Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 a.m. for a regular meeting. Former Commissioner Gail Watson was present, as were current Commissioners Linda Isenhart and Sandy Hollingsworth. Web Sill was not present. County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya were also present. Highlights included Annual Appointments, a Covid-19 update and a Notice of Public Meeting.

Isenhart thanked Watson and Engels for their service to the Board and Watson explained that Sill, being sworn in at 12:01 a.m., disqualified Engels to sit as District 1 Commissioner, but that Sill had a previous engagement and couldn’t attend.

Judge Taylor then swore in Commissioner-Elect Sandy Hollingsworth who took the Oath of Office for District 3. Congratulatory applause and refreshments followed.

Isenhart and Hollingsworth began conducting agenda business, beginning with appointment of a Chair for 2021. Hollingsworth made a motion to elect Isenhart as chair and Isenhart accepted. All were in favor. 

Isenhart was also elected as the Commissioner-to-Convey. Hollingsworth was voted in as Chair Pro-Tem. Though not present, Sill had approved the appointments as well.

The Board of Adjustments and Local Liquor Licensing Authority were also approved to consist of all three commissioners: Isenhart, Hollingsworth and Sill.

 Abel Montoya was appointed as County Manager and Bradford Benning as the Gilpin County Attorney. Sharon Cate was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Board. 

Clorinda Smith was appointed Budget Officer. Stephen Strohminger was appointed Chief Building Official and Nathan Whittington was appointed Emergency manager. Dave Rich was appointed Road Supervisor.

The Newspaper of Record was named as The Weekly Register Call. The location of Public Notice of Public Meetings was named the Gilpin County website and the old Courthouse.  

Clorinda Smith and Lorna Plamondon were authorized to use facsimile signatures for these new Gilpin County Commissioners.

The meeting schedule for 2021 was adopted under Resolution 21-02.

Resolution 21-01 authorized the use of facsimile signatures of the current members of the Board of County Commissioners, for things like payroll and emergencies.

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht presented the Covid-19 update. There are now 134 cases in Gilpin County with 11 in the past two weeks. The two-week incidence rate is at yellow and if maintained at that metric, means businesses could open up to 50% capacity or no more than 50 people.

Phase 1 and the first part of 1B are currently being vaccinated which includes healthcare workers, first responders and people aged 70 and over. To get on the list to be registered for the vaccine, call 303-515-4342. Whittington said about 15-20 people get tested weekly. He also said the Colorado National Guard has been activated to help dispense and coordinate the vaccine.  

January is National Radon Action Month, and the County encourages residents to get their homes tested. Free kits can be picked up at the Public Health Building or the Extension Office. A formal Proclamation was approved unanimously in Support of National Radon Action Month as January in Gilpin County.

Next on the agenda, County Manager Montoya reported that the scheduled move-in date for the new Human Services building would be on or around February 8 and that the public may be able to attend tours.  

The Board of County Commissioners Status Report presented a Notice of Public Meetings with a regular meeting on January 19 and a work session before noon to discuss Covid dollars.   

No public or press comments were made and the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 a.m.

 The next regular meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 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&pageId=11072364

(Originally published in the January 14, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)