New Gilpin County Community Development Director Stephen Strohminger
By Jaclyn Schrock
There are just two more Gilpin County Commissioners meetings in December to wrap up the 2017 business for our mountain community. However, due to some painting, and re-flooring work, the next three Board meetings will be held at the Central City Chambers.
This regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 9:00 am on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in the historic and expansive upstairs chambers of the Old County Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street in Central City, Colorado.
Working through the unchanged agenda were District #1 Commissioner Ron Engels, District #2 Commissioner Linda Isenhart, and District #3 Commissioner Gail Watson, Board Chair. They are accompanied in service to our County by Deputy Clerk Sharon Cate, County Manager Leslie Klusmire, and Assistant County Attorney Brad Benning.
Public comments brought to the table Charlies “Chip” Smith of President of the Board for Timberline Fire Protection District who said thanks for the support last Saturday. Roy’s Lost Shot made a fund raising event possible for Jimmy’s head injuries from a motorcycle accident about two months ago. A little bit over $6,000 were raised for his medical expenses. The Board was happy to hear of the success to help a fallen Timberline Fire Fighter.
Commissioner Ron Engels said thank you to our Gilpin County voters. All 4,909 registered Gilpin County voters were able to vote for or against the Retail Marijuana Cultivation Excise Tax. Only 563 of those who voted could also vote for Boulder School District board members. Almost 29% of the Gilpin voters participated in the November 7, 2017 election. The measure passed with an unofficial voter count. A delay to make the results official is pending overseas votes that may still be turned in, which could change the results: 934 for and 468 against.
The vote was only to determine if the county did or did not want the first sale of cultivated marijuana taxed to go into the County’s general funds. It was not a ballot issue to allow the three proposed cultivation licenses in Gilpin County, which was a Commissioner’s decision.
Lease for Timberline-Rollinsville Shop
The first item of business was the 2018 lease for Timberline-Rollinsville Shop. Timberline had three representatives in the audience. When asked how they felt about the lease, a response was “all is good.” This is an annually renewed lease on the big blue building on the road west of Rollinsville. Jennifer Hinderman, secretary for Timberline Fire Protection District, answered many of the questions the Board asked regarding the lease and the next item regarding Burn Permit Ordinance #11-01. The men also contributed helpful information for our Board of Commissioners. The lease was approved.
Burn Permit Ordinance #11-01
Burn Permit Ordinance #11-01 was presented by our elected Sheriff Bruce Hartman who said he has spoken with Timberline Fire Chief Paul Ondr about possible revisions to the current burn ordnance. They both feel it is time to update and make clear details like; slash piles can only be burned when there is snow on the ground, not in the summer. Recognizing this to be an ordinance and not in resolution form, appreciation regarding words taken out or added from the original ordinance to the proposed revisions was acknowledged. No Board action was needed until revisions have been completed.
Emergency Operations Plan
The Emergency Operations Plan was presented by Emergency Preparedness Manager Sgt. Kevin Armstrong. With discussion about the need for changes to the original 2013 agreement, no Board action will occur until after some revisions have been made.
Animal Shelter Agreement
The Animal Shelter Agreement has been on the agenda a few times in the last two months. The agreement between Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners and Gilpin County Board of Commissioners was first established before the building for Charlie’s Place had been completed in Dumont. So renewing the previous agreement needed to strike words about construction and only keep wording about operations. There has been discussion about the “no kill” aspects of the animal shelter. There is also a part of the agreement that says both county boards are to meet annually to discuss this agreement which ends December 2017. More discussion is needed to adequately revise the agreement, so no Board action was taken at this meeting.
Purchase of Services Agreement
The Public Health Agency Purchase of Services Agreement was presented by Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the State Board of Health require local public health services for their citizens. Jefferson County Public Health is the agency that provides services for Gilpin County Public Health Agency, located at 101 Norton Drive, Black Hawk.
Services this agreement assures are:
- Assessment, planning and communication
- Vital Records and statistics
- Communicable disease prevention, investigation, and control
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Environmental Health
- Administration and governance
With a question about a figure that was below the budgeted amount, this agreement passed.
Boundary Line Elimination
A Boundary Line Elimination Application was presented by County Planner Daniel Horn for owners Patrick Johnson, Karen Davidson, and Diana Golden regarding a vacant lot with 1.99 acres and the lot next door with 3.79 acres in Wedgwood Wilderness #2. The two lots became one with the approval of this application by the Board.
Treasurer and Public Trustee’s Reports
The Treasurer and Public Trustee’s Reports were presented by County Treasurer and Public Trustee Alynn Huffman. Her first comments were about the anticipation of building improvement making tomorrow a busy day for the Treasurer’s office. People who come to do research may be impacted. They are happy to see the improvements begin.
Many details are explained in the Treasurer’s Monthly Report. Some compare last year’s figures, and both years have had over 99% of their taxes received, and this year is 4 hundredth of a percent higher. The total balance after paying out to county departments is a bit over 2 million dollars higher than October 2016.
The Public Trustee Third Quarter report covered June to September 30, 2017 with details regarding payroll and operating expenses. She also commented that there have only been nine foreclosures this year, and she is happy about that. The treasurer reports were accepted by the Board.
The County Assessor Anne Schafer came to the microphone to offer comments to the Board about the quality of their work. She praised them for their appropriate questions, concerns, investigations and compassions for residents, businesses, and county operations to be able to work well. She then asked about a contract that could be improved to benefit the county. They agreed to make considerations in executive session.
Commissioner’s Report
The Commissioners Report included Commissioner Linda Isenhart’s calendar of events as Notice of Public Meetings. November 15 is the five County Commissioners monthly breakfast in Idaho Springs. November 16 10 am is Commissioners Work Session with DOLA Rep Don Sandoval in the Courthouse. Two days near the end of the month our Commissioners will participate in the Colorado Counties winter conference. December 1 at noon, the Commissioners will have lunch with Gilpin Seniors at the Community Center.
County Logo Usage Guide
The County Logo Usage Guide was discussed regarding the changes to the county logo. The round logo showing a miner working a sluice box with mountains in the background has been modified. The seal used on marriage licenses and other documents will remain the original. The new logo for Gilpin County now also includes a woman, the sluice box is more detailed, and the date of inception for Gilpin County prior to statehood is included, 1861. Discussion of the colors used in the logo and the black and white version for new business cards, letterhead and documents took a few minutes to assure good decision making.
Defensible Space
Defensible Space in new construction was discussed and Commissioners were unsure where these parameters were really recognized since Gilpin County does not have a separate heading for such. The new Community Development Director Stephen Strohminger was introduced at this time. County Manager Leslie Klusmire made the introduction when Linda Isenhart made comment about the Defensible Space regulations in our building code.
Gilpin County welcomes Mr. Strohminger to our community. Ever since he was 16 and living in Ohio, he wanted to come to Colorado. He hoped to come for college, but that didn’t work out. He hoped to move here on other occasions. Each time Aiken County, South Carolina offered him better incentives so he remained as their county community developer. This time he was ready for a change, so he is now our Gilpin County Development Director. He arrived in Denver last Friday and is staying with relatives there until a local opportunity is found.
County Manager’s Report
County Manager Leslie Klusmire’s report did not get completed, but the Sheriff’s office, Colorado State University, and Library District did make October reports. The new system for department heads to report has not provided a report this month. Discussion went on to a fund for home owners in need of emergency services. More will come with a work session discussion on that topic.
Courthouse Renovations Contracts
Courthouse renovations services agreements were presented by Project Manager Bill Harrington of Alpha Services, LLC. As the general contractor for the courthouse improvements, Mr. Harrington provided four contracts for the board’s approval. Eagle Environmental Solutions of Aurora will be completing asbestos removal. Abatement total is $11,845. Mesa Moving and Storage of Aurora will take out and return office furnishings from November 26, 2017 until after the middle of April 2018 during the remodeling process, total cost $41,017. Paint Denver of Denver will make a fresh appearance for many small offices with a total bid of $65,764 which includes the material costs of $9,900. All City Flooring Co of Denver will be installing wood floors in some carpeted areas, carpet on stairways that currently have carpet, and the entry ways. They will consider using linoleum with a wood appearance in the restrooms. Flooring contract total is $105,799 with a material list included just under $50,000. The Board approved the contracts. A panel of seven people was considered to act as consultants to make color and design decisions from samples for paint color, carpet and flooring that coordinate and keep the old courthouse integrity.
Approval was made for Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes for October 31, 2017 as amended after discussion of a few details. Special Meeting Minutes for November 7, 2017 had a few more adjustments. The minutes were approved.
At 11:13 am, the Board Adjourned to go into Executive Session to receive legal advice for the Hatch Act, Red Tail Road Cabins, and the County Manager’s six-month review.
Following Executive Session was a work session agenda of topics to review County Policies, Weapons in the County-owned buildings, and a Marijuana Law implementation plan with input from the Community Development Department and Park Department personnel.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be 9 am Tuesday December 5, 2017. There will also be a meeting on December 19, 2018 and the first meeting in January will not be in these chambers of the Old Courthouse on Eureka Street. Instead these next three meetings will be held in the Central City Council Chambers 141 Nevada Street Central City, Colorado. When Central City’s City Hall was being renovated, City Council met in the Gilpin County Board of Commissioners chambers. So, it is time to return the favor during renovations. Central City’s City Hall is located at the bottom of the hill if you come from the Central City Parkway, across from the parking lot. Or if walking down Main Street, it is after Annie’s convenience shop, the open garden and the Old Belvidere Theater is right next to it.
