Black Hawk welcomes new firefighters

City Council Meeting By Jaclyn Schrock With Gregory Street open in Black Hawk, the area was not quiet where more construction is about to begin, as other projects are still being wrapped up. Mayor and Alderman David Spellman requested the meeting begin. New Fire Fighters; Matt Bowman and Cody Kalb were at the bell ringing post. Three rings with controls on the ropes made the signal to call the City of Black Hawk City Council Meeting to Order at 3:00 pm Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Roll Call confirmed the presence of all six Alderman; Armbright, Bennett, Johnson, Midcap, Moates and Torres. Also standing for the Pledge of Allegiance at the Council table were City Manager Jack Taylor, City Attorney Corey Hoffman and Deputy City Clerk Michelle Martin. Agenda changes found the addition of Resolution 67-2017 No conflicts of interest were found, as a response to City Attorney Corey Hoffman reading the Council verifications of any conflict of interest. Fire Chief Donald Taylor orchestrated the introductions of two new fire fighters to the Black Hawk Fire Department. These fire fighters have both had previous volunteer experience. All candidates must be Colorado certified as a firefighter, EMT and in hazardous materials response. However once they have gone through the complex selection process which sorts those who are not suited for the position, it still takes about four months to be well prepared to respond with complications in tall hotels, massive fire alarm and suppression systems in casinos, and many details within their response area. Fire Chief Taylor is convinced that these men are able to do the job well for which they are still in training to understand the challenges of this unique fire department. The training never stops, everyone is learning every day, not just the new, but also current firefighting staff, as well. Our new staff members do not have local residence. Yet, they will be able to commute since each of the three shifts work a 48 hours on and 96 hours off. Each shift has a minimum of four firemen working to meet national 2-in, 2-out standards for hazardous environments. There is a Captain, Lieutenant and four engineers or firefighters. Welcome to Matthew Bowman who says, “My experience with BHFD so far has exceeded my expectations. I have the privilege of working with some really great people and also making a living doing what I love to do. I have experience in the fire service and also as an EMT. I volunteered with Palmer Lake Fire Department and continue to volunteer with Falcon Fire Protection District. We live in Colorado Springs and we love having fun together as a family. My stepson-elect Oliver is four and I am elated to say that my fiancé Amber and I are expecting a wonderful addition to our family, due in December. My hobbies include hiking, spending time with my family, and shooting.” Welcome to Cody Kalb who lives in Arvada. He explained, “I am a Colorado native, spending a majority of my years in the Arvada area. Growing up, I attended Faith Christian Academy from 3rd grade through high school. I played competitive sports as a kid and continue to play ice hockey in an adult hockey league. After high school, I lived in New Zealand and worked with a non-profit mercy organization that provided basic healthcare and education to the surrounding islands. I have been a volunteer firefighter/ EMT for the Golden Fire Department for five years. I am blessed and excited to have been hired by the Black Hawk Fire Department and look forward to a long and fulfilling career.” With all of the City of Black Hawk Council standing, individual handshakes and welcomes followed for these new staff members to the City of Black Hawk. The minutes of this Council meeting of October 25, 2017 were approved without any alterations or discussion. There were no public comments, so the meeting moved on to Action Items. Resolution 65-2017 , A Resolution Approving the Agreement of Lease between the City of Black Hawk as Lessor and MW Golden Constructors as Lessee for Property Located at 271 Gregory Street was read by Mayor David Spellman. Staff members originating Resolution 65-2017 are Public Works Director Tom Isbester. The council was given the understanding of the purpose of this resolution being to give permission to MW Golden to lease City-owned property at 271 Gregory Street as a construction office during construction of the St. Charles Carriage House. The proposed lease would begin on November 15th, 2017, which is the day after the lease is set to expire with CEI for the same property, having completed the infrastructure and road construction renovations of Gregory Street. MW Golden’s lease would run through August 14th, 2018, with an option to continue the lease beyond this date on a month-to-month basis. Resolution 65-2017 passed. Resolution 66-2017 , A Resolution Approving the Personal Services Agreement with Peak Program Value LLC in an Amount Not to Exceed $206,670.00 for a Comprehensive Construction Program Validation Process of the City’s Residential Guide to Programs was also read by Mayor Spellman. Explanations offered to the Council from City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Mellissa Greiner. The purpose of the contract with the City of Black Hawk and Peak Program Value is to analyze the process of design and construction of City of Black Hawk projects. The main focus will be the residential home rehabilitation program. There will also be an overview investigation of the effectiveness of design and construction of other projects, including the Gregory Street Project, still in progress. There are hopes to find ways to improve techniques to manage the cost of these projects through this study. Resolution 66-2017 passed. Ms. Greiner and the city election process was also commended by the council and Mayor Spellman for the well-staffed and appropriately managed vote by the City of Black Hawk. Thirty-three votes were cast Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Black Hawk City residents were asked to make a decision about raising the current gaming tax approximately four times higher on live table games, potentially adding $700,000 annually. The measure passed with 30 yes votes and 3 no votes. Resolution 67-2017 , A Resolution approving the License Agreement between the City of Black Hawk and the Artist View Entertainment. The Resolution was also presented by City Clerk/ Administrative Services Director Mellissa Greiner. Artist View Entertainment is a Sci-Fi filming group from China requesting to film in Black Hawk and Nevadaville, as well as a specific area to make the appearance of an automobile to be rebounding from an explosion. There will not be an explosion, just the car appearing to respond to the trauma. The motion passed. City Manager Jack Lewis reported in two parts. First there were preparations considered to adopt the 2018 Budget proposed a month ago. However, the budget hearing and voting to adopt the budget will occur at the December 13th after the public has had sufficient time to review it and make public comments. Second, with Mr. Lewis’ recommendations, the Council voted to authorize the distribution of the budgeted $300 annual Holiday bonus. Even though this is budgeted item, the auditors appreciate confirmation from the City Council recognizing special distributions. City Attorney Cory Hoffman reported two items also. First was to announce there was no executive session today. Second, Mr. Hoffman reminded the council that he and Police Chief Cole would be attending a meeting working to address issues connected with underage gaming. Next Meeting The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 3 pm in the upstairs City Council Chambers of 211 Church Street in Black Hawk, Colorado. The City of Black Hawk Council meetings are normally every two weeks, however, with holidays at the end of the months of November and December, the Council voted at the October 25 meeting to vacate the meetings originally scheduled for November 22 and December 27th this year.

Black Hawk welcomes new firefighters

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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