MINDY LEARY
BLACK HAWK – The October 22, 2025, meeting of the Black Hawk City Council opened with the sound of a bell, the same one that once hung in the old Presbyterian Church.
Mayor David Spellman explained the tradition before calling the meeting to order, saying, “We open every meeting with the ringing of the bell. We’ve done that since the renovation of this building in 2009.”
The council recognized Cynthia “Cindy” Linker, the City’s Community Planning and Development Director, who is retiring at the end of the year after 26 years of service.
Spellman commended her for her dedication and range of responsibilities. “Cindy’s duties as Planning Director are truly manifold,” he said, noting that she is “the only director that has a second board to work with,” referring to her role with the Historic Preservation Commission.
He also acknowledged her leadership of the City’s grant program, which has supported the restoration of historic structures. “Throughout the years, you’ve always had Black Hawk’s best interests at the forefront,” Spellman said. “You’ve done a stellar job.”
Linker received a plaque commemorating her service from March 29, 1999 to December 31, 2025. Taking the podium, she thanked the council, staff, and community members who contributed to her career.
“When I started 26 years ago, the city doesn’t look like what it looks like today,” she said. “I really appreciate your leadership, and I want to say thank you for that.”
She expressed gratitude to colleagues, consultants, and contractors who supported her work, calling her years with the City “rewarding, meaningful, and full of memories.”
During the celebration, I asked Linker what her favorite part of the job was. She replied, “Historic preservation. Because you’ve actually seen this fantastic result,” she said. “A house that people could barely move into becomes a sustainable home that’s going to last forever.”
Council business
Following the recognition, the council approved Resolution 70-2025, authorizing several professional service agreements for the 2026 calendar year, with Atkinson-Noland, Baseline, Bruce Mihalik, and SafeBuilt. The measure passed unanimously.
The council then recessed and reconvened as the Black Hawk Housing Authority, approving Resolution 2025-07, which amended the Housing Authority’s bylaws to include additional budgeting and finance procedures, including cash handling and bill payment policies. That resolution also passed unanimously.
Both boards approved the minutes from their October 8 meetings before adjourning to a closed executive session for legal advice and negotiations, with no further action taken afterward.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Black Hawk City Hall, 211 Church Street. Meetings are open to the public and accessible online through the city’s website at cityofblackhawk.org/meeting.
