LID approves funding for Niwot Road landscape project

The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met at the Niwot Inn on Nov. 12 to consider funding requests and other issues related to Niwot's business district.

Landscape Project

Improvement in the appearance of the west entrance to Niwot on Niwot Road has long been a topic of discussion. Several Eagle Scout projects over the years have improved the appearance for a time, especially on the north side, including installation of a "Welcome to Niwot" stone sign completed last year. But weeds continue to grow, even obscuring the sign for a time, and both the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and the Niwot Community Association (NCA) have taken notice.

Euvaldo Valdez from the NBA and Vicky Dorvee from the NCA presented a proposal to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) Nov. 12 to address the appearance by removing the existing landscaping on the north side of Niwot Road, from the Diagonal Highway entrance to Franklin Street. "It gives a poor first impression," Dorvee said of the entrance.

The application stated, "As it is one of the four entry points to Niwot and the most formal entry from Boulder and Longmont, it's the desire of both the business association and the community association to present a well maintained first impression to visitors and to present a pride of ownership." Currently the NCA pays for mowing the area two to four times each year.

Although there was discussion about moving the existing stone "welcome" sign to a different entrance to the community, this project would leave the sign in place. The project would include removing the existing landscape material, replacing the landscape weed barrier with commercial grade fabric, and installing ¾" mountain granite rock. Valdez described it as a "very attractive tri-color rock." The area to be landscaped is 700 feet long and varies in width from one foot to six feet.

Valdez indicated that the existing fences along Niwot Road are on private property, and would not be replaced as part of this project, but he and Dorvee are "trying to creatively get the fence done." The project work will be in the Boulder County right-of-way along the north side of Niwot Road.

Four bids were obtained by Valdez, and GM Landscaping of Longmont was selected by the joint committee to complete the project. LID member Heidi Storz noted that the project was part of the LID's Master Plan, which is in the process of being finalized.

After discussion, the LID approved the request in the amount of $13,405.50 on the condition that Valdez obtain a more detailed estimate from the contractor showing the materials to be used, and confirm that another contractor had withdrawn its bid.

Tax Revenue and Budget

LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that sales tax revenue continues to show a decline over 2023 collections. She reported that year-to-date figures show collections at 8.9% less than 2023 through August. Retail collections are down 6.6% over last year through August, but accommodations and food collections are actually up by 5%. The biggest decline is in the "wholesale and other" category, which is down by 40%.

The LID budget for 2024 is $233,785, and with the approval of the landscape project, the year-to-date approvals total $243,643.50, which is approximately $10,000 over budget. Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin noted that the landscape approval will require a supplemental budget approval by the county commissioners, and that the process was underway. The LID entered the year with a reserve of $432,741, which remains uncommitted.

Boulder County Consortium of Cities/Minimum Wage

LID member Carla Hunter reported on her attendance at the Boulder County Consortium of Cities as a non-voting member representing the Niwot LID. The main topic of the meeting was homelessness, but progress on an attempt at promoting a uniform minimum wage in all jurisdictions in the county was also addressed.

Ruzzin noted that the City of Boulder recently approved a minimum wage increase of 8% for 2024 on a 5-4 vote. Hunter said, "The range of their progress on this was vast. Lafayette might potentially act in 2027." None of the other cities in the county have raised the minimum wage above the state standard. Hunter reported that after the Consortium meeting, Commissioner Marta Loachamin said the LID should send a letter to the county expressing its position.

LID members expressed alarm that another increase in the minimum wage for unincorporated Boulder County, which includes Niwot, would take effect in January, putting Niwot businesses at a disadvantage with requirements far above any other community in Boulder County.

LID member Eric Bergeson noted that the listing agents for the vacant 1914 House property had two potential buyers back out due to concerns about the minimum wage in Niwot, which is scheduled to increase to $25 per hour in 2030.

The LID directed Chair Scott Firle to compose a letter to the Boulder County Commissioners expressing the LID's position that Niwot and the rest of unincorporated Boulder County should have a minimum wage tied to the lowest minimum wage in the county, and that having the highest minimum wage threatens the viability of businesses in Niwot that generate the LID's revenue.