Pamela Dumont, Peak to Peak.

June

The June Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on June 12, 2019. Nederland Parks and Works Manager Chris Pelletier discussed ideas for solutions to the Lakeview Drive traffic issues and a possible roundabout. Pelletier said that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) did not offer any funding toward this project even though a section of the road is managed by CDOT and not the town, as Chairman Brent Tregaskis reminded everyone. 

NDDA members suggested adding a righthand turn lane to the proposal, and Vice Chairman Mark Stringfellow would like the consideration of relocating a small section of the sidewalk to install this turn lane, while the rest of the project is underway, as the roundabout could take years to commence and finish. 

The Big Springs Egress project is in the works and, according to the NDDA Board, they have addressed the community’s concerns regarding the environmental impact through several media outlets and board meetings. This trail will only be used in emergency situations. 

After reviewing the proposal for the TIP federal funding for transportation improvements, the board discussed that the Jefferson Street section does not fit the criteria for this grant, so the $69,000 match funding committed by the NDDA has been reduced to $50,000.  Because Jefferson Street needs repair and the TIP funding does not cover local road reconstruction, Pelletier requested an additional $70,000 for the project.

The TIP grant, if received, would cover the overlay of the Visitor Center parking lot and sidewalk improvements from town to the RTD station. The NDDA Board expressed concerns about the budget, and Pelletier said that money is available from the voter-approved street tax. Town Administrator Karen Gerrity suggested tabling this item until the next meeting so the NDDA could review the information. 

Board Member Claudia Schauffler brought into discussion ways that the NDDA could work with festival planners to bring in and keep festivals in the town. Members discussed the potential of the NDDA taking over the bureaucratic aspects of planning such as traffic flow, parking and festival applications. 

The proprietor of Frozen Dead Guy Days, Amanda Macdonald, expressed concerns with the rules and paperwork from the town to put on the festival and has considered moving the event to the Gilpin County Fairgrounds. Macdonald suggested that the town create a festival package to make planning events easier. 

Nederland NDDA Member Ron Mitchell suggested that making a template for parking and traffic flow during events would be beneficial in the planning process. The NDDA requested a proposal from MacDonald with the NDDA executive director offering to work with MacDonald in the development of the proposal. It is unanimously agreed that FDGD is a substantial economic boost for local businesses. 

The NDDA’s food truck survey revealed that local businesses were in favor of having food trucks in town, as reported by Treasurer Amanda Kneer. The board voted to move this discussion item to an action item to be presented in front of the Nederland Board of Trustees. 

July

The July NDDA meeting was Brent Tregaskis last night as chair. The NDDA unanimously approved the nominations of Steve Karowe for the chair position and Stringfellow for the vice chair position. A unanimous vote also approved $500 to hire an attorney for a workshop on “Business Owners and Their Rights.” Claudia Schauffler was appointed the role of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Advisory Board (PROSAB) liaison for the MDDA. The executive director stated that a resolution was ready to be presented at the July Board of Trustees meeting to engage Collins, Corkrel and Cole for the November election. 

The board requested Elizabeth Allen to meet during the August meeting to discuss a proposal for the 2020 summer season. 

Mark Stringfellow arranged for youth volunteers to weed and sweep the downtown area. Hope Jordan will follow up with Jim Reis, the youth coordinator at the First Presbyterian Church, to move things forward. Pelletier agreed to have a visiting youth group cut and sweep the tall grass. 

Board Member Rea Orthner had expressed interest in the removal of noxious weeds and requested the funding to employ a steam machine. The board decided to hold off on voting for funding at this time. Orthner was not present during the July meeting and they would like her to pinpoint locations and further explain her ideas for the Noxious Weed Removal agenda Item.

Board member Schauffler introduced Jessica Ansari to design several signs to be used in the wayfinding project for downtown Nederland. The NDDA enjoyed Ansari’s presentation and agree that her designs fit well with the town. 

At the request of board members, the executive director and Ron Mitchell will meet to discuss the true cost of the project to place banners at the entryways to the town. Mitchell would like to have banners at each entryway, not just Boulder Canyon. Concerns of banner upkeep and maintenance arose. Mitchell was asked to return to the August meeting with further details about logistics when the treasurer would also be present to answer funding questions. 

Teens Inc. Executive Director Stephen LeFaiver requested $2,000 to fund the NedNed race, a fundraising event for Teens Inc. The amount, which is in the thousands, was questionable to Chair Tregasikis, and a smaller contribution was more realistic. LeFaiver explained that the race could also be used to market the NDDA, and Tregaskis asked if LeFaiver could return to a future NDDA meeting with a proposal, which Karowe agreed to help with. 

Rea Orthner had requested a discussion about expanding board membership. Gerrity reminded the NDDA that they had decided to hold off on accepting new members until after the November election. The board decided to leave this item open for a future meeting when all board members are available. 

August

At the August 14, 2019 meeting, Town Administrator Karen Gerrity announced that the new roof on the community center was completed, as well as multiple improvements that have been made to the streets of Nederland including road stabilizations and repairs. 

Elizabeth Allen gave an update on the town’s beautification project, stating that everything was coming in on budget. The garden at Highway 119 and Third Street is in place and blooming. She discussed planting fall bulbs such as mums and daffodils. 

CDOT’s previous plans to start construction at the current traffic circle this month have been postponed to next summer, so the area will be weeded and planted. Allen said that after five years, this will be her last year working on the beautification project. She thanked the NDDA for their time working together and the NDDA thanked Allen for her hard work. 

Hope Jordan spoke about three microgrants out of a Workforce grant. The first, a website microgrant, will encourage local businesses to develop their own websites to boost business. The second is for a signature event application which would be used for supporting special events to increase economics in the town. The third is called Activation, which would make downtown more active and get the community involved. Such ideas would involve local artists creating murals or sculptures in town. 

Mark Stringfellow recommended writing an RFP to move forward with creating diagonal parking at Big Springs and Conger Street with the approval of members. Hope Jordan agreed to write the RFP for the 2020 Beautification proposal and will seek to continue a relationship with City Floral, as Elizabeth Allen has done. 

Claudia Schauffler spoke about the Wayfinding project, although Jessica Ansari was out of town and unable to deliver the proposed images of the signs to present to the NDDA for the August meeting. This item will be postponed until the images are available and can be presented at a future meeting. Schauffler offered that the Wayfinding project would not just include signs, but also marketing for the town. 

Stringfellow announced a motion to approve the independent mailing ballot for extending the expiring bill levy for the upcoming election on November 5, 2019, which was approved.

John Belina and Corey Haze, from Ricochet Ideas, gave a small presentation of marketing. Their suggestion was to brand the town to drive more people in and to spend time in Nederland. Members of the NDDA appeared open to their suggestions but expressed concerns over funding. 

Gerrity reminded members that TIF funds cannot fund any marketing strategies and operating would need to be used for this kind of project. Treasurer Mandy Kneer pointed out that the limited budget and grant funds would be the best option. Stringfellow pointed out that if the NDDA were to pursue any marketing consultants, it would need to happen next year. Belina agreed to compose estimates of costs.

The NDDA and PROSAB would still like to see Barker Meadows with electricity and lighting, which could be used for festivals and farmer’s markets. The NDDA suggested that PROSAB work with Public Works to make a proposal and get specifics on paperwork regarding what is needed so the project can move forward. 

(Originally published in the August 29, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)