On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met for its regular meeting online and in person at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Linda Isenhart, Web Sill, and Sandy Hollingsworth were in attendance. County Attorney Brad Benning was also present. Highlights included an amendment to the current public health order, the COVID-19 Update, and a public hearing.

Following the Call to Order and Agenda Review, a moment of silence was held for Cody and Shelby Allen. Sheriff Armstrong read aloud the dedication offered at the Gilpin County Fair while naming the Arena the Allen Memorial Arena.

A moment of silence was also given to Peggy Rothe, who worked for many years as the County’s public health nurse and provided healthcare to the inmates at Gilpin County Jail.

The Board then met with the Assessor as the Board of Equalization to hear the recommendations for assessment values of properties. The Board voted to accept all of the Hearing Officer’s recommendations.

The Board then recessed as the the Board of County Commissioners and convened as the Board of Public Health to meet with Public Health Director Dr. Dawn Comstock.

Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht reported that in the past seven days there have been six COVID cases. There will be vaccination clinics this Wednesday, August 4, at the Library; on Thursday at the Transfer Station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at the school from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There have been two cases of the new Delta variant in the County. The Delta variant accounts for 95 percent of the new cases in the state. Hospitalizations in the Denver area are up 14 percent.

Public Health Director Comstock reported on this unfortunate turn. In Jefferson County, COVID rates went from 23 to 83 out of 100,000 in July, and Comstock urged the Board to action. She said the vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalizations but that unvaccinated individuals are spreading these breakthrough cases (cases of COVID infection in those who are fully vaccinated). She urged that employees who interface with the public wear masks and get tested weekly or be vaccinated.

Comstock also reminded everyone that this is still a novel virus that scientists and medical professionals had never heard of two years ago. Public health officials recommend routine testing or proof of vaccination for those serving the public.

Commissioner Hollingsworth moved to amend the current public health order to require masks inside County buildings, when interacting between the public and the staff outside, and that County employees must show proof of vaccination to have the option of not wearing masks.

Sill asked how this changes our current order and Isenhart replied, “We do currently require masks for all of our employees when interfacing with the public. The biggest part is that there will be required employee testing or proof of vaccination, and that masks will be optional for those vaccinated.”

The motion passed 2-1 with Sill opposing. This Public Health Order will go into effect August 15.

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington gave the COVID-19 update, which included a report of a donation by the Allen Green Foundation to help offset costs due to COVID. He has preemptively ordered 650 rapid tests that can be self-administered in 15 minutes. Whittington relayed questions from a workshop yesterday concerning who will message businesses about testing, how tests will be distributed, how testing will be recorded, and actions to be taken upon positive results. Albrecht assured commissioners she would help the County with all of its new testing.

The Board then recessed as the Board of Commissioners and convened as the Board of Adjustment to conduct a public hearing for an application for a setback variance request, BOA-21-3, submitted by Lorraine Nelson. Nelson wishes to make a building addition of 504 square feet to the northwest corner of 370 Hacker Drive. This addition will only be 24.9 feet from the property line. The required setback is 30 feet.

The property owner at the only adjacent property has indicated they are not opposed to granting this request. No public comment was made and all were in favor of approving the application, at which point the hearing was closed.

The Board then reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners to discuss IGAs (Intergovernmental Agreements) for the upcoming election between Black Hawk, RE-1, and RE- 2, as they have in previous years. The County Clerk and the City agree to the scheduling of a coordinated election on November 2, 2021.

Such coordinated election involves more than one political subdivision with overlapping boundaries, and the County Clerk shall serve as the Coordinated Election Official for these subdivisions. All were in favor.

Public Works asked for approval to offer higher starting wages for the Operator 1 positions. All were in favor.

Public Works also asked how to proceed with the repair or possible replacement of an old motor grader, which is used for winter snow removal. The Board decided to shelve the matter to gather more information and await more revenue.

Next, the Board heard a request for date extensions on the current Requests for Proposals (RFPs) with Concise Construction to make repair inspections on many County buildings that are in need. Sill moved to approve and all were in favor.

Human Services Director Laura Solomon made a presentation about the Family First Forum’s Differential Response campaign, which aims to work “with” families instead of “on” them by strengthening them with support and resources tailored to each case.

The Families First Prevention Services Act looks at prevention and intervention to help keep children from going into treatment centers or foster homes unless it is the only way they can be safe. Solomon made the presentation for Differential Response to the Board in order to make it official, although the program is already in use.

The Board of County Commissioners Status Report was presented, which included a Notice of Public Meetings. August 31 will be the next BOCC meeting.

Finally, the Board considered the meeting minutes for July 20, 2021. All were in favor of approving the minutes and the Board adjourned into Executive Session.

The next regular meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on August 31, 2021, at 9 a.m. virtually and can be accessed by following the instructions on the current agenda on the Gilpin County Commissioners website at http://www.gilpincounty.org/cms/ One.aspx?portalId=9285259&page Id=11072364 or by attending in person at the Central City Courthouse located at 141 Nevada Street.