Commissioner Chairman Schmalz gavels in first session
Clerk controversy
Buddy Schmalz called his first meeting to order as Chairman of the Board of Gilpin County Commissioners on January 26, 2010. Commissioners Jeanne Nicholson and Forrest Whitman were present.
Human Services Grant
Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Human Services, conducted a public hearing (no one from the public participated) and approved an application that Betty Donovan, Director of Human Services, will use to apply for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding to support the Food Bank. In 2009, there were 743 Gilpin households utilizing the Food Bank to feed 1,680 individuals. That’s 68% more people than Human Services had projected would need the assistance and an increase in usage of over 100% since 2007. Gilpin’s Food Bank is funded mainly through donations (over $13,000 last year) from individuals, churches, businesses and through fund raisers. Some funding comes from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and from the County. Various groups throughout the County sponsor food drives to restock the Food Bank shelves. Gilpin High School student volunteers earn the Food Bank 20 pounds of food at no cost for every three hours they volunteer. If Human Services is successful in their application, the CSBG money will be spent on food and personal care items (soap, toilet paper, diapers, tissues, toothpaste, etc.) with the goal of supporting low-income Gilpin families. Donovan estimates over 1,200 low-income individuals in 500 households will use Food Bank assistance in 2010. Using 2007 figures, it was estimated that 6.2% of Gilpin residents were living in poverty. The 2007 guideline for poverty was $20,600 for a family of four. Another guideline used to determine eligibility for the assistance is the self-sufficiency standard which measures how much income is needed for a family of four to adequately meet their needs without assistance. Using 2006 figures, the annual self-sufficiency income for a Gilpin family of four was $45,009.
Treasurer’s Report
Gilpin County Treasurer Alynn Huffman’s December 2009 report showed 99.85% of County taxes had been collected by the end of the year. At the end of last month, County coffers held $6,350,977 (compared to $7,189,464 at the end of 2008). The Treasurer had closed out the separate accounts for the Search and Rescue Team and the Mine Rescue Team as they have dissolved. The $4,662 and $6,843 respectively, will be used by the Sheriff’s Office to purchase a Snow Cat.
Huffman thanked the Commissioners for continuing the Seniors Property Tax Work Off Program for another year. Gilpin is one of a half dozen Colorado counties that have a work off program, and the only one that partners with local schools. Huffman happily employs the seniors for projects in her department. “They’re wonderful,” she said.
The Treasurer advised Commissioners she has moved the Uninsured Motorist Fund, Motor Vehicle Late Fee Fund and e-Recording Fund balances from being held in the Treasurer’s Suspense Fund to the County’s General Fund where they are identified by distinct line items. The new system is more transparent, requiring Finance Director Clorinda Smith to issue a warrant, which must be signed by Commissioners, for each disbursal. The three accounts are managed by the Clerk and Recorder.
Clerk and Recorder’s Report
Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder Jessica Kaysheriff’ was rolled into the reasurer had closed out the separate account for the reported revenues totaling $104,486 for December, 2009. Of those, the Clerk disbursed $44,268 to the State; $41,803 to the County Treasurer; $4,638 to Central City; $31 to Black Hawk; and retained $13,746.
The Motor Vehicle Late Fee Fund ended 2009 with a balance of $4,591. December expenditures from this fund include $34-Young Living Essential Oil (to counteract mold in the office); $49-business cards; $156-updates to the Clerk’s website; and $159- toys for the children’s area. In addition to the monthly $33-cable television, Kays also spent $607 for a Wii Fit Plus System with Balance Board, accessories and the individual programs of Biggest Loser, Fitness Coach, Daisy Fuentes Pilates, Sports Active and Everlast Aerobic Steps for employee use in the break room.
At year’s end, the Uninsured Motorist Fund contained $9,932. Expenditures from this account totaled $4,448 and were related to election costs for computer hardware and software. Per the Treasurer’s report, the eRecording Fund held $5,272 at year’s end.
Request to Remove Clerk
Ann Fattor of the Gilpin County Republican Party Central Committee read a letter from that committee into the record. The Republicans are requesting Commissioners replace Kays, who is a member of the Republican Party, by appointment on grounds that Kays vacated the position by residing outside Gilpin County. The letter references Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 30-10-105 (1) d; CRS 1-12-205 and CRS 30-10-404 in support of their request. The Republicans further requested Commissioners “create a (bipartisan) tribunal to take testimony and show cause as to whether or not the election of the clerk should be declared void” per CRS 10-20-15 (1) f and they recommend the Clerk’s pay be frozen until completion of that tribunal’s actions and those of the District Attorney (Kays has been charged with Official Misconduct, although her misdeed is not specified in the charge). Commissioners said they would consult with their attorney and respond at a future meeting. They will allot time on their agenda for Kays to make comments, as well. There were six or seven Republican visitors who attended for the reading. They left the meeting once Fattor had completed her task.
Last Shot Liquor License
Commissioners renewed the liquor license for Last Shot, the mid-county restaurant/bar. Cost to Roy and Barb Stewart, owners, for the annual renewal was $500.
GAA Inspection
A letter from Stanley Howell, Multi-County Ambulance Inspector, informed Commissioners that Gilpin Ambulance Authority’s vehicles (five ambulances and a minimally equipped four-wheel-drive truck) all passed muster for use in 2010. Stanley found the staff of Director Zane Laubhan, two administrators and eighteen paramedics is adequate and within the standards of the ambulance industry for advanced life support services. The insurance policies are all in order and the medical direction (Dr. Peter Vellman, M.D. of Centura Health at Saint Anthony’s Central), including all protocols and guidelines for pre-hospital care are in order. 2011 inspections will be due in December 2010.
Planning Commission By-Laws
At their January 19th meeting, the Planning Commission approved a revision to their by-laws requiring removal of a member for non-performance of duty or misconduct. Non-performance comes into play when a member misses two consecutive meetings without notice or by missing four regular meetings within a calendar year, regardless of notice. This nine-member advisory board typically meets monthly.
Observatory Place Variance
Donald Anderson and Sara Laumann, owners of the 1.08-acre parcel above the Fritz Peak Observatory (Severance Lodge Subdivision), requested and received a variance from Commissioners, acting as the Board of Adjustment. County code requires a 30 foot setback, but the width and steep slope of the property limit the building envelope on their parcel. With a variance reducing the setback to 15 feet, the owners will be able to build an 800 square-foot cabin at the site. Commissioner Nicholson commented that she would have voted against the variance had the property not been bounded by public lands. Anderson and Laumann were both in attendance at this public hearing. No one from the public spoke either for or against their request.
Monthly Departmental Reports
The Human Resources December 2009 report showed four people had left the County’s employ that month and there were no new hires. The County was employing 184 people (109 full-time) last month. There were 16 seniors employed in the Property Tax Work Off Program.
At Gilpin County Public Library, 2,500 items were checked out during December and 28,916 items for all of 2009. The most popular items are DVD movies and children’s materials. In the adult fiction category, Gilpinites favor mysteries. Estimated attendance for December was 1,269 (21 open days) and 18,226 for the entire year (253 open days). GCPL’s outreach includes the Gilpin County School, Gilpin county Education Foundation, Peak to Peak Rotary and the Triad Early Childhood Council. Director Larry Grieco will be the speaker at functions for several of these groups and is pursuing grants for numerous programs. He had successfully obtained a $2,000 Target Store grant.
Community Development Director Tony Petersen’s November report showed revenues for that month of $263 with year-to-date revenues of $133,232. The Department’s five cases in November brought the year-to-date caseload to 194. There had been only 6 cases involving new building; most cases dealt with remodeling, expansions or other changes to existing structures.
The Public Health December report noted 145 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine had been administered at the December 1 Flu Clinic and 151 more doses were given at the December 16th Clinic. Public Health Coordinator Ann Marie Bailey is working with the various partner organizations that provide services to Gilpinites, including the Nurse-Family Partnership, Mountain Family Health Center, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Jefferson County Public Health and Clear Creek County Public Health.
Twenty septic system installers and eight maintenance providers had been renewed for work in Gilpin County. $13,729 had been received for water/septic related services and expenditures totaled $4,700. Craig Sanders, Gilpin’s Onsite Wastewater Program Manager, is proposing changes to the County’s Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS) regulations to update and streamline the process. He plans to hold meetings with with industry technicians and the general public, beginning in February. He met with Commissioners following the public meeting for an ISDS work session.
The Human Services October 2009 report showed 350 Gilpin households were benefitting from numerous programs to assist with child welfare, child care, transportation, food assistance, senior citizens’ meals and veterans services. Five households had utilized the Emergency Assistance program in October. Ongoing child welfare cases numbered 42 children (32 families). Eight involved the court system.
Correspondence
County manager Roger Baker shared several letters received, including a thank you to Assessor Anne Schafer and her staff for helping a Colorado Department of Transportation employee complete a corridor study along Highways 6 and 119 and an update from the Greater Rollinsville Community Association regarding forest issues in that area.
Funding Requests
The Public Lands Committee of Colorado Counties, Incorporated (CCI), requested but did not receive payment of 2010 dues of $272. The committee makes additional funding requests independent of CCI and sends ten lobbyists to Washington D.C. vs. the two lobbyist the other committees send. Commissioner Nicholson said it was a matter of fairness, that the Public Lands issues are no more important than other committee issues and objected to sending so many lobbyists. Commissioner Whitman serves on the Public Lands Committee and argued it was a small amount of money, however Commissioner Schmalz countered that the message in not funding was bigger than the dollar amount.
Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation was not funded this year as Commissioners require expanded information regarding services to Gilpinites.
Colorado Foundation for Water Education requested and received renewal of membership and annual dues of $100.
Executive Session
Gilpin County Attorney Jim Petrock and Commissioners met in Executive Session following the public meeting to discuss the Brannan Sand and Gravel litigation and Dory Lakes Property Owners litigation.
Public Comment
A resident of Prospector’s Run asked Commissioners to look into the jurisdiction and the law and see if something could be done about the 40-50 trucks and trailers that show up each weekend of good weather, some with 4-8 ATV’s or dirt bikes. They are parked everywhere, people are camping and sleeping in cars and leaving trash. She has even seen them riding inside the cemeteries, she said. She has talked with Central City and they are willing to work with the County to find a solution. Commissioners agreed to look into it.
Head’s Up
Gilpin County Commissioners meet next on February 2, 2010, with a late start of 10:00 a.m.