NCA December board meeting explores goals

The Niwot Community Association (NCA) is a non-profit organization established in 1990 that advocates for the Niwot community with local governmental agencies. The NCA also provides a forum for Niwot citizens to have an opportunity to become informed and involved in proposed changes affecting their lives in the community.

The NCA board of directors held its monthly meeting Dec. 13 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9.

The focus of the December board meeting was to set goals for the new year. In preparation for the meeting, members considered issues that are important to Niwot. During the meeting these issues and others were written on Post-It Notes and placed on a whiteboard according to focus themes. The board then discussed the highest priorities.

Representing Morton Heights, Pat Murphy talked about clarifying the role of the NCA among the other Niwot community organizations and the county government. She emphasized recent land use decisions by the county that affect Niwot. Murphy also suggested that the NCA host get-togethers for newcomers. It was noted that board members who represent particular areas in Niwot already host events for people in their areas, but a newcomers event would focus on helping the new arrivals.

Director-at-Large Kathy Koehler suggested strengthening the NCA's cooperation with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the county departments of planning and transportation by hosting luncheons.

Jeff Knight, who represents Old Town, Burgundy and Johnson Farm and who is also the NCA representative on the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID), talked about priorities coming out of the recent update to the Niwot Connectivity Plan. Many of the projects being considered in the plan could be high priorities for Niwot.

The NCA will host a special meeting for members in January to learn about updates to the Niwot Connectivity Plan.

Representing the area east of 95th Street, Derek Curd talked about the importance of reaching more citizens of Niwot during the events that the NCA organizes, such as the 4th of July Parade. He felt many Niwotians don't know what the NCA does but attend events that the NCA puts on.

Many additional ideas about the goals of the NCA were put forward during the meeting. They will be collated and discussed at a future meeting.

Trails and Open Space Director Vicky Dorvee talked about the ongoing work she leads to maintain the underpass mural on the LoBo Trail near the Left Hand Valley Grange Park. She said maintenance will need to wait until warmer weather in the spring.

NCA representatives continue to participate in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The group is considering hosting a forum to inform Niwot of the plan's provisions in terms that the public can easily understand.

NCA members are encouraged to attend board meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m at the Left Hand Grange No. 9. The public is welcome to attend. Anyone wishing to speak or have a specific issue discussed should contact the NCA board at least one week in advance of the meeting to be included on the agenda. The NCA website is https://niwot.org/.