Niwot LID approves 4 funding requests

REVENUE

Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June.

LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date.

Four funding requests were approved, with another request tabled. With the approved funding, the LID is now just under its budget for 2024, which is set at 80% of revenues from 2022. One of the approved requests will actually carry over to 2025, so it does not impact the 2024 budget.

The LID maintains a healthy reserve of $432,741 as of the end of 2023. LID expenditures must be determined to benefit the Niwot business district by state law.

150th Niwot ANNIVERSARY BOOK

A funding request from the Niwot Historical Society for $14,000 towards the cost of publishing a book "to reflect on the history, growth and development of Niwot" was presented by Niwot Historical Society president Kathy Koehler.

Koehler noted that the plat of Niwot was recorded in March of 1875, and that 2025 would be the 150th year of the town's existence. She described the end product as a black-and-white 110-page book, similar in size to the books published by historian Anne Dyni about Niwot's history. Koehler said the book would be published by Amazon/Kindle, and books would be available for sale in local businesses, with the businesses retaining any profit from the sale in excess of the cost of producing the book. "It's not intended to be a fundraiser," Koehler said.

The $14,000 request was designated for production costs to be paid to Guided by Stars Studio. LID chair Scott Firle commented, "Fourteen thousand dollars is a lot of money." Several LID members suggested that a coffee-table sized book, with black-and-white as well as color photos from more recent events might be more appropriate. Others asked if she had consulted with Keith Waters and Gene Hayworth of Inkberry Books, who also own a publishing company. "I am committed to working with Guided by Stars Studio," Koehler explained.

Pat Murphy, who was attending the meeting to present the Great Pumpkin Party funding request, said the NCA had a committee that was working on the 150-year celebration of the platting of Niwot. She mentioned that Judy Seaborn and Julie Breyer were on the committee, and suggested that they work with the Niwot Historical Society on the project.

After much discussion about the size and cost of the book, the application was tabled by the LID until November, with a suggestion that the Niwot Historical Society work with the Niwot Community Association (NCA) on the project, and seek input from the owners of Niwot's bookstore, Inkberry Books.

GREAT PUMPKIN PARTY

Niwot's Great Pumpkin Party funding request was presented by Murphy, founder of the event, on behalf of the Niwot Business Association (NBA) in the amount of $4,740. Murphy said, "It's 27 years. We know that because Tim Wise's son was seven."

Murphy recounted how she used to go door-to-door to businesses asking for a $25 donation to fund the event. "We do close the street (Second Avenue) now," she said. "We can handle about 1,000 kids."

Children dressed in costume "trick or treat" at Niwot businesses during the event, with the businesses contributing an estimated $1,500 in treats.

The application noted that the event would include a haunted house at the former feed store in Niwot, put on by the Niwot High School Key Club, as well as a magic show by Ann Lincoln, music by Scrapyard Izzy, a hayride, and a dog costume contest sponsored by Left Hand Animal Hospital.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 26, the Saturday before Halloween, with a parade at 11:30 a.m., starting at Left Hand Corner and proceeding two blocks to The Wheel House. In addition to the expense of the haunted house, music, hayride, a donkey and the magic show, costs include posters, signs, flyers, advertising, a Boulder County road closure permit, and the NCA's road crew. After a brief discussion, the request was unanimously approved.

MAINTENANCE

Angela Hudgins, the NBA's administrative coordinator, asked the LID to approve additional funding in the amount of $2,500 for tree care on Second Avenue and electrical costs associated with the parking lot. She noted that the charging stations in the parking lot on Murray Street have changed from the first two hours free to the first hour free, due to rising electrical costs.

The LID previously approved $16,000 in maintenance costs for 2024. Year-to-date expenditures include tree care and watering, snow removal, hanging banners throughout the business district, electrical street light upgrades, electrical costs for street lights on Second Avenue, mowing the grass area of the Murray Street parking lot, and removal of a wire fence near the railroad tracks that tends to trap tumbleweeds. Coonce, who serves as treasurer of the LID and the NBA, said, "Angela, you're doing a great job."

Murphy said, "I think it's very important to spend money on maintenance. People looking at 1914 House pay attention." The request was unanimously approved.

NIWOT HOLIDAY MAGIC

Deb Fowler, vice-president of the NBA, presented a funding request for Niwot's Holiday Magic event, which includes Enchanted Evening on Nov. 29, a Holiday Parade on Nov. 30, and a Christmas Fayre on Dec. 7 and Dec 14.

She explained that new this year will be two concerts by Rebecca Folsom at Left Hand Grange, on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. Fowler said, "We're not doing the luminaries this year. The weather did not cooperate." An ice sculpture will be returning instead.

Saturday, Nov. 30, is also "small business Saturday where we will be giving out Niwot bags to encourage shopping in town," the application noted. "Candy canes will be given out at each event."

Fowler said, "Everyone really enjoyed the carolers last year. They go into businesses." The event this year has budgeted more funds for carolers than in the past. The funding request for all events was $16,910.64, with the NBA contributing another $500 toward expenses. Costs include advertising, a Boulder County road closure permit, candy canes, bows, Santa hats, electric candles, dreidels, Rudolph headbands, Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, fairy hair, ice sculptors and entertainment. The request was approved unanimously.

NIWOT WELLNESS DAY

The final funding request also came from the NBA for a new event, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, described as Niwot Wellness Day. The application, presented by Fowler and Dr. Patti Ashley, stated, "This event will promote the Niwot businesses related to health and wellness. This will offer the community a chance to meet and learn more about wellness opportunities available in Niwot."

Estimated expenses for advertising, a photo booth, promotional giveaways and musicians total $3,165, with the funding request from the LID at $2,625. Coonce asked how many businesses would participate, and was told that 18 were expected. She said, "Niwot is kind of a mecca for health and wellness."

After discussion of whether businesses participating should bear the cost of their own promotional giveaways, the LID unanimously approved the funding request, on the condition that promotional giveaways not be included in the LID funding.

FLOWER FEST

Kathy Trauner, one of the organizers of the NBA's Flower Fest event this fall, reported that it was well-attended. "We served double the number of people compared to last year," she said. "The feedback was very good. People didn't have to wait in line as they were given numbers to pick up their flowers."

OTHER BUSINESS

Mark Ruzzin, the Boulder County liaison to the LID, reported that Eric Bergeson's position as the NBA representative on the advisory committee was up for appointment, and that Bergeson did not plan to reapply. The deadline for applications is Dec. 13, for the position which will begin in February 2025.

Ruzzin also noted that Boulder County should be involved in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the platting of Niwot.

LID member Cornelia Sawle, who recently purchased the building where the Niwot Wheel House is located, reported that she intended to propose to Boulder County and the LID that a bump-out, similar to the one in front of Old Oak Coffeehouse, be installed in front of The Wheel House property.

LID chair Scott Firle reported that he had sent an email to Boulder County on behalf of the LID concerning the location of the bikeway median underpass into Niwot, indicating that Burlington Northern Railway preferred an underpass to extend under the railroad tracks, as opposed to an at-grade crossing at 2nd Avenue.

Firle also reported that he and LID member Carla Hunter had been accepted as non-voting members of the Boulder County Consortium of Cities, with the first meeting in October, focused on addressing homeless person issues. LID member Heidi Storz reported that there had been two recent break-ins by homeless persons in Niwot, including her home on 83rd Street and the Squeak and Squawk Farm.

Storz also reported that she had met with County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann concerning the possible formation of a Public Improvement District (PID) in the Niwot area to address subdivision street paving.