John Scarffe, Nederland. The Nederland Board of Trustees passed policies to enforce zero-waste policies at Nederland events during a regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in the Nederland Community Center. Also, residents turned out to support the board, which agreed to move forward with a grant for a sustainability advisory coordinator and a short-term rental policy.

Following a petition for a recall of three board members, 10 community members showed their support for the board and for civility at meetings during public comment at the meeting. Julian Taylor said that society is not a community but a lose amalgam of individuals meeting their own needs. Throughout history, human beings have joined with others so their lives may be improved overall. 

“I rise to ask that we try to accept each other and respect everyone in hopes of a mutual benefit to get what we need and what our neighbors need,” Taylor said. Long-time resident Arden Buck pointed out that some of the meetings have gotten ugly with personal attacks, and this behavior is a sign of weakness. Better to make points with clear and confident language, he said, asking speakers to be courteous.

Trustee Alan Apt introduced a draft ordinance regarding public assembly, special event permits and requirements for zero-waste provisions. He said that for some time, the town has been trying to come up with code to enforce its zero-waste resolution, which passed in 2012 accepting the Boulder County action plan, which recommends that the town requires zero waste planning for public events on town property. 

SAB member Hunter Wright presented the need for an updated zero-waste ordinance. SAB in conjunction with staff has expressed a desire to have better enforcement of zero-waste practices for special events. A resolution for zero waste currently exists along with requirements within the special events application for complying with zero waste, but the town has no real mechanism for enforcement. Staff was given direction to present a draft updated ordinance to the board.  

 Wright said that SAB was directed by the trustees to find ways to help with zero waste, and the town will help with compostable materials and other options as well. Proposed changes to the codes regarding public events with 40 or more persons will require a zero-waste event permit that must be submitted 60 days before the event and must be obtained every year. 

The permit holder must have recyclable and compostable collections, notify the town of any changes and be sure it is cleaned and restored to its previous condition or the event organizer will incur charges to clean, according to the agenda information memorandum. The goal of the ordinance is to provide that mechanism for enforcement, and so they request the board consider approving the request. The Boulder County waste plan suggests a deposit fee, and Hunter said they are moving forward and putting that into the fee schedule.

Masters suggested removing sections two and three of the ordinances. Number two should be in a document the staff creates and number three, permit holder, should notify the town. Section 2.  Section 6-71 of the Nederland Municipal Code, entitled “Permit Required,” is hereby amended to read as follows in its entirety: “A special event permit shall be required prior to the planned assemblage of 40 or more persons upon the public streets or public places of the town.”   

Section 3. Section 6-72 of the Nederland Municipal Code states that it is entitled “Permit application,” and is hereby amended to read as follows in its entirety: “Application for such permit shall be made in writing to the town administrator or designee. Applications shall be made to the town administrator or designee on forms provided by the town which shall request event and organizer.”

The board approved the zero-waste policy with sections one and two deleted. After a nod of four, the board approved moving ahead with a grant proposal for a sustainability coordinator.

Trustee Alan Apt said a lot of grants are available that the town can leverage. Boulder County is willing to pay half, and the town could look at opportunities across the town to be sustainable.

The board moved the item to an information item for budget discussions, and then SAB presented the need. SAB recommended the town establish a contracted sustainability coordinator staff position beginning in 2020 and asked the Board of Trustees to allocate $15,000 for this position in the 2020 budget. 

The Nederland Sustainability Action Plan from 2013 recognizes the need for a sustainability coordinator, according to the agenda information memo. The resolution creating the Sustainability Advisory Board allows SAB to request that the town employ a sustainability professional to assist it, according to the memo.

Providing a paid sustainability coordinator position for Nederland would allow the town to achieve current and future sustainability goals, have staff expertise for environmental planning decisions and recommendations on sustainable facilities and practices. The board could leverage sustainability grant funding to increase staffing and the town’s ability to achieve sustainability objectives given Nederland’s fiscal resource limitations. Having a coordinator would also increase communication between the Board of Trustees, SAB and other town boards on sustainable issues and initiatives, provide expertise to town businesses and residents for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, zero-waste initiatives and other sustainability objectives. It would as well likely save the town and residents money as investments into sustainable and efficient facilities are often economical, it would reduce the workload on existing town staff, such as Public Works, by taking over responsibilities related to sustainability initiatives. The position would as well reduce the volunteer workload required of SAB and other town boards to make meaningful progress toward Nederland’s sustainability goals, allowing Nederland to become a leader among small towns in sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

To provide stability and a competitive salary for this position, SAB asked Nederland to provide matching funds of up to $15,000 in 2020, with the intention to provide an additional $15,000 each year in 2021 and 2022 upon success of this pilot project, according to the memo. “A dedicated three years will give this position the stability and time needed to be successful, to establish practices and protocols, and lay the groundwork for the Town of Nederland to achieve its sustainability goals now and into the future,” according to the memo. 

SAB asked the trustees to send a letter to the Boulder County Commissioners explaining that the trustees commit to funding such a position.

The board passed several motions regarding the proposed short-term rental ordinance. Staff will work on a clean draft and post it. The board will conduct a public hearing regarding the ordinance at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Learn more about STRs at: https://nederlandco.org/short-term-rentals/.

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