LID approves 3 funding requests

In what was the last official meeting for Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) members Eric Bergeson and Jeff Knight, the LID approved three funding requests.

Bergeson's term as the Niwot Business Association (NBA) representative expires at the end of February, and the county commissioners have already appointed newly elected NBA president Jim Ditzel as his replacement. Bergeson, who has served on the LID for five years, said, "It's been a privilege. I won't be a stranger."

Knight recently announced his resignation as the Niwot Community Association (NCA) representative due to a family move to Texas. According to Knight, the NCA is in the process of nominating a replacement.

FUNDING REQUESTS

The LID approved two funding requests from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), one for the basic costs of the Let's Wine About Winter event held Feb. 8, and the other for the continued restoration of the tree carvings of the late artist Eddie Running Wolf.

The NCAA application noted that the wine mugs given to participants included the "Niwot, 150 Years" banner, making them instant collector's items. The LID approved funding in the amount of $3,462, the same amount as in 2024, to cover the cost of mugs, promotional materials and advertising. The NCAA and the 33 participating merchants cover the remaining cost of refreshments and reimbursement of merchants who redeem the $10 off coupons given to participants. Any net proceeds are used for maintenance costs of Whistle Stop Park and Niwot Children's Park.

The LID also approved funding for the continuing restoration of the tree carvings "Eagle Catcher" and "Cheyenne Holy Man" by Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, and Jeff Wolcott. The first tree carving restoration, "Spear Lodge Man," is complete. The LID approved $9,750 toward the estimated annual cost of $10,750, with the NCAA and the NBA each contributing $500. Wolf is being paid $40 per hour for his artistic work, while Wolcott is donating the use of his barn as a workshop in addition to assisting Wolf and creating a base for the tree carvings.

The application stated that the restoration is expected to be complete by the summer of 2026.

The public is invited to an open house for the community to view the tree carving restoration to date, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Wolcott's barn, 9700 Niwot Road.

Lisa Rivard, a member of the NCAA's tree carving committee, hosted a display of the actual scroll from the Spear Lodge Man carving being restored as well as photos showing the process at Let's Wine About Winter, upstairs at Osmosis Gallery.

The NBA presented an application for funding the town administrator position for 2025, a role filled by Angela Hudgins. Bergeson said, "She touches just about everything." Noting that her primary role serves the NBA, he noted, "She helps other organizations as she can."

Scott Firle, LID Chair, spoke in support of the funding request for the position which was originally described as Economic Development Director, with Catherine McHale serving in that role until the duties changed. Firle said, "The transition has been amazing."

LID Treasurer Mary Coonce, who also serves as NBA treasurer, noted that three of the four NBA officers will be new, and that Hudgins will be a "stabilizing factor." Coonce herself stepped down as NBA treasurer.

In 2024, the position paid $24,000. Bergeson said the NBA had approved "a little bump" this year to $25,000, with the NBA contributing $1,500 toward the cost, for a LID funding request of $23,500. The request was approved unanimously.

MASTER PLAN & MINIMUM WAGE

In other matters, LID members noted that one final change was being drafted into Niwot's Master Plan based on input from a December community meeting survey. The one addition was to include traffic calming on Niwot Road to slow down traffic in the 35 mph zone.

The LID also addressed the minimum wage increase affecting unincorporated Boulder County, mentioning a continuing decline in LID annual sales tax revenue of approximately 9% and the closure of several businesses. "We are stepping up our efforts to convince the commissioners to pause the increase," Bergeson said. He reported that a task force has been formed which is partnering with a local farmer's group.

"We feel this is existential to our little business district," Bergeson said, noting that Niwot's minimum wage is now higher than every other surrounding Boulder County jurisdiction. "We are asking the commissioners to freeze the ordinance and link up to surrounding communities."

LID member Cornelia Sawle, who owns The Niwot Inn & Spa, said, "We need to link to Longmont." Longmont is still governed by the state minimum wage. Firle noted that he had sent a letter of concern, including "direct evidence of what's happening in Niwot," to the commissioners on behalf of the LID, but had not received a response.

The LID asked county liaison Mark Ruzzin to provide LID members with sample resolutions that could be used as a format for the LID to craft a formal resolution addressing the minimum wage concerns.

HEALTH & WELLNESS DAY REPORT

Patti Ashley submitted a report to the LID on the NBA's Health & Wellness Day held on Jan. 25 at Niwot Hall. She reported attendance of approximately 50 people at the NBA sponsored and LID funded event, which was held on a bitterly cold day, somewhat limiting attendance. Surveys of those in attendance were mostly positive.

"We'd like to do it again," Ashley said. "Vendors said they were 'most likely' or 'very likely' to participate in the future at health and wellness fairs." LID member Sarah Cioni said, "I noticed sign-up sheets on social media, so there are people being added to email lists."

P.I.D. PROGRESS

LID member Heidi Storz reported on progress toward putting a Public Improvement District (P.I.D.) on the ballot for Niwot voters next fall. Storz said a recent meeting of some HOA representatives resulted in a plan to go forward with forming an exploratory committee with as many contiguous Niwot subdivision representatives participating as possible, with the goal of exploring whether a P.I.D. modeled somewhat after the Burgundy Park and Homestead P.I.D.s is feasible.

Storz noted that the P.I.D. would primarily provide for subdivision road paving in addition to community projects included in the Niwot Master Plan, such as improvements to the intersection at Niwot Road and Second Avenue and a community park nearby.

Storz indicated that she had been in touch with Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann about the issue and had requested information from the Boulder County Public Works Department about the road conditions in Niwot, and estimated costs of rebuilding them.