Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On April 23, 2019, the board of commissioners in Gilpin County met for their bimonthly meeting. Kara Campbell, the Mountain Services Manager for Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH), proclaimed that May is Mental Health Month. One in five people in Gilpin County experience a mental health condition each year and 8.1% of individuals in Gilpin communities experience a substance use disorder each year. The proclamation was accepted and the board calls upon all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit our communities and resources to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, providing appropriate and accessible services for all citizens, and making mental health a priority.

A proposal to fund Jefferson Center for Mental Health School Counselor was made by Abel Montoya, the County Manager. The board approved $1,437.50 to JCMH to continue the position through the current school year.

Sahari McCormick made a request to purchase Map/Plat Cabinets for the county. The commissioners approved the request for up to $6,000. She said, “Survey map/Plat cabinets are near capacity and were not written into this year’s budget. It will be a one-time expense and this storage should last us another 10 years or longer.”

The survey map/plat cabinets contain all the maps of every property and subdivision in the county. Storing them securely ensures that their history and their physical integrity stay intact as well as remain accessible as a public document.

Administrative Manager, Cherokee Blake, and Administrative Services Coordinator, Vicki Nemee entered a proposal from the Gilpin County Sherriff’s Office for a new copier lease. Blake said, “We are currently in month 50 of a 60-month lease with Xerox. The two copy machines we have are experiencing serious, consistent malfunctions which are very work disruptive. The proposal was approved.

The Public Works Director, Gordon Thompson, presented a Vehicle Replacement Plan and Request to Purchase Four SUV’s. These vehicles will replace older vehicles that serve as pool vehicles for the Assessor’s Office/Community Development/Clerk and Recorder, CSU Extension Service Vehicle, and Jefferson County Public Health Department. The board approved the purchase of four Toyota Rav 4’s.

The Legal Status Report presented by Bradford Benning addressed the consideration of the Church Ditch Water Rights Lease for the 2019 irrigation season and was approved. Also, the board accepted the request to ratify the Human Services Attorney Agreement as the Board of Human Services. Finally, a Property Purchase and Extension Amendment was additionally approved.

The Board of County Commissioners Status Report discussed the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Membership. The Board appointed Jack Hidahl to a new 3-yr term. Additionally they appointed Sarah Russell and Travis Wright to 3-yr terms.

After conversations with both candidates, the group feels that “both have outstanding qualifications and will be excellent additions to the commission.” Additionally, Jack Hidahl requested to be appointed to another 3-year term. “Mr. Hidahl’s expertise and contributions are vital to the success of the commission,” said Stephen Strohminger.

The consideration of the minutes for the meeting of April 9, 2019, was approved. The floor was then opened for public/press comments which is limited to five minutes. No comments were made.

The Executive Session commenced to discuss the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale or real, personal, or other property interest under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(a) and for the purpose of receiving legal advice per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b). Also discussed was the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators, under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e) and for the purpose of receiving legal advice on recently enacted legislation per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b).

The noon work session was informational only and consisted of four topics/presentations: Andy Hammond of Mountain Broadband LLC, continued revisions to Quality of Life Survey, review of Updated Strategic Plan, and Administrative Item Review.

(Originally published in the May 2, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)