Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On July 21, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 a.m. for their regular weekly meeting. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart, and Ron Engels were present as were County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya. Highlights included a Covid-19 update, an AT&T contract and an IGA with Boulder County.

The board rescinded the county mask order, Public Health Order #2010 and adopted the state’s mask order. Masks are not required outside unless waiting on public transportation and children 10 and under would not be required to wear masks. The motion passed unanimously.

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington gave a presentation on what the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been doing with FEMA PA (Public Assistance). The state will allow Gilpin a true cash advance of 1.5 million dollars once Gilpin proves what projects it is involved in. The commissioners were grateful for Whittington’s creativity and resourcefulness in finding assistance for the community.

Madame Chair Watson moved to accept the AT&T contract for a small cell tower installation at the Gilpin County Justice Center, which will make cell communications possible in that area of the county. All were in favor.

The purpose of the IGA with Boulder County for enforcement of rules and regulations on Toll Trail is so that the property can be part of a conservation project that would make it a recreation area with trails. The IGA would give Boulder County jurisdiction to enforce Open Space regulations. Isenhart mentioned how the parking on Tolland Road is already congested. Benning will follow up with Boulder County for next week’s meeting.

SBE #19-02 for Florian Freymuth at 432 N. County Road is a request to transfer development rights, which would also allow cisterns for water and sewage. Because it is a request for a transfer of only a quarter-acre property, Watson was disinclined to approve. Engels asked for a six-month moratorium for TDRs or development rights requests until the comprehensive plan is completed. It was approved with the stipulations included in the staff report. 

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong presented to the Board a revision to Resolution 20-10 to Stage 2 Fire “Restrictions” which is now resolution 20-11 and is a Fire “Ban.” It allows propane-fueled fire pits with precautionary measures in place. The board unanimously voted to rescind 20-10 and implement 20-11.

Montoya then talked about potential ballot issues concerning mill levies and how much would be required to fund the Sheriff’s department and other county services. If the county wants to provide two million each to the Sheriff’s Office and the Community Center, it would cost $36/month. Framing these tax questions to the property owners has shown that people would not mind paying a mill levy. 

“Based on community feedback, if the commissioners want to place a mill levy question on the November 3, 2020, ballot then it needs to happen as soon as next week,” said Montoya.

Watson asked, “What can we set up immediately to take the temperature of what the community wants?”

Montoya responded that there will be a survey during the next Town Hall and it will be posted on the website and circulated on social media.

 The jail bookings are significantly lower since the casinos have been closed according to the Sheriff’s Report. 

Gilpin County has been nominated for a 2020 Government Experience Award for the county’s online platform and how it increases public engagement and transparency. 

Dorothy Sweet has been nominated to become a new trustee on the Board of Directors at Gilpin County Public Library. The board unanimously passed the motion.

GCART has requested to open the arena and the exhibit barn for 4H and the horse community to use it. Benning said the county could be liable if anything were to happen to the volunteers while on county property unless they signed a waiver as a legal entity and had insurance.

Watson stressed that the board should formalize GCART’s standing with the county. Montoya clarified that the subject at hand is about having a legal, county entity during emergency services.

  Because of the economic crisis caused by Covid, the county has made significant cuts. The snowplow drivers have been reduced from 11 to 8. The breakdown of savings and the compensation brackets for county employees is public knowledge and can be found on the county website.

The meeting was adjourned, and the commissioners went into executive session.  

The next meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 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&pageId=11072364

Meetings are being held weekly on Tuesdays during the pandemic.

(Originally published in the July 23, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)