On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the Nederland Board of Trustees met at 7 p.m. for a scheduled work session with the Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA). The purpose of the work session was to discuss the working collaboration between both entities and to evaluate NDDA’s current town improvement projects, such as the Big Springs Parking project, as well as the long-term goals of the NDDA.

Trustees and NDDA board members discussed the challenges of collaboration between all of the town’s boards and commissions. Precise scheduling to organize the different agendas and more email correspondence between members were discussed as methods to more strategically collaborate. Trustees addressed the idea of streamlining the Nederland planning process to decrease the “scrambling” of information and project proposals between all the boards.

Town Administrator Miranda Fisher noted that all boards could adapt a “forecast” method of agenda planning for the entire year and provide their real-time planning in a central hub that can be accessed by other board members. NDDA Vice Chair Andrew Dewart noted that ideally the BOT and NDDA should work together and not be viewed in opposition to one another, and mentioned that any process that can create open transparency between the two entities, including an intermediary, would be incredibly beneficial.

Fisher and others agreed that a member of Town Staff is most suitable to act as an intermediary responsible for sharing information between all boards to assist in the organization of agendas. The mutual conclusion was met due to the fact that town staff already fills that role to some degree by being present for, and organizing most board meetings.

The BOT were provided with information on the NDDA’s history, its powers and duties, and its financial structure. The NDDA is a board composed of seven landowners and business lessees, and one liaison from the BOT, who collectively have the authority to “study, prioritize, and propose development projects” that directly impact their operating boundaries, referred to as Nederland’s Central Business District (CBD).

The NDDA is funded through incremental property tax revenue generated from the increase in property value of the surrounding area, which is directly influenced by decisions made by the NDDA itself. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds are generated from the difference between the value of an improved property and the base value of properties which is, within a TIF district, frozen for a period of 20 to 30 years. The base value of properties within the CBD is frozen at the 2005 value, the year that the NDDA was formed.

The BOT was presented with an update on the status of various ongoing projects from 2022, as well as information on upcoming projects and the NDDA’s long-range plans. All projects chosen by the NDDA are gauged by the perimeters defined in their 2017 Master Plan.

In 2022 the NDDA provided support for local businesses and special events in the form of funding for advertising and traffic and safety control. Town beautification and public art projects were successfully completed in 2022, which provided floral decorations displayed townwide last summer, and two new colorful murals painted on businesses in Nederland.

Two projects from 2022 will continue into 2023, including the Big Springs Parking project. The project consists of raising a parking lot and putting in a concrete retaining wall at the Black Forest building, implementing a new storm pipe, as well as creating sidewalks, paved entrances to the building, and parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. Final paving on the project is expected to be completed this coming spring.

The tourism and mobility initiative known as the Wayfinding project will also continue into 2023. “Phase Two” of the project involves the design and production of signage aimed to assist directing visitors to key areas around town, including local attractions and parking, as well as the proper mapping of the signage.

In 2023 the NDDA will continue its support of local businesses and events, as well as continue with beautification and public art initiatives. The NDDA will be developing a committee to discuss a “river walk” project. They will be working with the Town of Nederland on repairs to the covered bridge, and will continue to plan for the construction of an outdoor performance space.

Trustees and NDDA board members discussed what other projects would fit in the NDDA’s jurisdiction, with some Trustees suggesting permaculture efforts and others suggesting directly funding efforts to assist local businesses. NDDA Treasurer Ron Mitchell clarified that projects that generate business revenue is what TIF funds are meant for.

The issue of what projects should be funded by TIF funds was also raised, with the BOT and NDDA mainly discussing infrastructure-based or general repair projects and dissecting what determines a project being financially beneficial to the CBD. The discussion led into the NDDA creating a template for a parking plan specifically for special events, such as outdoor concerts and festivals.

NDDA Vice Chair Dewart and Treasurer Mitchell addressed the BOT on the issue of back-in parking being selected as the preferred style for the Big Springs Parking project. Back-in parking was chosen during the design phases of the project by the NDDA’s Big Springs Committee and the engineering consultant firm JVA, and the BOT approved the plans in order for the project to move forward.

Dewart and Mitchell provided several articles which listed reasons for why back-in parking is safer and preferred, including reducing the risk of accidents and creating an easier exit in case of an emergency. The issue of back-in parking at the project’s location has been brought before the Trustees by members of the public.

There was some question of whether or not refusal to back-in park could be a ticketable offense. For back-in parking to be enforceable it would require the BOT to adopt a law. Though some Trustees were in favor of adopting a law, there was a discussion concerning when is best to softly introduce a concept to a community such as back-in parking and when is best to create and strictly enforce a law.

Generally the BOT and NDDA agreed that back-in parking, especially in that area of Big Springs Drive, is the preferred and most safe form of parking.

Mitchell provided to the BOT an update on the increase to the town’s Certificate of Deposit (CD) by $250,000, increasing the line of credit to $500,000. The proposal was suggested for the town to borrow from the line of credit on one day and then pay it back the next day to establish credit as a secondary source for funding projects that exceed the reach of the NDDA budget.

On October 18, 2022, the BOT voted to approve the proposal. The NDDA was returning the matter to the BOT due to a change in the transaction with Sunflower bank, decreasing the cost of the CD from the original proposed amount of $1,500 down to $250.

The Nederland Board of Trustees meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Their next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 7 p.m. and can now be attended either online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. For more information: https:// townofnederland.colorado. gov/ board-of-trustees.

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their latest meeting was on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, starting at 6 p.m., and coverage of that meeting will be available in the next edition of The Mountain-Ear. Their next scheduled meeting is for Wednesday, February 8, 2023, and will be held online as well as in person at the Nederland Community Center.

For more information go to: https:// townofnederland.colorado.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/ downtown-development-authority.