Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - July 7, 2025

The City Council Work Session convened on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers, with 8 members present and 1 excused. The meeting covered a Clean & Safe Pilot Program presentation, an intergovernmental agreement with the US Air Force Academy, an eminent domain resolution for Marksheffel Road, and a public art ordinance amendment. The meeting adjourned at 10:42 AM.

Executive Session

• The Council authorized the City to defend a police officer in the case Al’morion Germany v. City, et al. (Case No. 25-cv-01746-MDB) by consensus after a poll.

Discussion Items

Clean & Safe Pilot Program

• Chelsea Gondeck (Interim CEO, Downtown Partnership) and Pat Rigdon (Director of Downtown Safety and Public Space Management) presented a 19-month pilot program to address safety and cleanliness downtown. The program aims to expand supplemental security, add ambassadors, and provide outreach services.
• Key statistics: downtown provides 7 times the sales tax per acre compared to the rest of the city; 38% of properties within the Business Improvement District (BID) are exempt from paying; current supplemental security has 2 officers 8 hours/day, 7 days/week; the pilot would nearly triple coverage to 18 hours/day Thursday–Saturday and 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday, with additional security teams.
• The proposed budget is $2 million ($1 million public, $1 million private). As of the meeting, approximately $1 million had been secured from DDA, Visit COS, URA, Chamber EDC, and other private funders. The City currently provides $175,000 for supplemental security.
• Councilmember Henjum asked about coordination with hoteliers (some have committed), public restrooms (no additional plans beyond Acacia Park), and outreach services (partnering with Homeward Pikes Peak via federal grant).
• Councilmember Rainey asked about coordination with CSPD’s Downtown Area Response Team (DART) – monthly meetings, daily communication planned, and CSPD on the steering committee.
• Councilmember Bailey emphasized data collection for future strategies.
• Councilmember Donelson expressed concern about law enforcement: he argued for stricter enforcement of existing laws, citing that the two disruptive individuals encountered downtown were committing crimes (one was arrested but quickly released). He suggested using police and jail more effectively.
• Councilmember Leinweber noted that 28% of the jail population is homeless individuals with homeless-related citations, and raised the issue of public restrooms (the bus station restroom closed due to meth contamination). He expressed support for the program but noted the complexity of the issue.

Stormwater IGSA with USAFA

• Richard Mulledy (Public Works Director) presented a resolution authorizing a 10-year Intergovernmental Services Agreement (IGSA) with the US Air Force Academy for Monument Creek Watershed and habitat restoration. The city’s Stormwater Enterprise would deliver projects using USAFA’s federal funding (approx. $1.3 million/year). Previously, USAFA lost 30% of funds to bureaucracy; the city’s project management reduced overhead to 2–4%.
• 42 high-priority projects identified in the 2023 Monument Creek Restoration Master Plan.
• USAFA comprises 12% of the watershed but 75% of water flows through it, affecting the city downstream.
• Councilmember Leinweber noted that 30–40% of the watershed originates from Colorado Springs, and suggested stronger coordination with Monument and El Paso County to prevent water quality issues. He also mentioned the possibility of a lawsuit.
• Councilmember Henjum asked about stormwater system performance after recent heavy rains; Mulledy reported it operated well with only minor localized flooding.

Marksheffel Road Eminent Domain Resolution

• Kellie Billingsley (Real Estate Services Manager) presented a resolution rescinding Resolution 79-25 and authorizing a Possession and Use Agreement and eminent domain to acquire property from PRD Real Estate LLC using PPRTA funds for the Marksheffel Road Improvements project (Woodmen Road to North Carefree Circle). The previous resolution did not expressly authorize the use of eminent domain; this correction clarifies the city’s authority.
• No questions or comments from Council.

Public Art Ordinance Amendment

• Michael Montgomery (Deputy City Council Administrator) presented an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code (UDC) to remove references to the dissolved Public Art Commission (PAC) and to define criteria for public art as a substitute for building facade articulation or as a community amenity in planned developments.
• The PAC was dissolved by Ordinance 25-41 on April 8, 2025, and received zero applications for UDC review in two years.
• Councilmember Rainey asked if the goal is to remove PAC references and add defined criteria. Montgomery confirmed.
• Councilmember Donelson requested removal of the entire subsection allowing public art as a substitute for facade articulation (D2), not just the PAC reference. He suggested a majority of Council supports that. Planning staff will research the amendment.
• Councilmember Henjum clarified that public art remains an option as a community benefit in planned developments, so it is not eliminated. The amendment only removes the PAC review and adds criteria.
• Councilmember Williams noted that the Public Art Master Plan never defined criteria; the proposed ordinance provides new definitions.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: Council agreed (by consensus) to authorize the city attorney to defend the police officer in the Germany case.
• Clean & Safe Pilot Program: No formal vote; the program was presented for information. The Downtown Partnership will continue fundraising and launch the pilot in July 2025 (supplemental security by third week of July, ambassadors by late July, outreach by August 1).
• Stormwater IGSA with USAFA: The resolution was introduced and will be placed on the consent calendar for the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Marksheffel Road Eminent Domain Resolution: Introduced and will be on the consent calendar for July 8, 2025.
• Public Art Ordinance: The ordinance will be amended per Councilmember Donelson’s suggestion to remove the public art substitution for facade articulation, and then brought back for a vote at the next work session (July 21, 2025).