The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) met on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 7 p.m. to receive an update on law enforcement staffing for the Town. The Board also honored Town Administrator Miranda Fisher on what would be her last BOT meeting before her resignation goes into effect.

Before their meeting, Trustees attended a closed Executive Session for “determining positions relative to an employment contract with a Town Administrator, developing strategies for negotiation of that contract, and instructing negotiators related to the employment contract.”

The BOT approved Resolution 2024 - 27, an agreement with Miranda Fisher for consulting services to the Town of Nederland, at the hourly rate of $61.25, to assist in creating a comfortable transition for the next Town Administrator. The agreement is effective May 25 through December 31, 2024.

The Board approved a Code of Conduct and Workplace Violence Policy. According to the Agenda Information Memorandum prepared by Fisher, the policy is a response to increasing concerns about the safety of Town employees and officials, and is meant to “proactively address and mitigate the risks associated with disruptive behaviors in the workplace.”

Trustees approved Resolution 2024 - 30, permitting the Town to partner with the Town of Lyons in applying for a Local Planning Capacity grant.

The grant requires a $10,000 match from both Nederland and Lyons and is for $180,000, to pay for the salary and other expenses related to hiring and employing a Housing Coordinator who would be responsible for managing housing development projects in both towns.

The BOT also voted to authorize the Town Administrator to apply for the right-of-way vacation of West 5th Street. If the application is approved, the property will be included as part of the whole Town-owned lot at 750 West 5th Street after the owner of the single abutting property files a quit-claim for their portion of the right-of-way.

The Board also approved accepting a transfer of three private roadways in the Caribou Ridge subdivision from the owners of the properties. The roadways are referred to on the subdivision’s final plat as Ridge View Road, Caribou Ridge Drive, and Juneau Circle.

June was officially proclaimed Pride Month by Trustees. Resolution 2024 - 31 stated that the Town of Nederland “urge[s] all residents to respect and honor our diverse community and celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance.”

Ayden Eickhoff of SE Group and Cheney Bostic of Studio Seed led Trustees in a discussion regarding the Comprehensive Plan update being drafted, with information on the current work on the Subarea Plan, which focuses on development in Nederland’s central business district.

Bostic reiterated that though many of the ideas presented within the Subarea Plan have been presented to the community before, the plan is aimed to provide a framework through which the BOT can execute on the ideas. The plan is being designed to “establish a vision for downtown Nederland for the next 15 to 20 years,” with more specific recommendations for transportation and public space improvements.

The presentation focused on Studio Seed’s recommendations affecting what they had labeled Catalytic Projects and Character Areas within the Town’s downtown area.

Catalytic Projects include redesigning East 1st Street as a festival street, recommended to be open to vehicles but able to be reserved only for pedestrians for street markets and other events; improving the Town’s major gateways and intersections; creating a second bridge across Middle Boulder Creek, specifically at 100 East 1st Street, a privately owned lot; building a waterfront park and amphitheater; and focusing on private investment and redevelopment.

For Nederland’s Character Areas, the Subarea Plan listed dedicating the Wolf Tongue Mill industrial area as a historic district, which could provide private property owners specific tax incentives; upgrading sidewalks; changing the flow of traffic through the Visitors Center parking lot; adding parking; creating a downtown loop of interconnected trails; adding better pedestrian crossings; and completely redesigning the Town’s roundabout.

A draft of the Subarea Plan is expected to be brought before the BOT by late June so that Trustees can review all of Studio Seed’s recommendations. The Subarea Plan will be ready to be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan Update by the end of the summer.

The BOT were given an update from Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) regarding staffing initiatives for dedicated officers for Nederland. Sergeant Asa Mirriam also made himself available to answer any questions or concerns from Trustees about the Town’s contract for law enforcement.

Mirriam reported that officers were providing Nederland with ten shifts a month for traffic control, out of a set budget of $60,000 for 2024, and reviewed the Town’s event schedule with Parks Manager Nicki Dunn.

It was noted that Nederland’s biggest traffic concern and liability regarding public safety is vehicles speeding through Town to get to Eldora or other locations on the Peak to Peak highway. Other weather-related road conditions also affect local safety. Mirriam stated that since January 1, 2024, BCSO deputies have personally completed 269 traffic stops with 260 summonses and 9 written warnings issued, and that the electronic system cited 530 stops with 482 summonses and 48 warnings.

Addressing the question as to when Nederland will be fully staffed by BCSO, Mirriam stated that, despite country-wide law enforcement staffing issues, several new deputies were hired and are expected to graduate academy in June. These new recruits will be able to reinforce those deputies with mountain town experience who have expressed interest in becoming dedicated officers for Nederland.

Nederland Fire Chief Charlie Schmidtmann spoke about his concerns regarding some gaps that he perceives in BCSO’s coverage. Schmidtmann was mostly concerned about the safety of his staff and volunteers when responding to medical calls, or calls of a potentially violent nature, without a BCSO officer immediately available.

It was explained that they could potentially renegotiate the contract with BCSO for more coverage at night as opposed to the day. Mirriam suggested that the Board should review call and response data as to when the Town requires the most coverage.

Mirriam reported that he has accepted another position within the BCSO and will be leaving the position of Nederland’s dedicated Sergeant at the end of June. Sergeant Jennifer Mendez will be taking over the position.

Fisher presented the State of the Town Address, updating Trustees on the status of various plans and projects outlined in the Town’s 2023 - 2024 Strategic Plan.

She detailed the work that has been done to improve Nederland as a professional working environment by bringing Town staff salaries up to the minimum state average, and creating professional development plans for each department and Town position.

The Town has worked to protect its water rights by filing its diligence application with the district water court and by seeking grants and other funding opportunities to help with water management and infrastructure.

While several plans are in process, including the Comprehensive Plan and Subarea Plan, other plans have been successfully completed, such as the Housing Needs Assessment. Fisher noted that the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan was on hold until 2025 so as to better align with the Comprehensive Plan once it is complete.

As for the strategic goal of improving the Town’s infrastructure, Fisher listed how the Safer Main Streets project aims to create new sidewalks, though it is currently delayed due to CDOT requiring updated environmental assessments. An Emergency Preparedness Plan is nearly complete and ready for the BOT to review, and the Town is seeking to partner with Boulder Watershed Collective to provide education to the community on emergency preparedness.

The Town has worked to champion economic growth and to maintain its infrastructure, with a water and wastewater user rate study to be completed by August, paid parking initiatives underway, four Nederdays events planned throughout 2024, a Tourism Management Strategy being implemented, and EV chargers soon to be installed in the Visitors Center to begin charging visitors and locals for power.

Fisher also noted that Nederland has set a precedent for other mountain municipalities to follow regarding having passed all changes to Town code that were recommended from the Housing Needs Assessment.

After listening to the State of the Town Address, the BOT extended their gratitude, appreciation, and support to Fisher for her service as Town Administrator. Fisher’s last day with the Town of Nederland will be Friday, May 24.

“I think hiring you back in 2021 was absolutely the best decision that Board made,” Trustee Kristopher Larsen said. “Thank you so much and I can’t wait to hear what comes next for you.”

“She’s an amazing woman, always so positive, and it’s just been a pleasure to work with her,” Town Attorney Jennifer Madsen said.

“I will forever be grateful that the place that gave me a start for a lifelong career in city management is my home town,” Fisher said. “It has a different level of meaning when you can serve your home town.”

In her last official staff report to the BOT, Fisher listed the accomplishments she was proud of from her five-year career with the Town of Nederland, from operating through COVID 19, to leveraging partnerships, to bringing broadband to the entire region.

She extended her thanks to the Trustees and Mayors she has served with over the years, and to the staff she has worked alongside, as well as the team that she has helped build.

Fisher also left these words of hope for the community:

“Nederland is a wonderful place with passionate residents, but sometimes we can be hard on each other and on the staff who strive to serve us. I encourage everyone to express their concerns and frustrations constructively, seeking understanding and approaching each other with kindness and respect. By fostering a culture of empathy and cooperation, we can ensure that Nederland remains a place where everyone feels valued and heard.

“Thank you, Nederland, for the memories, the challenges, and the achievements. I carry forward the lessons learned and the friendships made. Here’s to the continued growth and success of our beloved town.”

The Board was tasked with voting on Ordinance 862, instituting a Plastic Bag Fee and Polystyrene Product Ban for Nederland’s retail stores and restaurants starting July 1, 2024.

The ordinance prohibits businesses from distributing plastic bags and any container that is made of polystyrene (Styrofoam). Retail stores and restaurants can supply a reusable paper bag to customers for a ten-cent fee, though Trustees previously asked for clarification on whether biodegradable bags are considered “reusable.”

Town Attorney Madsen specified that the ordinance defines “disposable bag” as “any plastic or paper bag, other than a reusable bag, that is provided to a customer by a retailer at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting goods.”

A reusable bag was defined to be “made from cloth, fiber, or other fabric or a recycled material such as polyethylene terephthalate.”

Ordinance 862 was approved by unanimous vote.

Fisher led Trustees in a discussion regarding the Town’s recommendation to increase Town Prosecutor Avi Rocklin’s monthly fee. Fisher stated that Rocklin’s workload has extended beyond court hours because more tickets have been issued by the BCSO.

After a brief discussion, Trustees approved the increase for Rocklin.

The Nederland Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 7 p.m. and can be attended either online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. For more information go to: https://townofnederland.colorado.gov/board-of-trustees.