Niwot LID Advisory Committee reviews five-year strategic plan

After a five-hour meeting to review its five-year strategic plan, the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee decided that the best course of action would be to host the leadership of all of the non-profit organizations serving the Niwot community at a roundtable discussion. The purpose of the meeting will be to give each organization, including the LID, a better understanding of each organization’s purpose and short-term goals, as well as start a conversation about how best to share resources.

Eight of the nine LID committee members attended the Oct. 2 meeting, including Heidi Storz, who hosted the meeting in an open barn at her home in Niwot. Chair Scott Firle led the discussion, with LID members Laura Skaggs, Lisa Rivard, Cornelia Sawle, Bruce Rabeler, Eric Bergeson and Mary Coonce participating, along with outgoing LID members Biff Warren and Jim Eastman.

Mark Ruzzin, liaison to the LID from the Boulder County Commissioners office, reviewed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the LID. The committee concluded that most of the goals of the 2017-2021 strategic plan had been accomplished, even though the LID is “a funder, not a do-er” as Eastman often reminds the group. Improving connectivity, including signage along trails and at all of the entrances to Niwot, and making residents more aware of events and what local businesses have to offer were identified as goals for the next five-year strategic plan.

Among the many strengths mentioned by the group were the construction of a parking lot and a continued increase in LID revenues from the LID’s one-percent sales tax. At the same time, the members lamented the fact that the effects of the Boulder County Commissioner-imposed moratorium in 2018 were still being felt, with commercial development on 2nd Avenue remaining at a standstill.

Members noted that the LID advisory committee is designed to be representative of the Niwot business community, but also includes non-business owners from the community. By law, LID funds must be used to benefit the commercial district of Niwot, but funds can be expended outside of the LID boundaries as long as there is a benefit to the LID.

While the commissioners serve as the board of directors for the LID, the advisory committee reviews funding requests and makes recommendations to the commissioners. LID members also discussed to what extent the purview of the committee includes advising the commissioners about specific matters which affect the commercial district, with the consensus being that doing so is appropriate if it affects the LID.

As the only Niwot-focused committee appointed by the commissioners, LID members decided to take a more active role in assisting all Niwot organizations in how they can work together to benefit the community. Organizations identified to be invited to the roundtable discussion include the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Community Association, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the Niwot Historical Society, the Niwot Future League, Niwot Youth Sports, the Rotary Club of Niwot, the Left Hand Grange, Niwot High School, and Niwot Elementary School. No date has been set for the meeting.