Addressing all the needs: Lily Van Buskirk presents the site plan for the new Community Center Annex building to the Gilpin County Commissioners’ Board during a work session on March 19.[/caption]

The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their work session to order at 9 a.m. on March 19, 2024, at the Historic Courthouse in Central City. In attendance were Commissioners Susan Berumen (Chair), Marie A. Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth, as well as County Manager Ray Rears.

Shooting Range Updates & US Forest Service Closures: Lisa Leben, Clear Creek County and US Forest Service Staff led with addressing content from the Gilpin County website:

“Since 2013, Gilpin County has worked with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest (ARNF), Boulder, Clear Creek, and Larimer Counties, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (collectively the Northern Front Range Sport Shooting Management Partnership) to develop management strategies for recreational sport shooting on the ARNF….

“A Recreational Sport Shooting Management Environmental Assessment (EA) was conducted by the ARNF as a part of the Front Range Partnership effort …. Gilpin County spent several years evaluating multiple sites for feasibility for a new public range. The proposed location at Dumont, in partnership with Clear Creek County, was determined to be the best area….”

Mornis asked how USFS will enforce the closures. Boulder District Ranger Kevin McLaughlin responded that they will hire additional law enforcement and there will be fines for offenders. Shooting in restricted areas will carry a fine of $5,000 and offenders could face a charge of Class B misdemeanor.

Leben presented an update on the Clear Creek Shooting Sports Park, which is currently under development with construction anticipated to be completed in 2025. The new sports park will have 45 shooting lanes, a classroom, and hopes to have archery. (See the article about the status of the clubhouse on page 10 of this issue of The Mountain-Ear)

There will be a reduced rate for Gilpin and Clear Creek residents. The space will be offered to law enforcement agencies for training as well.

Leben thanked Gilpin County for their $400,000 donation, but said grant funding is still needed for shooting enclosures since construction costs have doubled. Rears said that there will be about $90,000 available next year.

Master Policy & Procedure Manual New Policies: Funding of Outside Organizations & Social Media: Samuel Bower, Administrative Analyst and Community Engagement Officer Melanie Bleyler led the discussion.

The Board and staff discussed how the County operates on social media, specifically how different departments share information. Berumen said there could be advantages to the public in streamlining social media posts by putting them on the County’s Facebook page.

Bower agreed, saying it will create consistency and accuracy. He noted that there is a main account for the County and other smaller accounts on Facebook and suggested that they should be linked.

Berumen said the next step is discussing this with the various department officials and directors. Bower said he would get more feedback before returning to the Board.

The commissioners then reviewed language in the employee handbook and master policy manual concerning how staff respond to public inquiry, social media language, etc.

On other topics, they reviewed the requirement that outside organizations that receive funding must meet certain criteria, such as operating as a nonprofit, engaging with the community, and enhancing the quality of life. They discussed how requiring an organization to have a track record could exclude the new childcare center from receiving funds, then decided to add a clause for exemption.

Veterans’ Services: Janey Barker, Human Services Director & Leon Pohl, Veterans’ Service Officer approached the board with the following information:

According to the legislature’s website, SB24-004, County Veterans Service Offices Administration, concerns the administration of these offices. Under current law, the Division of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has a duty to supervise county veterans service offices. The bill changes the division’s duty to instead monitor county offices.

The bill requires state certification and United States accreditation in order to be a county veterans service officer; for a county veterans service officer to be eligible to serve as a claimant’s representative; and to assist a veteran claimant with the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim for a United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefit.

The bill also changes procedures for the Division’s payment to counties for the performance of certain veterans services.

Hollingsworth said they all appreciate Pohl’s work but because of this new law they must have an accredited Veteran Services Officer.

Some Veteran Services Officers are not accredited because they must work at least 20 hours per week and several are retired. Barker said that Pohl is interested in becoming accredited.

Pohl said he could take on more hours by transporting veterans to procedures. Berumen said that, rather, increasing hours would mean processing claims and reaching more veterans. Accredited officers must work at least 1,000 hours per year.

Barker said that Pohl is ahead of the curve and only needs a few more tests to become accredited.

The requirements would increase the Gilpin County budget for the position by $13,000 every six months for Pohl’s salary. Previously the County received a reimbursement from Veterans Affairs. This reimbursement is uncertain in the future.

The Board chose to begin increasing Pohl’s hours and to accelerate the accreditation process before the deadline of July 1.

After a lunch recess, the board reconvened at 1 p.m.

Community Center Annex Design: Ryan Keenan, Facilities Director and Lily Van Buskirk, representing the architect firm CSHQA, presented an indepth site plan for the new Community Center Annex building.

The floor plan would allow space for the food pantry, human services offices, a commercial kitchen, a common area, and a storage area. The plan is estimated at 2,495 square feet and includes an area for future expansion on the site, which is across from the Gilpin County Community Center.

The Board and food pantry staff discussed snow removal on the site, access to the garage for stocking, and trash dumpsters.

Keenan said the exterior design will soon be ready. He said his current objective is “Making sure the floor plan addresses all the needs.” He continued, “Each user group can access their portion of the building separately.”

Hollingsworth asked if the vestibule will be open 24/7 for food retrieval. Jennifer Josselyn replied in the affirmative.

When asked about the water fountain, Van Buskirk responded that the water fountain is required by code.

Barker said the offices could work for public health and/or senior services and are sufficient for the staff’s needs.

Rears said they are looking for a professional cost estimate from CSHQA to see if the $1.3 million estimate is accurate. Van Buskirk responded that she will get back to the Board with that information. Keenan said they cannot know the cost with just a floor plan but will continue to work on the details.

Keenan said construction drawings will be developed in a few months and the cost estimate will become clearer at that time. Between two grants, the Board hopes to get more than half of the costs covered, leaving a balance of about $300,000. These grants cannot be used to improve the current food pantry building, Hollingsworth noted.

The consensus of the board was to move forward with the plans.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for March 26, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historical Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.