Rewarding excellence: Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick presents a Shout Out Award to Jessie Hartman for her outstanding customer service in the Clerk’s Office. [/caption]

The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. In attendance were Commissioners Susan Berumen, Marie A. Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth, as well as County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

During Public and Press Comment, Donna Okray-Parman asked if the Board is willing to rescind Resolution 24-54. She said that the resolution is stated in a way that it is an infringement of First Amendment rights. She also asked if the Board will continue to pay employees to seek grants rather than find funding within the budget.

Then she commented that the County should stop pushing forward their agenda for childcare until there has been real public demand. She said the County had a meeting at the rec center where almost no one showed up. She asked who paid for the event since participants were given $25 gift cards and the chance to win a ten-punch card to the rec center.

Kathleen Balfour commented that the tax report given recently by Sam Bower showing how low Gilpin’s taxes are may be a prelude to maybe adding sales tax. She asked the County to keep taxes low.

She commented that the old food pantry could be remodeled for $350,000, which would save taxpayers money. She also asked about the grant offered to the food bank for a new vehicle, and what funds would be used to maintain it. She thinks taxpayer dollars are being wasted.

Jan Hedrick commented on the proposed food pantry, saying that a new building is not necessary and the County should live within its means. She said that funding a food pantry is not a statutory requirement and asked why it would be taken over by a nonprofit if the County is funding it.

She said the commercial kitchen would benefit very few people in the County and that it will be expensive for taxpayers. She asked for more discussion on the matter.

The Consent Agenda included approval of Meeting Minutes for February 13 and February 27, 2024. Mornis moved to remove the minutes from February 27 from the Consent Agenda, stating that the public comments should be kept brief. Hollingsworth seconded, but both Hollingsworth and Berumen voted nay. Motion did not pass.

Employee Shout Out Award – Sahari McCormick, Clerk & Recorder presented a Shout Out Award to Jessie Hartman, who joined the Clerk’s Department almost a year ago and has received several accolades for her customer service. Applause followed.

Proclamation for Women’s History Month – Melanie Bleyler, Community Engagement Officer, read the proclamation. Hollingsworth remarked that the current Board is the second all-women board in Gilpin’s history. All were in favor of adopting the Proclamation.

Capital Projects Update – Facilities Director Ryan Keenan reviewed the current projects which include credential lock systems on Public Works and Apex buildings, the Dory Lakes Pump System, Treasurer’s Office Space, Apex Office renovations, Low Slope Roof replacement, Community Center Rooftop Unit replacements, Old Courthouse Front Porch Decking, Community Center Low Slope Roof replacement, Food Pantry / Community Center Annex, Multiple Site HVAC Replacement, Multiple Site Engineering Services, Main Campus Well Pump Replacements, and Multiple Fire Systems Replacement.

Keenan reported that all the projects are contracted. Courthouse decking and rooftop work should be done by the end of July.

The board recessed as the BoCC and convened as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority (LLLA).

Local Liquor Licensing Authority – Sahari McCormick, Clerk & Recorder introduced the Liquor License Renewal for Mid-County Liquors. She said Mid-County Liquors has met all the requirements and she recommends approval. All were in favor of approving the renewal.

The LLLA then adjourned and reconvened as the Gilpin County BoCC.

Resolution 24-59, introduced by Janey Barker, Human Services Director and Jamie Boyle, Grant Manager & Writer, Authoriz[es] the Acceptance of a Grant from the Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA) to Purchase a Vehicle for the Gilpin County Food Pantry.

Barker said they were approached by CCHA (Colorado Community Health Alliance), a partner of Medicaid, and were made aware of grant money available. During a public health survey performed by Alisa Witt last fall, the public showed concerns for food insecurity.

Barker said the current vehicle is a 2006 van that is sometimes used for Human Services and has a smaller capacity. The new vehicle will be used to acquire food, get rid of any food that has spoiled or expired, and host pop-up food pantries in the region.

They would like to use the grant to purchase a cargo van within the provided budget of $55,000.

They are looking at opening the food pantry two days a week and having a pop-up, perhaps in Rollinsville, with food boxes for those in need.

Hollingsworth asked if the pantry had looked into a hybrid. Barker replied that they are more expensive. They will work with Public Works to choose a vehicle.

Mornis asked about the pop-up food bank and whether there would be groceries delivered to seniors. Barker said no, and that the seniors only receive hot meals through Meals on Wheels.

In a report provided in the Agenda packet, the estimated costs of owning a 2024 Ford Transit Cargo Van over a five-year period, as projected by Car Edge, include depreciation, insurance, and maintenance & repairs; totaling $20,502; or roughly $4,000 per year for 5 years.

Mornis asked if there should be any other additional costs for the vehicle. Barker responded in the negative. She then asked if the State paid for the previous vehicles. Barker said that it is the County that has done so.

Hollingsworth proposed some minor changes to the resolution and asked them to research hybrid or electric options. They would retain the older van for Human Services needs.

The board discussed authorizing the County Manager to write an MOU with CCHA if the purchase price is between $50,000 and $55,000.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the resolution with amendments, Mornis seconded, and all were in favor.

Resolution 24-61, presented by County Manager Ray Rears – Amending the List of Official Appointments; Emergency Manager.

Rears said this resolution adopts a new List of Official Appointments with a single change in appointment. Currently, Sheriff Kevin Armstrong is the appointed Emergency Manager. This resolution will replace Armstrong with Melissa Lewis, the new Director of Emergency Management.

Resolution was adopted 3-0.

Resolution 24-60 – Lyndsey Denton, Deputy Clerk to the Board, presented Appointing a Gilpin County Representative to the New Childcare Center’s Board of Directors.

The Childcare Steering Committee (CSC) made recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on February 13 to establish a new non-profit childcare center in Gilpin County. This new entity has the intention of operating in the County-owned property at 10655 Highway 119, where the former childcare entity was in operation. In order to begin the process of establishing a new 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Board of Directors must first be in place to initiate the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.

The CSC had strong recommendations to include a Gilpin County Commissioner, or other appointed Gilpin County representative, on the Board of Directors, in order to have consistency and more oversight as the landlord of a new non-profit childcare center in Gilpin County.

Mornis suggested that Human Services Director Barker be appointed as a board member, since Barker has experience. Barker replied that she would be honored.

Hollingsworth moved to approve, Mornis seconded, and all were in favor.

Benning and Rears delivered the County Attorney’s Report and County Manager’s Report respectively.

There will be an in-person work session on March 19 at 9 a.m. at the Old Courthouse to discuss South Beaver Creek Road Improvement, Public Works Call Schedule, Community Center Annex design, Veteran Services, and other items.

There will also be a work session with Central City in their Council Chambers on March 19 at 5:30 p.m.

There is a Town Hall planned to discuss the Building Plan Review and Inspection Services on April 17.

Rears said the electioneering policy has been approved and he is working on an online, informational Q and A on the policy.

Then the board discussed who would serve on the Moffat Tunnel Lease Board. Hollingsworth suggested Berumen. Mornis suggested a process by which to share the meeting information with the other commissioners after the fact. Berumen agreed that they would devise a formal method to pass on information.

During Public and Press Comment, Barbara Hardt, Managing Editor of The Mountain-Ear, thanked Bleyler for her hard work in submitting news briefs and informative articles to the newspaper.

During the Board of County Commissioners’ Report, Berumen corrected some misinformation given during the first Public Comment, saying that the childcare event was sponsored by TRIAD Bright Futures and had nothing to do with the County government. The gift cards were from businesses in Nederland and the ten-punch card was offered by the Community Center.

Hollingsworth said the communications team is creating a QR code-led map, highlighting places to go in the county. There will be icons about things like ATV use. The map will include five counties, all of which will contribute.

The meeting recessed into Executive Session at 10:35 a.m., then reconvened as the BoCC at 2:25 p.m. Hollingsworth said the purpose of the Executive Session was for the annual evaluation of the County Manager’s salary and they agreed upon a 3.5% annual increase, resulting in a total of $180,512.28. Motion was adopted 3-0.

The meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for March 26, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse located at 203 Eureka Street in Central City and online via Zoom.