The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on September 12, 2023. In attendance were Commissioner Marie A. Mornis, Commissioner Susan Berumen, Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

The commissioners addressed Resolution 23-76, “Adopting Gilpin County Weed Advisory Board Rules and Bylaws,” presented by Jennifer Cook, Colorado State University (CSU) Extension Director.

Under Colorado law, the Board of Commissioners must appoint a local Weed advisory Board since the one that began in 2003 is now defunct.

The object of the Weed Advisory Board is to recommend policies and programs related to undesirable plant management within the broader framework of a long-term resource management goal for Gilpin County; to encourage research, understanding, and education regarding noxious weeds; to assist the BoCC in assessing the extent of noxious weeds existing in Gilpin County; and to collaborate with municipalities, government agencies, other county weed boards, and weed control officers in the furtherance of noxious weed management.

The members of the Board shall be appointed by the BoCC and shall consist of three voting members. The majority of the members of the Board must own forty acres or more in Gilpin County and all members must reside within the County. To the extent there are not two Gilpin County residents or property owners who own at least forty acres or more who are willing to serve on the Local Weed Advisory Board, the Board may take such measures as to consider membership of those residents and/or property owners who own less than forty acres in Gilpin County.

The Colorado State University Extension Director in Gilpin County will serve as an Ex-Officio member of the Board, along with a Chair and a Secretary.

Berumen moved to approve the Resolution, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Following, the board moved on to Resolution 23-70, “Amending Policy P-3, Agenda Policy,” presented by Sam Bower, Administrative Analyst.

Rears had asked Bower to prepare the Resolution, amending the Agenda Approval Policy so that any agenda item must be approved by two or more Board members or the County Manager.

The policy also currently states in line 2.3: “Any requirement set forth in this policy may be waived by the County Manager or the Chair of the BoCC if they so deem it necessary.”

Hollingsworth said the Resolution adds language that basically says, “One commissioner can’t drive the bus.” She said the added information provides clarity for staff. Berumen said it provides continuity for future managers and commissioners. Mornis said she did not see the need for it and that it usurps the power of the Chair.

The commissioners amended line 2.3 to say “and” instead of “or” before “County Manager,” and added line 3.5: “Only items approved by two or more members of the BoCC or the County Manager may be brought before the BoCC for consideration. An approved ARF (Agenda Request Form) is not required for an agenda item to be heard before the BoCC.”

Hollingsworth moved to approve and Berumen seconded. Mornis voted nay and the motion passed 2-1.

Commissioners then addressed Resolution 23-78, “Approving a New Position for the Gilpin County Public Health Agency,” presented by Alisa Witt, Public Health Coordinator.

The new staff hiring request came about because, as Witt said, “we received funds that are specifically directed for public health emergency preparedness and communicable disease control.” New demands on the department have been made. Public Health has received additional work responsibilities from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for public health emergency planning and epidemiology activities with significant time-dependent deliverables.

Not exclusive to this purpose, the new position will assist with the entire department. The funds will be available for two years and the new hire can take over day-to-day responsibilities while Witt can attend to the continued training required for local public health officials in Colorado.

Hollingsworth said she was pleased that Witt is seeking to fill the gap of expertise in Gilpin County dealing with the recovery phase of disasters and Witt believes she can complete new skill-set training in the next two years.

The position was redefined from “temporary” to “grant-funded, term-limited,” as it is funded by a CDC (Center for Disease Control) grant administered by CDPHE. A few other dates and typos were corrected.

Berumen moved to accept the Resolution as amended, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

A final Resolution, 23-80, was then discussed. “Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Jefferson County Public Health for Tobacco Control Work and Funding,” was presented by Witt.

A new intergovernmental agreement was proposed for tobacco control work and funding between Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) and Gilpin County Public Health (GPH).

This funding is a sub-award from a tobacco grant that JCPH has been awarded from CDPHE. Gilpin was originally supposed to receive $50,000 but miscommunication between JCPH and CDPHE led to the Gilpin award not being completed.

After negotiations with JCPH and CDPHE, this contract is a concession from JCPH. CDPHE has also agreed to open up the 3-year grant cycle in years 2 and 3 so that Gilpin will be eligible for the full award in 2024 and 2025.

This funding will initially come into the GPH budget on a monthly basis, and then will be sub-awarded internally to the Gilpin Community Center’s Eagle Youth Program, where most of this work will be done.

The Gilpin Public Health Coordinator will oversee and assist with this work and communicate goals and objectives to the Eagle Program leadership, as well as continue to work with the JCPH tobacco control team.

Witt is still waiting for the final version of the IGA to be approved by Jefferson County. Mornis suggested to table the matter until the final revisions have been accepted and the IGA is in hand. Hollingsworth moved to postpone the matter, Berumen seconded, and all were in favor.

Mornis then commented on the minutes for August 23, saying that she has received communications from the public alleging that changes were made to the minutes in a secret meeting. The commissioners clarified that the August 23 meeting was meant to correct some errors in the ballot language for the mill levy. Benning said that “scrivener’s errors” (minor mistakes) were found and fixed before the deadline for certification.

Berumen moved to approve the minutes, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

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

During the BoCC Report and Notice of Public Meetings, Mornis mentioned the next work session will be scheduled for September 19.

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