Commissioners choose “Connector” operator
Routes and stops not set yet
Gilpin County Commissioners Forrest Whitman, Jeanne Nicholson and Buddy Schmalz proclaimed May as Mental Health Month at their May 5th meeting. It’s less expensive to provide community-based public mental health services, they noted, than to incarcerate people with mental health needs and it’s estimated that 80,000 Coloradoans in need of the services are not getting them. The County’s Human Services Department provides mental health services to Gilpinites through a partnership with Jefferson Mental Health Center (JCMH) and other agencies. Tom Henry of JCMH said the need for services has gone up 40% since the economic downturn, although Gilpin has not been impacted to that degree. JCMH can now meet with folks at Mountain Family Health Center to discuss mental health services. Additionally, JCMH is now developing services to help folks manage chronic pain.
District Attorney-Term Limits
District Attorney (DA) Scott Storey urged Commissioners to “vote yes” on a proposed resolution that will ask Gilpin voters to decide the term of the office for Gilpin’s jurisdiction, the First Judicial District. The office-holder is currently limited to two 4-year terms (8 years). Storey is serving the second of his terms. The resolution proposes extending the limit to three 4-year terms (12 years). Storey’s rationale to extend the limit is based on training taking up much of the first term. “The second term should be more productive, and a third term should be most productive…” he said, adding that continuity in leadership is important in fighting crime. The DA is legal advisor to 16 law enforcement agencies, supervises 170 employees, establishes policies and guidelines to manage 35,000 cases each year, manages a $17 million budget and serves on several justice and corrections related boards. Commissioners passed their own resolution (09-11) to allow the question on the ballot. “We aren’t saying it (term extension) should occur,” Commissioner Nicholson stressed, “but that we should let voters decide.”
Overseeing Clerk’s Funds
The Colorado General Assembly has created a number of fee-based funds over the past several years. Some of the money collected by various agencies, including Gilpin’s Clerk and Recorder, are put into these funds to be kept separate from general fund monies and used for the specific purpose toward which the fees were paid. However, the General Assembly’s direction for overseeing the separate funds has been inconsistent, sometimes unclear or nonexistent. Gilpin’s Clerk, Jessica Lovingier, proposed Commissioners pass a resolution codifying the handling of three such funds that pass through her department (Uninsured Motorist, Late Fee, and E-Recording Fee) and establishing an oversight committee of the County Clerk and Recorder, County Treasurer and County Manager. That committee is authorized to approve and deny expenditures from the three funds. She also urged Commissioners to address the oversight deficiency with state legislators. Commissioners said it was not appropriate for them to take that action as the Clerk is an autonomous elected official. They referred her to legislators via the Colorado County Clerks’ Association.
Flu Preparations
Commissioner Nicholson asked Public Health Director Jennifer Lavely what the plan is if the H1N1 flu occurs in Gilpin. There are currently no cases reported in Gilpin (a television report of a case connected to a Central City casino was only a rumor, said Lavely). Lavely assured Commissioners there is a plan in place to dispense vaccine and otherwise handle a flu outbreak, should one occur. She would not elaborate on that plan, instead stressing the message of being prepared. Gilpinites should wash their hands frequently and be prepared (with enough medications and groceries) to stay socially distant for up to two weeks, she recommended. Lavely said she has been working on a Pandemic Flu Plan for over four years and “Gilpin County is well-prepared.” As Public Health Director, she has the authority to close schools and other facilities as needed. Commissioners, who also serve as the county’s Board of Health, directed Lavely to keep them informed with timely e-mails.
Zoning Code Revisions
Community Development Director Tony Petersen, provided copies of proposed revisions to the County’s zoning regulations. They are a follow-up to the work session on zoning held last week. The changes occur in the sections governing residential use, special use review, animal code, dominant use structures on residential sites, alternative energy exemption, healthy forest exemption and signs. Joe and Cynthia Phillips were invited to the Commissioners’ table to discuss proposed changes regarding small firewood and sawmill operations. Joe referenced his 45 years in the wood industry and pointed out some of the proposed changes would make it more difficult for small operators and property owners to deal with beetle kill and forest health issues, in general. His suggestions were well-received and Petersen said he would revise the zoning again to address the issues brought forward by Phillips and Commissioners. Once Commissioners give the okay on the proposed revision, a public hearing will be held. Only after that can the new zoning be adopted.
“Connector” Proposals
The County received proposals for operating the Connector shuttle service from two contractors. Currently, Black Hawk Transportation Authority (BHTA) is operating the service under an agreement with the County while an alternative operator is sought. BHTA’s bill for March, totaled $20,038. Seniors Resource Center (SRC) of Evergreen offered a 365-day per year operation at an annual cost of $149,985 and $107,250 for a five-day per week operation. MV Transportation, Incorporated of Fairfield, California would charge an annual fee of $148,409 for the 365-day operation and $109,435 for the five-day schedule. Commissioners chose SRC, commenting that their proposal was more tailored to Gilpin County. SRC is to provide administration and operation of the shuttle; the County will provide vehicle maintenance. Details on routes, stops, cost for back-up vehicle (the County owns one bus), turn-arounds, etc. will be worked out with SRC. County Manager Roger Baker was directed to clarify some of those details and bring back a contract for Commissioners’ review at a future meeting. Awarding the contract is scheduled for May 19, 2009.
Dory Hill Spirits
Commissioners approved the liquor license renewal for Dory Hill Spirits. $312.50 was the cost to the applicant.
Public Comment
A Gilpin woman asked Commissioners to write a letter of support for a Red Rocks Community College Gilpin County branch. Commissioners directed Baker to do so.
A Gilpin man asked Commissioners to push back the adult softball season to start after Little League finishes in July. As an adult softball player, he said he remembered when the adult season started in August and he’d like to see it go back to that so the kids can have the fields for their season. “That was the intent when the fields were built,” he said. There are more than 100 kids participating in Gilpin’s Little League this year. They are being pushed into Sunday and evening practices, he said, just so the adults can play. The kids must play according to the Little League schedule, however the adults have the flexibility to change theirs, he said.
He also asked Commissioners to review the dog ordinance. A dog owner can get jail time in Gilpin if his dog leaves the yard too many times, the man said. He recommended keeping strict regulations pertaining to vicious or dangerous dogs but lightening up to just a fine system for friendly but adventuresome dogs.
Finally, he asked the Commissioners to consider having two independent audits of Gilpin Ambulance Company; a general audit and one focused on billing and management. He recalled that with a prior Board of Directors and manager, the ambulance service was on its way to being self-sufficient. He worked for the ambulance service back then, he said, and is now concerned with the amount of money the taxpayers are giving the company. “Get it back on track,” he advised.
Executive Session
Following the public session, Commissioners met with Attorney Jim Petrock in Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Commissioners meet next on May 12, 2009.