Niwot LID funds annual operating expenses in first meeting of 2018

The Advisory Committee to the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) held its first meeting of 2018 on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Treasurer Harris Faberman led off with his report on the District’s 2017 finances. Through October 2017, the LID collected $149,474 in sales tax revenue, up 8.4 percent from the same point last year. If this trend continues for November and December, the LID is on pace to collect about $182,500 for the year, roughly $12,000 more than in 2016.

On the other side of the ledger, the LID AC approved expenditures totaling $130,007 in 2017, about $3,000 less than the total budget of $133,000. This amount does not include the $183,194 used to purchase land along Murray Street for development of a public parking area, which came from the LID’s capital reserve account.

As of Dec. 20, $97,282 of approved LID funding had been distributed, with $32,725 remaining to be disbursed. Organizations with outstanding expenses have until January 31, 2018 to submit invoices for their LID funds. After that date, the money will be returned to the LID’s reserve, along with the surplus $2,993 from the 2017 budget.

The board heard next from Chuck Klueber of the Niwot Business Association Streetscapes committee, who requested funding to cover various town operating expenses for 2018, including utility payments for lighting ($1,700), snow removal on 2nd Avenue ($1,500), and annual maintenance for the blue spruce in the Sculpture Park and the pear trees on 2nd Avenue ($2,000). All three requests were approved unanimously.

In old business, the NBA’s Linda Klueber presented an after-action report on Enchanted Evening and the Holiday Parade, which were held Nov. 24 and 25, respectively. In September 2017, the LID AC approved Klueber’s request for $4,995 in funding for the Christmas kick-off event, which featured ice sculptors, strolling carolers, and a special appearance by Santa in Fire Engine No. 10.

Aided by agreeable weather, the two-day extravaganza was a “the best one ever in Niwot”, according to Klueber and other local business owners. An estimated 1,500-2,000 visitors patronized Friday’s Enchanted Evening event, and more than 30 Niwot community organizations and businesses participated in the Holiday Parade on Saturday. Though invoices are still coming in, Klueber expects total costs for the two-day event to be under budget.

Chuck Klueber followed with an update on the Cottonwood Park West connectivity project, a joint effort by the NBA and the Cottonwood Park West HOA to develop an attractive landscape at the corner of 79th Street and Niwot Road to enhance visibility and provide a connection between Old Town and Cottonwood Square.

In August, the LID granted the NBA’s request for $10,950 to help fund construction of a $20,000 park-like “community area” featuring planting beds, seating spaces, and a retaining wall surrounded by trees, low profile shrubs, and other greenery. In November, Niwot resident Scott Deemer, owner of Outdoor Craftsman, Ltd., offered to donate both labor and materials to the project valued at an additional $20,000, more than doubling the size and scope of the proposed design. Updated plans include additional seating areas, a flagstone walkway, and display space for up to eight sculptures throughout the expanded planting beds. Construction is slated to begin later this month and will wind up later this spring, as weather permits.

Before wrapping up, the group heard from Boulder County’s Mark Ruzzin with an update on the recruitment process for upcoming vacancies on the LID AC. Since the application period opened on Dec. 8, the Country has received several applications for the four open positions. After the application period ends on Jan. 19, the Country commissioners will conduct interviews with the interested candidates, and appoint members to the open slots. New five-year terms for a Niwot Business Association (NBA) representative, a Niwot Community Association (NCA) representative, a residential representative and a business community representative begin on March 1, 2018.

Applications have been received from Niwot residents Kathy Koehler of Morton Road, Scott Firle of Meadowdale Drive, Andrew Lerner of Legend Ridge Trail, Christine Lebor of Legend Ridge Trail, and business owner Adam Robinson of Seven Wealth in Cottonwood Square. The NBA has designated Anne Postle of Meadow Farm Road to fill the NBA representative position, and the NCA has designated current LID member Laura Skaggs to fill the NCA representative position, both of whom are subject to approval by the Boulder County Commissioners. Current NBA representative Tony Santelli is term-limited. Current LID members whose terms have expired, but who are eligible for reappointment, are resident Satir DeMarco and business owner Howard Treppeda.