Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met for their regular meeting online at 9 a.m. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart and Ron Engels were in attendance, as were County Manager Abel Montoya and County Attorney Bradford Benning. Highlights included a Covid-19 update, a grant for electronic recording technology and information on the re-opening of the casinos.

Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht said the cases of Covid-19 are now up to 5 cases and has been making calls to casinos to ensure they have everything they need to open on June 17.

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington said testing went smoothly thanks to all the help from Public Health and Public Works. Public Health has received the necessary thermometers and squirt bottles to support the next phase of re-opening.

The board approved a grant for the electronic recording technology board in the amount of $280k to digitize all land records online and accessible remotely. 

Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate presented the application for Underground Liquors to renew their liquor license. As the liquor licensing authority the board unanimously approved the license renewal.

Community Development Director Stephen Strohminger presented an update on the historic preservation commission, specifically with the Red Tail cabins structural needs and the Moffat Tunnel cabins’ need for a historic designation. 

Strohminger also presented a contract with Safebuilt on the remodeling and inspections of the Public Health and Human Services Building. The board approved the contract unanimously.

During the County Manager Status Report, Montoya said that he has met with both city managers to discuss the $536k DOLA Grant given to the county. Covid-related expenses are reimbursable, but prohibits the money to backfill lost revenue. 

The primary election will be held at the community center because it’s easier to spread people out and it’s more convenient being in mid-county.

The board revisited Public Health Order #20-09 to approve as amended and open museums. On Saturday, June 6, CDPHE approved the county’s variance request to open casinos but with two changes – only slot machines will be available and capacity will be at 50% of fire code occupancy or 175 people whichever is fewer. 

The board then recessed into executive session and upon returning had some direction for staff on being paid while working as emergency response volunteers, which will be addressed next Tuesday. The board decided to have a session next Thursday at 1 p.m. primarily for executive session.

At the end of the meeting, one question was posed on requesting a variance to open libraries in Gilpin County since other counties have successfully done so. The commissioners said to send any pertinent information and they would add it to the next agenda. 

(Originally published in the June 11, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)