Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - August 25, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council held a work session on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 9:01 AM to 3:03 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered presentations on veteran services and tourism marketing, introduced several resolutions for potential consent action on September 9th, discussed the Mayor's appointment for Aviation Director, and closed with an executive session on personnel and legal matters. All nine councilmembers were present, with Councilmember Williams attending virtually.

Presentations for General Information

• UC Health Next Chapter Veterans Program (Item 5A): Damian McCabe, Director of Behavioral Health and Military Affairs, presented the three-year pilot program that enrolled 1,250 veterans and family members (exceeding the 700 target). Key outcomes: 86.3% sought behavioral health; top diagnoses were PTSD, depression, and anxiety; and no enrolled participant has died by suicide since enrollment. The program reduced stigma and barriers to care but currently cannot underwrite costs after pilot funding ended. Councilmember Henjum asked about psilocybin use; Mr. McCabe stated UC Health does not currently prescribe it but would consider it if FDA-approved.

• COPPeR 2025 Mid-Year LART Update (Item 5B): Angela Seals, President/CEO of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, reported that Peak Radar served 92,773 tourists in the first half of 2025 (69.8% from outside El Paso/Teller counties). A user survey found 98% said Peak Radar helps connect to arts/culture, and 86% attended an event they otherwise would not have. The Artspace affordable housing for creatives project is on track to complete construction in 2025. Councilmember Leinweber raised concerns about downtown vibrancy; Ms. Seals noted the downtown creative district has the highest concentration of arts venues in the region.

• Visit COS 2025 Mid-Year LART Update (Item 5C): Doug Price, President/CEO, reported LART collections up 4% in June 2025 over June 2024, but year-to-date down 0.58%. Estimated group room nights booked are down about 13,000 rooms due to federal funding uncertainty. International travel to Colorado is forecast at 86% of 2019 levels. Canadian visitor car travel is down 33% due to tariffs and political tensions. The Colorado Governors Conference on Tourism will be held at Hotel Polaris October 22-24, 2025, with an estimated $800,000 economic impact.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Appointment of Alex Kovacs as Aviation Director (Item 7A): Ryan Trujillo, Deputy Chief of Staff, presented the recruitment process: 132 applicants, 99 met minimum qualifications, 10 top-tier candidates, 5 finalists. Alex Kovacs was ranked top by interview panels. Kovacs outlined his mission to connect Colorado Springs to the world and grow the airport as an economic engine. He discussed challenges: leakage to Denver (45-80% in top 30 markets), need to diversify non-airline revenue (currently parking is #1 at ~$10M/year), capital needs including additional parking (2,000 spaces over 20 years), and potential debt issuance for facility expansion. He emphasized collaborative leadership and enterprise thinking. Councilmembers questioned revenue diversification, capital improvement plans, airline incentive programs, and comparisons to Reno-Tahoe Airport. No vote taken; confirmation will be on a future agenda.

• Surplus Property Disposal to James B. Klein (Item 7B): Gayle Sturdivant, Deputy Public Works Director, presented a resolution to declare a city-owned parcel (103 Lily Place) as surplus and sell to Klein for $24,500 (appraised value). The property is part of the Park Vista improvements to remove parcels from the 100-year floodplain. Council agreed to place on consent for September 9th.

• Eminent Domain for 7-Eleven Property - Dublin Blvd Project (Item 7C): Request to use possession/use agreement and eminent domain to acquire 960 sq ft of real property and 1,408 sq ft temporary easement from 7-Eleven, Inc. for the Dublin Boulevard Improvements (Peterson to Marksheffel). Negotiations stalled since February 11, 2025. Council agreed to consent for September 9th.

• Eminent Domain for 8th Street Improvements (Item 7D): Request for permanent and temporary easements on 13 properties (12 owners) for the 8th Street corridor project (Motor City Dr to Fountain Creek) and bridge maintenance. Six owners have settled; four others have positive movement. Most appraisals under $15,000. Council agreed to consent for September 9th. Councilmember Leinweber requested a separate briefing on the full scope of 8th Street projects.

• Intergovernmental Agreement with CDOT - Spring Creek Tributary Outfall (Item 7E): Erin Powers, Stormwater Enterprise Manager, presented a resolution to enter an IGA for operation and maintenance of an outfall structure on CDOT property. No questions; council agreed to consent.

• Delinquent Stormwater Fees Certification (Item 7F): Ordinance to certify 208 delinquent accounts totaling $122,088 to the El Paso County Treasurer for collection. This represents a 77% payment rate after certification. The number fluctuates yearly; 2024 had 133 accounts at mid-year. Council agreed to consent. Councilmember Bailey asked about streamlining; staff noted as more parcels move to CSU billing the number will decrease.

• Miller Downs Metropolitan District Service Plan (Item 7G): Alison Stocker, Senior Planner, introduced a proposal to create a 19.461-acre metropolitan district (110 single-family units) northwest of Marksheffel and Dublin. The request includes limited eminent domain powers for two parcels identified as future rights-of-way in the adjacent Quailbrush Creek plats (approved 2015/2017). Councilmember Donelson expressed concerns about giving private eminent domain authority without details of negotiations. Applicant representative Colin Mielke stated negotiations with one owner (Woodman Heights) are positive, while another (private LLC) has stalled. Council agreed to defer action until after annexation is processed (expected late October).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda for September 9, 2025 Regular Meeting: Council unanimously agreed to place the following items on the consent agenda: 7B (Klein property disposal), 7C (7-Eleven eminent domain), 7D (8th Street eminent domain), 7E (CDOT IGA), and 7F (stormwater delinquency ordinance). Formal votes on these resolutions will occur at the September 9th meeting.
• Aviation Director Appointment: No vote taken; discussion will continue at a future meeting.
• Miller Downs Metropolitan District: Will return after annexation is approved; council requested more information on eminent domain negotiations and traffic impacts.
• Executive Session: Council voted (9-0) to enter a closed executive session under City Charter and Colorado Open Meetings Act to discuss personnel (performance/qualifications of the City Auditor) and legal questions related to minimum qualifications. The session adjourned at 3:03 PM, concluding the meeting.