The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. In attendance were Commissioners Susan Berumen, Marie A. Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth, as well as County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

During Public and Press Comment, Roxanne Goss said “This grant seems to speak directly to Gilpin County,” referring to the Colorado Trust’s Community Resilience Initiatives - Accessing Healthy Foods (CRI-AHF) Program for Food Pantry Equipment. She said she thinks that the Board should also consider solar panels on the Community Annex building.

Kathleen Balfour commented on the $1.3 million budget for the new food pantry/community annex, thinking the Board should bring the proposal to the community. She added that food pantries should be funded through non-profits rather than by the County.

Jennifer Josselyn shared two letters of support for the Food Pantry.

Donna Okray-Parman said that churches in the area are willing to provide help for food services and that the County should not be spending money on a new building, but rather overhaul the old building. She asked the Board to stop overspending and said that the County should start vetting people who use the food pantry.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park Update – Todd Farrow, Park Manager. Farrow shared statistics with the board. He stated that there are nine full-time employees with 15 seasonal employees throughout the year. They are currently hiring camp hosts for the 2024 season.

Farrow reported they have some rare plants in the park and that they catalog them.

Tax Rate Presentation – Samuel Bower, Administrative Analyst. Rears said he was curious where the County sits in terms of property tax and sales tax compared to all 64 counties in the state, and asked Bower to prepare the presentation.

Bower stated that the sales tax rates do not include the state sales tax of 2.9%. He cited Wallethub as providing the statistics, and that the property tax rates do not include assessed value.

The results showed that Gilpin County has the fourth lowest property tax rate in the state. Of all the counties in Colorado without sales tax, Gilpin has the lowest property tax rate.

Gilpin has the lowest combined tax metric score as well.

The commissioners had no questions.

Gilpin Advertising Panel (GAP) Annual Report for 2023 – Jim Crawford, GAP

Chair. Per GAP Bylaws, the Chair of the GAP shall provide the County Commissioners with a written report detailing how lodging tax revenues were spent in the prior year.

Crawford said they held three meetings in 2023, where they elected officers and adopted a budget for 2024. Crawford said they approved their first funding project, contributing to grant match funds in the amount of $7,000 for the Heritage Tourism Route Signs.

The lodging tax revenue must be spent on unincorporated Gilpin County. Crawford said there has not been a great amount of tax collected and that the State Park will soon be participating.

Resolution 24-58 Authorizing the submission of a grant application for Gilpin County Sheriff’s Victim Assistance in the amount of $42,200. All were in favor.

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong introduced the new Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Melissa Lewis. Lewis lives in Rollinsville and has been working in the position for four weeks. She comes from Clear Creek, where she was the Emergency Management Coordinator. The commissioners welcomed her.

Resolution 24-48, Adopting the Over Hire of Public Works – Office Assistant Position – Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director and John Combs, Public Works Director.

Staff have identified a need to open and hire for the position of Office Assistant in the Public Works Department to replace a full-time employee who will soon retire. The department is currently budgeted for one Office Assistant; this would allow for an “over hire” for a period of up to six months.

All were in favor.

Resolution 24-31, Adopting the Position of Financial Analyst – Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director and Joe Allaire, Finance Director. Coreflection recommended the hire and the hiring range would be $65,300 - $78,400.

The commissioners and Allaire have discussed the position during two work sessions and a regular meeting. Berumen said the State has been asking for more detailed grant management reporting and with all the legislation there are new demands on finance.

Mornis said there should be a conversation about the positions that are needed and they should look at the County as a whole. “Do we really need all those positions?” she asked.

Rears responded that a few key positions came forward from the budget discussions and then Hollingsworth said there have been discussions which have evolved as each Board changes.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt the resolution. Mornis seconded. Hollingsworth and Berumen were in favor. Mornis voted nay and the motion carried 2-1.

Project Selection Discussion for Congressionally Directed Spending – Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer and Ryan Keenan, Facilities Director. Overview of the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) and Community Project Funding (CPF) Process.

Staff recommendations for CDS / CPF projects:

1) Dakota Hill Tower Renovation

2) Safety and Functional Improvements to the Community Center and Justice Center

3) Safety and Functional Improvements to County Roadways

The scope of each of these projects is highly variable in order to accommodate different levels of budget matching to which the County is willing and able to commit. The general County grant match line item has $80,000 available for the rest of 2024.

Mornis said she is leaning toward the Dakota Hill renovation. Hollingsworth agreed that the Dakota Hill project has a higher need and would increase emergency response capability.

Rears said they will move forward with the Dakota Hill renovation.

Resolution 24-55, Authorizing Submission of a Grant Application to the Colorado Trust for the Community Resilience Initiatives (CRI) – Diverse Approaches to Behavioral Health – Gabrielle Chisholm, Parks and Recreation Director and Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer.

Staff have been researching potential funding opportunities to support the operations and programming of Gilpin County Parks and Recreation (GCPR), including the Eagles Teen Program.

The Community Center supports teens in the area by giving them a safe place to be after school during the school year and also during the summer, and provides transportation.

The CRI Diverse Approaches to Behavioral Health Program could offer up to $355,000 in funding over a 30-month period if awarded, and requires no budget match from the County.

Additionally, staff wages and benefits, and program equipment such as a minibus or van, shelving units, and other program supplies are considered eligible expenses under the grant program.

Hollingsworth asked Chisholm if she would think of expanding possible mental health programs to adults as well. She responded in the affirmative.

This would expand behavioral health programming for all ages. Some of the grant will go to support staff wages to reflect their current duties.

The Board asked what would happen after the grant expires in 30 months. Chisholm responded they would be looking for more grants.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution with revisions as discussed. Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-46, Authorizing Staff to Submit a Grant Application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant Program – Rob Gutierrez, Community Development Director and Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer.

The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program is designed to support communities in creating jobs locally and building resilient and diversified economies. Staff are seeking to apply to this program to obtain funds to conduct an area-specific planning project for the Rollinsville area.

Staff would like the study also to address specific infrastructure challenges the area faces, including water, wastewater, and transportation. Staff would like to conduct some high-level engineering analyses of the feasibility of potential solutions to these infrastructure challenges. In addition, staff would like to explore the feasibility of constructing a passenger train station platform in the Rollinsville area.

Gutierrez said that Timberline fire has expressed concerns about being able to fight a fire in the area. Hollingsworth brought up the idea of cisterns.

Hollingsworth asked how much the property owners will be involved. Gutierrez said everyone would be involved and that he would request feedback from owners and the community as a whole.

Gutierrez stressed that they are not trying to make change happen, but rather to be prepared for change. A consultant team would be hired to analyze things like wastewater, engineering, cisterns, etc.

The grant maximum is $150,000 with a match of 20%, which Gutierrez believes is available. He said he will consult with Boyle.

Mornis commented about the train stop, saying that in her discussions with CDOT, they relayed they wanted to focus on Eldora, by the east side of Moffat Tunnel. She asked if it should be done separately from Rollinsville.

Gutierrez said they should build a relationship with POWDR, which owns Eldora, and that the study could discover the feasibility of a station site for a passenger rail.

He continued to say that if the County does this work and networks with partners it could enhance their position for future grants.

The commissioners went back and forth over the focus of the proposed grant. Mornis would like to refocus the grant for a rail stop along the corridor and include other areas in Gilpin. Berumen said that is an important part of it, but they need the study to determine feasibility and how it fits into economic development.

Hollingsworth moved to accept the resolution, Mornis seconded but voted nay. Motion passed 2-1.

Resolution 24-44, Authorizing Staff to Submit a Grant Application to the Colorado Energy Office for the Automated Permit Processing for Solar Grant Program – Rob Gutierrez, Community Development Director and Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer.

This is a no-match grant and would reduce the amount of money the County pays for plan review.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution in the amount of $40,000, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-52, Authorizing Submission of a Grant Application to DOLA for the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) for Food Pantry Construction – Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer

Staff have been researching potential funding opportunities for the food pantry construction project and have identified multiple grant programs for which the food pantry construction and associated costs would be a good fit.

As the total estimated cost for construction is approximately $1.3 million, staff recommend requesting $650,000 in grant funding and offering a $650,000 match. They also recommend pairing this grant application with an application to the Colorado Trust’s Community Resiliency Initiative – Accessing Healthy Foods, which can be used as matching funds for other grant programs.

Hollingworth said the costs to the County will be reduced as more grants are identified.

Rears said the $1.3 million is an estimate, and the intention of the Board was not to spend that total amount, but would mitigate it by applying for grants.

Mornis asked if the alternative energy technologies required by the grant are included in the costs. Rears said they would try to include it.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt, Page 27 Mornis seconded but voted nay. Motion passed 2-1.

Resolution 24-53, Authorizing Submission of a Grant Application to the Colorado Trust’s Community Resilience Initiatives – Accessing Healthy Foods (CRI-AHF) Program for Food Pantry Equipment / Fixtures – Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer.

This grant would pay for some of the interior improvements necessary in the Community Center Annex building.

The maximum award offered through this program is $355,000, spread across 30 months. There is no match required.

Mornis asked if it can only be used in a new facility. Boyle responded that technically it could be used for the older building, but the new facility promises to greatly expand the capacity of the food pantry, which is currently hindered by limited space and the poor structural capacity of the foundationless-manufactured building.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution in the amount stated, Hollingsworth seconded, and resolution was adopted 2-1 with Mornis voting nay.

Resolution 24-57, Adopting the Peak-to-Peak Regional Broadband Planning Group Memorandum of Understanding – Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer.

Gilpin County, Clear Creek County, and the Town of Nederland seek to formalize their working partnership for expanding and improving broadband access within their jurisdictions and the region.

Hollingsworth asked that the MOU provide for equitability for representatives added later. Hollingsworth moved to approve, Mornis seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-42, Appointing Members to the Historic Preservation Commission– James Shrout, Historic Preservation Liaison.

Shrout is requesting a full reappointment of the Historic Preservation Commission because he has been unable to locate documents authorizing the reappointment of Commission members for the appropriate reappointment periods.

Staff recommend approval of this resolution so that the Historic Preservation Commission can continue to operate under Resolution-22-31. Reappointment of the Commission will allow the Commission to remain in good standing with the Certified Local Government program.

One of the requirements of the Certified Local Government program is to meet a minimum of once every quarter. The first meeting of 2024 is scheduled for March 21.

The liaison will continue to conduct outreach within the community to fill both the last voting member position and the alternate position for the Commission.

All were in favor.

The board recessed at 12:50 p.m. to reconvene at 1:15 p.m.

Resolution 24-50, Amending the Master Policy & Procedure Manual: P-13, Disposition of County Owned Real Property – Samuel Bower, Administrative Analyst. The BoCC has determined it appropriate to adopt a policy for the sale and other disposition of real property.

The resolution creates a Public Property and Development Trust Fund. The fund shall be included in each annual budget adopted by the BoCC.

There was little discussion and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-51, Amending the Master Policy & Procedure Manual: P-14, Board of County Commissioners Meeting Hall Rental Policy – Samuel Bower, Administrative Analyst.

The BoCC wishes to adopt a policy to govern the renting of the BoCC Meeting Hall located at 203 Eureka Street, Central City, Colorado.

The BoCC Meeting Hall may be made available on a non-discriminatory basis for use as a limited public forum. The BoCC Meeting Hall may be reserved for public events and activities by any group sponsored by one or more Gilpin County residents, for the purpose of conducting community and civic events. All such public events shall be open to the general public and shall be non-exclusive. Private events shall have exclusive use of the requested area. Priorities for use of the BoCC Meeting Hall will be given for classes, meetings, training, programs and activities, and other events sponsored by County departments.

Hollingsworth moved to approve, Mornis seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-54, Amending the Master Policy & Procedure Manual: P-15, Electioneering Policy – Samuel Bower, Administrative Analyst

By delineating the acceptable time, place, and manner for electioneering, this policy seeks to uphold the principles of free speech, while simultaneously safeguarding the interests and wellbeing of all County residents and visitors.

Mornis asked about displaying campaign bumper stickers during the election season in County-owned parking lots.

Hollingsworth said the practice has been not to allow such displays – not to allow campaigning on County property, which is meant to be neutral.

There was some discussion about the definitions listed and parameters allowed for campaign clothing on County property.

Benning said that several years ago, the County had to comply with federal requirements per a grant and these rules were a part of it.

The Board discussed whether clothing in support of or against a campaign should be allowed on County property. The goal is to eliminate confrontation.

Bower said they can adjust the policy to address these questions. A provision could be added to Section 3.5 and Section 2.1 can be edited.

Hollingsworth was concerned with approving the policy because she is a candidate for an election. The Board agreed it would be appropriate to appoint the County Manager to approve the policy as discussed.

The Board approved authorizing the County Manager to approve the policy and all were in favor.

Benning and Rears delivered the County Attorney’s Report and County Manager’s Report, respectively.

Legislative discussions are scheduled for March 11 and March 25 for 4 p.m., online only. There will be a work session on March 19 scheduled for 9 a.m. to discuss:

• South Beaver Creek Road Improvement – Status

• Public Works Call Schedule / Plow Roadway Classification

• Community Center Annex – Design

• Veteran Services

• USFS Indiscriminate shooting closures – update / Shooting Range Update (tentative)

• Policies (TBD)

Mornis asked if there would be a town hall for the South Beaver project and Rears said it is too early yet but there will be one later this year.

Board of County Commissioners Report and Notice of Public Meetings: On March 19 at 5:30 p.m. there will be a work session with Central City Council. Black Hawk City Council declined to join.

On Thursday, February 29, the commissioners will attend the GROC conference.

Public and Press Comment: Kathleen Balfour asked for clarification on whether she would have to take off her bumper sticker to swim at the rec center. She also asked about the $360,000 cost estimate for repairing the current food pantry and whether the grant application could be applied for that. She also asked about economic development in District 3 and whether property owners can have more control over their property.

Donna Okray-Parman said they have made mistakes about electioneering by saying residents cannot wear what they want or display stickers on their cars. She also said applying for so many grants is wrong.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for March 12, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse located at 203 Eureka Street in Central City and online via Zoom.