John Scarffe, Nederland. The Nederland Board of Trustees swore in new members and officers during a virtual meeting on April 21, 2020. The Board also approved funds for Nederland Downtown Development Authority projects, including assistance for businesses in the Downtown Development District. 

On April 7, 2020, the Town of Nederland held its municipal election. Based on the counts of votes the following individuals have been voted into office, according to meeting minutes. Mayor Kristopher Larsen was reelected to a two-year term ending April 2022.  

For Trustee: Jonathan Baumhover, reelected to a four-year term ending April 2024; Eric Coombs Esmail, elected to a four-year term ending April 2024; Julian Taylor, elected to a four-year term ending April 2024; Tania Corvalan, elected to a two-year term ending April 2022; Lindsey Danforth, elected to a two-year term ending April 2022. 

Mayor Pro Tem Gustafson swore Mayor Larsen into office, and Mayor Larsen swore into office trustees Baumhover, Coombs-Esmail, Danforth, Corvalan and Taylor. Mayor Larsen also swore in Karen Gerrity as town administrator, Jennifer Hagey as town treasurer, Miranda Fisher as town clerk, Larry Johns as town marshal and Jennifer Madsen as town attorney. 

Larsen asked Trustee Baumhover to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, and Baumhover said he would serve in the role. The Board approved Baumhover as Mayor Pro Tem. The Board also approved appointment of liaisons to Advisory Boards and Commissions.

Hope Jordan, executive director for the DDA, requested approval for the 2020 beautification project. The DDA formed a committee in November 2019 and interviewed and hired Michael Reichart for the position, according to meeting minutes. 

Jordan stated that they would like to start work May 1, 2020, and added the increase in cost is due to the DDA allotting more hours for general up-keep and to take care of more flower beds. They would have 23 containers. 

Trustee Baumhover asked if landscaping is an essential service, and Gerrity said several municipalities are allowing for landscaping. Boulder County had confirmed with the state that it is allowed under the current order. 

During public comment, Tania Corvalan was concerned about how much more money is being paid for this project than last year and the $5,617.14 budgeted for unforeseen and wanted to know how that would be used. Corvalan also questioned the $1,500 project management fee, according to meeting minutes. 

Corvalan said she does not feel this is an appropriate use of funds at a time when the Town is broke and public works has lost multiple employees. Mayor Larsen explained that the money would be taken from the DDA budget, not the Town budget. 

After discussion, Larsen asked for confirmation that this project was approved unanimously by the DDA, and Jordan confirmed. The Board unanimously approved funds for the Downtown Development Authority Beautification Project. 

Jordan requested approval of Funding for Covid-19 Consultation Services for the Downtown Development District Businesses with the Board. Trustee Blakemore asked what the consultant hourly rate is and when the services will begin. 

Jordan stated that it is her regular hourly pay as the Executive Director and that the services would officially start after the resolution was passed, although Jordan she has already started helping businesses. The consultation services would go for about eight weeks and then the DDA would reassess if the services were still needed.  

Fisher explained that the Board would need to approve the resolution to activate the funds. Gerrity said that TIF funds have to be borrowed and then paid back. Fisher and Gerrity offered to meet with Corvalan at a separate time to review the DDA budget and discuss how their funding works.  

The Board approved Funding for Covid-19 Consultation Services for Downtown Development District Businesses and funds for Covid-19 assistance for businesses in the downtown development district. DDA Board Member Claudia Schauffler, requested funds for Covid-19 assistance for businesses in the Downtown Development District with the Board. 

Trustee Conrad asked if after some of the logistics were worked out like the third-party vendor and if this action item would come back before the Board. Schauffler stated that the resolution needs approval by both boards and they hoped the DDA and BOT could work together on the outstanding items that need to be figured out. 

“Mayor Larsen confirmed that this action item would come back before the Board and that a vote tonight would approve the DDA to continue to move forward. Larsen stated that there is urgency behind this resolution as many businesses have been shut down for over a month,” according to the minutes. 

Trustee Baumhover said the DDA will be using a third-party because they do not have the bandwidth or expertise to be taking on the distribution of funding themselves. Baumhover said the intent is to have oversight by the Trustees and that he will be serving as the person to do that since he has been involved in the development of the assistance program. 

DDA is asking the Board to act in good faith and approve this resolution to allow the DDA in collaboration with Town staff to move forward. Gerrity reported that she has been talking with Boulder County and is hoping they will provide the services for free. 

Gerrity stated that the main criteria are that it has to be a Nederland business operating in the district and that any additional criteria would be set by the DDA. The Board approved a motion to approve Funds for Covid-19 Assistance for Businesses in the Downtown Development District. 

The Board met on May 5, 2020, and the next meeting will be on May 19, 2020.