BLACK HAWK — The Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District board remained split on June 22 over who should fill an open seat, likely sending the appointment to the Gilpin County commissioners.

The vacancy was left by Todd Williams, and for the second time the board members again could not agree on a replacement. Chairman David Spellman said at the start of the discussion that if the board remained at an impasse, it should avoid another argument and allow the county commissioners to make the appointment, per statute.

“They’ve sent a letter saying that they will do it at their first meeting in July," Spellman said, "and then at our meeting, we would just swear in the individual.”

The district board currently includes Zane Plsek, Buddy Schmalz, Chuck Spencer, and Spellman, who is also the mayor of Black Hawk. A fifth seat remains open.

Board members alluded to a more contentious discussion at last month's meeting, where the vacancy issue apparently drifted into questions about whether the open seat should be filled by someone from Central City.

At the June 22 meeting, Spellman tried to head off a repeat, saying that if the board remained at an impasse, members should avoid letting the discussion “devolve into an argument” that woulld get nowhere.

Schmalz said the board had “gone a little astray” during its previous discussion about the vacancy. He said he had given more thought to whether the replacement should come from Central City, since Williams represented that side of the district.

“We represent a district,” Schmalz said. “We just happen to live in two cities. We don’t represent the cities at all. We represent the district.”

Schmalz moved to appoint Peter Droege. Spellman seconded the motion so the board could vote. The motion failed.

Plsek then moved to appoint Denny Denson, saying he wanted someone who would review projects fairly, no matter where they were located.

“My only requirement, the reason why I nominate Denny is I really want somebody who has the ability to look at any project within this district the same as any other project,” Plsek said. “I don’t care whether the project’s built in Central City, Black Hawk. I want everybody, any project that comes before the board, to be treated fairly and equally as any other project has been done.”

The vote on Denson also failed, leaving the board deadlocked.

“At this time, we are at an impasse,” Spellman said. He said the district would notify the county commissioners of the necessity of their help.

Plsek noted the BHCC Sanitation District meetings are not easy for the public to follow online.

The district’s agenda was posted at the office, but the district website includes little information beyond bill payment and basic office details. Plsek raised the issue during the district administrator report, saying the public should be able to find basic meeting information.

“I got to looking at our website. Our website is pretty simple,” Plsek said. “We don’t post agendas. We don’t post when the meetings are. We don’t even post really where the meetings are.”

He said he was not asking for a complicated website or full meeting packets, but he did want the public to be able to see when the board meets and what it is discussing.

“I think, whether compliant or not, it would be good policy to at least have our agendas posted,” Plsek said.

Legal counsel said the district had simplified its website after state accessibility requirements changed. Spellman asked Paul Polito to look into whether the district is compliant and what information could be added without creating problems under accessibility rules.

“Let’s have Paul take a look at it and see if we’re compliant to begin with,” Spellman said. “And then see what we can add without falling out of compliance.”

Board members discussed the cost and difficulty of making online documents accessible, especially for small districts without dedicated information technology staff. Plsek said that the County had spent multiple meetings discussing similar issues and still struggled with website compliance.

The board also discussed moving more of its packets to electronic format. Spellman said the district should look into buying the least expensive iPads or tablets needed so board members are not required to use personal devices for district business, especially when executive session material is involved.

“It shouldn’t be a requisite that you have to have an iPad to sit on this board,” Spellman said.

Schmalz said he likes electronic packets because they reduce paper storage, but he questioned whether board members should be required to use district-issued devices if they preferred their own.

The board also approved the payment of bills and the transfer of funds. One payment added to the list was $525 to Cannon for a total waste benefit.

During discussion of the financials, Plsek asked about budget lines that appeared to be at or above 100% halfway through the year. Staff explained some costs, such as health insurance, are paid early in the year, while other items appeared to be bookkeeping or line-item placement issues.

The board also ratified a phone poll regarding sandblasting and traffic control for the Main Street project in Black Hawk.

Consultants Thomas Wilson and Polito attended the meeting, along with attorney Kim Seter and secretary Lynn Hillary. Hillary is assisting the district while another employee is on maternity leave.

The next Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, July 27, at the district office, 7320 Black Hawk Blvd., 2B, in Black Hawk