NCA reviews 2024 goals

The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its final board meeting of 2024 on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The board reviewed not only updates since the previous meeting in November, but also reflected on their objectives from the past year and welcomed special guest speakers from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office (BCSO).

Molly McDonald, program manager of the BCSO Co-Responder Team, along with team members Ashley Partin and Sarah Windholz, spoke to the NCA Board about the services the Team provides.

The Co-Responder Team, at no extra cost to the community, works toward the reduction of hospitalization and incarceration for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, substance or domestic abuse, and parenting issues. They reported how their work as mental health professionals who accompany law enforcement assists in de-escalation.

The team described the tools and techniques used, such as conversation-based tactics, providing helpful objects such as socks and warm clothing, stuffed animals, and sometimes food. The Co-Responder Team made 204 contacts in the Niwot/Gunbarrel area this past year.

Treasurer Terry Larsen then reported that more income is to be expected this year in the form of reimbursements from the Local Improvement District (LID) and Boulder County for the 4th of July celebration. Income funds NCA projects and events such as 4th of July and Clean-Up Day.

President David Limbach provided his report, which included a recap of the Dec. 3 meeting with Don Haddad, superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District, and Eric Rauschkolb, principal at Niwot High School. Although Limbach was unable to attend the meeting, two NCA members, Pat Murphy and Kathy Koehler, attended to voice the NCA's disappointment in the lack of communication before the installation of the Niwot High School scoreboard.

Meeting participants also discussed ways to improve communication between SVVSD and the NCA and to discuss aesthetic issues regarding the NHS sports complex. Plans now include softening the appearance of the backside of the scoreboard with new paint, less advertising, and planting new trees to minimize its appearance from Niwot Road. The school district does not intend to change the location of the scoreboard.

Limbach updated the board about a recent survey from the LID and NCA regarding options for a pedestrian and cyclist underpass into Niwot from the Diagonal's median. Limbach reported that 60 surveys had been collected to date with a goal of obtaining a total of at least 150.

Limbach further reported that the NCA has successfully accomplished its 2024 goals, including keeping community members informed regarding the trails and open space in the Niwot/Gunbarrel area, creating an updated information pamphlet, improvement to the entry into Niwot, and continued success of annual events in the community.

One of the objectives for 2024 was to establish and maintain an NCA social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. An NCA social media manager successfully streamlined access to information and event promotion on those platforms and made good progress in differentiating for the public the organizations often referred to in an "alphabet soup" manner (including the NCA, NBA, NFL, NCAA, NHS, and the other NHS).

As Niwot's 150th anniversary celebration approaches, Kathy Koehler, president of the Niwot Historical Society, reported that a committee has been established to create events and programming.

Koehler also reported that the publication of the Niwot Historical Society's book chronicling the 150-year anniversary will be released on or about March 30, 2025, the actual 150th anniversary of the day the original town plat was recorded. Free, guided walking tour maps will also become available to the public.

Vicky Dorvee, NCA director assigned to Trails and Open Space, reported that two new signs have been added to the LoBo trail to identify the route to Niwot.

It was reported that there has not been an increase in NCA membership since November and that the total number of NCA members is 380, with a 2024 goal of 400.

No reports were made by Area-At Large Representatives.