Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 a.m. for a regular 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, several resolutions and two liquor license renewals.  

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht presented the Covid-19 update. There are now 99 cases in Gilpin County with 14 in the last two weeks and, unfortunately, one death. The county is currently at Level Orange, which means 25% capacity at indoor venues like restaurants and casinos. Albrecht believes the county will stay at Level Orange through the holidays. 

“The biggest thing we are working on right now is the vaccine planning,” said Albrecht. 

Whittington has been focusing on vaccine allocation and distribution. The first people to get the vaccine are called Tier 1, including those administering the vaccines and first responders. 

Montoya said, “The general public isn’t anticipated to start to get vaccinated until March or April at the earliest.”

Next on the agenda, the commissioners discussed Resolution 20-29. The first change to People and Culture was discussed earlier in the year. The second change is to eliminate gender-based program associations.

Other changes included minor corrections concerning renaming Columbus Day and mention of Novatime, the new time-sheet program. Resolution 20-29 to approve amendments in the Employee Handbook was approved unanimously.

The Liquor License for Z-Stop (with business hours consistent with state law) was approved unanimously. Additionally, the renewal application for Mid-County Liquors passed unanimously. 

Finance Director Clorinda Smith presented the Audit Engagement Letter for 2020 and it was approved unanimously.

Resolution 20-23, the Fund and Fund-Balance Reporting Policy was also approved unanimously. 

Resolution 20-28 to rescind the fire restrictions, which simply ratifies a decision made last week in conjunction with Clear Creek, was approved, with all in favor.

Detentions Division Chief Sean Wheeler presented the Inmate Health Services Agreement and said they were able to cut some costs due to a decreased inmate population. Nursing staff will be reduced from 80 hours to 40 hours per week.  

A motion was made to approve, and all were in favor.

Next on the agenda, the board discussed the Child Support Services Agreement with Clear Creek County (CCC) for 2021. Gilpin wishes to share a full-time employee with CCC for 2021, with a negotiable two-third salary and benefits to CCC and one-third to Gilpin. A favorable applicant has already been found. All were in favor.

The Legal Status Report included an update on the filing of a joint brief which seeks to persuade a reconsideration of FAA’s flight paths which impact Gilpin County and Greenwood Village.

Benning also reported on the county ordinance that restricts parking along county roads. At this point, there’s no penalty except being red-flagged after 24 hours. If the county wants to enforce parking, they could add an ordinance that would fine vehicles for parking haphazardly, Benning said. Watson urged the county to look into it.

The County Manager Status Report discussed possible funding for the public, including energy and housing assistance, which will be posted on the county website.

The Gilpin County Commissioners Report included dates for future meetings on December 15 and 17 for the rest of the calendar year. January 5 and 12 are scheduled as well. The swearing-in for the two new commissioners, Sandy Hollingsworth and Web Sill, will be on January 12 at 9 a.m.

The board then considered the minutes for November 3, 12, 17 and 20. No major changes were made, and the board approved them unanimously.

(Originally published in the December 10, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)