Jennifer Livingston, Nederland. The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting began on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at 8:03 p.m. 

A consent agenda was approved containing warrant reports and funding to update the DDA website.

Public Works Manager Chris Pelletier updated the DDA on the electrical connection in process for Guercio Field. They have received a line drawing from an electrical engineer created from a generic list of required criteria to meet code. It does not include site considerations such as extreme weather, vandalism and types of uses. Housing the panel in a 5x5 shelter or other vandal and weatherproof construct may save money by not requiring a weatherproof panel which Pelletier reports “can cost thousands of dollars.” When asked about budget and timeline, Pelletier responded that Xcel Energy is going to install the transformer, and as such the project is “at the mercy of their schedule.” Additionally, concrete work is weather sensitive and may delay installation. The March completion goal remains, though likely not in time for Frozen Dead Guy Days. Additionally, the project may exceed the $15,000 originally budgeted but Pelletier stated he’s “trying very hard to avoid that,” he is also waiting for final quotes for the work. 

The DDA desired the process around what type of structure was created to house the panel be as open and transparent as possible. Andrew Dewart wanted something aesthetically pleasing and secure. Board Member Claudia Schauffler suggested getting the fledgling public arts group involved. Mark Stringfellow said he’d bring the discussion to PROSAB and be sure to involve festival and event people. 

Nederland Fire Protection District Chief Rick Dirr sought guidance from the DDA on reporting for $60,000 the DDA has granted to the Fire Department. He’s testified to its usage, as previously reported, but needs to produce documentation of expenses. It was ultimately decided to clarify that DDA funds are used toward a staff position that performs inspections for local businesses and fire protection activities intended to protect the town. The DDA expressed their unanimous appreciation for responders who provided lifesaving CPR to an individual for over an hour before transport was possible, and asked Dirr to “tell everyone they did a great job”. 

Schauffler reported on a meeting between members of the DDA and a representative from a company called Merje that responded to the Request for Proposal for wayfinding signage. There were two companies, including one local company, that did not meet the proposal deadline and were not considered. Schauffler reported that Merje would engage the town in a “discovery process” involving the community, that will highlight and determine what the signs will indicate, where they will be placed, their themes and other related design considerations. The process is to be collaborative and inclusive. 

Merje will then bring three design options forward for further tweaking before creating a final project. Designs can include pieces by local artisans and fabrication can be bid to local companies. The whole process will likely take well into 2021 to complete due to the design process, seasonal installation restrictions, and lead time requirements for fabrication. Merje was involved in wayfinding signage for Mammoth Lakes CA, Missoula MO, and Parker CO, among others.  

Accounting for the DDA was discussed. Jennifer Hagey, Nederland’s Town Treasurer, offered to prepare the warrants, explain the financial and account for the DDA as she has to input the data into the towns software system regardless. This would streamline information sharing, hopefully streamline reporting and provide financial explanations to board members as necessary. There was some back and forth about having an independent bookkeeper or CPA but ultimately the NDDA decided to accept Hagey’s offer. 

The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) saw a presentation by JVA Inc., regarding a parking plan for Big Springs Dr., Lakeview Dr., and Conger St. At that point JVA Inc. had not consulted with TEBO Properties, a major property owner in the area, and the BOT requested JVA Inc. to follow up the DDA and TEBO Properties to create a more complete design. 

Stringfellow reported that he and JVA Inc. met with TEBO Properties, reviewed plans with Public Works, and suggested installing perpendicular parking in front of the Black Forest Restaurant building and across from the existing perpendicular parking on Big Springs. Parking would then be parallel along Big Springs, as well as down Conger. Stringfellow will go back to JVA Inc. with additional design improvements including smooth bottom reinforced concrete rather than corrugated metal for culverts as they are easier to maintain, as well as three drop drains. Initial cost projections were $206 - $320 thousand dollars. Stringfellow will communicate with JVA Inc. for a more specific cost once a final plan is settled upon. The BOT will have to approve the project. 

When asked about public input on the planning and design of the parking improvements the DDA responded that the project is encompassed by the Master Plan, which was created with public input. It’s notable that desired right turn lanes from Big Springs Dr. and Lakeview Dr. onto Hwy 119, as well as a potential traffic circle at Lakeview Dr. require Colorado Department of Transportation processes and would be a three to five year project, once movements were made to initiate them. 

Schauffler is working on forms and guidelines for requesting financial assistance for festivals and events. There is $5,000 budgeted for such requests and the DDA is looking at dispersing assistance based on survey results indicating the effect of certain events and festivals on local businesses, the more positive the impact the more assistance may be awarded. There may also be a cap per event or festival as well, in an effort to allow multiple dispersals as requests have already come in for greater than the total $5,000 budgeted. The DDA will request the BOT approve the $5,000 expenditure and an additional $500 for administering the program. 

The DDA continues to work toward creating an art committee and a Public Art Master Plan. The vision is that the DDA incubates the plan and the committee, which will matriculate into an independent entity in charge of raising money and administering the plan. The DDA has dedicated $5,000 toward the process and will publish a request for proposal for developing a master plan once the expenditure is approved by the BOT. 

During the most recent request for applications to be on the DDA the Town Received four applications. Barbara Hardt and Andrew Dewart were appointed by the DDA and approved by the BOT. Since then Mandy Kneer has stepped down reportedly to spend more time with her family. The other two applicants were Cory Sutton and Ron Mitchell. Karen Fletcher also submitted an application but was not present at the DDA meeting. Cory Sutton withdrew his application saying his nonprofit had picked up another donor and had gotten busier. Ron Mitchell remained interested and will be recommended to the BOT to sit on the DDA. 

The DDA also recognized the impact project administration has on the 20 hours a week allotted to the Executive Director and included $500 additional funds in their request for approval for both the event/festival financial assistance program and the Public Art Master Plan project. 

The Town Clerk reported that Town Administration, Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department recently created a “Large Special Event Master Parking Plan” which identifies 2,064 approved spaces for organizers to consider when event planning. The plan also calls for 26 traffic flaggers. The hope is to produce an effective and universal parking and traffic plan, and the town has applied for grants to contract with an agency to for assistance. 

More immediately, town staff anticipate that organizers will propose less expensive solutions and will continue to work toward solutions. Frozen Dead Guy Days have reportedly requested financial assistance from the town to pay for flaggers and signage in amounts that would exceed the $5,000 allotted by the DDA for such assistance. The DDA recognized that the event, per business survey responses, has an overall positive economic impact on the town and also desires to be able to assist other events and festivals with their requests as well. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the DDA will be on March 11, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Nederland Community Center in the Multi Purpose room. 

(Originally published in the February 20, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)