NBA re-elects officers, discussed minimum wage, underpass, and events

The annual meeting of the Niwot Business Association on Feb. 13 saw the re-election of all current officers and directors. Eric Bergeson of the Niwot Wheel Works and The Wheel House will again serve as president, Deborah Fowler of Slifer Smith & Frampton real estate will continue as vice-president, Nancy Bureau of Left Hand Animal Hospital returns as secretary, and Mary Coonce of Porchfront Homes was re-elected as treasurer.

All four officers ran unopposed for one-year terms, and their re-election by NBA members was unanimous.

Bergeson reported at the meeting that 2023 saw a slowdown in retail sales in the Niwot business district, according to Local Improvement District revenue reports. He also noted a concern with the new Boulder County minimum wage increases that were passed by the county commissioners last October, which sets the minimum wage in Niwot and the rest of unincorporated Boulder County at $15.65 per hour in 2024, increasing to $25 per hour by 2030.

"The municipalities all around us are not subject to the same wage increase," Bergeson said, noting that Boulder, Longmont, Louisville and Lafayette had held off increasing their minimum wage for now. Local governments are allowed to set a minimum wage in their jurisdictions that is higher than the statewide minimum wage under legislation that took effect last year.

He reported that the NBA had formed a task force to address the minimum wage issue with the county, including the competitive disadvantage that Niwot businesses face with regard to paying employees. The task force includes Nick Mastronardi of 1914 House, Lisa Balcom of Farow restaurant, Cory Buenning of Fritz Family Brewers, Steve Gaibler of The Garden Gate Cafe, and Tony Santelli, former NBA president.

Bergeson also reported that NBA representatives had met with Boulder County concerning the design of the underpass from the proposed bikeway median in the center of Highway 119 under the Longmont-bound lanes of the Diagonal Highway, into the Niwot business district. He noted that several options were discussed and that the county had settled on option 3A, which will bring the underpass into Niwot at the 2nd Avenue intersection at a cost of roughly $4 million.

In a related matter, he reported that the county is planning improvements to Niwot Road that would include wider shoulders all the way out to Highway 287 from Cottonwood Square, as well as sidewalk improvements and extension on the south side of Niwot Road.

In other news, Angela Hudgins and Hadley Solomon, board members of the Niwot High School Education Foundation, spoke about the annual fundraiser of the organization, which is an online auction from March 6 through March 10. The organization funds field trips, grants, scholarships and other programs and projects for Niwot High students and faculty.

Anne Postle reminded members of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's eighth annual Let's Wine About Winter event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24 from 1-5 p.m. "It's been described as 'trick or treating for wine,'" Postle said. Over 30 Niwot businesses are signed up to participate. Postle said, "Last year we had 500 people attend, and we're expecting 600 this year." The proceeds from the event support the Niwot Children's Park and Whistle Stop Park.

Tickets are $35 in advance and are available online at eventbrite. A limited number of tickets will be available for $40 the day of the event, with participants picking up wristbands, mugs, and $10 off coupons at Niwot Real Estate - Compass offices at 7916 Niwot Road.

The Niwot offices of Slifer, Smith & Frampton (SSF), realtors, hosted the meeting and provided refreshments. Longtime Boulder County realtor Joel Ripmaster, managing broker of SSF, spoke to the members of the company's positive experience in Niwot. Realtors Deborah Fowler and Kamla Chopra of SSF's Niwot office were also present to greet members.