The Nederland Board of Trustees approved a Modification of Premise for Busey Brews during a regular, virtual meeting on July 20, 2021, at 7 p.m. The Board also discussed road improvements on Big Springs Drive, the Comprehensive Development Plan Intergovernmental Agreement with Boulder County, and American Rescue Plan funds.

Busey Brews patio

Deputy Town Administrator Miranda Fisher introduced the request for the Modification of Premise for Busey Brews at 70 E. 1st St, Nederland. The Colorado Liquor Licensing Authority had already approved the modification of premises for Busey Brews.

The applicant has a Malt, Vinous & Spirituous Tavern (City) license with the Colorado Liquor Licensing Authority and the Town of Nederland. Busey Brews has submitted a request to have their liquor license boundary extended to include their ground level patio at the back of their property.

Busey Brews received their temporary modification of premise license on June 2, 2020, and has received three extensions. The current license expires on October 31, 2021.

Under this temporary license, Busey Brews has been able to serve alcohol on their ground level outdoor patio. This is the same area for which Busey Brews is requesting a permanent modification of premises.

Town staff and the Fire Department did not have any concerns regarding this modification. The Board approved Busey Brew’s modification of premise request to allow alcohol to be sold and consumed on their ground level outdoor patio.

Big Springs Drive improvements

Public Works Manager Chris Pelletier requested using surplus revenue in the General Fund to support road improvements on Big Springs Drive by overlaying the road with asphalt at an estimated cost of $105,000.

The General Fund Balance has continued to increase during the past couple of years. The projected cost of the proposed project will represent about half of the General Fund surplus revenue incurred in 2020.

Pelletier said staff members have been exploring ways to utilize the street funds, because they get a lot of dust complaints. They could repair fractured asphalt and pave the road one mile past the current asphalt. He would like to do the work in early August or September. The Board agreed that it is a good plan, and asked Pelletier to bring this back as an action item at the next meeting.

Boulder County IGA

Mayor Kristopher Larsen introduced a discussion about the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Boulder County and the Town. The Comprehensive Development Plan IGA between Boulder County and the Town of Nederland is set to expire on March 22, 2022.

The Trustees will need to decide between continuing the IGA as written, continuing the IGA with amendments, or letting the IGA expire. The Board could also consider a temporary extension of the current IGA to allow more time for discussion with the Boulder County Commissioners.

Larsen asked if the Trustees would be interested in forming a subcommittee of two Board members who will continue discussions with the Boulder County Commissioners. Board members said they should get started working on an amendment since they don’t want to risk the IGA expiring. Trustees expressed agreement to work on a subcommittee.

Larsen said members who want to be on a subcommittee will be contacted, and they will have many more discussions.

American Rescue Plan

The Town of Nederland will receive $385,319.17 from the American Rescue Plan. This will come in two payments, one this year and one next year. The amount for the first tranche is $192,659.59. The second tranche will come no sooner than 12 months later and will be for $192,659.58.

The Town received the first tranche on June 23, 2021. Town staff recommend that the Board consider the following options for these funds:

Grit Removal: $100,000. Town staff discussed the need for grit removal with the Board on multiple occasions. Nederland’s Waste Water Treatment facility lacks equipment to remove grit from the treatment process which has an impact on mechanical operations at the facility.

Grit removal is necessary to avoid excess wear and tear on the facility’s pumps and to improve operational efficiencies. Total cost for the grit removal system is $100,000.

Town staff previously mentioned pursuing a DOLA grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to fund this need, but that is not a guarantee. Staff recommends using $100,000 from the ARP funds for grit removal.

The Board has previously expressed interest in assisting residents and businesses with their utility bills. If the Town were to pay off one of the quarterly bills (including clearing any late payments), it would cost about $30,000.

Staff requested funding a Full-Time Co-Responder for a salary of $97,148 with fringe benefits. The Town uses co-responders to assist with mental and behavioral health needs for the community. Boulder County Co- Responders recently recommended that the Town consider bringing on a fulltime co-responder to provide more direct support and case management services to Nederland residents.

“The co-responder would be an employee of Boulder County and an intergovernmental agreement would be signed stating that the Town would cover that person’s salary and fringe benefits. The reason for this arrangement is to ensure that the co-responder has immediate access to clinical supervision through the Boulder County co-responder program.”

To lessen the financial impact, Town plans to discuss splitting the cost with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, which means the person, if hired, would serve the Peak-to-Peak region. The collaboration with the Sheriff’s department, however, is not a guarantee.

Funds could also be used for premium pay for essential workers. During the pandemic, Public Works and the Police Department continued working their regular shifts and oftentimes, put themselves at risk due to the nature of their job. Town staff requested that the Board consider approving retrospective premium pay to compensate these employees for the work performed during the height of the pandemic.

The Town still has about $15,000 in CARES funding that will be used to upgrade the infrastructure in the Community Center to allow for hybrid meetings. Should the cost go over $15,000, Town staff requests that ARP funds be used to cover the difference.

The Board was in favor of infrastructure and premium pay for workers. Fisher said she can bring this back with lots of options.

The next Nederland Board of Trustees meeting will be virtual on August 17, 2021. For more information, go to https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/ Portal/ MeetingInformation. aspx?Org=Cal&Id=391.