New signage and park improvements on tap for the NBA in 2017

At its Feb. 7 meeting, the Advisory Committee to the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) got a preview of the expense side of the 2017 ledger when the Niwot Business Association (NBA) unveiled its budget for the year. Members also reviewed the final treasurer’s report for 2016, considered two funding requests, and heard updates on a new LID merchant and Jazz on 2nd Avenue.

The meeting was called to order by co-chair Laura Skaggs. The committee heard from LID treasurer Harris Faberman who presented the final expense figures for the year. According to his final tally, nearly $16,000 of the expenditures approved by the LID in 2016 were not disbursed by the January 31, 2017 deadline, leaving a budget surplus of $11,562 for the year. This unpsent amount will go back into the LID’s general reserve.

Faberman said that many events and projects cost less than anticipated last year, but also noted that the LID never received a reimbursement request for a number of approved expenditures, including tree sculpture repair. Faberman said that these expenditures are still “approved,” but any invoices submitted going forward will be allocated from the 2017 budget. Committee member Jay Champion then moved to amend the funding authorization form to include language about the January 31 invoice submission deadline, which the committee approved unanimously.

The group next heard from Chuck Klueber, appearing on behalf of NBA Streetscapes Committee with two separate requests. First, Klueber requested $3,000 for various maintenance and repair projects through the year, including weed removal and lamp post upkeep. The committee approved this unanimously.

Klueber then asked for $565 to cover costs incurred by a last-minute addition to the NBA’s holiday lighting plan. Klueber admitted he made the spur-of-the-moment decision to add lights to five more trees in Whistle Stop Park, but hoped the committee would see the value in it. Committee member Jim Eastman was concerned that funding the shortfall would send a mixed message to the community.

“It sets a bad precedent to fund budget overruns when it’s not a critical infrastructure or safety issue,” he said.

After some additional discussion, the committee approved the request, 7 to 1, with several members noting that Klueber had originally asked for more funding, but was directed by the LID to consider decorations other than the ones he initially proposed.

LID member Biff Warren updated the committee on the efforts to have the Link Building added to the LID. When the boundaries to the Niwot LID were originally drawn back in the 1990s, the property at 7916 Niwot Road was excluded, possibly because it was an office building with no sales tax generated. With a restaurant opening there later this year, the owners of the property, Jim and Anne Postle, have petitioned the county to add the building to the LID, hoping to add sales tax revenue in the community. The Boulder County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the petition on Feb. 21 at 11:15 a.m., and Warren encouraged community members to attend and show their support for the Niwot business community.

In a final bit of sales tax related business, Pete Salas noted that the Boulder County Commissioners have formally resolved that food for home consumption will not be taxed within the LID.

In the second item of New Business, NBA President Tony Santelli and Treasurer Dayna Roane presented the NBA budget for 2017 as a matter of information to give the LID advance notice of potential funding requests. Under the budget, about 75% of the NBA’s anticipated 2017 expenses would be funded by the LID, including $52,900 for infrastructure items (such as landscaping and signage) and $28,500 for marketing and events. The budget also includes a couple of “big ticket” expenditures: improvements in Whistle Stop Park and the addition of up to four informational kiosks in strategic locations around town. According to Santelli, the kiosks will provide visitors with information about local merchants and upcoming events, and will maintain the style of the Niwot monument sign on Highway 119.

LID member Howard Treppeda gave a follow-up report for Jazz on Second Avenue, a day-long concert held last September, which received $10,000 in LID funding. According to materials provided by Treppeda, the event netted just over $6,000, even after some outstanding expenses from the 2015 event were paid. He also said that 100% of the profits will be used to promote music education in schools, and had helped to fund recent musician visits to Niwot and Heatherwood Elementary schools.

Following Treppeda’s report, the committee briefly discussed recent vandalism at the Niwot Children’s Park, and possible measures to prevent it. The topic was tabled indefinitely, and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Niwot LID will be held Tuesday, March 7 at the Niwot Fire Station.