Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, April 6, 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 introduction of the new Public Health Director, Dr. Dawn Comstock, a Covid-19 update and a resolution concerning county fees. 

A moment of silence was held for Public Works employee Mark Matthews who passed away recently.

There was a possible Covid-19 exposure at the courthouse so they closed for a few days to do contact tracing. No link was found so everyone returned to work on Monday.

April is Child Abuse and Prevention Month, beginning in 2009, and Human Services Director Laura Solomon said its “focus of building healthy kids and strong families by shining a light on child abuse and neglect.” The board voted to proclaim April as Child Abuse and Prevention Month.

Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht introduced the new Public Health Director, Dr. Dawn Comstock who said she was very impressed with Albrecht’s coordination with health issues thus far. 

She said that presently 27 percent of the Colorado population has been vaccinated, but that the experts agree that 70 to 85 percent would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity wherein we would no longer have to worry about community transmission. The estimates are that 69 percent of Colorado residents will be vaccinated by the end of May.

The UK variant is moving through Colorado and affects the younger generation of 30-60 years old, and Comstock said the research shows that all versions of the vaccine are effective against this variant.

Comstock said Jefferson County is moving back into yellow because test positivity rates have increased, especially in the younger population. She continued to encourage everyone to be vaccinated, and that this is one of those issues where an individual, personal decision extends beyond just that individual, unfortunately.

 Emergency Manager Nathan Whittington said that Comstock has put in efforts to get more vaccines for Gilpin County and that now the county has a “vested voice within the upper echelon of Jefferson County Public Health,” as she works jointly with them.

Comstock reminded everyone that it is National Public Health Week and if anyone wanted to thank Albrecht for her work, now would be an opportune time.

Albrecht then gave the Covid-19 update saying that the County has had ten cases in the past seven days with two hospitalizations but with both being discharged since. Gilpin still has a mask order required indoors and outdoors if social distance cannot be maintained. 

Testing and vaccinations continue with 100 first doses per week available. 2,348 total shots have been administered with 1,485 first shots with 683 second shots.

Whittington acknowledges some community feedback pertaining to signage at the Ameristar vaccination site and that the registration line is still open at 303-515-4342. 

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong gave the Proclamation of a National Public Safety Telecommunications Week from April 11-17, which honors public safety dispatchers and all the work they do. The board accepted the proclamation, with all in favor.

Whittington discussed the FEMA Immunization Funds/Partial Reimbursement of County Funds in the amount of $125,000 which can be used to support the vaccination site and vaccination activities, but Whittington said he can reallocate $75,000 of it back into the General Fund for what had been taken from it previously.

Resolution #21-05, Adopting Revisions to a Schedule of Fees for Development Services’ Applications, Permits & Services was presented by County Planner Tami Archer. The Short Term Rental (STR) fee has been changed to $200 per annual operating permit which is valid until December 31 of the year issued, the Change in Use Permit Fee has been changed to $25 for a residential business and $100 for a commercial business, Contractor Registration is $100 per annum and camping fee permits are TBD. All were in favor of the changes.  

Next on the agenda, Benning presented the Continued First Reading of Ordinance #21-01, “Amending Ordinance #00-01, Regulating Parking on Gilpin County Public Rights of Way in the Unincorporated Portions of the County of Gilpin.” County roads include the ditches that help maintain the road, adjacent properties, private right-of-way, all cul-de-sacs and all areas used for snowplow turnarounds. This prevents parking in those locations and any parking would be considered unlawful. Benning says there will be signage eventually to let people know where they can not park. The ordinance will be posted on the county website and in local newspapers for the public for at least ten days prior to the second reading. The board approved the conclusion of this first reading. 

Montoya delivered the County Manager Status Report, and was joined by People, Culture and Finance Director Lori Schrayer, which included a change to the Employee Handbook concerning how sick leave is approved that requires the state to provide all employees, even part-time and seasonal, for one hour paid sick leave for every 30 hours an employee works. A motion to approve these amendments was made and all were in favor. 

Next on the agenda, the Board of County Commissioners Status Report was presented by Isenhart which included a Notice of Public Meetings for April 20 and May 4 for regular commissioner meetings. 

The Ratification of Letter of Support for Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and the County Matching Scholarships Grant was accepted by the board with all in favor. 

The renaming of the Fairgrounds Arena to honor firefighters Cody and Shelby Allen to the “Allen Memorial Arena” was approved with all in favor. 

Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate spoke for Gilpin County Historical Society who requested the donation of some broken antique benches that are being stored in the basement of the courthouse who would restore and display them. All were in favor of surrendering the benches.

The board then considered and approved the meeting minutes with minor edits for March 16 and 25, 2021. 

No press comments were made and the meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

The next regular meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 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 April 8, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)