The Nederland Board of Trustees discussed proposed vision statements for the Envision 2030 project during a regular, virtual meeting on June 15, 2021, at 7 p.m. The Board also approved a supplemental budget and appointments to the Nederland Downtown Development Authority, and discussed the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.

Envision 2030

Deputy Town Administrator Miranda Fisher introduced the Envision 2030 vision statements. Throughout the month of April, the Town sought feedback from the community on the vision statement, goals, and objectives that had been identified by the Envision 2030 Advisory Committee.

Ninety-two people participated in the public outreach process. The Envision 2030 Advisory Committee recently met to finalize the vision statements based on the feedback provided.

The Advisory Committee also updated the goals and objectives for each area of focus, but these items are not complete nor have they been publicly vetted. The Committee recommended that these items be revisited during the comprehensive plan update process to help ensure alignment between the vision statements and the comprehensive plan. The vision statements can be found at the Nederland Portal at https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/ Portal/MeetingInformation

Mayor Kristopher Larsen said the Town got a lot of comments and tried an online survey to get public input. “I think they are very strong,” he said.

Trustees said they liked the statements but see an opportunity to get more feedback regarding growth and development.

Trustee Julian Taylor said it is a very clear statement but should be presented with a bit of formality. He suggested one more round of discussion, and then reviewing again.

During public comment, Karen Blakemore suggested sending postcards to everyone in the community. Larsen said they should send this out for more input and turned to town staff about ways to do this without creating a burden. Fisher said it would cost $500 to send mail to all Nederland voters, but likes the idea of a Google survey.

Trustee Eric Coombs Esmail suggested canvassing the town, and he would go door to door. It is an opportunity to get more people involved in a very clear format and he would love to be a part of it. Other suggestions for getting out the vision included BackDoor Theatre and

Farmer’s Market.

Fisher said the committee will bring this back again to the BOT at a future meeting and that the public will have until July 2 to return comments. She will publicly post the vision statement soon. Larsen suggested pushing it out to the July 20 meeting in order to reach people at the Farmer’s Market, and the Board agreed. Larsen asked Esmail to work with Town staff to draft an appropriate document.

NDDA Appointments

Fisher introduced appointments to the Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA). An applicant must be either a property owner or a business lessee operating within the Downtown Development district.

Board members serve four-year terms. In June 2021, Brent Tregaskis and Claudia Schauffler’s terms on the NDDA expire and neither one is seeking reappointment. The Town received applications for the two vacancies, from Danielle Crouse and Steve Rowntree. At the June 9 NDDA meeting, the Board unanimously approved recommending Crouse and Rowntree for appointment to the board.

The Board approved the appointments of Dannielle Crouse and Steve Rountree to the NDDA Board.

Budget supplement

The Board approved a supplemental budget for 2021 proposed by Treasurer Rita Six. It will add the lease of the 2020 Chevy Tahoe for the Police Department as well as moving some funds between accounts. This supplemental budget includes increased revenue and expenditures for the addition of the Police Department’s 2020 Chevy Tahoe lease in the amount of $54,550. These changes will result in a zero net effect on financials. Revisions include the reclassification of $12,500 from “Vehicles” to “Capital Lease Principal” for the yearly lease payment. The resolution also reclassified $10,000 from “Salaries” to “Conference/Training” for the Police Department to provide assistance for the POST (Peace Officers Standards & Training) academy for a new candidate. And the final change is the removal of non-cash items from Sewer & Water Fund: Depreciation, Amortization, Capital & Debt Contra Accounts. These are for year-end financial statement adjustments only.

2018 Building Codes

Sustainability Coordinator Garret McDaniel introduced a discussion topic about adopting the 2018 building codes with some exceptions. He said that this would be of major importance, and the Board can make a big impact with it. Trustees instructed staff to implement the 2018 building codes as well as review additional energy conservation policies that can be incorporated into the 2018 Building Code.

McDaniel presented a comparison of the 2018 Building Codes with Boulder County’s BuildSmart Code. There are four major differences between the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and Boulder County’s BuildSmart Code: Insulation requirements, Energy Rating Index, Water Conservation, and Construction and Demolition.

The Sustainability Advisory Board would like to pass a motion to be similar to BC. 61 rating. Fisher said the Board will discuss this further in July.

Fisher announced that the Town will host the annual July 4 parade at noon. Participants will gather at East Street between the Post Office and Teen Center at 11:30 a.m. For spectators, the Grandstand at Salto and Tin Shed Sports will be available. The parade will include fire engines, antique cars, community bands, local businesses, costumes, and lots of bicycles’ red, white and blue.

The next Nederland Board of Trustees meeting will be virtual on July 6, 2021. For more information, go to https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation. aspx?Org=Cal&Id=391.