The Gilpin County Commissioners (BoCC) opened a work session at 9 a.m. on April 16, 2024, at the Historic Courthouse in Central City. Commissioners Susan Berumen (Chair) and Marie A. Mornis presided, with County Manager Ray Rears and Deputy Clerk Lyndsey Denton also present. Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth was unable to attend.

Public Works Director John Combs described the plans for improving South Beaver Creek Road, a major drainage area that often becomes hazardous with bumps and potholes.

Residents have issued many complaints about this second-most traveled roadway in the county.

Combs has attempted repairs involving various geotech styles, including “geogrids.” Buried in 18 inches of road base, the geogrid intends to provide both stabilization and filtration.

He is currently researching an initial product that does not absorb water: a vapor barrier known as “Petromat,” which Combs described as “rubberized membrane.”

Further, Combs and his team are looking at laying down asphalt millings, and as a last possibility, the team would cap the road with asphalt. Rears said that recycled asphalt millings are available from the I-70 project and the material is low-cost and easy to acquire.

The 2024 budget allows $500,000 for this project. Additionally, a community group has donated a substantial amount toward the work, and would like the project completed sooner rather than later.

Combs said the west end of the road could be worked on this year, and the east end, next year. Or the Board could wait and do the project all at once in 2025.

RFPs (Requests For Proposals) have been issued for an engineering company to plan the project, and for a flag team to assist, which could take several months. This would delay the construction until August – too late in the summer season to begin the project.

The Board would like to receive proposals and then hold Town Hall meetings, slating the project to begin in Spring of 2025. The commissioners said they would like to do it right the first time instead of doing it piecemeal.

“It’s a large project and we want it done correctly,” Berumen asserted.

Mornis aptly asked if the petromat is suitable for winter climates. Combs responded that he will research the subject, and that the petromat will only be used in four problem areas.

Rears summarized the timeline: contracting will occur in June, public outreach in the Fall, and construction in Spring of 2025.

Combs also discussed the Public Works call schedule and Plow Roadway Classification. The Commissioners assured Combs that they believe the system works as it is and see no reason to change it.

Finance Director Joe Allaire delivered an update on the 2023/2024 Budget and the 2025 Budget Process. Allaire said he would like to allow the BoCC more time than last year to evaluate the budget. 2025 Budget work sessions would be scheduled for September 16 to November 18.

Administrative Analyst Sam Bower presented information on the Master Policy & Procedure Manual New Policies. Sarah Baciak reviewed the Letter of Support Policy, Contract

Management Policy, and Procurement Policy. The policies are County-wide and apply to all departments and employees.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for April 30, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historical Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.