Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 12:30 p.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, the Sheriff’s Report, and the County Manager’s Status Report.

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht presented the Covid-19 update. Albrecht reported that they are receiving about a hundred vaccines every other week and have been administering them on Wednesdays. The county has given out 546 total first doses and 401 second doses. Testing will resume on Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Whittington reported that Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek will request more vaccines based upon their rural nature. He spoke with FEMA about an application to submit quarterly costs for Covid for reimbursement. Whittington asked Ameristar what they would like to charge for use of the conference rooms, where the vaccination clinic occurs, so they may be included in the FEMA reimbursement as well.

Next on the agenda, Stephen Strohminger presented the draft RFP for the Hazard Mitigation Plan which includes the issue of climate change. All were in favor.

Hollingsworth made a move to accept the application process for the Ready Set Go grant which passed unanimously.

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong presented the Sheriff’s Office Monthly Report for January, which included one homicide from January. There were 14 jail bookings, 12 of which were related to gaming. Significant events included a murder-suicide domestic violence event between a male and a female engaged in an argument, where the male shot the female and then himself, resulting in their deaths.

Chief Deputy Clerk Ashley Martin delivered the Clerk and Recorder’s Monthly Report, saying that Motor Vehicle is booked out currently until March 23 and that renewals are mainly happening through mail. Recording is by appointment only. On average each Gilpin resident owns six vehicles.

The Semi-Annual Treasurer’s Report was approved with no issues.

The Public Trustee Report for the Fourth Quarter and the Annual Report for 2020 was also approved without issue.

Counties are statutorily required to license ambulance service providers within their jurisdiction annually. All the ambulances from Gilpin Ambulance were found to be in compliance. A motion was made and all were in favor to pass the certification inspections for all five ambulances in the county.

Benning presented the Legal Status Report which included the possibility of licensing marijuana transporters by vote of the board. Benning will follow up with Tami Archer on the subject. 

The County Manager Status Report included an update on the building dedication for the new Human Services and Public Health building, which will be tomorrow at 1 p.m. though not open to the public. 

The proposed Gross Reservoir expansion will produce tons of biomass and possibly some viable lumber, which will be hauled through Gross Dam Road and State Highway 72.

The county was awarded a Community Development Block Grant through DOLA for $97,000. The grant will be used to refurbish the current health modular for the food pantry with the concrete pad necessary for the freezer acquired last year. There should also be enough space for people in need to shop for the items instead of being given pre-made boxes. 

The date for the 2021 County is now July 24 by a unanimous vote. 

The Board of County Commissioners Status Report presented the notice of public meetings, including the next BoCC meeting on March 2 at 9 a.m. On Monday, March 8 at 3:30 there will be a meeting with Colorado Natural Gas.  

The meeting minutes for February 2 and 5 were approved with minor changes. All were in favor.

No public comment was made and the meeting was adjourned to an Executive Session.

The next regular meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 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 February 18, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)