“A clean document needs to come to everyone. There are some comments from the Board [of Trustees] that do need to be addressed, but I do think we’re relatively close to a completed version where everyone can agree on it.””

Town Manager Jonathan Cain

NEDERLAND - The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to give another review to their updated bylaws and a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Authority and the Town of Nederland. 

The bylaws are meant to guide the Authority on adhering to the collaborative processes set by the Town and the Board of Trustees (BOT), including the NDDA’s audit, budgetary, and project planning processes.

The MOU specifies the Town’s role in financially managing the Authority, in overseeing administrative matters and projects, and in approving Board elections. It also outlines the best practices for collaboration between the two entities.

Criterion for approval

During the BOT’s review of the Authority’s documents on Tuesday, July 1, Trustees questioned certain language within the documents pertaining to “public good” as the criterion for approving NDDA projects. There was consideration of defining “public good” as “long-lasting infrastructure projects.” 

Town Manager Jonathan Cain stated that he would be researching the matter of defining “public good,” including assessing language within state statute, and will discuss the legal language of such a definition with the Authority and their attorney.

“A clean document needs to come to everyone,” Cain said to the NDDA. “There are some comments from the Board [of Trustees] that do need to be addressed, but I do think we’re relatively close to a completed version where everyone can agree on it.”

Cain hypothesized that the final version of the bylaws and MOU should be voted on in August, which will coincide with the completion of the Authority’s Plan of Development, as well as with the timing of the BOT’s strategic planning sessions and upcoming budgetary conversations. 

Board elections
Board members took action on electing the Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer positions, one of the responsibilities outlined in their bylaws. John Thompson was elected Treasurer, Scott Papich was elected Vice Chair, and Andrew Dewart was elected Chair. All will serve one year terms. 

There is currently one available position on the Authority, as Board member Danielle Crouse gave her official resignation during her delivery of a Public Art Committee report.

Crouse has served on the NDDA for four years and has been integral in the organization’s public art projects, including the many murals in the downtown area, the decorated picnic benches, and the organization of the NederDay of Art. Crouse expressed that she will remain on the Public Art Committee.

Executive Director Kate Masingale and Board members thanked Crouse for her efforts on the NDDA. 

Executive Director job description
The NDDA continued their discussion and review of a revised job description for the Executive Director position, which detailed qualifications and performance indicators for the role, as well as key responsibilities. These included the “strategic execution” of all NDDA activities and ensuring that those activities “enhance the economic vitality and infrastructure of Nederland’s downtown.”

Executive Director Masingale stated that research on benefits for the position is still being conducted. Masingale suggested that an executive session be planned with Town Manager Jonathan Cain in order to review the structure of the position as it may involve a split structure with the Town regarding employee benefits. 

Board members had no further questions and agreed with Masingale’s suggestion to plan an executive session. 

Funding resolutions  

The Authority was also set to approve three funding resolutions for its 2025 projects. Resolution 2025-01 was for $120,000 for the successful Summer Concert Series; Resolution 2025-02 was for $75,000 for downtown beautification; and Resolution 2025-03 was for $50,000 in event support funds.

The matter of approving the resolutions was tabled until the Authority’s August 13 meeting to provide more time for review by the NDDA attorney. 

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. and will be held online as well as in person at the Nederland Community Center. 

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