The Gilpin County Commissioners discussed hiring a grants manager and approved a liquor permit for the County Fair during a regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. The Board also approved the ranking of Local Government Limited Gaming applicants and decided to join a triad for early childhood development. They heard reports on COVID-19 and CSU Extension Community Needs Assessment results.

Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson proposed hiring a grants manager and presented a job description. The person in the position will report to the County Manager. The County has a list of 55 grants awarded to the County and more are coming in.

The grants manager directs and manages the proposal process to ensure timely, compliant and accurate submissions. The grants manager is the institutional representative for the County through the life of the award from inception to closeout.

Johnson said she recommends approving the position at salary grade18. The average range for a grant position ranges from $56,247 to $76,983.

Board Chair Sandy Hollingsworth said they have been waiting for the County Manager to decide what they need. It’s a large responsibility to oversee all these grants. County Manager Ray Rears said they were thinking about an analyst position, but after talking to department heads, everyone is working on grants.

It would be better to place the burden on one person, Rears said. A large portion of the salary might be paid by a grant Rears will introduce at the next meeting. Hollingsworth said the County needs a grant writer, and that should be the foremost duty. “I’m not seeing writing grants as strongly as I would like.”

Rears said he can beef that up in the grant proposal. The Commissioners said they want to see it revised and asked him to bring it back to the meeting on June 14.

Coordinator Krystal Meyer and Deputy Clerk to the Board Sharon Cate introduced an application for a Special Events Liquor Permit for the Gilpin County Fair. Cate said this is an annual event, and the 2022 requirements for the Fair have been met.

Krystal Meyer said vendors for liquor sales have to fill out an application. They need to “follow our rules and respect the property…. I open it out to the public, and I’m trying to find vendors.”

One would be Dostal Alley, which supports the community and is a local brewery. Commissioner Web Sill asked who makes the decision about the vendor. Meyer said a committee selects the vendor. Sill said he wants to know how many applicants want to sell beer and who was chosen.

Meyer said she has reached out to two possible vendors. Timberline Foundation is looking to raise money to help our local firefighters. Another is Colorado Local Brews, who said “we’ll sell what you want us to sell.”

Chair Hollingsworth said the priority is to choose locally based vendors. Sill said several is better than one. Price competition might be good too. The Board approved the liquor permit.

Interim Finance Director Lorna Plamondon introduced a request to prioritize applicants for Local Government Limited Gaming funds through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DoLA). She said she has eight applicants, and the Commission’s priorities need to be submitted before the June 20 deadline. Each commissioner read their priorities. The Commission agreed that Sheriff’s Office proposals should be ranked first for the jail, patrol, and victim services.

They will have an in-person meeting with the applicants. Other priorities include the Gilpin County Ambulance Authority, Eagle’s Nest Childcare Center, and First Judicial District. The Board approved the rankings.

Hollingsworth said dues were now payable for renewal of membership in the National Association of Counties (NACO) and it has been budgeted for renewal. Commissioners have signed up for a conference in Adams County this year. It’s a big deal for the conference to come to Colorado, she said.

Renewal will cost $450 per year. The Board approved the expenditure with Sill voting no.

Hollingsworth said the State of Colorado has formed an early childhood department. She talked to several people including the management of Eagle’s Nest regarding the Early Childhood Council (ECC). No one in Gilpin County had been told about it, but Jefferson County put together a plan to promote services, families, and increasing access and diversity of people served.

Hollingsworth attended a Town Hall and was brought up to date with the information. She attended many meetings, and Gilpin County could be in a triad with Clear Creek and Jefferson County, but they have to apply by tomorrow. A meeting happened Monday, June 6, so it was a rush.

After reviewing options, they could be part of the triad, or do nothing and the state will serve as the lead. The triad works with the Eagle’s Nest Board. Whatever is decided will continue for three years. The Board approved going with the triad with Sill opposing it.

Public Health Director Alisa Witt provided an update on Public Health and COVID-19. COVID is making a little comeback, but 71 percent of Gilpin County residents have had at least one vaccination. Residents who are 50 years old and over should get another booster. There will be vaccinations offered on Sunday, June 12 at the Community Center.

No appointment is needed, and vaccinations are available for those five years and older. There also will be a bus available on June 24 at the Community Center. The Health Office provides testing on Fridays.

CSU Extension Director Jennifer Cook presented the CSU Extension Community Needs Assessment Results. The assessment helped identify priority areas for the CSU Office Extended campus.

The assessment was led by Colorado State University to figure out Extension’s role in the community and to define goals and look at the data on a state or regional level. The community values natural resources, personal property, and youth. Extension came up with five priorities including Youth Development with 4H and the after- school Eagle program.

Extension will focus on radon, with Gilpin County being the fourth highest county in Colorado for radon, so they plan to offer free radon testing. They will help people learn gardening and grow food in order to become more sustainable, and they will assist in choosing sustainable landscapes.

Extension has a plant sale coming up and will be working on noxious weed control. They received a grant this year to supplement weed control, partnering with Central City and Black Hawk. They plan to work on Marilyn Mountain grass, which is out of control.

For forest wildfire mitigation, they will work on education and outreach regarding awareness of defensible space, because with all the fires, this is an important area.

The next meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 9 a.m. For more information go to https://www.gilpincounty.org/public_ meetings/ bo_ c_ c_ meetings.