Colorado Springs City Council Work Session – June 9, 2025

This work session covered presentations on the services of TESSA (domestic violence/sexual assault support), proposed refinancing and service plan amendments for the Tuscan Foothills Village Metropolitan District, property acquisitions for the Dublin Boulevard and Marksheffel Road improvement projects, and a proposed ordinance governing expenditures from the new retail marijuana sales tax fund. Council also heard reports from members on local events and ongoing initiatives. No formal votes were taken; most items are scheduled for action at the June 24 regular meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Item 7A: Agenda Planner Review – No changes requested.

Discussion Items

6A. TESSA Presentation

• Anne Markley, CEO of TESSA, provided an overview of the organization’s confidential services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in El Paso, Teller, and (newly) Douglas Counties. She reported 17,000 individuals served in El Paso/Teller in 2024, including nearly 11,000 crisis calls and 10,000+ youth reached through prevention education. TESSA is expanding into Douglas County with a 86-bed safe house funded by county money, staffed separately from the Colorado Springs operation.
• Council questions focused on housing availability. Markley acknowledged limited housing resources and explained that housing assistance is funded through VOCA grants, which have been cut. Councilman Lineweber shared a constituent’s story of struggling to find stable housing after fleeing domestic violence, prompting discussion about the broader affordable housing crisis. Markley noted that TESSA recently received a HUD grant and encouraged the individual to reapply. Councilman Rainey asked about TESSA’s relationship with Safe Passage and its pro se legal program; Markley confirmed collaboration and said she could provide data on pro se cases.

8A & 8B. Tuscan Foothills Village Metropolitan District – Service Plan Amendment and Debt Issuance

• Senior Planner Allison Stocker presented the request from the resident-controlled board: (1) increase the operations & maintenance mill levy from 10 to 20 mills, (2) increase the debt service mill levy from 30 to 35 mills, (3) raise the maximum debt from $1.1 million to $2 million, and (4) issue a $1,389,000 refunding loan (not counting toward the debt cap). The goal is to refinance existing debt at a lower interest rate (projected 5.4% vs current 6.25%) and eliminate a $70/month per household fee imposed in 2023. District Manager Jack Patamasavy explained that the refinancing would immediately reduce the fee to about $41/month and create a $50,000 capital project fund for replacing dead trees. Councilman Donaldson expressed strong support, noting the resident board’s efforts. Councilman Lineweber asked about the debt structure (30-year amortization with 10-year balloon). The item is scheduled for a vote on June 24.

8C. Dublin Boulevard Improvements – Stetson Ridge Metro District Property Acquisition

• City Engineer Gail Sturdivant presented a resolution authorizing acquisition of permanent and temporary easements and a small amount of right-of-way using PPRTA funds. The appraised value plus landscaping damages totals $129,400, exceeding the $100,000 threshold requiring council approval. The PPRTA Citizens Advisory Committee approved it on June 4. Staff requested placement on the June 24 consent agenda. No questions from council.

8D & 8E. Marksheffel Road Improvements – Walmart and PRD Property Acquisitions

• Sturdivant presented combined resolutions authorizing possession and use agreements and, if necessary, eminent domain for two properties at the intersection of Marksheffel and Dublin. Discussions with both owners (Walmart Real Estate Business Trust and PRD Real Estate LLC) have stalled since late April. The city has made appraised offers under $100,000. Staff requested placement on the June 24 consent agenda, noting that if property owners appear, the item could be pulled for a hearing. Councilman Rainey asked about the timeline of non-response; Sturdivant said since April 30 and that construction is ongoing, making timely acquisition critical.

8F. Ordinance Amending Retail Marijuana Sales Tax Special Fund Expenditures

• Deputy Council Administrator Michael Montgomery presented an ordinance allowing council to solicit and review grant applications and make recommendations to the mayor regarding expenditures from the 5% retail marijuana sales tax (approved by voters in 2022, first collected April 2025). The fund must be used for public safety programs, mental health services, and PTSD treatment programs. The amendment would enable grants to nonprofits. Councilman Donaldson asked whether “public safety programs” could include traditional law enforcement funding. City Attorney Ben Bollinger clarified that the term is not defined in the initiative and council could define it; the mayor would ultimately decide spending, but the ordinance gives council a recommendation role. The first reading is scheduled for June 24.

Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion

• Councilman Bailey asked for an update on the airport utility infrastructure agreement. Chief of Staff Jamie Thalis reported that negotiations with Colorado Springs Utilities and consideration of public-private partnerships have progressed, and the mayor hopes to sign an executive agreement by June 13 with acceptable risk for the airport enterprise.
• Councilman Gold announced the inaugural Colorado Springs to Cancun flight (June 7) and encouraged support for the local airport.
• Councilman Rainey reported meeting with the Law Enforcement Transparency Advisory Commission and CSPD to discuss the commission’s future.
• Councilman Lineweber highlighted the mayor’s listening tour, the PPRA “Get Outdoors Day” (3,000 attendees, 800 rods given away), and the Colorado Conference on Civil Discourse featuring Cornell West and Robert George. He also reminded viewers of a Utilities public meeting on June 10 about the North Slope Recreation Area.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Work session minutes of May 27, 2025 were approved without changes.
• Upcoming Votes (June 24 regular meeting):
  • Consent Calendar anticipated: Item 8C (Stetson Ridge property acquisition) and possibly Items 8D & 8E (if no property owners object).
  • Items for individual vote: Items 8A & 8B (Tuscan Foothills MD amendments and debt) and Item 8F (marijuana tax fund ordinance first reading).
• Staff Directives: Staff requested to place items on consent; no objections from council.