Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting – July 8, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting lasted until approximately 3:47 PM and included a full consent calendar, several business items, a lengthy public hearing on a development plan appeal, and a one-hour citizen discussion period. Key actions included the confirmation of a per diem municipal court judge, postponement of a Business Improvement District resolution, final passage of a marijuana sales tax fund ordinance, approval of a City Auditorium lease, and denial of an appeal challenging a 144-unit affordable housing development.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of June 24, 2025 – Approved.
• Rezoning (ZONE-25-0006) – 7.33 acres southwest of Bradley Landing Blvd and Legacy Hill Dr from PDZ/AP‑O to PK/AP‑O (Public Park) – Approved on first reading; public hearing set for July 22, 2025.
• Utilities Bond Matters – Three ordinances (Standby Bond Purchase Agreement, Utilities System Refunding Bonds up to $225M, and Utilities System Improvement/Refunding Bonds up to $700M and $55M) – Approved on first reading.
• Cemetery Fees for 2026 – Resolution adopted, establishing new fees for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Cemetery Enterprise.
• Eminent Domain Resolutions – Two resolutions authorizing use of possession and use agreements and eminent domain for the Academy Boulevard Reconstruction and Marksheffel Road Improvements projects – Adopted.
• CDL Third Party Testing Agreement – Resolution approving intergovernmental agreement with the State of Colorado – Adopted.
• All consent items passed by a vote of 9‑0.

Recognitions

• City Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees – President Crow‑Iverson presented appointments, including Wendy McHenry to the Lodging and Retail Tourism (LART) Board and Brian Clements and Amanda Giaggiano to the Planning Commission. Motion to approve passed 9‑0.

Mayor's Business

• Confirmation of Daphne Burlingame as Per Diem Municipal Court Judge – Mayor Yemi Mobolade introduced Ms. Burlingame, a former district court magistrate with over 20 years of experience. Councilmember Rainey noted the importance of the role. The motion to confirm passed 9‑0, and Ms. Burlingame took the oath of office.

Items Called Off Consent Calendar

• MW Retail Business Improvement District Amended 2025 Operating Plan (Item 4B.G) – Councilmember Donelson requested postponement, citing insufficient time to review responses to his questions. The developer noted that a third certification for public improvements would total $5,609,177.45, with $4.1 million already issued in bonds. A motion to postpone to July 22, 2025 passed 6‑3 (Crow‑Iverson, Donelson, Gold, Leinweber, Rainey Jr., Williams in favor; Bailey, Henjum, Risley opposed).

Unfinished Business

• Ordinance 25‑59 – Retail Marijuana Sales Tax Special Fund – Deputy City Administrator Michael Montgomery presented the ordinance, which formalizes a process for City Council to recommend allocations among public safety, mental health services, and PTSD treatment for veterans. Citizens Hannah Parsons, Jen Furda, Joe Campano, and Beth Roalstad spoke in support, emphasizing the need for public safety downtown. Councilmember Donelson clarified the ordinance does not directly fund programs but creates a recommendation framework. The motion to finally pass the ordinance carried 6‑3 (Bailey, Crow‑Iverson, Leinweber, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams in favor; Donelson, Gold, Henjum opposed).

New Business

• Ordinance Amending Section 409 – Appointment of Hearing Officers – Senior Attorney Rebecca Greenberg presented. No public comments. Approved on first reading 9‑0.
• Resolution Finding Public Purpose in Leasing City Auditorium to AVA Presents, LLC – Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Trujillo introduced the resolution. Jesse Morreale of AVA Presents stated the initial five‑year lease total is $856,194, with a 3% escalator cap every two years. Councilmember Risley asked about restrictions on uses; Trujillo said the city will have input on shows while respecting First Amendment rights. Adopted 9‑0.

Public Hearing – Appeal of Planning Commission Decision (Flats at Sand Creek)

• Appeal of Development Plan (APPL-25-0004) – The appellant (Jeremy Hoffman, Michelle Bork) argued that the proposed 144‑unit, three‑story apartment complex on 6.94 acres at the northeast corner of N Carefree Circle and Peterson Road is not harmonious with the surrounding single‑family and townhome neighborhoods, creates traffic and safety issues, and lacks adequate parking. The applicant (Andrea Barlow, NES; Ben Taylor, Lincoln Avenue Communities) noted the site is zoned R‑5 (multifamily), the development is a use by right, and they have worked with adjacent neighbors on design changes (e.g., parallel parking to reduce light intrusion). An updated traffic study conducted in April 2025 (during school session) found a 1.4% increase in area traffic; the city traffic engineer, Todd Frisbie, stated that while the intersection has existing crash patterns, the development does not trigger additional required improvements. The project includes 249 parking spaces (allowing a 5% reduction per code) and 38‑foot building heights (below the 50‑foot maximum). Two citizens (Jill Gabler of Pikes Peak Housing Network and Evelyn Galane‑Phillips of School District 49) spoke in support, citing the need for affordable housing. Seventeen citizens spoke in opposition, raising concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety, crime, water restrictions, and property values. After deliberation, Councilmember Henjum moved to affirm the Planning Commission’s decision and deny the appeal. The motion passed 7‑2 (Bailey, Crow‑Iverson, Gold, Henjum, Leinweber, Risley, Williams in favor; Donelson and Rainey Jr. opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – All items approved 9‑0.
• Appointments – Board/commission appointments approved 9‑0.
• Municipal Court Judge – Daphne Burlingame confirmed 9‑0.
• MW Retail BID – Postponed to July 22, 2025 (vote 6‑3).
• Marijuana Tax Fund Ordinance – Finally passed 6‑3.
• Hearing Officer Ordinance – Approved first reading 9‑0.
• City Auditorium Lease – Resolution adopted 9‑0.
• Flats at Sand Creek Appeal – Denied; Planning Commission decision affirmed 7‑2.
• Citizen Discussion – Topics included homelessness, downtown safety, library funding, dog‑related reforms, and public comment process adjustments. Council noted a six‑month review of the new comment rules is planned for fall 2025.