Spellman's hopes for the New Year

“I have a really good hunch that we’re going to have a very prosperous, successful, engaging 2026,” Spellman said. “Happy New Year, everyone.””

BLACK HAWK — The Black Hawk City Council opened its December 10 meeting with a full house in attendance, centered on the loss of longtime Alderman Linda M. Armbright, who died November 22 while still in office.

Before any routine business, Mayor David Spellman reflected on the rarity and weight of the moment.

“In all my years of being on city council now, or being mayor for a number of years, I’ve had to observe a moment of silence for a number of people,” Spellman said. “But I’ve never had to, prior to Gregory Moates, had a moment of silence for an alderman. And now I find myself within less than a month of one another, Linda passed away as well.”

Spellman noted the historic nature of losing two sitting aldermen in such a short span of time, something he said had never happened before in Black Hawk.

Craig Armbright, Linda Armbright’s nephew, rang the ceremonial bell to open the meeting.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 72-2025, a formal resolution in memoriam honoring Armbright’s life and service. 

Armbright had served on the city council since April 2006. She spent more than seven decades in Black Hawk after arriving as a young girl. The resolution detailed her deep family roots, her role as the adopted daughter of Otto and Ruth Blake, and her connection to the city’s early history.

It also recognized that Armbright’s mother was one of the first two women to serve on the Black Hawk City Council, a path Armbright later followed.

Spellman said she had a long memory of the city’s past and noted her commitment to seeing Black Hawk prosper.

“She could recall the lean times in Black Hawk when the city was not prosperous, infrastructure was poor, services were lacking, and funding to improve these issues was nonexistent,” Spellman read. “As a council member, she was committed to ensuring Black Hawk would be prosperous for its residents, employees, and businesses.”

Armbright was also remembered for her involvement in the Black Hawk Scholarship Program, personally presenting awards to students on many occasions.

“She will be remembered for her kindness, her concern, and her deep appreciation for city employees, and the quiet confidence she brought to her role as an alderman,” Spellman said.

Following a moment of silence in tribute, the resolution passed unanimously.

Spellman pointed out the black wreath displayed in council chambers, symbolizing mourning, alongside flowers representing the celebration of life.

“I know that Linda would appreciate that,” he said. “I know Linda would want us to do what we do best in Black Hawk, and that’s continue on with our business.”

The council then recognized Police Officer Craig Metcalfe, who was retiring after 20 years of service. Metcalfe thanked the City, saying, “I just can’t say how much I appreciate working for the City of Black Hawk. It’s truly a big family.”

Refreshments were served after the recognitions, giving attendees a chance to gather over desserts in honor of Metcalfe’s retirement and to remember Alderman Armbright.

After a brief recess, the council moved through a lengthy agenda and approved all items unanimously.

Council approved the November 12, 2025, meeting minutes and adopted Council Bill 11, amending the City’s sign code to clarify approval authority for nonresidential signs.

The council adopted Resolution 73-2025, approving the City’s 2026 budget, and Council Bill 12, setting the 2025 property tax mill levy at 0.036 mills to be collected in 2026.

The 2026 budget projects $38.8 million in revenue and $64.6 million in expenditures, with no increases to sales tax, use tax, or gaming device fees, though water rates will increase 2.5 percent beginning January 1, 2026.

Council Bill 13, adopting the 2026 pay plan and updated job descriptions, was approved. The plan includes market adjustments of 5.35 percent for general employees and 5.26 percent for police officers, along with the creation of a new Special Events and Marketing Manager position.

Council Bill 14 approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Gilpin Ambulance Authority for ambulance maintenance.

Among the action items, the council approved Resolution 74-2025 to purchase a parking easement from Smithrock LLC for $400,000, clearing the way for improvements at the Briggs Lot and the future Bates Hill Trailhead.

Resolution 75-2025 established a 2.5 percent water rate increase effective January 1, 2026, with additional increases planned for 2027 and 2028.

Resolution 76-2025 approved temporary and permanent easements for Colorado Natural Gas to upgrade infrastructure at an existing metering site.

Resolution 77-2025 approved a professional services agreement with JVA Inc. for up to $45,000 to develop an emergency preparedness and operational readiness plan for the Hidden Valley Water Treatment Plant system.

Resolution 78-2025 approved multiple service agreements for 2026, while Resolution 79-2025 authorized up to $268,000 for Pro-Vac LLC to rehabilitate 33 sewer manholes on Miners Road after the original contractor went out of business.

The council appointed Cynthia L. Linker to the Historic Preservation Commission through Resolution 80-2025. 

They also approved the 14th addendum to the City’s lobbying contract with 5280 Strategies under Resolution 81-2025.

Resolutions 82, 83, and 84 adopted the 2026 council meeting schedule, holiday calendar, and Historic Preservation Commission meeting schedule. Resolution 85-2025 approved the 2026 workers’ compensation insurance contract with Pinnacol Assurance.

The council also approved lease amendments for Black Hawk Bean & Cream and JKQ Consolidated LLC through Resolutions 86-2025 and 87-2025.

Later in the meeting, the council formally declared a vacancy on city council as a result of Armbright’s passing. They said they had received three letters of interest for Moates' vacant position, so they decided to select two candidates from that pool to fill the two vacant positions.

The council unanimously appointed Cynthia Linker and Loraine (Rene) Wiley to fill the vacancies until the April election. Both will be sworn in at the January 14 meeting.

The meeting briefly recessed to convene as the Black Hawk Housing Authority, where Resolution 2025-08 adopting the 2026 Housing Authority budget passed unanimously. The budget includes funding for residential rehabilitation, exterior paint, and radon mitigation programs.

After reconvening as city council, City Manager Stephen Cole announced the selection of Brook Svoboda as the City’s new Community Planning and Development Director, effective January 5.

The meeting adjourned shortly before 4 p.m.

“I have a really good hunch that we’re going to have a very prosperous, successful, engaging 2026,” Spellman said. “Happy New Year, everyone.”