Gilpin Commissioners borrow $1,525,250
To see County through summer
Gilpin County Commissioners Forrest Whitman, Jeanne Nicholson and Buddy Schmalz considered road, boundary line, wildfire and other issues at their May 12th meeting, then followed it with an afternoon work session regarding ambulance service.North Dory Lakes Drive
Miles Filus asked for a portion of North Dory Lakes Drive to be vacated and vested to an abutting property owner. An approval in September 1971 platted the road in one location in Filing 2. In October 1971, the road was platted in another area in Filing 3, leaving a portion of the roadway dedicated to the County. A dwelling, constructed in 1994 is located on the adjacent lot (25) and on the County’s right-of-way for the Filing 2 portion of the road; however, the road was aligned with the Filing 3 location when it was constructed. The road platted in Filing 2 was never constructed or maintained by the County so there is no impact on adjacent parcels. By vacating that stretch, Commissioners relinquished all right, title and interest of the County to that part of North Dory Lakes Drive. The action increases the acreage of Lot 25 from 1.02 to 1.44 acres.
Carters Subdivision BLE
B. Scott and Monica Danfelser requested and received a Boundary Line Elimination (BLE) combining Lots 18, 19, 22, 23, 24B and 29 in to one 2.51-acre lot (18A) in Carters Subdivision. The Danfelsers earned BLE bounty totaling $1,575 for eliminating four small lots from future development. In an effort to reduce development and maintain the rural character of the County, Gilpin Commissioners began the BLE program in 1987. They began paying an incentive (bounty) for BLE’s in 2003. The Danfelser’s BLE brings the total of lots eliminated from development to 1,492 since the program began. The county has paid out a total of $86,946 in bounties to date. Commissioners have promised a celebration when BLE’s total 1,500. (Eight more to go…)
DOLA Grant Applications
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant applications (ranked in order of priority by Commissioners) Mountain Family Health Center, Gilpin Ambulance, Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Eagles’ Nest Early Learning Center are now in process. An application from the Sheriff’s Office is still being considered for submission. These organizations regularly apply for the annual grants to cover operating costs, equipment or other specific needs. The applications will be personally presented to the DOLA grant committee in September and, if successful, awarded after that. They are funded from the Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Fund.
CWPP
Colorado Forester Allen Owen reviewed the County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and recommended revisions to Chris White of Anchorpoint, the consulting firm responsible for creating the plan. It identifies areas in Gilpin that are susceptible to wildfire, areas with residences and other assets that need protection, escape routes from subdivisions, etc. Community meetings were held and public input sought as the plan developed. White was unable to present the final version of the draft, due to a computer problem, said Owen, who expected the document by week’s end. He will review it for the corrections and plans to bring it to Commissioners next week. The plan can be amended as needed, even after Commissioners approve it.
Elected Official Expenses
Commissioners considered the Elected Official Travel and Expense Policy, which sets Gilpin’s reimbursement rates according to statutory and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements. For mileage when using a personal vehicle, the rate will be the same as that prescribed by the IRS, computed from the elected official’s tax home. If the official is provided with a vehicle (Sheriff, Coroner), there is no mileage reimbursement. Travel, lodging, registration, meals (excepting alcoholic beverages) are reimbursable for the elected official only. Companions traveling with the elected officials do so at the expense of that official. Documentation of all expenses must be turned in to the finance office prior to reimbursement and are reviewed by the Finance Director, County Manager and Commissioners before checks are signed. County Clerk and Recorder Jessica Lovingier, suggested the reimbursement forms be modified to include more detail to provide as much information as possible to anyone requesting a copy. Commissioners also directed an internal audit be done of all elected official expenses for 2008 and year-to-date.
CDOT Introduction
Tony DeVito is the new Region One Director at the Colorado Department of Transportation. He introduced himself and six members of his staff to Commissioners and told them budget cuts would stall some Colorado projects. Commissioner Nicholson asked the prognosis for two Gilpin bridges that are rated “fair.” There are 220 bridges rated “poor” that have priority, DeVito said. DeVito took note when Nicholson mentioned the line-of-sight limitation on Highway 46 at Junction Hill where Gilpin and Jefferson Counties meet. Commissioner Schmalz suggested a study of alternative access to the gaming areas be revisited since the Central City Parkway hadn’t been built when the study was done. “Highway 119 still bears the bulk of traffic,” said DeVito, referencing the tunnel proposed to ease traffic from I-70 to Black Hawk. Commissioners expressed appreciation for CDOT’s maintenance and safety work on the highways through Gilpin.
Mental Health MOU
Gilpin County partners with Jefferson County’s Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) for Regional Planning staff and some services regarding the Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) program for preparedness and response to regional emergencies. Commissioners approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the arrangement which requires no monetary agreement. JeffCo provides the same services to Elbert and Clear Creek Counties.
Tax Anticipation Note
Commissioners passed Resolution 09-13, issuing a County Tax Anticipation Note, Series 2009, in the amount of $1,525,250 to NOSEC and Company. The note is essentially a short-term Wells Fargo loan. Commissioners explained the County needs to borrow the money to cover operations until the gaming revenue is received in August. The terms of the Note are 1.60% interest, maturing September 15, 2009.
Monthly Departmental Reports
The Parks and Recreation April report shows 1,025 Gilpinites visited the Community Center last month. The Center held its Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt in April, and hosted the Gilpin School’s Booster Club After-Prom party. Little League is beginning with 88 children registered so far. Adult softball is being scheduled now. Six teams are participating. The Fishing Clinic at William C. Russell Park is scheduled for June 21st. Construction of the new trail at the Center started this week. The Center has been plagued with a snowmelt leak through the ceiling, a swimming pool pump failure, power failures and a burglary. Some of the items stolen have been recovered. Conservation efforts continue to reduce the Center’s energy costs.
Ball Field Scheduling
Parks and Recreation Director Penny Kipley provided tentative Little League and Adult Softball schedules for the two baseball fields. She noted the adult use is scheduled only for Tuesdays and Thursdays until Little League has the times they need. The scheduling had been a topic of public comment at last week’s Commissioner meeting and will be considered again prior to next year’s Little League season.
Ambulance Work Session
Following the business meeting, Commissioners conducted a work session regarding ambulance service for County residents. Commissioners meet next on May 19, 2009.