City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council met on August 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a consent calendar with multiple routine approvals, a recognition of a retiring airport employee, updates from the Mayor's Office, a utilities employee candidacy request, new business items including a contentious resolution on marijuana tax revenue allocation and a debated ordinance to remove the CPA requirement for the City Auditor, and a public hearing on the PTAA Addition No. 1 annexation and related zoning. The meeting concluded with citizen comments on various topics. Councilmember Gold was absent for part of the meeting, and Councilmembers Risley and Williams recused themselves from the PTAA items.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance No. 25-65 (Second Reading): Rezoning 2,163 square feet at 10 South 23rd Street from R-2 to MX-N (Mixed-Use Neighborhood Scale). Finally passed.
• Ordinance No. 25-66 (Second Reading): Amending Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Code pertaining to public art. Finally passed.
• Minutes Approval: Regular meeting minutes of July 22, 2025, and Special meeting minutes of July 29, 2025, approved.
• Resolution No. 97-25: Approving an intergovernmental agreement (Facilities Payment Agreement) between the City (on behalf of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport) and Peak Metropolitan District No. 1. Adopted.
• Ordinance No. 25-67 (First Reading): Amending the UDC related to battery-charged electric fencing and security detection fencing systems. Approved on first reading.
• Ordinance (First Reading): Vacating portions of public right-of-way (Holly Avenue and First Street, 2.133 acres) northwest of First Street and Lake Avenue. Set public hearing for August 26, 2025. Approved on first reading.
• Use Variance (UVAR-25-0004): Allowing a Nonprofit Conference and Education Center at 2 Penrose Boulevard (3.24 acres, R-E/HS-O/WUI-O). Approved.

All consent items were approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0-0-0.

Recognitions

• Resolution of Appreciation for Todd Bruning: Recognized for 29 years of service as a Maintenance Services Worker at the Airport. Adopted 9-0.
• City Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees: Javon Dunnail appointed to the Civil Service Commission; Kimberly Sherwood, Mike Sullivan, Deborah Swanson, and Gila Sandez Menendez appointed/reappointed to the Parks Board. Approved 9-0.

Mayor's Business

• Jamie Fabos, Chief of Staff, reported:
  • A decrease in cybersecurity insurance rates and an increase in coverage, attributed to robust IT practices.
  • July 2025 saw a rebound in Regional Building Department permits: single-family homes, residential alterations, and commercial permits up over 40% compared to June.
  • Mayor Yemi is convening a stakeholder meeting to address homelessness, focusing on gaps in provider services and public-private partnerships.

Utilities Business

• Item 8A: Request by Christin Meinhardt, a Colorado Springs Utilities supervisor, for City Council consent to run for the Harrison School District Two Board of Education and, if elected, waiver of the requirement to terminate employment. Councilmember Gold expressed support. Approved 9-0.

Discussion Items

New Business

• 10A. MW Retail Business Improvement District Amended 2025 Operating Plan: Resolution approving an amended budget and operating plan. No discussion needed after work session. Adopted 9-0.

• 10B. Resolution Recommending $700,000 of Retail Marijuana Sales Tax Revenue to Clean & Safe Pilot Initiative and $700,000 to PTSD Treatment Programs for Veterans:

  • Councilmembers Williams and Rainey presented the resolution, arguing it begins the conversation and uses one-time funds.
  • Councilmember Donelson opposed: cited an $11 million budget shortfall, stated PTSD treatment is not a core city function (veterans can access VA or TRICARE), and preferred the full amount go to public safety.
  • Councilmember Henjum opposed: criticized the lack of collaboration between Council and the Mayor's Office, called the resolution a political football, and noted the revenue could be ongoing unless voters reverse the marijuana tax.
  • Councilmember Williams supported: said the resolution states Council's intent and does not preclude future collaboration.
  • Councilmember Rainey supported: emphasized the need to assist veterans, noting many are uninsured or underinsured, and that 86% of referred veterans face funding cuts.
  • Motion passed 5-4 (Ayes: Bailey, Crow-Iverson, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams; Nos: Donelson, Gold, Henjum, Leinweber).

• 10C. Ordinance Removing CPA Requirement for City Auditor:

  • Myra Romero (Chief HR Officer) presented: after study, the City Auditor's duties do not require a CPA; the role focuses on internal controls, risk, and performance, not external financial audits.
  • Councilmember Donelson opposed: called it a "bait and switch" because the auditor was hired with the condition to obtain a CPA, and his research showed most comparable cities either require a CPA or have other certifications. He moved to table the item (failed for lack of a second) and to allow citizen comment (failed for lack of a second).
  • Councilmember Henjum supported: cited a letter from the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) stating the current auditor meets recommended qualifications (MBA, PMP, CCIFP) and that a CPA is not unusual to omit.
  • Motion to approve on first reading passed 8-1 (Aye: Bailey, Crow-Iverson, Gold, Henjum, Leinweber, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams; No: Donelson).

Public Hearing: PTAA Addition No. 1 Annexation (Items 11A-11D)

• Description: Voluntary annexation of 14.12 acres (southeast of Stetson Hills Boulevard and North Marksheffel Road) for a charter school (6-12 grade, max 800 students). Concurrent requests for MX-M/AP-O zoning and a land use plan.
• Presentations:
  • Chris Sullivan (Planning) reviewed the project, timeline, and compliance with annexation criteria.
  • Bryan English (CSU) detailed water supply, utilities, and costs; noted a wastewater agreement with Cherokee Metropolitan District due to topography.
  • Nina Ruiz (Vertex Consulting, applicant) emphasized the school's STEAM focus, infrastructure improvements (Huber Road widening, access easement), and compatibility with adjacent zoning.
  • Brandon Wilson (traffic engineer) addressed storage capacity for drop-off/pick-up and confirmed no traffic operation issues.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Rainey expressed concerns about traffic congestion on Marksheffel Road, especially given nearby schools and development. The applicant noted staggered start times and stated traffic studies show no issues, but will work with staff on final design.
  • Councilmember Henjum asked about wastewater arrangement and interest on CSU costs; CSU confirmed cost of money is factored.
  • Councilmember Williams recused (client HR Green was a partner). Councilmember Risley recused (architecture firm was architect of record). Councilmember Gold was absent during the vote.
• Public Comment: No speakers in support or opposition.
• Votes (all passed 6-0-1-2, with Gold absent, Risley and Williams recused):
  • 11A: Resolution adopting findings of fact for annexation eligibility. Adopted.
  • 11B: Ordinance annexing the property (first reading). Approved.
  • 11C: Ordinance establishing MX-M/AP-O zoning (first reading). Approved.
  • 11D: Land Use Plan for the charter school. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously (9-0).
• Recognition Resolutions: Adopted for Todd Bruning and board appointments (9-0).
• Utilities Employee Candidacy: Approved (9-0).
• MW Retail BID Budget: Approved (9-0).
• Marijuana Tax Revenue Allocation: Resolution passed (5-4) recommending $1.4 million in total ($700k each for Clean & Safe and PTSD programs).
• City Auditor CPA Requirement: Ordinance removing CPA requirement approved on first reading (8-1).
• PTAA Annexation and Zoning: All four items approved (6-0-1-2).
• Citizen Comments: 12 speakers addressed topics including homelessness, code enforcement, the city's budget, and the CPA requirement for the City Auditor. No formal action was taken.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Barber: Discussed electromagnetic and geomagnetic models.
• LeRad Niles: Raised concerns about lack of police enforcement in Old Colorado City, citing a rise in homeless encampments and slow response times.
• Daniel Prutz: Criticized shelter conditions (mattresses, bed bugs, scabies) and expressed concern about federal executive orders on homelessness.
• John Hawk: Presented appreciation plaque to Councilmember Henjum for support of Palmer Park.
• Longinos Gonzalez: Warned about potential loss of federal funding if the city permits harm reduction supplies at taxpayer-funded events.
• Lawrence Clark: Criticized needle exchanges and called for more transparency in city spending.
• Don Briggs: Presented data on costs of homeless ticketing ($2,300 per ticket, 3.8 million total over 12 months) and argued the approach is ineffective.
• Kandy Lewis: Questioned the accuracy of the HUD Point-in-Time count and advocated for more outreach, not policing.
• EmRhys Jenkins: Echoed concerns about the Point-in-Time count, noting the mayor's misuse of data to claim a 12% decrease, while actual numbers are estimated at 7,000.
• Carl Nehls: Former city CIO, argued the CPA credential is important for credibility and oversight, and criticized the process.
• Denny Nester: Former city auditor, stated the change violates the auditor's commitment to obtain a CPA, and called it self-dealing.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:02 PM.