Pamela Dumont, Nederland.

February

The NedFest board has decided to cancel the event this year primarily due to an absence of sponsorship, the condition of the venue and overall burnout. 

Staff learned of a grant for federal funds called Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The project proposal includes replacing sidewalks, reconstructing parking lots and adding electric charging stations. This federal grant is highly competitive and only available every four years. The full proposal would have an estimated value of 2.3 million dollars and the town would need to match 5 percent. The staff is seeking future funding support in the approximate amount of $69,000.

After presentations in December 2018 by Walker Consultants and Traffic Engineers, Inc concerning parking and pedestrian traffic, the DDA Board requested a further discussion be made due to the high costs with each proposal. The board agreed that updates needed to be made to the 2007/2010 parking assessments, wayfinding and paid parking plans. 

The Nederland Fire Department approached and supplied information to the DDA requesting an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to support the DDA mill levy revenue. 

The DDA Mill Levy expires on December 31, 2019 and will need voter approval to extend another seven years. An attorney has been retained and is compiling a plan to be presented at a future meeting. 

Claudia Schauffler will be continuing to work on options and quotes regarding signage for Caribou Village.

March

Staff learned of a grant for federal funds called Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The project proposal includes replacing sidewalks, reconstructing parking lots and adding electric charging stations. This federal grant is highly competitive and only available every four years. The full proposal would have an estimated value of 2.3 million dollars and the town would need to match 5 percent. The staff is seeking future funding support in the approximate amount of $69,000.

After presentations in December 2018 by Walker Consultants and Traffic Engineers, Inc concerning parking and pedestrian traffic, the DDA Board requested a further discussion be made due to the high costs with each proposal. The board agreed that updates needed to be made to the 2007/2010 parking assessments, wayfinding and paid parking plans. 

The Nederland Fire Department approached and supplied information to the DDA requesting an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to support the DDA mill levy revenue. 

The DDA Mill Levy expires on December 31, 2019 and will need voter approval to extend another seven years. An attorney has been retained and is compiling a plan to be presented at a future meeting. 

Claudia Schauffler will be continuing to work on options and quotes regarding signage for Caribou Village.

April

Hope Jordan was recommended to the Board of Trustees to fill the position of NDDA executive director after fellow applicant, Nicole Cavalino, decided to withdraw her consideration. Nicole showed her support for Hope by stating that due to her presence and knowledge of the community of Nederland, as well as her experience, she would be better suited for the position.

May

Two days in September 2018, CDOT performed a traffic survey to count the number of cars, average wait time and length of backups observed at the intersection of Lakeview and Highway 119. This comes after the DDA directed staff to reach out to CDOT for assistance in creating possible improvements for the flow of traffic at this intersection. CDOT analyzed the Level of Service (LOS), which is the quality of traffic flow.

In December 2018, CDOT had completed their analysis and determined four different scenarios for improvement. The fourth and last scenario offered was the overall best received because it was a better long-term solution. It involves constructing a mini roundabout at the intersection with a smaller center than the average roundabout due to space limitations. Special considerations for larger vehicles, such as delivery trucks, would be part of the design for the center island so they could maneuver on top of the island to make wider turns. Out of the four options provided by CDOT, this has the highest rating of LOS. A special committee was suggested to seek grant funding to aid with the cost in the construction of this traffic project. An estimated 25 percent was recommended to be added to the projected cost of $740,000 to account for utilities, surveying and unexpected costs.

A land use application was submitted to Boulder County for an emergency egress trail from Doe Trail to Magnolia Road. The US Forest Service identified the need for this trail in the event of a forest fire due to limited access from the east side of the neighborhood to Highway 119. The trail would be widened from 4 feet to 12 feet and include emergency pull offs. This would allow emergency vehicles to access the town in a different direction if needed. A biological survey of raptors and flammulated owls will be performed before construction begins. The trail will be diverted around specific trees which hold sentimental value with some residents and to support vegetation growth while being usable for vehicles. A gravel/soil mix is planned to be used for the trail. Construction may begin in the spring of 2020, pending funding and grant money approval which the Nederland Fire Protection District will be applying for in November. 

In February, staff introduced their plans to apply for TIP funding. They have decreased their application amount to $1.55 million from $2.3 million due to removing parts of the project that would not qualify for the federal grant. The DDA has agreed to fund $69,000 toward the project and the town will contribute $46,000, but an additional $70,000 is being requested to meet the 5 percent match required for the grant. 

This report has been completed directly from minutes of the Nederland Downtown Development Authority, as they were given to The Mountain-Ear. All information reported reflects official town meeting minutes.

(Originally printed in the July 4, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)