Weekly Register-Call/ Gilpin County News

Lowest number in ten years

Gilpin County Commissioners Buddy Schmalz, Jeanne Nicholson and Forrest Whitman considered a funding request from Red Rocks Community College during their meeting of March 2, 2010, and then moved on to more routine County business.

RRCC 40^th Anniversary

Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) will celebrate its 40^th anniversary on June 5^th with tours of the Opera and Teller Houses, a special performance by members of the 2010 Central City Opera cast and a 1960’s Vegas style dinner and entertainment (Sinatra impersonator) at the Ameristar. Ron Slinger, representing the RRCC Foundation told Commissioners the goal is to net $40,000 for scholarships and asked them to consider sponsoring the event. Commissioner Schmalz commented, “This is in our county and it’s a big deal. It’s important for us to do our part.” Slinger said he had pushed RRCC to have the event in Gilpin County because of the partnership between community colleges and gaming that resulted from Amendment 50’s passage. The event will promote Central City, the Opera Association and Gilpin Historical Society, he said. Commissioners voted to contribute a sponsorship of $5,000 from the Payment in Lieu of Taxes fund (PILT). That gets the County a table for 10 at the dinner, tickets to the tours/opera performance and numerous marketing spaces on the event’s promotional materials and the RRCC website. It also earns the County a scholarship offered in its name.

Council on Aging

Commissioners appointed Lorita Davis to represent Gilpin at the Denver Regional Council of Government’s (DRCOG) Council on Aging.

Year-End Report

Community Development Director Tony Petersen submitted his 2009 Year-End Report showing his staff had handled 202 cases last year. There were only 7 new home starts in Gilpin during 2009; 28% of the 3-year average. That was the biggest single drop in caseloads for the department and because of that, the building inspector position has been reduced from 40 hours per week in 2009 to 24 hours per week for this year. The majority of the department’s caseload was in other building (additions, remodels, etc.).

An unexpected Special Use Permit payment of $48,159 (Frei Quarry) resulted in surplus Special Use revenues $37,324 above the budgeted expectation and a surplus of $11,293 in total revenues. Because of the Frei payment, the Open Space fund was increased from $4,925 to $21,773. Open Space receives 5 cents per cubic yard for each yard of fill material Frei deposits in Gilpin County. Increased building permit fees also contributed to additional revenue. Expenditures came in at 98.5% of the budgeted amount, resulting in an unspent $4,660.

A ten-year case load table shows the department handled 467 cases in 1999, but case load has averaged 233 cases per year over the past five years. At 202 cases, 2009 is the low point.

Public Comment

Central City Mayor Ron Slinger invited Commissioners to attend the Council meeting later that evening. A presentation from the contractor Central City is considering to install a solar system to power their water plant was on the agenda.

Attorney Update

Attorney Brad Benning told Commissioners there are three active litigations. The Dory Lakes Property Owners Association’s appeal is proceeding. The record is still being compiled for the Brannan Sand and Gravel case and they have threatened to file another motion regarding discovery. Finally, Philip Wolf has appealed to the Federal (10^th Circuit) Court.

Forks of Creek Bikeway

Following a presentation by Clear Creek County Community Development Director Bert Weaver, Commissioners directed County Manager Baker to write a letter to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) in support of awarding transportation enhancement funds for the Clear Creek Forks Bikeway Interchange project. The project will tie together bike paths from Clear Creek, Jefferson and Gilpin Counties where the three converge at historical Forks of Creek, near old Tunnel Four and close to the Highway’s 119 turn-off from Highway 6. Although the bike trails are not yet in place from all three counties to the interchange, Weaver is looking to go ahead with this part of the project in order to tie in with CDOT improvements planned for the area. The projected cost of the bikeway interchange is $500,000. Weaver said he’d be applying to CDOT for $400,000 and Clear Creek County has committed to put in $100,000 from their Conservation Trust Fund. Gilpin County will consider a funding contribution in 2011. If funding is in place, construction is scheduled to begin in July 2011.

Head’s Up

Gilpin County Commissioners meet next on March 9, 2010.