LID Revenues Continue to Climb-Lobster on the Menu

Revenues of the Niwot Local Improvement District keep climbing, with the latest report showing $24,878.21 collected in May from the LID’s 1% sales tax, which was more than 25% higher than May 2021 collections. Overall, the year-to-date collections are up by 18.29% over the same period a year ago. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler reported that the LID’s reserve fund at the end of 2021 was estimated to be $307,356. By previous resolution, the LID has a policy of keeping a reserve amount of at least $60,000 to guard against a downturn in the economy.

The first funding request considered by the LID’s 9-member advisory committee, with six members present, was a request for $2,000 for the Lobsterfest, scheduled for Saturday, September 3, at Whistle Stop Park. The event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association.

“The Lobsterfest is a reincarnated event based on the old Lobster Bash, which was held in Niwot several years ago,” according to the application submitted by NBA Treasurer Mary Coonce. “The event was brought back last year and held at the Whistle Stop Park and was very successful. This year the event will benefit the Marshall Fire Community Fund and include a Silent Auction.”

The original Lobster Bash was organized by former Niwot business owners Diane Atwood, Janet Freytag and Gail Anderson, with considerable help from their friends. Atwood, originally from Maine, owned Niwot Antiques, but has since returned to her home state, while Freytag and Anderson retired from their businesses, The Christmas Place and Curves..

Organizers of the new Lobsterfest plan to include live music complementing a lobster dinner with sides, dessert, and a complimentary drink for the price of a $95 adult ticket. A cash bar will also be available.

Coonce indicated that vendors will include Niwot Market, Niwot Wheel House, Joan's Petite Sweets and local musicians, including the House Blend Band. The Wheel House will provide alcohol at cost for the event.

“The request for $2,000 covers the purchase of stock pots and pop up tents,” the application stated. “These may be used for other local Niwot events.” At the meeting, Coonce said she had spoken to Niwot Market owner Bert Steele, and he had agreed to store them in the basement of the market.

The overall projected income from the event, including business sponsorships and in-kind donations, is $27,500, with anticipated expenses of $21,260.82, which would produce approximately $6,200 to donate to the Marshall Fire Fund.

The organizers hope to add a significant amount to that from silent auction proceeds.“Our goal is $10,000 net,” Coonce said. LID Chair Scott Firle raised the issue of using sales tax dollars to fund an event that is limited to those who can afford the $95 cost of a ticket. Coonce pointed out that the LID funds were earmarked to cover the cost of stock pots and pop up tents, which could be used at other community events, saving rental costs in the future. With that stipulation, the LID approved the request unanimously with Coonce abstaining.

The second funding request also came from the NBA, with NBA president and LID member Eric Bergeson presenting it as NBA vice-president Deb Fowler, champion of the program, was under the weather. The application sought $3,500 from the LID for a Pumpkin Walk, to be held throughout the month of October. The total cost of the program is budgeted at $5,069.81, with NBA funds covering the difference. Bergeson noted that the cost did not include the expense of gift cards, which Fowler planned to donate as prizes for a drawing to be held from participants who complete a passport, which requires them to turn in receipts from purchases at not less than four Niwot participating businesses during the month of October.

Bergeson noted that the program originated in 2020 during Covid, and was very popular. The application listed the purpose as an attempt to “kick start holiday shopping early and encourage people to frequent the retail businesses [in] downtown Niwot.”

The program will issue “passports” to the first 100 households who request one. Fowler noted in the application that in 2020, all 100 passports were picked up by the 10th of October. Passport holders then turn in their passports and receipts showing purchases at not less than four different businesses, and are then eligible for a drawing for gift cards. “There were 62 entries [out of 100 issued] entered into the draw, which meant at least 248 purchases,” the application stated.

This year, restaurants and coffee shops will also be able to participate, and if they offer a promotion, such as half-price drinks to participants, they will receive a stipend of $100 to help offset their costs. The application lists 16 retail businesses and 7 restaurants or coffee shops that plan to participate.

LID member Keith Waters, a co-owner of Inkberry Books, indicated that his business planned to participate. Committee members discussed the application, and based upon representations that the NBA would cover the stipends for food service businesses, the application was unanimously approved, with Bergeson, who owns the Wheel House, abstaining.

The committee discussed a September meeting with representatives of the Boulder County Transportation Department, now known as Public Works. Rabeler brought up the need for a sign on Niwot Road that would list upcoming events, much like the signs at Niwot High School and Mountain View Fire Rescue. LID member Jeff Knight noted that a boy scout had recently started an Eagle Scout project to address that need, but he was unsure of the status. The LID also plans to revisit the 2012 Connectivity Study which was done with Boulder County Transportation, and determine to what extent projects had been completed, and whether modifications were in order.