This week’s meeting of the Berthoud Board of Trustees featured five reports to the trustees from Town Administrator Chris Kirk.

According to a staff report concerning the item an effort began in 2020 to develop a linked bikeway system throughout the town. To further that effort, town staff, led by Stephanie Brothers, hired HDR Engineering to prepare a Bicycle Lanes Development Plan. The primary goal of the plan was to identify improvements that could be made within the existing roadway network to provide a comprehensive system of bikeways throughout town in a relatively short period of time. While not a visionary master plan document, this plan provides actionable ideas for town staff to execute in the coming years.

As added background, bike lanes are not “trails.” They are an exclusive space for bikes designated on the road with pavement markings and signage. Bike lanes are most often located adjacent to vehicle lanes and flow in the same direction as vehicle traffic. In general, bike lanes are on the right side of the street and are one-directional.

According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), “bike lanes enable bicyclists to ride at their preferred speed without interference from prevailing traffic conditions. Bike lanes also facilitate predictable behavior from movements between bicycles and motorists.” Developing a consistent bike lane network in town will enhance the ability of cyclists to traverse town to reach important destinations like downtown, town parks, schools and commercial sites. In some areas, these bike lanes will be parallel to trails. Trails, unlike bike lanes, are separate from the roadway and provide a place for new or cautious bicyclists to ride without being adjacent to traffic.

The goal of these lanes is to eventually safely tie the Oldtown (as well as the Downtown commercial area) with the TPC development, the Hammond Farms development and the Heron Pointe development north of Highway 287.

During February of this year, Town staff and the consulting team from Plan Tools Inc will be presenting information regarding the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update and more importantly, will be presenting future land use plan options for consideration and discussion. The future land use options are being evaluated by town staff and the Comprehensive Plan Committee in January and early February. In advance of that opportunity, town staff would like to provide a brief update on the Comprehensive Plan and its current status. Final Completion is still expected in late summer 2021, per the original schedule.

On Dec. 7, 2020, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 20B-001 into law to help alleviate some of the economic burden on businesses that hold an on-premises consumption liquor license. This type of license would include businesses that were mandated to shut down and/or reduce capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s Liquor Enforcement Division subsequently waived certain renewal fees from Dec. 7, 2020, to Dec. 7, 2021. New liquor license applications, transfers, and renewal fees on certain types of licenses are still required to be paid during the noted period. Local licensing authorities have not been mandated to waive fees consistent with the fees waived by the State. To assist this sector of our local businesses, a resolution waiving on-premises renewal fees has been prepared and is attached to this memorandum. The total approximate fees to be waived would be $1,575.00. A motion approving of the above, was made, seconded and carried unanimously.

The trustees ratified the appointment to three area residents to the Berthoud Community Library Board of Trustees.  Kathleen Mitchell, Julie Oelman and Bob Latchaw were appointed to serve on the board for four years, until December 31, 2024.