LID approves funding for Grange improvements

The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met March 5 at the Niwot Inn to consider funding requests from the Left Hand Grange No. 9 for improvements to the Grange Hall, now owned by Niwot Community Hall, a newly formed non-profit organization. The meeting began with an introduction of Carla Hunter, the newest member of the committee, who was appointed to fill the resident vacancy held by Lisa Rivard, who did not apply for reappointment.

LEFT HAND GRANGE

Left Hand Grange No. 9 President Jim Dorvee presented the application for funding to cover approximately 50% of the cost of additional improvements to the Grange building, including acoustic ceiling tiles, new downstairs lighting, and painting of the interior of the downstairs.

LID member Eric Bergeson asked, "The cafeteria feel is going away?" Dorvee responded, "Yes." LID member Sarah Cioni spoke in support of the application, and said, "I'm glad you're using Strohl Electric. He's here in Niwot." Dorvee noted that the Grange tries to use local contractors whenever possible.

"We're giving away a lot of uses," Dorvee said, indicating that other non-profit organizations were increasing their free use of the Grange Hall. He said that the 252 separate uses of the Grange in 2023 was an increase of 5% over 2022, and that when looking at just the last half of 2023, compared to the last half of 2022, usage was up by 16%.

The application stated, "[O]bservations would indicate that many of the events were more heavily attended. The Holiday Fayre had record attendees, music at the Grange attendance has increased, more HOA's are renting the space for large meetings, a New Year's Gala was held where goods and services were purchased from local businesses, and there were several concerts and plays that pushed the limits of our occupant capacity."

Dorvee also reported that the audio-visual equipment at the Grange had been updated, with other community organizations funding half of the $10,000 cost, and a website upgrade had resulted in an increase in number of users.

LID member Jeff Knight asked, "What is the best-case scenario for use of the Grange?" Dorvee responded, "We want to bring in more events in general. Weddings can comfortably fit 50 to 75 people." Knight also noted that the upstairs is not used often due to problems with accessibility which would require installation of an elevator to rectify. He noted that installation of an elevator would be expensive.

The total budget for the project was $16,015, and the LID unanimously approved funding $8,000 of the cost.

WINTERFEST UPDATE

Niwot town administrator Angela Hudgins reported that the WinterFest event on Jan. 27, sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and funded by the LID, was a success. "We had amazing weather," Hudgins said. "It was a community 'thank you,' with a lot going on at Children's Park and Whistle Stop Park." Activities included fire pits at Whistle Stop Park and craft stations for all ages, she said.

SALES TAX REVENUE

LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that annual sales tax revenues for 2023 totalled $273,747, which was down from $292,231 collected in 2022, but higher than the $269,286 collected in 2021. Coonce noted that the 2022 collections appeared to be somewhat of a Covid-19 recovery spike in revenues.

She also reported that collections exceeded expenditures by approximately $40,000, which means that the LID reserve is approaching $440,000.

ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

Hudgins also reported that electrical upgrades to Old Town street lights had been completed in January after some delays caused by cold weather. The timing system for the lights has been modernized with one timer replacing a dual timer system that was difficult to adjust. New ballasts were also installed in the streetlights.

MAINTENANCE COSTS

Hudgins also presented the NBA's annual budget request to cover maintenance costs for "public spaces in the business district," according to the application. Those expenses are estimated to be $16,000 for the next year, and include "watering, weeding, feeding and trimming of foliage within the business district and the sculpture park," in addition to snow removal, electrical bills for downtown lighting and the parking lot, banner and light post expenses, and miscellaneous repairs.

Bergeson noted that many of the banners hung throughout town are in poor condition and need to be replaced. The request was unanimously approved.

MEETING WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The LID is scheduled to attend an annual meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on April 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Left Hand Grange. The meeting is open to the public to attend. LID members discussed an agenda for the meeting, and listed three items for discussion:

The Niwot Master Plan

Minimum Wage Increases

Earlier Communications on Matters of Interest

Bergeson reported that a committee from the NBA had met with Commissioner Marta Loachamin concerning the minimum wage increase as it applies to Niwot businesses. The meeting included Bergeson, Tony Santelli, Alison Steele, Seth Steele, Steve Gaibler, and Assistant County Administrator Yvette Bowden.

"It was a good meeting," Bergeson said. "She listened. We basically asked that unincorporated Boulder County be at the same level as the lowest municipality." The commissioners increased the minimum wage in 2024 payable by unincorporated county businesses to $15.69 per hour, well above the state minimum wage of $14.42 per hour, which applies to all incorporated cities in the county. The legislation also provides for additional annual increases until the minimum wage reaches $25 per hour in 2030. Bergeson said, "As Tony put it, we shouldn't lead, we should follow."

Bergeson noted that there is no exception for student workers or minors. He explained that the increase would result in businesses not hiring minors. "We can't provide jobs for them."

He also said, "It was a good start from our perspective. The message is that there will be less jobs, and there will be a distortion in the payment to skilled workers." He also noted that Gaibler, who owns the Garden Gate Cafe, spoke to the effect the increase had on front-of-the-house versus back-of-the-house employees, or tipped employees compared to non-tipped employees.

Mark Ruzzin, county liaison to the LID, reported that cities in Boulder County had met recently and were addressing the wage issue. He also noted that the county had set up a fund of $250,000 to assist businesses which were impacted, with grants of up to $5,000 per business. But Bergeson said that Seth Steele, co-owner of the Niwot Market with 41 employees, indicated the market would realize minimal assistance from such a program compared to the economic impact of the increase.

The LID also discussed the need for better and earlier communication between the county and the LID, citing the recent Design Review Committee appointment process, and the failure of Boulder County to give notice of the vacancy to either the LID or the NBA, even though the position is designated as a business representative.

The Highway 119 Bikeway Project, which includes an underpass into Niwot as part of the Master Plan, was also discussed and cited as an example of a need for earlier communication by Boulder County with the LID on projects that impact Niwot businesses.

LID chair Scott Firle noted that in discussions with the county about the location of the underpass and the effect of a retention pond, it became clear that the county representatives were talking to the wrong people when they increased the retention pond size by 400% to 68,000 square feet, which then interfered with the LID-preferred location of the underpass connection.

Firle said, "We brought in a civil engineer, Peggy Graham, to look at it." Graham reviewed the plans on a pro bono basis, and provided feedback to the county indicating that the county's calculations needed to be redone. Firle said, "We sent a letter saying, 'We'd like to have a dialogue.'" Bergeson said, "We're trying to get the underpass closer to the bus station."

Other matters raised for discussion with the commissioners included the lack of workforce housing, statewide proposals to address local land use policies that inhibit housing solutions, and how city and county land use regulations impact housing availability, which as some noted, is the chief reason for Boulder County's higher cost of living, and a basis cited as a need for a minimum wage increase. Ruzzin noted that the city and county housing authorities have set a goal of increasing affordable housing in the county by 12%.