Niwot LID tackles full agenda

On Oct. 4th, the Advisory Committee to the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) met to consider funding requests for the town’s upcoming holiday events, as well as urgent repairs to Spear Lodge Man in the Tree Sculpture Park. The committee also got a look at the preliminary results of a recent parking utilization study, and heard a report from Howard Treppeda on this year’s Jazz on 2nd Ave event.

After dispensing with various housekeeping matters, the committee heard first from Sarah Cioni, owner of the Painted Primrose. Cioni, appearing on behalf of the Niwot Business Association (NBA), requested $3,875 to fund this year’s Enchanted Evening and Holiday Parade. The event, now in its 16th year, typically brings about 1,200 visitors to Cottonwood Square and Old Town Niwot during the post-Thanksgiving weekend.

Cioni’s proposal included funding for musicians, an ice sculptor and Santa’s horse-drawn carriage. The committee voted unanimously to approve the request.

The committee next heard from Mike Anfinson of Niwot Prairie Productions. Anfinson reported that the Spear Lodge Man tree carving in the Sculpture Park on Niwot Road has sustained significant damage due to weathering and dry rot, and may pose a danger to visitors, because one branch is unstable. He requested $2,100 for the sculpture’s immediate repair, which was approved.

“There’s not an insignificant amount of re-carving [to be done],” Anfinson explained.

The sculpture’s original artist, Eddie Running Wolf, will complete the repairs, which are expected to take up to two months.

Anfinson and the committee discussed various ways to prevent additional damage to the piece. Though some weathering and dry rot is inevitable, given the sculpture’s outdoor location, Anfinson said that they will reseal the sculptures bi-annually, rather than annually, and will work with Cottonwood Park West HOA to adjust the sprinkler configuration near the pieces. The committee voted unanimously to approve funding for the repairs.

Before leaving, Anfinson reported that Cheyenne Holy Man, the third piece for the Niwot Sculpture Park, is complete and will be dedicated at some point in the near future. Currently, no event has been planned, but Ni-wot Prairie Productions will explore options for a formal dedication.

Chuck Klueber, on behalf of the Niwot Business Association, presented the next two funding requests. First, he requested $1,400 to cover 2016 utility costs for streetscape lighting throughout Niwot, including 2nd Avenue, Whistlestop Park and the Sculpture Park. The proposal noted that these costs were higher in 2016 (up from $1,200 in 2015) due to additional lights on 2nd Avenue and an increase in Xcel’s rates. The committee approved this request unanimously.

Klueber also requested $4,950 from the LID for decorations and lighting around town during the upcoming holiday season. This year’s funding request, which is nearly three times higher than last year’s, included substantial improvements and enhancements to Niwot’s traditional display.

Klueber said the NBA has selected a new lighting contractor for 2016, after a rash of negative comments about the 2015 Christmas Tree.

“I got a lot of feedback last year,” Klueber said. “It was pretty paltry.”

In addition to improved lighting in the spruce tree in Sculpture Park, Klueber also proposed adding lights and decorations to the bump-out on 2nd Avenue, lighting the Niwot historic sign, and placing seasonal figurines near Cottonwood Square and along Niwot Road.

During the ensuing discussion, several committee members, including Satir DeMarco, suggested adding enhanced lighting to the caboose and bandstand in Whistlestop Park rather than placing figurines around town. Klueber amended his proposal to include this change, and it was approved unanimously.

With no additional requests to consider, the committee moved on to other business.

Pete Salas, Boulder County’s liason to the LID, presented the LID with a summary of the results of the latest parking study conducted per the recommendations of the 2011 Niwot Transportation and Connectivity Plan. In short, the study concluded that Niwot had not reached the 75 percent parking utilization “trigger” that would prompt further action by the county to augment the existing parking supply.

Many committee members expressed surprise at these results, noting that the study revealed 90 percent parking utilization in several areas along 2nd Avenue. The committee also had questions about the study’s parameters and assumptions.

The next order of business was Howard Treppeda’s report about this year’s Jazz on 2nd Ave event, which was held Sept. 17th. “It was a good year,” Treppeda said. “I had a lot of great sponsors again.”

He was also very enthusiastic about the Niwot High School’s contribution to the concert.“The high school band kicked it,” he enthused. “It really brought [the crowd] alive. These are the kids who are going to carry on these community events in the future.”

Treppeda fielded several questions from LID members, including whether charging admission had negatively impacted the event.

“There was some skepticism on that,” Treppeda admitted. Ultimately, though, attendees seemed to appreciate the event’s more exclusive atmosphere, he reported. He didn’t have a firm attendance figure, but thought around 1,600 people attended. “I went for higher quality, lower quantity this year,” he said.

The LID will meet next on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Niwot Fire Station.