John Scarffe, Nederland. During the NDDAs regular, virtual meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, the Nederland Downtown Development Authority Board approved hiring Merje Design to develop wayfinding signage, approved the reorganization of the Small Business Support Committee to assess the needs of small businesses through the Winter, and hired Flagstaff Surveyors to survey the Big Springs area in front of the former Black Forest to develop parking, drainage, and sidewalks. The NDDA approved hiring Financial Consultant Dana Edwards to lead the creation of a NDDA Financial Policy to guide the potential investment of unencumbered funds. On November 17, 2020, at 7 p.m. the NDDA will present the parking survey recommendation, as well as the approval of hiring Ms. Edwards to the Town of Nederland Board of Trustees. 

 Board Member Claudia Schauffler introduced a recommendation to the Board to hire Merje Design to develop a holistic wayfinding design for the NDDA Downtown District. The Wayfinding Committee met with several companies who responded to the NDDAs request for proposals. Merje Design’s bid was favored by board members because of the discovery process it availed. The committee recommended engaging Merje for Nederland’s wayfinding project, primarily because Merje is a “design only” firm. The NDDA recognizes the design stage of the project is essential to driving consumers to businesses and Nederland gems. Merje will also assist the NDDA with sign manufacturing and installation. Through Merje’s discovery process, alternative signage will also be considered, such as digital mapping. An app developer approached the Wayfinding Committee about developing a wayfinding app for Nederland. Board Members agree that digital mapping is a forward-thinking approach, as digital information will grow in popularity over time. Board Members also discussed how the Wayfinding Project and the NDDA’s Public Art project could work well together.  

Board Member Schauffler recalled the Small Business Assistance committee into action. Board Members discussed the need to help Nederland District businesses through the winter. The weather will impact each of them. The committee will survey the business community and formulate various ways to support them during the pandemic. NDDA Executive Director Hope Jordan reminded board members that the NDDA has $60,000 in reimbursable funds to use by December 2020. Ventilation, PPE, rent /mortgage assistance, and grants are a few ideas they discussed. District Business owners are asked to look out for an input survey to help guide the committee. They may also email Executive Director, Hope Jordan at ndda.ed@gmail.com.

Board Member Andrew Dewart and NDDA Treasurer Ron Mitchell requested funds for a Big Springs topographical survey, as well as funds to hire the Town of Nederland’s preferred engineers, JVA to engineer and craft the project. Over the course of several months, the Parking Committee met with JVA, Town officials, surveyors, and property owners to design parking spaces, drainage, and sidewalks in front of the former Black Forest Inn. They are well versed in working with Public Works Manager Chris Pelletier. Flagstaff Surveyors will provide the survey needed to support the project’s engineering and design. Board Members allocated $2,950 for the Big Springs parking survey, $17800 for JVA’s engineering and design plan, 30% for contingencies, and $150.00 in administrative costs and Town fees.

Treasurer Ron Mitchell requested $2,000 in NDDA TIF funds to hire Financial Consultant Dana Edwards to develop an Investment Policy. Because the NDDA is an organization with a public interest, the next best step is to draft and agree on an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) to create a living document used as a guide and template for investment goals, parameters and money management decisions. As an outside third-party with a history and interest in Nederland, Edwards said she would be happy to offer services in guiding the NDDA through this process of information gathering, creating, drafting and implementing a sound IPS. Her service would include a specified meeting schedule for her to conduct discovery, write and review drafts with the NDDA, and ultimately deliver a complete IPS. After much discussion, the Board agreed that they would be in favor of a low-risk portfolio to offset interest income losses in unencumbered funds due to low interest rates. The NDDA Board approved making it an action item and then approved a motion that the NDDA approve hiring Dana Edwards.

The next regular meeting of the NDDA Board will be on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 4 p.m.

(Originally published in the October 22, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)