Commissioners appoint new Public Health Director
Partnering with JeffCo
Gilpin County Commissioners Forrest Whitman, Jeanne Nicholson and Buddy Schmalz began their Tuesday morning meeting of June 25, 2009, formalizing arrangements to provide public health services to Gilpin residents.
TBI Assistance
Commissioners approved a Public Health contract, and an amendment to that contract, between the County and the State. The State is to pay Gilpin $20,169 for providing services to Gilpinites from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. The original Master Contract dates from January 2007, with an accompanying Task Order Contract dating from August of that year. The partnership has been renewed each year since then. It provides services to children with special needs such as those who have Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The amendment addresses reporting requirements per the new Statewide Contract management System enacted by statute this year (C.R.S. 24-102-205, 24-102-206, 24-103.5-101, 24-105-102).
New Public Health Director
Acting as the Board of Health, Commissioners passed Resolution 09-15, naming Mark B. Johnson, M.D. as the County’s Public Health Director. Johnson will take over duties currently performed by Jennifer Lavely. Commissioners said the change is part of the reorganization of the County’s Public Health Department while the County determines what is needed to comply with Senate Bill 08-194, effective July 1st. Commissioners serve as the Board of Health, maintaining local control, but contracting with Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) for environmental health services (water quality issues, for example). Commissioners propose hiring a public health nurse to provide community health services (home health care opportunities, for example). The proposal specifies an estimated cost to Gilpin of $188,954 for the first year and $183,914 for subsequent years. Gilpin will maintain a public health office with a public health coordinator who resides in Gilpin. Details have yet to be worked out, however Commissioners reasoned that Gilpinites would have access to more services, especially more specialized services, than a small County like Gilpin can provide on its own. Gilpin has partnered with JeffCo on other services such as disaster preparedness and, Commissioner Nicholson pointed out, had successfully partnered for community health services with Boulder County in the 1970’s. The reorganized department may be as expensive as the current in-house system. The benefit, said Commissioner Schmalz, is “a better product in sharing services with more efficiency.”
Keeping Kids Out of Trouble
Following up from last week’s meeting with District Attorney Scott Storey, Commissioners passed Resolution 09-16, requesting the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners amend their Resolution (CC08-440) and their administrative policy on the Child and Youth Action Commission to allow membership and participation for Gilpin County. The commission is working to consolidate and improve justice system services for youths and children. Commissioner Nicholson will be Gilpin’s representative.
New JCMH Director
Commissioners appointed Cindy Dicken to represent Gilpin on the Jefferson Center for Mental Health Board of Directors. Dicken is the Division Director of Clear Creek County Division of Health and Human Services and will represent her home county as well.
USFS/Gilpin Roads
The Joint Road Maintenance Plan Agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS) was renewed for another year. Per the agreement, Gilpin’s Road and Bridge Department will maintain roads (7.2 miles in total) to area campgrounds (Pickle Gulch, Columbine, Cold Springs, Kelly Dahl), the Rollinsville Ranger Station and Bald Mountain Cemetery. That includes surface blading, repairing potholes, signage and bridge inspection/posting. For some roads, the work will be done only once per year. Others will receive attention twice per year. County Manager Roger Baker pointed out that none of the roads are actually owned by the County so can only be maintained, not improved, per the agreement. Commissioner Nicholson commented the USFS should be pleased the County cooperates, however Baker noted “We’re pleased to be able to use them,” as some areas of the County would be difficult to access without them.
Going for Grants
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) sent Commissioners forms to apply for two federal grants. The Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership money would be routed through the CSFS Boulder District to Gilpin, possibly as soon as this fall. Funds could be used for projects through September 2010. The Western States Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), formerly the State Fire Assistance (SFA) grant begins paying in summer 2010 and runs through September 2011. More information is needed on match requirements. At least one grant requires a dollar per dollar match of County funds. It’s possible an in-kind match, utilizing the services of the County’s Emergency Preparedness Director, George Weidler, could fulfill the match requirements of one grant. Commissioner Nicholson suggested the information for the fuels treatment grants be passed along to subdivision homeowners’ associations who might also like to apply. Additional grant opportunities for watershed and bark beetle issues are expected in August.
Reducing Energy Use/Costs
Facilities Manager Bill Paulman, proposed a partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to implement an energy upgrade of the Courthouse, Apex Building, Justice Center, Exhibit Barn and Community Center. Implemented upgrades should pay for themselves in energy cost savings. GEO has contracted with Trident Energy Services, Incorporated to audit the buildings and make recommendations. If the County chooses not to make the recommended improvements on a building, the County must pay for the audit of that building at a rate of 10-15 cents per square foot. Otherwise, there is no charge to the County for Trident’s assistance. Paulman and Parks and Recreation Director Penny Kipley, have already met with the Trident consultant to discuss benefits of solar heating for the swimming pools. Paulman pointed out the budget for utilities would remain the same, resulting in more money in that budget as energy costs go down. Commissioners approved the MOU. Once the recommendations are in, the County will solicit bids from the 13 contractors pre-qualified by the GEO. None are local.
Have a Beer at the Fair
Acting as the Liquor Authority, Commissioners conducted a public hearing regarding the “Beer Booth” at the County’s annual fair (August 15 and 16). No one spoke either for or against the County’s permit application and it was approved.
Zoning Code Revision
At the public hearing for revisions to the County’s zoning regulations, Tony Petersen, Community Development Director, presented a draft of the new codes. Changes are in sections dealing with public notice (1.7), zoning code, development code, road standards, environmental standards, mining limits and sign code. Commissioners honed the code, directing Petersen to return with it next week for a continuation of the public hearing on June 30th at 9:05 a.m.
“Connector” Workshop
Following the business meeting, Commissioners conducted a work session regarding the Connector shuttle service. Although nothing is final, the proposed shuttle service will run from Gold Mountain Apartments in south Gilpin, north with stops throughout the County, and go all the way to Nederland a couple of times each day, seven days per week, starting at 5:10 a.m. and stopping at 9:06 p.m. The schedule for stops is still being worked out but priorities are to time it right for folks to make the RTD connection in Nederland and to coordinate with Gilpin and Nederland school schedules to accommodate open enrollment. The shuttle already stops at the apartments, Central City, Black Hawk, school, Justice Center and Community Center. In addition to those stops, the extended service will stop at the library, possibly Roy’s Last Shot, Rollinsville, and Nederland. There may also be call ahead curb-to-curb service for folks with disabilities. Commissioners have put the Connector on their agenda for the June 30th meeting. They plan to start the new schedule and route on July 6th.
Gilpin County Commissioners meet next on June 30, 2009.