Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, April 20 , 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 10 a.m. for a regular meeting. Commissioners Linda Isenhart, Web Sill and Sandy Hollingsworth were in attendance. County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya were also present. Highlights included the Covid-19 update, a request to repair the jail showers and an agreement on lifeguard pay at the Gilpin Community Center.

Following the Call to Order and Agenda Review, Emergency Manager Nathan Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht gave the Covid-19 update. There have been 212 total cases total since the pandemic began with nine new cases in the last seven days and a 5.9% positivity rate. Twenty-six percent of Gilpin County residents are now fully vaccinated.

This week’s vaccination shipment is 200 doses. The vaccination clinic is on the tenth floor of the Ameristar Casino and can be accessed by using the tenth floor of the parking garage.

 County Treasurer Mary Lorenz gave the Public Trustee’s First Quarter 2021 Report. The first quarter payroll totals $3,288.90 and vouchers total $216.

Commissioner Sill moved to accept the Public Trustee’s First Quarter 2021 report.  Commissioner Isenhart seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 2 to 0, as Commissioner Hollingsworth had lost her Zoom connection.

Chief Deputy Clerk Ashley Martin delivered the Clerk and Recorder’s March 2021 Report. Martin reported on operations for the month of March, saying that the office is finally “in the green” after being down in revenues the past two months.

Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick and Teryx, Inc. presented on the County’s website security, saying that the site needs $1,000 to secure the website with an SSL Certificate. All were in favor. 

CSU Extension Agent Jennifer Cook made a request for radon mitigation in exhibit building because there are high levels in the barn, lobby and office. The funds, in the amount of $1,900 would come out of the General Fund as it falls under building maintenance. The motion was approved unanimously.

County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong gave the Sheriff’s Office Report saying there has been an uptick in 911 calls, as well as inbound calls for domestic violence. Victim services has over 100 cases currently. 

 The Contractor Approval for the Hazard Mitigation Plan was presented by Brad Benning in the amount of $35,320. There are six participating jurisdictions and the plan will be approved by next February. The contract was approved unanimously.

Next was a request to repair jail showers and an update from the Treasurer’s Office Enclosure given by Facilities Supervisor Dirk Matthews. There are valves and heads that may have been installed improperly, leaking water into the wall. The request for an estimated $16,000 with a 3 percent contingency was approved with all in favor. 

A motion was made to put out an RFD to create an office for Treasurer Lorenz. All were in favor.  

Amendment 1 to the grant for Substance Abuse Prevention was presented by Jacob Rippy, Youth Coordinator. Gilpin County was awarded a five year substance abuse block grant through the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health to implement educational and recreational activities for the community’s youth, and inform the whole community of various aspects of youth substance use. All were in favor of continuing the grant.

Parks and Recreation Director Gabrielle Chisholm presented on Lifeguard Starting Pay and Independent Contract Instructors’ Agreements. Lifeguards would be hired at the mid-level range of pay at $14.10 with head lifeguard at $15.50. All were in favor of both the lifeguard pay and the independent contractors agreements. 

The Ordinance 21-01, Amending Ordinance No. 00-01 Regulating Parking on Gilpin County Public Rights of Way in the Unincorporated Portions of the County of Gilpin, Second Reading, was given by County Attorney Benning. All were in favor. 

Benning continued with the Intergovernmental Agreement for Lake Gulch Road. Black Hawk is agreeing to maintain the road until the IGA is completed. The request to approve the IGA between Gilpin County and Black Hawk regarding Lake Gulch Road was passed with all in favor. 

Sports betting operations will increase the property valuation of casinos, and Benning has been working with Teller County to add legislation into the gaming statutes making this information public instead of proprietary.

County Manager Abel Montoya gave the County Manager Status Report which included the Employee Shout Out Award to Jane Billings in the Finance Department for doing perfect payroll for the past two years.  

Board of County Commissioners Status Report included a Notice of Public Meetings for May 18 for the regular commission meeting. Earth Day is April 22 so remember to reduce, reuse, recycle. 

Consideration of Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes for April 6 and 15, 2021, was made and both were approved with all in favor. 

No public or press comments were made and the meeting adjourned.

(Originally published in the April 22, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)