Commissioners to control licensing for local medical marijuana businesses
Public hearings planned
Gilpin County Commissioners Buddy Schmalz, Jeanne Nicholson and Forrest Whitman dealt with the regular business of the County at their meeting of June 22nd, and then moved into a work session to explore how (or if) the County will handle regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation.
County Fair in August
Commissioners, acting as the Liquor Licensing Authority, approved a Special Events Permit for the annual County Fair on August 21st and 22nd. No one spoke either for or against the permit at the public hearing.
Serving Children
Services for Gilpin children with traumatic brain injuries are provided via a partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with reimbursement funding of up to $1,200 per referral, per year. Commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which specifies the coordination of those services, also including administration, record-keeping and reporting. The MOU term is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Currently, there are no children in this program and Commissioner Nicholson said she couldn’t remember when there were, thankfully, but the funding is there to help if it’s needed.
Clerk and Recorder’s Report
The May report from Clerk and Recorder Jessica Kays shows revenues of $142,733. Of that, the Clerk retained $15,814 and disbursed $54,926 to the County Treasurer; $65,574 to the State; $6,298 to Central City; and $122 to Black Hawk. The Motor Vehicle Late Fee revenue was $6,650; the Uninsured Motorist Fee revenue was $930.54; and revenue for the eRecording fund was $163. The revenues for May 2010 are up by $24,676 from those of May 2009.
Kays had final figures for the Kingdom of Gilpin benefit barbecue held last month. Through generous donations and people volunteering their time and talents, the event’s expenses were only $200 resulting in a donation of $4,344 for the County’s Food Bank.
“Connector” Contract
Commissioners renewed the contract with Seniors’ Resource Center, Inc. (SRC) to operate the Connector shuttle bus service. The Evergreen company began operating the service when the County took it over from Black Hawk Transportation Authority last July. This contract commences July 1, 2010 and continues through December 31, 2010. The County will pay SRC at the rate of $33.75 per hour, up to $74,993 for the next six months of service. If SRC’s reserve bus is needed, Gilpin pays for that at the rate of 65 cents per mile, however the County will soon have the new shuttle in service, too, so doesn’t expect to need SRC’s often. Commissioners paid $149,985 (plus the 65 cent-per-mile charge for the reserve bus) for the previous 12 months of service. The shuttle is free to riders, funded by taxpayers via grant money.
Monthly Departmental Reports
The Sheriff’s Office Detentions Division May report showed 66 new bookings for the month (52 male). The average population of the jail for that month was 32 inmates. The Sheriff’s Office was responsible for 30 of the new bookings; Black Hawk Police Department, 13; Central City Police Department, 9; Colorado State Patrol, 8; and the Division of Gaming, 6. Of those arrested, seven were Gilpin residents. 56 of the bookings were gaming-related. Commissioners will soon schedule their annual visit to the jail, as required by statute.
Medical Marijuana Work Session
Following their regular meeting, Commissioners met with Tony Petersen, the County’s Director of Community Development, to discuss how the County will regulate medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation within Gilpin, or if they will leave that up to the State. There are several options. The County could take no action, defaulting to the State. They could also prohibit these enterprises in totality. Commissioners could opt to leave the licensing up to the State and use only County land use regulations for local control. Should Commissioners choose any of these three options, the County would receive no revenue from licensing these businesses.
The County would collect revenue if Commissioners choose to establish the County as the licensing authority for medical marijuana businesses. They could do that separate from the land use (zoning) regulations or could create regulations that combine both licensing and zoning requirements. In these cases, the medical marijuana enterprises could be approved administratively, rather than coming before Commissioners (unless there are extenuating circumstances.)
Commissioners decided they want to keep local licensing control and directed Petersen to research the different ways they can do that. They also requested a copy of the amendment to the Colorado Constitution regarding the medical marijuana businesses. They directed County Manager Roger Baker to draft a resolution so they can put the matter to voters at November’s election, if they choose to do that. The deadline is nearing to get the measure on the ballot but Baker’s resolution is simply a preparatory action; Commissioners may decide not to go that route. The current moratorium on the businesses will expire on August 12th. Commissioners directed Baker to create a resolution to extend that moratorium, as allowed by the State, until July 2011. In the meantime they will be looking for data on environmental impacts of the cultivation businesses, particularly how much and where water can be used. Commissioner Nicholson pointed out that there is a lack of hard data regarding various environmental and public health issues.
Commissioners plan to schedule public hearings so proponents and opponents both can have their say prior to Commissioners making a decision.
Head’s Up
Gilpin County Commissioners meet next on June 29, 2010.