Commissioner Levy to speak at NCA annual meeting

Members of the Niwot Community Association Board are cautiously exploring whether the group will be able to host some of its signature activities in 2021.

"Will we see the same Covid-19 restrictions this summer after vaccines are more widely distributed? It's too early to know," said NCA Vice-President Tom Sesnic. He and area 5 representative John Barto co-chair the Niwot annual cleanup day usually held in May. That event was cancelled last spring due to Covid-19 restrictions set by Boulder County and the state of Colorado.

Sesnic said he has talked with Boulder County officials about holding cleanup day this year, and they suggested pushing it back until September. That is a workable strategy, Sesnic said, and the group is exploring that change.

Events chair Kim Hawksworth said plans are still on hold for the July 4 parade and pancake breakfast, and the committee is targeting an April timeframe for a decision. "We need to know what regulations will likely be in place. Will we have to somehow try to limit crowd size? Will we need to enforce a mask mandate? These are concerns for our group."

Board members will wait to make a decision about holding the July 4 parade.

The board recently agreed that all current NCA members will have their 2020 membership extended through 2021, due to the shutdown on 2020 activities. "We just haven't been able to hold as many activities as usual," said President David Limbach. A proposal to charge 2021 new members half of the $30 annual dues also was okayed.

Virtual annual meeting April 14

The NCA will hold its annual meeting virtually this year at 7 p.m. April 14. New Boulder County Commissioner Clare Levy is scheduled to be the guest speaker. NCA board members are soliciting questions for Levy from members. Submit questions for Levy to [email protected] .

In other business, two Wild View homeowners association members asked NCA board members for their assistance in facilitating and constructively working with Boulder County parks and open space to find a sustainable solution for severely dropping water levels in Little Gaynor Lake. The lake, which is considered a "prairie pond," is ringed by Boulder County Open Space. It has dropped from about 5 feet deep to a depth of about 1 foot, causing it to become mud colored and ringed with mineral deposits according to Wild View HOA President Scott Brand.

"This used to be a flourishing waterfowl sanctuary and habitat, but wildlife is at an all-time low," Brand added. "We need help in terms of expanding our voice with the county."

NCA board members agreed to the Wild View homeowners association's request.