City Council Work Session - September 8, 2025
City Council Work Session - September 8, 2025
The Colorado Springs City Council held a work session on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The meeting included presentations from Crime Stoppers, a walkability advocate, and mid-year LART contract updates from the Chamber & EDC and Sports Corp. Council also discussed a zoning ordinance change for kennels and implemented a freeze on out-of-state travel for council members through the end of the year. A closed executive session was held for the annual performance review of the City Council Administrator.
Presentations for General Information
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Crime Stoppers Presentation: Don Addy, Chairman, provided an overview of the Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers (PPACS). He reported that in 2025 (through August 31), PPACS received 1,377 tips, resulting in 12 arrests, $6,100 in rewards paid, and $34,000 in stolen property recovered. The average reward is $400. Councilmember Gold asked about video submissions (confirmed accepted), and Councilmember Leinweber asked about partnerships with neighborhood groups like Hey Neighbor; Mr. Addy expressed interest in connecting. Councilmember Henjum asked why Randy Helms joined the board; Mr. Helms cited the importance of community safety.
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Walkability Presentation: Lelia Gibson-Green, Founder of COS Walk the Walk, shared her personal health journey and the founding of her organization. She detailed the 2023 Walkability Summit with 51 attendees, which led to the installation of a sidewalk on Fountain to Aero Plaza to Panorama Park within six weeks. A second summit is planned for September 22, 2025. Councilmembers Henjum and Gold praised her efforts, with Councilmember Gold noting that a walking audit on Circle and Verde resulted in four crosswalks being repainted.
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Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC LART Update: Dani Barger presented the mid-year Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART) contract update. She highlighted a new program, Source Colorado Springs, to elevate the national profile and address brand confusion, noting that "Olympic City USA" does not resonate with business audiences. Recent national media wins include placement in Politico regarding Space Command. Councilmember Donelson expressed concern about not straying too far from the city's history and tradition. Ms. Barger assured that the city's rich history and military legacy would be preserved. Councilmember Leinweber emphasized the outdoors as a key identity.
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Colorado Springs Sports Corp LART Update: Megan Leatham and Davis Tutt presented on the summer of sport, including the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Tournament (1,000 athletes, returning in 2026), the DoD Warrior Games (back after 7 years), and USA Cycling track nationals at the Velodrome. They discussed how events are secured via conferences (e.g., Sports ETA) and partnerships. Councilmember Henjum asked about local attendance at national events; Ms. Leatham stated a sports economy report is being prepared with UCCS for December 2025.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance Amending UDC for Kennels (Item 7A): Austin Cooper, Senior Planner, presented a text amendment to revert kennel regulations to pre-2023 UDC standards, allowing kennels by right in industrial zones and conditionally in mixed-use zones, and reducing the setback for outdoor runs from 55 feet to 25 feet. Councilmember Donelson questioned the rationale for halving the setback, citing potential noise issues from barking dogs. Mr. Cooper stated the change was made to match the largest setback in the UDC and that sound ordinance enforcement would apply, but could not provide decibel data. He agreed to provide that information and noted the setback could be removed if council was uncomfortable.
Key Outcomes
- Travel Freeze for Councilmembers: President Crow-Iverson announced that council leadership has requested a freeze on out-of-state travel for council members through the end of 2025 to comply with budget reductions. Councilmember Rainey questioned the temporary nature and impact on representing the city. Councilmember Leinweber noted that council also serves as the Colorado Springs Utilities board. The freeze was confirmed effective until year-end.
- Closed Executive Session: Council voted (9-0) to enter a closed executive session under City Charter Art. III, §3-60(d) and C.R.S. §24-6-402(4)(b) and (e) for the annual performance review of the City Council Administrator. The legal advice portion was withdrawn. After the closed session, the meeting adjourned at 12:34 PM.
- Consent Calendar Adjustments (for Sept 9 meeting): Council agreed to remove items 4B.G., 4B.I., and 4B.J. from the September 9, 2025 consent calendar as requested by Councilmembers Donelson and Henjum.
- Previous Minutes Approved: The August 25, 2025 work session minutes were approved by consensus.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Welcome to our City of Colorado Springs work session meeting for Monday, September 8th, 2025. Will the clerk please read the roll? Call the roll. Councilmember Bailey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Councilmember Gold. Here. Councilmember Henjam. Present. Councilmember Williams. Here. Councilmember Lionweaver. Here. Councilmember Rainey. In route. Councilmember Risley. Here. Ain't President one in route. Changes to the agenda. Are there any changes to today's agenda? Oh, Councilman Hingem. Uh no, Madam President, not to today's agenda, but I would like for tomorrow to call off a consent item for BJ. And I also just have a question as to how it landed on the consent calendar since it was not voted unanimously at utilities. Thank you. Councilman Donaldson. Um I'll also just mention a couple things I'd like to pull off of consent tomorrow. One is uh 4BG, which has to do with a property on Nevada. And the other is 4BI, which is a property on ranch drive or land use item online on ranch drive. Councilman Hingum, I don't know how to answer your question. Okay, thank you. Um the only thing that I might add is rate case hearings traditionally, regardless, because I don't know what happens at utilities, obviously. But traditionally, rate case hearings have been on consent just to set a hearing date, if that helps. Sure. I I do understand that, but it was not approved unanimously, so I just kind of assume since something isn't approved unanimously, even it's if it's setting a date hearing, that it would not be on consent. But that's fine. I'm just pulling it off. Thank you. Thank you. Regular meeting comments. Are there any changes to the regular meeting for tomorrow other than these that were just mentioned? Seeing none, review of previous minutes. Will the clerk please read item 4A into the record? And if there are any changes to the minutes, please add them at that time. City Council Work Session meeting minutes, August 25th, 2025. Seeing none, we'll move into 5A.
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