Residents should submit comments to Gilpin’s Land Use Comprehensive Plan by October 4th

Event Barn and outdoor facilities to open with grant from Great Outdoors Colorado By Randy Beaudette The Gilpin Board of County Commissioners at their September 22 ,2020 regular online meeting discussed topics such as information on several grant proposals/ awards, an update on the Human Services/ Public Health building, and an update on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Board-Chair Gail Watson opened up the meeting promptly at 9:00 am along with Commissioners Ron Engels and Linda Isenhart. Joining online were County Manager Abel Montoya, County Attorney Brad Benning, Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate, and members from the Senior Leadership Team. COVID-19 Update Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager Nathan Whittington provided a status update on the activities in the EOC. The EOC is currently working to procure PPE needed throughout the remainder of 2020. There is an anticipated nationwide shortage of Nitrile gloves, so the EOC is concentrating efforts to procure an adequate quantity of gloves to last into next year. Mass vaccination planning continues with the assistance of Gilpin and Jefferson County Public Health Departments. One type of vaccination has to be retained in an ultra-cold temperature before use. As reported last week, that temperature had not been defined. This week the answer is minus 80 degrees C (120degrees F). The logistics surrounding this requirement is currently being worked through by both counties to provide a reliable and effective vaccine. Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht informed participants online that the Gilpin County number of confirmed positive COVID cases remain at eighteen. Two positive cases resulting from the Casinos opening have not been counted, but it’s because they are not Gilpin residents. BOARD OF HEALTH Casino Alcohol Sales In accordance to the current State order, alcohol sales must terminate at 11:00 pm local time. Under the “Protect Our Neighbors” initiative that Gilpin County has been approved for after following State safety rules, alcohol sales are now allowed to take place as late as 2:00 am. Gilpin County Board of Health approved to follow the guidelines of “Protect Our Neighbors” and allow alcohol sales until 2:00 am local mountain time. PUBLIC HEARING Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) Business Analyst Gabrielle Chisholm presented the application for the Community Development Block Grant for COVID-19 related expenses that will benefit the Gilpin County Food Bank. Gilpin County is requesting around $50,000 for the exponential increase in COVID related service requests. Also included in the grant is the renovation of the current Public Health building into the County Food Bank. There were no comments opposing the grant application. There was one comment in support of the application from Gilpin resident Sandy Hollingsworth. Gilpin County Commissioners approved the grant application unanimously. Land Use Comprehensive Plan Update Senior Planner Stephen Strohminger presented an update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to the online participants. Comprehensive Planning is a process that determines the County’s goals and aspirations in terms of community development. Comment period Number 3 is currently open and will remain in that status until October 4, 2020. The abbreviated update presented by Mr. Strohminger highlighted the areas of growth along State Highway 119 utilizing the highway as a main artery into and out of the “Growth Nodes” or “Villages.” The proposed village locations center around already existing commercially developed areas such as South Area (Gas station/ Black Hawk Sanitation Facilities), Dory Hill (County Buildings/Base Camp), Breacher Park (Mid-County), Sierra Pines, (near Roy’s Last Shot) and Rollinsville. Locations of the villages take into account wildlife migration corridors, scenic views, infrastructure, and buildable land availability. Whether any development takes place in ten or twenty years or never, a strategic plan has been implemented that is environmentally and economically sustainable. With a Comprehensive Plan or without, intelligent growth ultimately resides on the decisions of the community and business leaders along with the residents of the County. Residents have an opportunity to submit comments until October 4 th , on the County website go to www.co.gilpin.co.us and select “Comprehensive Plan” in the right-hand column and submit your comments. Resilient Communities Grant Business Analyst Gabrielle Chisholm presented an update on the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Resilient Communities Grant. The grant will assist with operations around the Community Center complex such as utilities, equipment repairs, track maintenance, port-a-potties, and other concerns. Gilpin County requested $264,474, but several line items were deleted because they were not really COVID related. The grant award ended up being $109,724. The good news is that the Event Barn will be opened up to 4-H activities, CSU programs, and the dog related programs. Human Services and Public Health Building Update County Manager Abel Montoya provide an update on the Human Services/ Public Health building. Much of the planning was completed in 2019, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant of $936,000 was awarded soon after, and demolition was started in June. Permits were issued recently and the contractor is starting to provide services such as the interior painting and roofing. Window installation and painting should be completed the week ending 8/26. An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant elevator will be installed in the next two weeks along with the sidewalks and ADA parking spaces. Anticipated move-in date is expected to be around January 6, 2021. Total cost of the building is around $1.2 million dollars minus $936,000 from the DOLA grant with a 50% county match, $715,000 of in-kind expenses, meaning our County Public Works provided some of the work, which equates to a tax match of $125,000 - $130,000 from the County budget. The decision to move the Food Bank into the current Public Health Building saved the County several thousands of dollars and put the renovation project slightly ahead of schedule. SAFEbuilt Contract Addendum for Human Services and Public Health Building Senior Planner Stephen Strohminger presented an addendum to the contract with SAFEbuilt services which, prior to construction, provided a review of the project plans. The addendum will add third-party inspection services to the original contract at the cost of $100 per hour not to exceed $5,000. The Gilpin County Commissioners approve the addendum unanimously. IGA with Grand County Housing Authority Human Services Director Laura Solomon presented an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Grand County Housing Authority. The IGA will allow Grand County to continue to administer Gilpin County’s sixteen Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). Grand County administers Gilpin’s HCV program along with four other Counties. Grand County is asking for funding of $5,000 to cover the difference (deficit) from HUD which is currently incurred by Grand County. Gilpin County Commissioners unanimously approved the IGA with Grand County along with the funds that Grand is requesting Treasurer’s Report Gilpin County Treasurer Mary Lorenz presented the Treasurer’s August Report to the Commissioners and the attendees online. Total Taxes Collected so far in 2020 is 97.81% which is under that of 2019 at 99.1%. Not surprising is the Grand Total for 2020 sits at $13.6 million dollars, almost $5.6 million under that which was accumulated in 2019. With those numbers, accrued interest from January to July is down from $128,000 in 2019 to $65,000 this year, which is a dismal report indeed. Legal Report Gilpin County Attorney Brad Benning was suffering from internet connection issues, but announced that the County has submitted materials for the 2020 election Blue Book with several comments for and against the proposed mi levy property tax issues as well as the fiscal information required by the TABOR act. County Manager’s Report Gilpin County Manager Abel Montoya informed the online participants that Gilpin County was named as a Government Experience Award winner by the Center for Digital Government. Gilpin County is gaining much-deserved attention at home and nationally for its virtual comprehensive plan development sequence, which was enabled by OpenGov cloud-based platform. An official press release will be posted soon on the County’s website. Gilpin County was recognized along with ten other Counties around the United States which include big dogs such as Los Angeles and Miami Dade Counties. Meeting Minutes Gilpin County Commissioners approved the regular and special meeting minutes from September 1, September 3, September 8, and September 11, 2020 meetings. Public/ Press Comment Resident Donna Okray-Parman commented that,” I think the planner is mixed up. I read every single response from the other surveys that were taken and I disagree 100% with this whole village concept and I know a lot of others that do too. I would ask you (the Commissioners) to put the brakes on this whole project until more people respond. There were not that many responses to those surveys. I think that if we go forward with a plan that puts commercial districts six places throughout the County, people will not be happy with this. This is my own personal opinion and I thank you for the opportunity to share it.” Executive Session The Gilpin County Board of Commissioners moved to recess into Executive Session per C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4) (b) to confer with an attorney for the local public body for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions. This will pertain to election issues. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Gilpin County Commissioners is scheduled for October 6, 2020 at 9:00 am online but that is subject to change, so please visit www.co.gilpin.co.us to ensure nothing has changed.

Residents should submit comments to Gilpin’s Land Use Comprehensive Plan by October 4th

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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Residents should submit comments to Gilpin’s Land Use Comprehensive Plan by October 4th

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