NCA November Board Meeting

The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting Nov. 2 in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station conference room.

Terry Larsen, NCA Treasurer, reviewed the Association's finances through her detailed spreadsheets and then launched the process for developing next year's budget. Two annual events are prominent in budget planning: the Niwot Clean-Up Day in May, and the 4th of July Parade.

The NCA has been working on restoring the mural in the LoBo Trail underpass under Niwot Road. David Limbach, NCA President, reported that the work is about 90% completed. There have been two work days with many volunteers contributing. One more day will be needed to complete the project.

Pat Murphy, NCA Area 3 Representative and Niwot Business Association (NBA) member, reviewed the turnout for the Halloween Parade at the Great Pumpkin Party.

Public participation was larger than last year, she said. A number of organizations in Niwot are involved in this event, including the NCA, NBA and Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (NLIDAC). The NCA's role is to provide the services of the NCA Road Crew, which manages road closures for many of the events in Niwot. The NCA discussed ways to improve the parade experience for next year.

Jeff Knight, NCA Area 1 Representative and NLIDAC member for the NCA, reported on the latest meeting of the NLIDAC including that Boulder County has started to develop an update to the 2012 Niwot Transportation & Connectivity Plan. It was reported that a number of the organizations in Niwot, including the NCA, are very interested in being involved in this project. A lengthy discussion ensued with assurances that it will continue to be a topic for NCA meetings.

A proposal for the development of affordable housing and workforce housing near the Boulder Tech Center at the intersection of highways 119 (the Diagonal) and 52 (Mineral Road) precipitated an animated discussion. The NCA plans to stay informed on this development and continue to communicate with its membership.

Kathy Koehler, NCA Director-at-Large, provided information on the Eagle Scout projects to beautify the west entrance to Niwot on Niwot Road. Vicky Dorvee, NCA Open Space & Trails representative, also provided details, relayed through Limbach. A number of Niwot community organizations, including the NCA, are involved in these projects.

Koehler is also a member of the Niwot Rural Community District's Design Review Committee and brought the NCA up-to-date on changes at the former Niwot Rental & Feed store.

An open discussion of current issues took place at the end of the 90-minute meeting. Murphy raised concerns about current affordable housing in Niwot and also solar farms. Koehler informed the board of the latest news on the request by a mineral extraction company to frack under Boulder County open space.

Board meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Mountain View Fire Protection District Firehouse #4 (8500 Niwot Rd.) in Niwot.

NCA members are encouraged to attend monthly board meetings and the public is welcome. If you wish to speak or want a specific issue discussed, please contact the NCA board one week in advance of the meeting to be included on the agenda.