Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 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 Covid-19 update, election plans, and liquor license applications.

Following the Call to Order and Agenda Review, Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht gave the Covid-19 update. There have been nine cases in the past seven days. That may include some from last week. Fifty-three percent of county residents have been vaccinated with their first dose and 46.8 percent have been fully vaccinated. Residents can still get vaccinated through the Public Health Office every Wednesday through June.

The Emergency Declaration was extended to September 30, with all in favor.

The Gilpin Historical Society’s Fiftieth Anniversary Proclamation was made along with an announcement for a celebration on June 26 at 11 a.m. with $.50 admission and a barbecue. The proclamation was accepted with all in favor.

Next, Human Services Director Laura Solomon presented an annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Gilpin County and the Employment Benefits Division of Colorado Department of Human Services, which serves as an annual performance contract concerning Colorado Works and the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program. The board approved the motion with all in favor.

Finance Director Clorinda Smith presented a request for an extension of time to file a December 31, 2020, audit to the State Auditor’s Office. All were in favor.

Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick talked to the board about the election plan for this November, saying that the Community Center will work for everything but ballot counting. 

Next, McCormick presented a contract renewal for the county’s voting system. “The renewal of the Dominion voting system contract will go to the end of 2025 with less yearly fees and new equipment,” McCormick said. 

Sill abstained from the renewal, citing other counties through the nation who refused to turn over their machines to Dominion, claiming the machines could be faulty. McCormick said, “There is nothing shady going on with the equipment.” There is oversight every step of the way and the equipment is not connected to the internet. A motion was made by Hollingsworth and seconded by Isenhart.  

The board then recessed as the Board of County Commissioners and reconvened as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority. Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate presented two applications for liquor licenses.

The first request was to move Gold Dirt Distillery from 275 Tolland Road to 16 Main Street in Rollinsville. All were in favor.

The next was an application for a tasting room called Howling Winds at the old Tesco building, 51 Main Street in Rollinsville, for beer tasting with brewing happening at the same location. The State already approved the application and all were in favor of approving the liquor license. The new business looks to open late June or early July.

The board then reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.

Gabrielle Chisholm, Parks and Recreation Director, said the pool at the Community Center opened May 17 and that programs are coming back. There were 854 check-ins in April. Youth Camp started with 27 participants. 

The board voted to adopt the Employee Handbook for telecommuting and conflict resolution, as amended.

Sill made a motion to accept the request by Facilities Manager Ryan Keenan to hire a custodian and all were in favor.

Requests For Proposals (RFPs) were requested by Keenan concerning the Treasurer’s Office enclosure and redesigning the jail showers to mitigate inmates’ breaking off the panels aand creating safety problems. All were in favor.

The Board of County Commissioners Status Report included a Notice of Public Meetings for June 15 as a regular board meeting.  

No public or press comments were made and the meeting adjourned.

The next regular meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 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 June 3, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)