The Gilpin County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11, with all commissioners—Susan Berumen (Chair), Marie Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth—in attendance. County Attorney Brad Benning, County Clerk Melanie Bleyler, and County Manager Ray Rears (online) were also present.

The highlights of the meeting were resolutions concerning law enforcement, and more staffing discussions.

Law Enforcement

New Hire: Johnathan Jones, Detention Officer

Resolution 24-87: Law Enforcement Shooting Range Lease Agreement

The board packet explains, “Gilpin County had a lease agreement with the Albert and Mary Frei Irrevocable Trust for a property with an outdoor shooting range for the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office to use for practice and training.…Clear Creek County also had a lease agreement with Albert and Mary Frei Irrevocable Trust for a shooting range that was located in Clear Creek County…. In January of this year both shooting range properties were sold to Martin Marietta Materials Real Estate Investments, Inc.

“....[N]egotiations began on a new lease agreement. During negotiations, it came to light that the new owners, Martin Marietta Materials, would like to consolidate the two shooting range leases into one, and have both Clear Creek County and Gilpin County share the shooting range located off Lake Gulch Road. Both Counties agreed. The amount for rent is half the amount it was in the previous lease agreement ($3,000.00 annually).”

The department made an exception to their policy and made the lease long-term, for 20 years.

Devil’s Nose Shooting Range has been postponed and the Dumont range will be too busy, said Armstrong.

Commissioners approved the Lease Agreement.

Resolution 24-92: Disposition of Abandoned Personal Property

The Gilpin County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) has in their possession firearms that were acquired in connection with closed cases over the past 25 years. While the Sheriff's Office has made a diligent effort to reach them, the last known owners of each of the weapons have failed to claim the weapons. The intention is to sell the firearms to a firearms dealer, who can then dispose of them or sell them. The Sheriff’s Office can then use the funds to purchase needed equipment.

The Board approved.

Resolution 24-84: Co-Responder Services with Jefferson County

The GCSO has partnered with Jefferson Center for Mental Health to facilitate a tele-health approach to a co-responder program. This partnership will provide a twenty-four hour on-call access to a clinician via a tele-health approach, utilizing a mobile data computer installed into each Sheriff’s Office vehicle, that may assist with a call for a mental health co-responder.

GCSO does not currently have mobile computers installed in any of its vehicles. Through this partnership, Gilpin County looks to address additional connectivity issues by changing its current line of in-car solutions options to one that should allow for future technology capabilities.

The agreement will purchase approximately 27 ruggedized laptops and approximately 24 in-vehicle computer mounts. It will also fund the data package for the laptops for a period of 36 months, at which time the GCSO will have to obtain another grant or pay for the service out of the annual budget.

Commissioners agreed to the partnership.

Staffing Discussions and Resolutions

Resolution 24-89: Amending the Master Policy & Procedure Manual (P-19, Hiring & Retention Incentive Policy)

Numerous critical yet hard-to-fill positions remain vacant, which impacts community safety. A recent work session focused on this issue, leading to a discussion on staffing incentives.

Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson proposed a program costing $184,500 over 12-19 months, focusing on positions such as:

• Dispatch

• Deputy

• Maintenance Tech

• Detentions Officer

• Transfer Station

• Child Camp Leader

• Lifeguard

The BoCC held a work session last Tuesday to discuss the issue.

When Johnson brought the proposal back to the board they noticed changes and wanted clarification on how certain positions meet the safety criteria.

Positions less likely to receive incentives included Motor Vehicles Record and Senior Services. Johnson said the goal is to avoid employee burnout. The discussion will continue in the next work session on June 25.

The Commissioners tabled the resolution.

Approved Resolutions

Resolution 24-90: Employee Referral Program

To address a 9% position vacancy rate, this program allows referring employees to earn up to $900 for successful referrals. Effective June 11, 2024, with a five-year evaluation starting in 2029. Commissioners approved.

Housing and Public Hearings

Resolution BLE-24-1: 53 & 143 Winks Way Boundary Line Elimination

Rob Gutierrez and Kyle Matthews proposed merging three parcels into one, resolving an issue with the dwelling at 143 Winks Way. Unanimous approval.

Resolution BOA-24-2: Variance for 53 Winks Way

A public hearing addressed the variance needed for restoring historic cabins at 53 Winks Way.

The public hearing opened at 10:20 a.m. Matthews explained that these historic cabins cost over $1.2 million to rejuvenate. He would like utilities brought to the restored cabins.

From the Agenda Packet: “The applicant, JUST Architecture & Design, is seeking to vary from Section 2.3 Zoning District Specifications of the Gilpin County Zoning Regulations, to allow for the reconstruction of two single-family dwellings, of which one will become an accessory dwelling. Staff are recommending approval.”

There was no public comment and the hearing closed at 10:31 a.m. The Board approved the variance.

Hollingsworth asked about the private road, Winks Way. Matthews said it is really a glorified driveway and crosses several properties.

Public Health

Resolution 24-88: Emergency Mutual Aid Agreement for Local Colorado Public Health Agencies

Public Health Director Alisa Witt informed the board that CDPHE has requested that all counties sign the Mutual Aid Agreement in the event of a Public Health Emergency that crosses county boundaries, or when help is requested from neighboring counties for assistance in the Public Health Emergency. The Board approved the agreement.

Resolution 24-91: Reporting Illicit Substances on County Property

Witt clarified that if a person is found with illicit drugs that would require a 911 call as it could be a criminal matter. The intent of the resolution is to secure the area to prevent exposure.

The policy would be taught during employee training. Hollingsworth advised Witt to edit “room” to “area,” per the work session discussion. The Resolution was approved.

Miscellaneous Resolutions

Resolution 24-93: Appointing Trustee to the Board of Trustees of the Gilpin County Public Library District

Lauren Lottino was recommended for the Library Board of Trustees. All agreed.

Resolution 24-85: Amendment to 2024 I.T. Professional Service Agreement with Teryx, Inc.

Mornis recused herself from this part of the meeting due to a conflict of interest with Jessica Kays, also a Republican candidate for commissioner in this year’s election.

Baciak explained that the current agreement with Teryx (2024 I.T. Service Agreement) ends as of June 30, 2024 but the County does not have another vendor to fill the vacancy at this time. In order to ensure that the County's I.T. service needs are met, this Amendment will extend the current service term with Teryx, Inc. to October 1, 2024. Approved.

Resolution 24-86: Real Property Lease Agreement with Central City Opera House Association

These agreements are annual. The Teller Lot Agreement allows County employees, residents, and visitors to park in the Teller Lot while they attend County business in the Old Courthouse. This use is non-exclusive and is for the entirety of the year.

The Courthouse Parking Lot Agreement allows the Central City Opera Association use of the County's lot during the specified times identified in the Agreement, which will not interfere with the Old Courthouse operation hours.

The Courthouse Lease only spans the length of the 2024 Opera season. Each lease costs the Lessee $10.00 per year. All agreed.

Local Liquor Licensing Authority

Liquor License Renewal for Toss Woodfired Eatery

Cole Johnson attended the meeting via Zoom and Mornis inquired about Item 5’s missing list. McCormick said this omission is due to upcoming changes of expanding the business and adding a co-owner. The license was renewed.

Public Comment

Kathleen Balfour, local real estate agent, said that her seller has been having a difficult time selling his property because of a red flag from the zoning department for a 150 square-foot addition. She said the seller is the third owner since the unpermitted extension was built.

Additionally, the County has had the property listed incorrectly (for the past 70 years) at 0.69 acres, when the actual size is only 0.49 acres. To compensate for these shortfalls, she continued, the seller had to lower their price and were greatly inconvenienced.

The meeting adjourned into Executive Session at 12:04 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for June 25, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.