The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. In attendance were Commissioners Marie A. Mornis, Susan Berumen, and Sandy Hollingsworth, County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

Public and Press Comment: Donna Okray-Paman asked the board to accommodate people with mobility issues by adding handicapped parking to the back lot. She also said the link for the agenda is not easy to access in the email. Finally, she requested no additional fees for seniors to attend the Gilpin County Community Center.

Jeremy Fey, Mayor of Central City, approached the board to request they strengthen the County’s relationship with the two cities in the County, Black Hawk and Central City, for the betterment of the community.

He said he noticed the County’s $2.2 million grant for gaming impact fees, and queried, “Where’s the conversation with Black Hawk and Central City about what those impacts are and what is the best game plan to implement the funding to mitigate those impacts.”

He mentioned that there is not a single Gamblers’ Anonymous group in the area and asked whether the impact fee monies should be shared.

He said he has a meeting with Mayor Spellman of Black Hawk later in the day.

Kathleen Balfour commented that she could not find the agenda on the email sent out by the County for this meeting. She said she noticed the County is awarding multiple contracts for major projects today, and she would like to hear how many bids were given for each project.

Barbara Hardt delivered information and pamphlets on the Peak to Peak Chamber of Commerce. The pamphlets show how to join the Chamber and what is currently happening with businesses in the area.

Parks & Recreation 4th Quarter 2023 Report – Gabrielle Chisholm, Parks & Recreation Director. Chisholm responded to the alleged rise in prices for senior insurance programs at the Community Center. She explained that at this time, the contracts with senior insurance will not change.

She shared that the Center was closed for two weeks during the last quarter to replace the flooring and they stopped selling annual passes in November, which she deems led to the drop in attendance.

She reviewed the events of the last quarter, including the first annual Turkey Trot, which had 56 participants despite freezing temperatures. She shared that seniors made up 31% of attendance and adults comprised 33% of attendance.

Resolution 24-31, Adopting the New Position of Financial Analyst – Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director. The financial analyst works in one or more areas of financial, business, or budget analysis.

This person would assist County management in making sound business decisions through analysis of existing programs, grants, new programs and services required by the County, requested through Priority Based Budgeting.

Ultimately, the board decided to postpone the discussion on this position until the February 20 work session.

Resolution 24-30, Adopting the New Position of Information Technology (IT) Specialist – Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director. During Coreflection’s staffing study performed in 2023, the group identified three positions needed in the County, this being the most urgent.

Coreflection recommended a fulltime, internal IT employee for the size of the organization, in addition to external consultants.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt the resolution, Mornis seconded and the vote passed 2 to 1 with Mornis voting nay.

Resolution 24-32, Adopting the New Position of Case Worker II – Prevention – Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director. Johnson stressed that this is a budgeted position, mostly funded by the State. The holder of this position will spend 50% of their time as a caseworker and 50% as a prevention worker.

Historically, the state has funded three caseworkers for Gilpin County. This maintains the same staffing level, adjusting the current vacant position to better fit the needs of the department while assisting the community with child welfare preventive services.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt the case worker position, Mornis seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-34, the Reaffirmation of the Colorado Works Program was added to the Agenda. Mornis moved to accept the resolution and all were in favor.

The board discussed the following proposals and decided to use the term, “not to exceed,” when referring to the money values for the capital improvement projects.

Resolution 24-23, Awarding a Contract to The Flynn Group of Companies for the Low Slope Roof Replacement at the Gilpin County Justice Center – Ryan Keenan, Facilities Director. Between July and August 2023, Gilpin County conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to secure contractors for six projects scheduled in 2024.

Mornis asked if the low-slope aspect of the roof was related to the known drainage problems. Keenan responded in the negative, and that roof drains will be correctly installed, among other remedies.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the contract in the amount of $1,416,210. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-24, Awarding a Contract to The Flynn Group of Companies for the Low Slope Roof Replacement at the Gilpin County Community Center.

Mornis asked if the pinhole leaks will be repaired. Keenan responded in the affirmative.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the resolution, for an amount not to exceed $484, 945. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-25, Awarding a Contract to Bowman Consulting Engineers for the Multiple Site Engineer Services Project.

This contract will cover a multitude of services including lightning protection for Dakota Hill, grading and drainage, and emergency power back-up.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the resolution, in an amount not to exceed $336, 383. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-26, Awarding a Contract to Major Heating and Cooling for the Multiple Site HVAC Replacement Project. All were in favor of approving the contract, for an amount not to exceed $207,682.

Resolution 24-27, Awarding a Contract to Denver Fire for the Multiple Site Fire and Safety Alarm System Replacement Project.

Mornis moved to approve the contract for an amount not to exceed $439,409. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-28, Awarding a Contract to Boulder Water Well for the Justice Center Campus Well Pump Replacement.

Hollingsworth expressed appreciation to Keenan for getting the RFPs out prior to the budget. Mornis moved to accept the contract, for an amount not to exceed $60,325. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-20, Accepting Core Immunization Funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) – Alisa Witt, Public Health Director.

Local public health agencies in Colorado are charged with assisting residents to obtain immunizations. Funding for immunizations was previously provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to Jefferson County Public Health. That funding is now being awarded to Gilpin County.

Witt explained that $10,549.50 was budgeted by CDPHE for Gilpin County Immunization services from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.

Once awarded, Gilpin County’s Public Health department will partner with another department or clinic to provide immunizations.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt the resolution, with a strike under the fourth “whereas” concerning future monies, and all were in favor.

Maverix Broadband Presentation – Jamie Boyle, Grants Manager and Writer, introduced David Lindauer and Ben Coffey from Maverix, a local broadband company that was awarded a project to bring broadband into Gilpin County by way of Boulder County and Nederland.

They started as a small company providing broadband to rural areas in Colorado. They are very excited about the project, and this year they will run main lines via Nederland and Pinecliffe from Denver to Gilpin.

They received funding in the amount of $8.5 million, matched by the State, to provide internet to remote areas. They pride themselves on offering the highest, most reliable speeds available. They provide local customer support and are seeking local staff in Gilpin County to provide the fastest service to their customers.

Their methods involve installing fiber underground, usually under the roadway. Mornis asked them to be sure to inform the public and Lindauer assured the board that they will keep everyone abreast of any construction.

Hollingsworth said “The board is excited, since this has been discussed for at least ten years, and it really took the State stepping up and creating the Office of Broadband, and Boyle’s help in applying for funding.”

Resolution 24-21, Approving the Department of Local Affairs Local Planning Capacity Grant Application – Rob Gutierrez, Community Development Director.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs has begun accepting applications for their Local Planning Capacity Grant Program. This program is funded through Proposition 123. Gilpin County is eligible to apply for the grant because they previously submitted an Affordable Housing Commitment to DOLA in 2023. Staff intends to seek grant funds to expand the County’s ability to conduct short- and long-range planning that supports the development of new affordable housing.

Gutierrez said the objective is “to get fast tracks in place, and to establish more efficient processes.”

The County will have 18 affordable housing units by 2026. Central City is participating in the initiative. Black Hawk has refrained, since the City seeks no more housing in their community.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution with amending the third “Whereas” to include 205 baseline units and a commitment to 18 affordable units. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-22, Acknowledging Broadband Ready Community Certification. Boyle said this is a certificate status that makes the County more competitive to funders and partners.

Hollingsworth moved to accept the resolution and all were in favor.

The board then recessed at 12:45 and convened as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority.

Liquor License Renewal for The Last Shot –Sahari McCormick, Clerk & Recorder, said all application materials have been submitted. She recommended approval. All were in favor.

The board then reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.

Resolution 24-33, Adopting the Comprehensive Fee Schedule for 2024 – Rears. The board discussed the proposed changes at the last work session.

For any fees not controlled by the State, Public Health fees will increase by 7% across the board.

The commissioners discussed rounding up or down the cents on Public Health fees. All were in agreement.

Next, the board discussed the proposed changes to Park and Recreation fees. Hollingsworth asked Chisholm if it would be possible to reduce the increase in fees. For instance, the adult resident fee jumps from $4 to $7 and the adult punch card does not provide much incentive at $63 for ten visits.

Chisholm responded that most rec centers do not even offer ten punch cards – they usually require 20 punches and a three-month commitment – but she said she will go with whatever the board decides.

The fee changes would increase the projected revenue by $30,000 per year. Hollingsworth warned that that number could go down if attendance goes down due to lack of affordability and reduced hours.

Chisholm said she could go back to the drawing board and come up with new projections for admission, facility rental fees, and member rates, as requested.

Berumen suggested three-month memberships with lower costs.

Rears asked for direction from the board. Berumen replied they could approve everything except for the Parks and Recreation fees. Rears agreed they could revisit the Parks and Recreation fees at the next meeting on February 13, with the fee changes being implemented as of March 1.

All were in favor.

Resolution 24-29, Appointment of Members to the Opioid Council for Region 10, Also Known as the Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council (GROC). Hollingsworth said she requested they do this since the Human Services Director has changed recently.

The members include City Voting Member Troy Cooper, Commander for Black Hawk Police Department; Public Health Voting Member Alisa Witt, Gilpin County Public Health Director; Human Services Voting Member Janey Barker, Gilpin County Human Services Director; Law Enforcement Voting Member Kevin Armstrong, Gilpin County Sheriff; and County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth.

Mornis moved to adopt the members as stated and all were in favor.

County Attorney’s Report - Benning said he is working on several contracts for housing needs, and will have the final meeting to conclude the Ground Lease for Senior Living, among many other things.

County Manager’s Report - Rears announced a work session for February 20 to cover some topics like the food pantry construction and child care.

He said the new Community Engagement Officer, Melanie Bleyer, has been hired. There will be a formal introduction next week.

There will be a Clear Creek Economic Development Rural Resilience Mixer on February 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Club Hotel in Idaho Springs, with a breakfast following the next day for a recap.

Finally, Rears said staff uncovered a rounding error in Resolution 24-19 concerning the mill levy certification. Residents will be receiving a slight increase in their tax credit due to the error. The resolution should read 6.775, not 6.776 mills; and 1.254 mills, not 1.253 in temporary tax credits. Rears requested verbal confirmation from the commissioners to approve the changes. The board confirmed.

There will be an all-virtual work session on Monday, January 29 at 4 p.m. to talk with lobbyists about housing needs.

Public and Press Comment: Donna Okray-Parman hopes that the rec center fees do not increase for residents. She reported that the removal of the annual membership has gone over poorly and that the increase for punch cards is too much. She asked them to consider charging more for field trips.

Kathleen Balfour commented that the board previously voted that we should not be using our staff for other counties if we are hiring new staff. She spoke to affordable housing and that she could not sell a home because of a room added without a permit. She said that enforcing so many fees, rules, and permitting goes against making housing affordable.

The board recessed into Executive Session at 2:11 p.m.

The board reconvened at about 2:58 p.m. Hollingsworth moved to accept the first revision to the County Attorney’s thrice-amended employee agreement, to reaffirm decisions they made based on the resolutions for salary increases. Mornis moved to adopt the second revision to the County Manager’s first-amended employment agreement to include Resolution 23-112, Cost of Living Adjustment, and the Coreflex 2023 Compensation Assessment, Resolution 23-111. All were in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for February 13, 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.