Jennifer Livingston, Nederland. The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting began promptly at 7 p.m. at the Nederland Community Center on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Trustees Dallas Masters and Kristin Conrad were absent. 

Mayoral candidates Chris Perret and Dan Harrower were present, as was Julian Taylor, who is a candidate for the Board of Trustees. Of course, Mayor Larsen was there in his current role as were Trustees Johnathan Baumhover and Karen Blakemore. All will appear on the ballot April 7, 2020. 

The meeting began with approval of the consent agenda. Ron Mitchell was recommended by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to join the DDA board and was approved by consent agenda. The Planned Investment Fee schedule changes discussed and agreed upon during the February 4, 2020, BOT meeting were included. The town attorney, town marshall and town prosecutor are all in support of maintaining consistency with the state and other municipalities for traffic laws by updating Nederland Traffic Code to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) new 2020 version of the Model Traffic Code. Nederland has been using the last version, from 2010.  

Staff began with Karen Gerrity, who nominated the Nederland Interagency Council on Homeless Encampment (NICHE) for a Metro Vision Award and the Denver Regional Council of Governments selected them for this prestigious recognition.

Colorado DOT is through with blasting in the canyon and full closures are no longer necessary. However, they will be stopping traffic in both directions at times for rock scaling, which is intended to protect the roadway from falling rocks. Drivers can expect up to 20-minute delays. Single lane closures will resume in April and will continue into the fall. 

Eldora’s general manager, Brent Tregaskis, met with town staff on February 13, 2020, to discuss overflow parking and traffic flow issues. Marshall Larry Johns suggested working with CDOT to use the sign at the bottom of the Canyon to indicate when the lot is full, engaging private shuttle services to assist, and perhaps renting spots from the Caribou Room. Tregaskis said he has been told by CDOT that flaggers were not allowed on Hwy 119, Marshall Johns offered to assist him. Tregaskis said that the resort hires two or more deputies to assist with traffic but that it’s sometimes difficult to find deputies, due to a shortage of officers. 

Marshall Johns also indicated that the town is working toward more staffing and funding to enforce local traffic and parking laws and the town is working on better signage.

Trustee Julie Gustafson mentioned that Eldora has a contract with Boulder Valley School District for using the Nederland Jr./Sr. High School parking lot on weekends which precludes efforts to use the lot during Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) in what would be an effort to raise funds for the school. She encouraged town staff to see if there was anything that could be done, and to continue to advance their relationship with Eldora. 

At the meeting, Jake Kaiser, of Public Works, was recognized for having the heart and taking the time to assist elders with snow removal beyond what is indicated as his responsibility. 

Sergeant Fine-Loven was recognized for her compassion and professionalism when intervening in neighborhood issues. 

Miranda Fisher is now the deputy town administrator/town clerk (DTA/TC). She will assume the responsibilities of the town administrator (TA) during absences and “provide leadership, vision and strategic direction in assisting with carrying out town goals and BOT directives. In addition, this position serves as the planning coordinator and supports the deputy zoning administrator who will now report directly to the DTA/TC.”

Fisher reported that she has been meeting with organizers of FDGD on a weekly basis in preparation for the event. She has worked with the Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works to develop a parking plan that identifies 2,064 possible parking spaces in Nederland. 

Short Term Rent and Additional Dwelling Unit permit applications are now available online and can be emailed and mailed as needed. Additionally, the website continues to be updated and includes a link and a feedback form. 

Town Marshall Larry Johns reports a relatively quiet month and continued work toward updating failing decals on police vehicles as well as continued work toward creating a safe and healthy vehicular fleet. 

Also, a good Samaritan helped identify and return an elderly woman to her Evergreen home after she had been out driving in dangerous, inclement weather. 

Sergeant Fine-Loven was appreciated for the excellent emergency medical attention she provided that ultimately resulted in a successful resuscitation. 

Jake Kaiser gave a report on behalf of Public Works. He reported long hours and many days straight that the department has worked during this snowy winter to ensure adequate snow removal and road safety. 

He discussed the possibility of placing some barriers and reflective sign options on a particularly treacherous downhill area of Big Springs. He reported issues related to people parking on the road which narrows the road, impedes snow removal and creates a significant safety hazard, and half joked that plows should be able to issue tickets. Marshall Johns will follow up. 

Public Works is looking into purchasing an asphalt machine that will allow staff to keep the asphalt hot enough in order to create smoother longer lasting applications for roadways and potholes. 

Nederland Community Center manager Dawn Baumhover explained that a much sought after program for seniors, called SilverSneakers, is a Medicare program intended to discount fitness memberships for seniors. Unfortunately, it is not a program that the Community Center is staffed, funded or insured to support at this time. She would like seniors to speak with her if they find fitness fees unaffordable, stating that they’re always able to work something out. 

Trustee Gustafson would like to see the Community Center maintain Sunday hours, which Dawn Baumhover stated had been tried in the past but use at that time did not warrant the hours. Gustafson pointed out that many mountain area Community Centers do maintain Sunday hours. Trustee Baumhover pointed out that many of the other towns’ facilities are tied into a recreation district that enables them to offer hours and programming beyond what’s possible in Nederland. Mayor Larsen suggested that moving toward creating a recreation district may be important for the next board to take up. 

Trustee Gustafson spoke to an interest in the community about local regulation of plastics. A bill that would have removed state preemptions in order to allow such ordinances, did not pass. She will continue to follow it as Colorado Communities for Climate Action and the Colorado Municipal League are working on a way to bring it up again this legislative session.

Trustee Baumhover reported that PROSAB is reviewing the trails master plan, first created in 2005, and updated in 2015, but never brought before a BOT.

Trustee Blakemore attended her first Planning Commission meeting as liaison wherein Roger Cornell and Steve Williams were appointed to chairman and vice chairman respectively. 

Trustee Alan Apt reported on an event that Nederland’s Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) sponsored with Wild Bear Nature Center and the Nederland Library. Thirty people participated in an empowering discussion about local actions to address climate change. Energy kits will be available for free at the library and include LED light bulbs, weather stripping and discounted energy audits. Low-income residents can also get free weatherization regardless if they are renters or owners through Boulder County. SAB continues to work toward finding ways to make renewable energy more accessible to residents. 

Kaiser obtained a “nod of four” from the BOT for Public Works to move forward with SAB to apply for a grant that will help Nederland move toward zero waste by determining a baseline of waste generation and to increase diversion. Trustee Baumhover emphatically discussed how “composting is the future” and thoroughly supports efforts to move Nederland away from wasting water and resources. Trustee Blakemore added that Nederland had a goal of 75% waste diversion by 2018, and she sees the project as a way to assess how close Nederland is to that goal and to strategize for improvements. 

The Kind Castle was found to be in compliance with all local and state regulations and their marijuana business license was granted. There was discussion and uncomfortability around yet another marijuana business in town. However, as Trustee Baumhover pointed out, despite concerns, it’s a right by use and the proprietors are in legal compliance. They have four parking spots assigned to the location at 98 S. Hwy 119 and will have employees park elsewhere to leave spaces available for business. 

Ron Mitchell requested another continuation of his hearing regarding installing paid parking meters on his properties and committed to being ready for the March 3, 2020, BOT meeting. 

The BOT approved four resolutions brought by Nederland Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The first is a transfer of funds from the DDA to the Nederland Fire Department to support fire inspections, protection, prevention and mitigation efforts. The BOT also approved $5,550 toward a public arts plan, and $7,550 for a much-needed website overhaul and ongoing maintenance and updating. Mitchell mentioned that he had “plenty of dreary buildings” that are prime canvasses for murals. Kathleen Chippi would like to see a mural on the community center. Kayla Evans suggested incorporating artifacts from the Nederland Area Historical Society in the plan. Lastly, the BOT approved $5,550 in funding for special events that the DDA has been drafting applications and guidelines for. 

The meeting ended with a discussion around a proposed public forum meeting style. The idea had been to create a format that would allow more communication back and forth between the BOT and the public. There was significant concern that despite moderation, the meeting would devolve and potentially be counterproductive. The meeting date would also potentially coincide with St. Patrick’s Day, which may not be the best time. The BOT may rather convene a special open meeting around Vision 2020 to discuss what’s been accomplished and what direction Nederland may need to go as the next benchmarks and goals are to be set by the next elected BOT. 

The next regularly scheduled BOT meeting will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Nederland Community Center.

(Originally published in the February 27, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)