The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. In attendance were Commissioners Marie A. Mornis, Susan Berumen, and Sandy Hollingsworth, County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

During Public Comment, one resident spoke against raising Gilpin County Community Center (GCCC) fees and the County spending money on a new food pantry. Another person asked the Board to not increase fees for GCCC, while one more resident commented that there should be no change to the services provided by the Food Pantry.

Another resident claimed the County is spending money on unnecessary things and that the resolution concerning the fee increases for the GCCC was not clear on the Agenda.

Two new employees were introduced: Melanie Bleyler, who is the new Community Engagement Officer; and Wendy Gutcher, who will be helping with payroll and other tasks in the Finance Department.

February is Black History Month and Bleyler read the Proclamation. All were in favor.

Resolution 24-37, Appointing a Member to the Foothills Regional Emergency Medical Services & Trauma Advisory Council (FRETAC) Board of Directors.

All were in favor of appointing EMS Captain Bobby Putnam to FRETAC Board of Directors in place of Dennis Head.

Resolution 24-36, Authorizing the Execution for a Grant Agreement with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the Strong Communities Grant Program. Rob Gutierrez, Community Development Director, presented the information, saying that the original resolution did not authorize the execution of the grant agreement. Updating the land use code is one of the priorities for the grant.

All were in favor.

A public hearing was held at 9:31 a.m. regarding Resolution BOA-23-2(B) Board of Adjustment - An Appeal to Extend Temporary Housing Permit, TPHS-22-2 for 105 Conestoga Road, Black Hawk.

The Board recessed as the Board of County Commissioners and convened as the Board of Adjustment.

Gutierrez reported that he is returning to the Board of Adjustment for a followup on an extension of a Temporary Housing Permit for Amber Cusano at 105 Conestoga Road, Black Hawk. Staff conducted a site inspection on Thursday February 8, and provided photos of current progress.

Gutierrez said that on October 24, 2023, the Board approved an extension for the permit with the condition that the house would be 75% complete. He said the building inspector considers that to be the case.

Staff recommended approval of an extension of the Temporary Housing Permit until November 14, 2024, to expire at the same time as the current building permit, BLD-22-81.

Public comment opened at 9:41 a.m. There was one citizen who commented against the extension and one citizen who spoke for the extension. Cusano also spoke about her project.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

The public hearing was closed at 10:26 a.m.

The Board then reconvened as the BoCC.

Lyndsey Denton, Deputy Clerk to the Board, presented the Childcare Steering Committee Recommendations.

In November, 2023, the only local early childhood care center closed. The building that the former entity used is property of Gilpin County. A Community Town Hall was held on December 5 to discuss future childcare options. Several members of the community signed for a Steering Committee (SC) dedicated to recommending a new childcare opportunity for the community.

A survey was available to the public between December 5 and December 31. Those results were tabulated and given to the SC in early January. The SC was also given two opportunities to tour the facility. They met weekly between January 10 and February 7 to come up with recommendations.

A non-profit model was the most desired option based on the survey results. The SC now recommends the creation of a new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A non-profit may also have the best funding options when it comes to grants, as well as keeping tuition costs lower than a for-profit facility.

The County has budgeted $100,000 to go towards supporting childcare for 2024.

Kathleen Balfour, a member of the SC, proposed home-based childcare, in which case the SC would become an advisory board.

Mornis would like to see some draft documentation for the non-profit. Hollingsworth would like to see who might be appointed to the advisory board.

The commissioners reviewed a rough budget for child care and said they look forward to more discussion on the details at the February 20 work session.

Gutierrez and Gabrielle Chisholm, Parks and Recreation Director, presented Resolution 24-35, Adopting the Fee Schedule for Gilpin County Parks & Recreation.

The commissioners had asked Chisholm to lower the increases in admission to the Gilpin County Community Center (GCCC). Chisholm presented the information. One example, the resident daily drop-in fee, would increase from $4 to $5; and the non-resident fee would increase from $6 to $7.

Hollingsworth asked if the nonresident rates are still lower than those of adjacent areas. Chisholm responded in the affirmative.

Some points of discussion included: Seniors or others who use insurance programs would still gain admittance for free. The budget is $2.7 million this year, with $1 million in capital improvements. GCCC cut six part-time staff.

Mornis asked what Chisholm anticipates in revenue. She responded that they will make a little less revenue this year because they are closed for an additional day. She said her inclination is to not raise the daily fees across the board, but rather raise the fees for extra services.

Hollingsworth asked about the possibility of an annual pass with a caveat that hours and days are subject to change. Chisholm said that she can offer that.

Hollingsworth asked if Chisholm could increase awareness around financial aid to attend the GCCC. She agreed.

Rears noted that the revisions would go in effect March 1 and there would be a 30% discount for seniors and veterans. The prices for the annual pass would increase from $225 to $260 for a resident and from $450 to $540 for a non-resident.

Hollingsworth moved to accept the resolution as discussed. The motion passed 2 to 1 with Mornis voting nay.

Resolution 24-47, Adopting the Temporary Position of Maintenance Worker. Staff have identified a need for a temporary Maintenance Worker position in the Facilities Department. The position is requested for a period of 6 months once filled to support current operations.

Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson said funding the position would be within the budget since they still have unfilled open positions.

All were in favor.

Resolution 24-48, Adopting the Temporary Position for Public Works - Office Assistant. This position would assist with the workload for a period of 6 months.

Public Works Director John Combs asked if the department could hire someone to train under Nancy Larson, the current Administrative Assistant.

Johnson explained the position would be temporary with the possibility of becoming full-time.

Combs said that in the past Public Works has always been afforded two administrative assistants and now there is only one, who is overwhelmed.

Rears said they would be discussing this in further detail at the next work session.

Berumen said phrasing it as “temporary” may deter applicants.

The board voted to postpone their decision until the regular meeting on February 27.

Resolution 24-39, Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for the Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities.

Boyle discussed the details of grant programs that could help assist with the construction of the new food pantry building.

Hollingsworth said it is a misnomer to call the building a new food pantry since it would house other purposes as well, like a commercial kitchen, with a goal to make it a sustainable long-term building for other staff in the County.

Mornis said the poverty level for the county is low and that it is not the county’s responsibility to feed the population of the county. Berumen replied that food assistance may not always be tied to poverty level since families can be one crisis away from a food shortage and that the board must return to the matter at hand.

The Energy Impact Assistance Fund grant was discussed and Boyle said it was more inclusive than the DOLA grant.

The board decided not to vote on the resolution and tabled the matter pending more research.

Resolution 24-38, Approving Acceptance of the 2024 Retail Flexible Funding Model Grant Offered to Gilpin County through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Alisa Witt, Public Health Director, presented the information about the grant, which she also applied for and received last year. GCPH will receive $9,164 in funding in 2025 for the Retail Food Program, and they will be meeting or making progress towards required standards for the grant funding.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Sahari McCormick, Clerk & Recorder presented Resolution 24-40 Approval of Voting Service and Polling Center (VSPC) for June 25 Primary Election.

The June 25, 2024 Primary Election needs to have a designated VSPC (Voting Service & Polling Center) location and McCormick suggested holding the election at the Old Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street.

All were in favor. McCormick said that online public comments will be accepted for the November election, beginning February 29 and lasting until April 29.

Planner James Shrout presented Resolution BLA-23-3. The appellants are petitioning the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners for a Boundary Line Adjustment between the two properties due to an error in the placement of the underground utility lines placed by the electrical company.

All were in favor.

BLE-23-3, Approving a Boundary Line Elimination. The applicant, Joseph Kopacz, is seeking to eliminate the boundary line between five parcels owned in the Mosquito Creek area near Apex Valley Road.

The subject properties are currently vacant with plans to install a septic system and build a single-family dwelling.

All were in favor of approving the BLE.

Rears presented Resolution 24-41, Temporarily Designating the County Manager as the Hearing Officer for Employee Termination Hearings. Per the Gilpin County Employee Handbook, employees facing termination may request a hearing. Also per the Handbook, the BoCC has the authority to designate a hearing officer to hear the appeal and make written findings and a non-binding recommendation for decision by the BOCC.

Rears recommended himself as the hearing officer for employee termination hearings for matters arising between the dates of January 14, 2024, and March 6, 2024.

All were in favor.

During the County Manager Report, Rears listed the Legislative discussions as happening on February 12 and 26, March 11 and 25, and on April 8 and 22.

He also pointed out the conflict that the Bocc meeting has with the June 25 election. The board asked to hold the meeting at the GCCC instead. Rears will confirm later.

During the February 20 work session, the board will discuss: staffing, childcare, food pantry, and real property sales policies. It will begin at 9 a.m. at the Old Courthouse.

The tentative work sessions will be: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 4, July 30, August 20, September 17, October 1, November 5, and December 1.

There will be a joint meeting between Central City and the County on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall in Central.

During the Commissioner Report, Hollingsworth said there may be an upcoming workshop with Ryan Englund about Rollinsville planning, most likely dealing with water, parking, and traffic.

There was no public comment.

The board adjourned the meeting at 2:16 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for February 27, 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.