Niwot Community Association holds annual meeting

The Niwot Community Association board of directors has decided not to hold its traditional July 4 parade this year, NCA president David Limbach announced at the group's annual meeting on April 14.

NCA board members agreed that it's too hard to predict what Boulder County's COVID-19 incidence rate and restrictions will be in July. "It would be nearly impossible to plan a traditional parade that doesn't promote gathering," said Limbach.

Instead, the NCA will host a "motorcade parade" to bring the parade to Niwot neighborhoods in an effort to "take the parade to the community."

"This will be similar to the impromptu parade at the holidays and the one in April," he said. "Holding a motorized parade through the neighborhoods will allow people to watch from their homes and with their COVID pod," Limbach said.

"We also won't be able to have the bands or the bicycles this year, so it will be a shorter event."

Limbach added that the NCA hopes to hold a full parade in 2022.

Fall Cleanup Day

Even though some events will be on hold in 2021, the NCA has received a tentative okay to hold its annual cleanup day in Niwot. The planned 2021 date is Sept. 18 in the Niwot High School parking lot. Cleanup day committee chair John Barto said at the board's April 7 meeting that county officials are okay with allowing the outdoor event and will help provide dumpsters. More information will be available in the fall.

Veterans banners

The NCA also will continue to organize the veterans banner project to commemorate Veteran's Day on Nov. 11. It was one of the few projects that could be completed in 2020 despite COVID restrictions, Limbach explained, and community interest is high in continuing it.

Boulder County Commissioners

Two Boulder County Commissioners, Marta Loachamin and Claire Levy, spoke at the NCA annual meeting. Both addressed the impact and challenges of COVID on county and local governments, with Loachamin saying COVID and the impact of last fall's wildfires were major issues for commissioners in 2020.

Levy said commissioners and county staff are now assessing the county budget and what impact federal funding will have on county services. She said commissioners want to make sure that the Niwot Local Improvement District sales tax revenues can remain steady so that town projects, such as a new parking lot, can move ahead.

In response to an NCA question about the Niwot Rural Community District and cleanup of the alley between 2nd and 3rd streets, Loachamin said that commissioners are working to engage with the community on that issue. Levy added that while there may not be a process in place yet, the board wants to find a process to move forward on the alley cleanup and other NRCD concerns.

Commissioners were asked if they were considering expanding the board to five commissioners elected by district instead of the current three at-large seats. Residents of unincorporated Boulder County have expressed concerns that they don't have a voice on the board with the three commissioners mainly elected from the Boulder County cities. The commissioners said there are no current plans to expand the board, but all three commissioners (Matt Jones is the third commissioner) are focused on reaching out to all areas of the county.

"We are committed to listening and hearing from residents from all areas of the county on a regular basis," Levy said. She added that commissioners are trying to get monthly town hall meetings set up, either virtually or in person when possible, to talk more regularly with county residents.

Levy and Loachamin also addressed county funding for rehabilitating subdivision roads. "There is a committee of residents who are putting together a ballot initiative for a mill levy in the 2022 election cycle," Loachamin said. Levy added that the commissioners understand the importance of the issue.

"We have been told that by statute, the county can't use general fund monies on roads. We must earmark a mill levy for the roads. That's one reason why we are working with the committee to get an initiative on the ballot," Levy said.

"We want to move forward on this issue," she added.

Following the commissioners' discussion, Limbach announced that NCA membership is expected to reach 400 households for 2021. "We appreciate all our members," he said. "Having such a sizable membership gives us a bigger voice with Boulder County and the commissioners."