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Record of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 13, 2025
BodyColorado Springs, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:22:56

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:06

Colorado Springs, we shoot for the moon.

0:09

We train.

0:13

Good morning.

0:16

We're gonna start this uh regular meeting for city council today on Tuesday, May 13th.

0:23

We are in session.

0:25

Clerk, can you please call the roll?

0:29

Councilmember Bailey.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Crow Iverson.

0:33

Here.

0:34

Councilmember Donaldson.

0:35

Here.

0:36

Councilmember Gold.

0:37

Present.

0:38

Councilmember Henjam.

0:39

Present.

0:40

Councilmember Linewever.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Councilmember Rainey.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Councilmember Risley.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Councilmember Williams.

0:49

Here.

0:50

All nine present.

0:52

So please stand for the invocation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:55

Today we are joined by Reverend Amy Strader from First United Methodist Church.

1:09

Wonderful.

1:12

Oh, I'm sorry.

1:13

I thought the Pledge of Allegiance was first, then my notes, that's what it said.

1:16

Well, good morning, everyone.

1:17

Um, I just wanted to take a breath because I don't know if you were stuck in traffic on 25 like I was.

1:22

Sounds like maybe there were some people.

1:24

So we'll just take a breath and we'll be present here in this space.

1:30

Let us pray.

1:31

A blessing for a little boost in the morning.

1:35

Today is new, oh God.

1:38

The light is gathering and spilling onto everything.

1:42

The sleeping and the sleepy have arisen.

1:46

The trees are brushing the windows, and even the wash dishes know that another day has come.

1:53

What a gift, though, oh God.

1:55

We know as we come to each morning, it is unopened.

1:59

It is what you have given us to find.

2:03

Lord, you also know the obstacle course ahead of us, the intraceability of most of our problems, the irritations that we will need to smile through, the forgetfulness that will undo our best efforts, the flights that I will need to fly through, the fights that I will maybe need to sit through, the fights I will maybe need to pick, because I know I stand for something that matters.

2:32

But bring me back to the Scott, bring me back to this moment, this right now, today, the newness, the freshness.

2:42

When I get tired, remind me that today is a gift.

2:47

Remind me that resurrection happens not just on Easter, but on every day that the sun rises.

2:56

The hardest work is already done.

2:59

The work that remains is simply more of what you have called us to.

3:06

More love, more trust, more faith in the unseen.

3:12

God, give us all of what we might need today.

3:18

For we know that you are all around us in any given moment.

3:22

And sometimes we just have to stop.

3:24

Whatever we're doing and look ahead at the day.

3:28

A day that we can't control, but that somehow we always know you will.

3:35

In your name I pray, and all of God's people said Amen.

3:39

Oh man.

3:40

Let me just also say because I got confused about the order of the pledge.

3:44

I did want to say that I am um city district council too.

3:50

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████████24%
Procedural███████████████15%
Land Use and Zoning██████████10%
Public Housing██████████10%
Immigration Policy█████████9%
Veterans Recognition██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Mental Health Awareness████4%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council met on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 9:02 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included recognitions, a resolution affirming the city as a non-sanctuary city, approvals of private activity bonds for affordable housing, a public hearing for the Prospect Village tiny home community, and citizen discussion regarding housing authority evictions. The meeting adjourned at 2:41 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously (9-0) after items 4B.F through 4B.J were pulled for separate consideration. Items approved included:
    • 4B.A: Regular meeting minutes of April 22, 2025
    • 4B.B: Resolution No. 58-25 approving an amended 2025 operating plan and budget for the First and Main Business Improvement District No. 2
    • 4B.C: Resolution No. 59-25 approving issuance of limited tax general obligation bonds not to exceed $1,484,000 by the same district
    • 4B.D: Resolution No. 60-25 authorizing acquisition of real property and easements using PPRTA funds for the Marksheffel Road project
    • 4B.E: Referral of the Miller Downs at Wyoming Lane Annexation petition to city administration for review

Recognitions

  • 5A: Joint Proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month was read by Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Councilmember David Leinweber. David Galvan, Mental Health Advocate, spoke about the 988 suicide prevention hotline. Councilmember Nancy Henjum noted the city’s Community Response Team. (9-0 vote, Resolution adopted)
  • 5B: Resolution No. 61-25 recognizing May 18–24, 2025 as National Public Works Week. Councilmember Brandy Williams read the resolution; Public Works Director Rich Mulledy acknowledged department teams, highlighting 94,000 potholes repaired, 91,000 cubic yards of debris removed, and over 1,300 ADA-compliant ramps installed in 2024. (9-0 vote)
  • 5C: Resolution No. 62-25 recognizing May 9, 2025 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Councilmember Kimberly Gold introduced Sarah Fry (Hiring Our Heroes) and representatives from the Mountain Post Spouses Club. The resolution was read by Councilmember Gold. (9-0 vote)

Items Called Off Consent Calendar

Councilmember Dave Donelson requested items 4B.F through 4B.J be pulled, sparking a debate on the procedural shift to first readings without full presentations. The items advanced for first reading only to set public hearing dates for May 27, 2025.

  • 4B.F: Ordinance vacating 0.034 acres of Fillmore Place right-of-way (2938 Main Street) – passed 8-1 (Donelson no)
  • 4B.G: Rezoning 0.41 acres at 1222 N. Academy Boulevard from R-5/MX-M to MX-M – passed 8-1
  • 4B.H: Rezoning 0.35 acres at 1202 N. Academy Boulevard from R-5/MX-M to MX-M – passed 8-1
  • 4B.I: Rezoning 0.39 acres at 2024 E. Boulder Street and 408 Iowa Avenue from R-4/MX-M to R-Flex Medium – passed 8-1
  • 4B.J: Establishing the Parkside Historic District HP-O overlay on 4.15 acres – passed 8-1

New Business

  • 10A: Resolution No. 63-25 affirming Colorado Springs as a law-abiding, non-sanctuary city. Councilmember Roland Rainey presented, citing a recent raid and supporting law enforcement. Six citizens spoke in opposition. After debate, the resolution passed 7-2 (Gold and Henjum voting no).
  • 10B: Ratification of Councilmember Liaisons to appointed boards, commissions, and committees – passed 9-0.
  • 10C: Appointments to Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority boards – passed 9-0.
  • 10D: Ordinance (first reading) for a supplemental appropriation of $194,000 to the Lodgers & Auto Rental Tax (LART) Fund for four additional projects recommended by the LART Citizen Advisory Committee – passed 8-1 (Donelson no).
  • 10E: Resolution No. 64-25 declaring intent to carry forward $38,865,865 in 2025 Private Activity Bond (PAB) volume cap – passed 9-0. Chief Housing Officer Aimee Cox explained the city is a conduit issuer with no financial liability.
  • 10F: Resolution No. 65-25 declaring intent to issue multifamily housing revenue bonds for Bradley Ridge Apartments (336 units, $76.8 million in PABs) – passed 9-0. The project includes on-site childcare and 20 veteran units.
  • 10G: Ordinance (first reading) authorizing issuance of up to $60 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds for Royal Pine Apartments (232 units, including a $20 million taxable tail). After public opposition, the ordinance passed 8-1 (Donelson no). Councilmember Donelson questioned city liability for taxable bonds; John Bales, representing the applicant, confirmed the city has no liability.

Public Hearing – Prospect Village Tiny House Community

  • 11A through 11H: All eight applications for the tiny house community at 3103 N. Prospect Street were approved unanimously (9-0) on second reading. The project includes a rezoning to R-Flex High, a conditional use for a tiny house community (18 homes), a development plan, and five development standards adjustments (e.g., reduced lot area, setbacks, parking at 0.5 spaces per unit). Staff planner William Gray presented; applicant John Olson and Shelli Jensen (We Fortify) described the supportive housing for at-risk youth aged 18–25. Two citizens spoke in support.

Citizen Discussion

  • Multiple speakers (Linda Wurst, Betty Field, and others) addressed the attempted eviction of Betty Field from Centennial Plaza Apartments. Chief Housing Officer Aimee Cox stated that the eviction had been cured after proper paperwork was submitted. Councilmembers clarified that City Council has no direct authority over the Colorado Springs Housing Authority; the mayor appoints commissioners, subject to council confirmation. Discussion highlighted concerns about retaliation against tenant organizers.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Items 4B.A–4B.E approved 9-0.
  • Proclamations: Mental Health Awareness Month, National Public Works Week, and Military Spouse Appreciation Day all adopted 9-0.
  • Pulled Consent Items (4B.F-4B.J): First readings passed 8-1; public hearings set for May 27, 2025.
  • Non-Sanctuary City Resolution (10A): Adopted 7-2 (Gold, Henjum opposed).
  • LART Supplemental (10D): Approved 8-1 (Donelson opposed) on first reading.
  • PAB Carryforward (10E): Adopted 9-0.
  • Bradley Ridge Inducement (10F): Adopted 9-0.
  • Royal Pine Bonds (10G): Approved 8-1 (Donelson opposed) on first reading; second reading scheduled for May 27, 2025.
  • Prospect Village (11A-11H): All eight items approved 9-0 with conditions.
  • Citizen Discussion: Action noted; council directed follow-up on housing authority concerns.

Meeting Transcript

Colorado Springs, we shoot for the moon. We train. Good morning. We're gonna start this uh regular meeting for city council today on Tuesday, May 13th. We are in session. Clerk, can you please call the roll? Councilmember Bailey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Councilmember Gold. Present. Councilmember Henjam. Present. Councilmember Linewever. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Here. Councilmember Risley. Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. All nine present. So please stand for the invocation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Today we are joined by Reverend Amy Strader from First United Methodist Church. Wonderful. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought the Pledge of Allegiance was first, then my notes, that's what it said. Well, good morning, everyone. Um, I just wanted to take a breath because I don't know if you were stuck in traffic on 25 like I was. Sounds like maybe there were some people. So we'll just take a breath and we'll be present here in this space. Let us pray. A blessing for a little boost in the morning. Today is new, oh God. The light is gathering and spilling onto everything. The sleeping and the sleepy have arisen. The trees are brushing the windows, and even the wash dishes know that another day has come. What a gift, though, oh God. We know as we come to each morning, it is unopened. It is what you have given us to find. Lord, you also know the obstacle course ahead of us, the intraceability of most of our problems, the irritations that we will need to smile through, the forgetfulness that will undo our best efforts, the flights that I will need to fly through, the fights that I will maybe need to sit through, the fights I will maybe need to pick, because I know I stand for something that matters. But bring me back to the Scott, bring me back to this moment, this right now, today, the newness, the freshness. When I get tired, remind me that today is a gift. Remind me that resurrection happens not just on Easter, but on every day that the sun rises. The hardest work is already done. The work that remains is simply more of what you have called us to. More love, more trust, more faith in the unseen.

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