Gilpin recommends masking-up indoors for all

County employees must prove they’re no risk to others By Randy Beaudette Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) faced a long agenda for their Regular Meeting on August 3, 2021. Some of those action items include re-reading of the Dedication of the Allen Arena, 2021 election IGAs, and Public Health Orders amendment to align with the State’s mask recommendations. Board-Chair Linda Isenhart opened up the meeting at 9:00 am along with Commissioners Sandy Hollingsworth and Web Sill. Also joining in were County Attorney Brad Benning and Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate. Arena Dedication Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong re-read the dedication of the County fairgrounds rodeo arena to Cody and Shelby as the Allen Memorial Arena. Commissioner Isenhart requested the dedication to be read at the Commissioner’s meeting because of the poor acoustics experienced during the Fair. Public Health Amendment With reported cases in the County rising due the Delta variant, Gilpin County Board of Health (BOH) is considering amending the current Public Health Order to align with the State’s recommendations. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Executive Director Dr. Dawn Comstock joined the meeting to suggest some recommendations that will assist the BOH in making an effective decision on how to move forward dealing with this recent variant. Dr. Comstock commented that the COVID vaccine is the best defense to combat COVID and the Delta variant, even though a vaccinated member of her staff tested positive for COVID which quarantined several other staff members, rendering her office shorthanded. Dr. Comstock stated that the highest numbers of COVID infection rates are among the unvaccinated which are endangering the country’s economic recovery and our children’s ability to go back to school to enjoy in-person learning. She is not in favor of a universal vaccine mandate, but she is in favor of businesses and municipalities to take a stand to fight the delta variant. Her office is advocating that employees must demonstrate that they pose no risk through either proof of a vaccination or through weekly testing. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) now strongly encourages everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in all indoor settings. Dr. Comstock is not in favor of mandating a mask mandate via a State Health Order, but she recommends that individuals mask-up in public settings. After listening to the many comments that were expressed, the Gilpin County BOH recommends to consider amending the current Public Health Order to include: County employees must demonstrate no risk through proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result, and recommend mask wearing for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in indoor settings. Commissioner Hollingsworth made a motion to consider the new amendment effective August 15, 2021 which is when PHO 21-02 Phase 2 will expire and Commissioner Isenhart seconded - the motion passed 2 yea to 1 nay. Board of Adjustment (BOA) Gilpin County Planner Tami Archer presented BOA 21-3 on behalf of applicant Lorraine Nelson on Hacker Drive. The applicants are requesting a variance that would permit the construction of a new 504 square foot addition located 24.8 feet from their northern property line. Gilpin County Zoning require a minimum 30 feet from all property lines within a subdivision. The Gilpin County Board of Adjustments unanimously approved BOA 21-3. Election Inter-governmental Agreements (IGA) Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick presented three separate IGAs from the City of Black Hawk, Gilpin RE-1 School District and Boulder RE-2 School Districts. Because the County Clerk and Recorders Office oversees all coordinated elections, this is a formality prior to any election that allows the various districts to get their ballot measure on the ballot. The BOCC unanimously approved all three IGAs. Liquor Licensing Authority Madam Chair Isenhart adjourned the commissioners meeting and opened the Local Liquor Licensing Board to review the Retail Liquor License Renewal Application for Pickle Liquors located at 661 Highway 46, Black Hawk, Colo. as presented by Deputy Clerk to the Board, Sharon Cate. The Board reviewed the application and approved the renewal unanimously. Climate Action Colorado Communities for Climate Action is a coalition of local governments advocating for stronger state and federal climate policy. CC4CA’s policy positions for 2020-2021 reflect unanimous agreement among the coalition members on steps that should be taken at the state and federal level, often in partnership with local governments, to enable Colorado and its communities to lead in protecting the climate. CC4CA generally focuses on legislative, regulatory, and administrative action, supporting efforts that advance the general policy principles and opposing efforts that would weaken or undermine these principles and positions. Gilpin County BoCC approved the Policy statement update 2 yea to 1 nay. For more info visit www.cc4ca.org/ Senior Living Lease Gilpin County Senior Living Vice-President Jeanne Nicholson reminded the Commissioners that it has been 10 months since they identified a parcel of land near the Community Center for a new senior living complex and they have been patiently waiting for a lease agreement so they can move forward. Commissioner Sill and County Attorney Benning both agreed that this has been delayed long enough and a lease agreement needs to be initiated as soon as possible. Approval of Meeting Minutes Gilpin County Commissioners approved the minutes from the July 20, 2020 Regular meeting with some corrections. Executive Session The Gilpin County BoCC adjourned into Executive Session per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4) (e) Determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations; developing strategy for negotiations; and instructing negotiators; C.R.S. 24 -6-402 (a) The purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of any real, personal, or other property interest. And C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f) (I) Personnel matters. Next Meeting The next Gilpin County Commissioners regular meeting will be August 31, 2021 at 9:00 am online and at the Gilpin County Courthouse at 203 Eureka St. Central City, Colorado. For more information visit the Gilpin County website at https://gilpincounty.org .

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