufendick and Jesse Milnes of the Hooper Homestead Bed and Breakfast!)
After concluding the report, Mayor Heider asked Barbara Thielemann, “who has been so active in Main Street” if she has anything to add. Thielemann used this opportunity to add that Main Street also supported events by the BID and they installed the Little Library. She added that Central’s members are meeting with members of other Main Street organizations.
Gilpin Arts Annual Report
President Eric Miller presented the annual Gilpin County Arts Association (GCAA) report. The money the City gives, $25,000, is used to support operations of their gallery, and payroll for the two paid positions of Gallery Manager and Assistant Manager. With the installation of a heating system in Spring 2018, this is the first year the GCAA is operating a year-round gallery in historic Washington Hall. President Miller reported that the gallery is in turn helping the City with tax revenue from sales.
Gilpin History Annual Report
President Deb Wray presented the annual Gilpin History Report. Deb started by thanking the Council and especially the Mayor and Shirley Voorhies saying, “This is truly the hardest job in the City.” Gilpin History added tours of historic St. James Methodist Church in 2018. President Wray reported that they had to cancel one of the tea events at the Stroehle House due to maintenance issues and mold, but they were able to resolve those issues. Gilpin History is exploring the possibility of adding a paid position for marketing in 2019. Wray announced that their popular annual Cemetery Crawl will be held at Fairmont Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec Street in Denver, in honor of their 50th anniversary. Many people are buried in that cemetery who had prominence in Gilpin County including Lou Bunch and Bill Russell.
Housekeeping Resolutions
The following Resolutions are for contracts that are required to be renewed annually and approved through Resolution.
Resolution 18-35 approves extensions of engineering related Professional Services Agreements with JVA, Inc and Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve Resolution 18-35 and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The Resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 18-36 approves extensions of the Professional Services Agreements with Digital Data Services, Complete Business Solutions, Deon Wolfenberger, Colorado Code Consulting, LLC. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve Resolution 18-36 and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The Resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 18-37 approves extensions of the services agreement with One Way, Inc for residential trash disposal services. A change to the contract is that services will be expanded to the Central City Opera. Alderman Aiken moved to approve Resolution 18-37 and was seconded by Alderwoman Voorhies. The Resolution passed unanimously.
The final Resolution is required for an accounting appropriation to shift funds from one budget item to another. Resolution 18-38 amends the 2018 Budget and approves a supplemental appropriation to assist the City with completion of the Water Intakes Project. At the time of the adoption of the 2018 Budget, the City had not received a loan for the water intake project. The money was received in 2018 and the project completed in 2018, so the added income/expense needed to be added to the Budget. Alderwoman Voorhies moved to approve Resolution 18-38 and was seconded by Alderman Aiken. The Resolution passed unanimously.
Goodbye Mayor Heider and Councilwoman Voorhies
Staff presented certificates of appreciation to both Kathy Heider and Shirley Voorhies for their years of public service. Mayor Heider gave a final farewell speech and here are some of the highlights.
“I am very proud to say I believe the city is in much better shape than when I came. I am also incredibly honored to have been the very first female mayor in Central City’s long and colorful history. In 2012 our city was in bad shape financially, with a city manager who had turned the top floor of City Hall into his personal gymnasium and came to work in baggy shorts. The city was in such dire shape that it had to take out a short-term loan just to make payroll in January. It also had to include money in the city budget to pay the late fees on credit cards. We replaced the city manager with an energetic and enthusiastic man from Taos, New Mexico who came to our town with experience. Some of the changes were small, some were massive. What they all led to is a monumental improvement in our city’s finances; which in turn led to a monumental increase in what the city was able to do for its residents and its future. We have been able to increase our beginning General Fund balance by 280 percent. In the last six years we greatly improved our relationship with Central City Opera. We also improved our relationship with the Business Improvement District. We also replaced an ineffective police department with a contract with the Gilpin Sheriff’s Office. This came about when our department was down to just two people because we were unable to recruit and retain qualified officers. Closing down one of the oldest police departments in Colorado was very emotional and painful, but it has been very successful. We have the best Public Works crews of any town, city or county. Our water department is terrific. It is my fondest hope that the new city council and new mayor will continue the steady and thoughtful progress that we have made. I hope as the members of the next city council are sworn in you do not just think of business opportunities and grand schemes: that you don’t turn our town into a giant concert venue or a 24-hour party destination, but you remember the residents who call this place home.”
Mark your calendars
The Council adjourned the regular meeting at 8:00 p.m. The next regular Council Meeting will be Wednesday, January 2, 2019.