City Council Work Session Summary – September 22, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council convened for a work session on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM in City Hall. The meeting included presentations on the Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC) and the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), as well as the introduction of several resolutions covering metropolitan district service plans, debt issuance, a land donation to the airport, and property acquisition for road projects. Council members also provided reports on community events and outreach.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the September 8, 2025 Work Session were approved unanimously by consensus.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Presentations

Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Alicia Archibald (Satellite Coordinator, CEDC) introduced the Center’s mission to create a circular economy in Colorado. She highlighted a potential opportunity for Colorado Springs to host a facility by Renegade Plastics, a South Korea–based company that produces polypropylene-coated fabric.

Morgan Bachman (Operations Coordinator, Circular Action Alliance Colorado) explained that EPR shifts financial and operational responsibility for end-of-life management of paper and packaging from taxpayers to producers. Producers must pay annual dues based on the materials they distribute in Colorado; those who do not register or pay are barred from selling products in the state as of July 1, 2025. The program aims to provide recycling at no cost to residents. Colorado Springs is an open market, meaning residents subscribe privately for curbside service, but the city is eligible for education and outreach payments from CAA. The city can choose to receive those funds and control spending, or divert them to CAA to spend on the city’s behalf.

Councilmember Henjum expressed strong support for the program and noted the recent Waste Characterization Study, funded by a $350,000 state grant. Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Trujillo reported that the city’s current diversion rate is 17%, significantly lower than the national average. The city is developing an action plan while respecting its open‑market, free‑market philosophy.

Councilmember Donelson asked about the impact of heavy trash trucks on residential streets. Trujillo said the city has not yet collected route data from haulers but will research the information.

Liz Kuhn (Colorado Circular Communities, CDPHE) described the C3 program, which provides free technical assistance and funding for recycling, composting, and reuse projects. She noted that C3 funded the city’s waste characterization study.

Councilmember Leinweber asked which city department oversees these efforts. Trujillo identified Asha Kurian, Business Project Manager, as the project lead.

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Presentation

Julie Smyth (President, PPLD Board of Trustees) explained that PPLD is a separate legal entity under Colorado statute, governed by a seven‑member volunteer board appointed jointly by City Council and the County Commissioners. The district serves about 700,000 people with 14 branches. It is fully committed to the First Amendment and Colorado Library Law, and it does not discriminate in access to materials.

Teona Shainidze Krebs (CEO, PPLD) reported that 45% of individuals and 65% of households in the district hold library cards. The top services are borrowing materials, computer use, asking questions, and attending programs. Physical and e‑materials are used equally. Summer Adventure program participation has doubled in five years, with 3,500 attendees at the East Library party in 2025.

Councilmember Henjum requested an annual presentation from PPLD and asked about the library’s role as a community gathering place. Smyth affirmed that PPLD provides community rooms and aligns with Colorado Library Law.

Councilmember Donelson asked about restoring a library in the Rockrimmon area. Smyth stated the board is committed to equal access across districts and is actively looking for properties, but cannot commit to a specific timeline. Councilmember Donelson expressed disappointment from constituents who lost the Rockrimmon library.

Councilmember Rainey asked about the future of libraries given e‑book usage. Smyth noted that higher e‑book use in the eastern part of the city may be due to a lack of physical book access. Shainidze Krebs stated that younger generations tend to prefer physical books.

Discussion Items

Bradley Ranch Metropolitan District – Amended and Restated Service Plan (Item 8A)

Allison Stocker (Senior Planner) presented a request to amend and restate the service plan for the Bradley Ranch Metropolitan District, located southeast of Old Ranch Road and North Union Boulevard (Council District 2). The 126‑acre district, created in 2006, is built out with 359 single‑family homes. The key change is increasing the operations and maintenance mill levy from 10 to 22 mills to fund consolidated trash service, reducing the number of trash trucks in the neighborhood. The maximum debt allowance would be reduced from $30 million to $10 million; the district currently has $8.4 million outstanding and plans no new debt. The board is now composed entirely of homeowner‑residents.

Councilmember Henjum asked about the cost of the consolidated trash service. Shawn Helzer (Board President, resident) stated it would be approximately $20 per home per month, lower than individual service, and included in property taxes, providing a taxable income reduction.

Ellston Park Metropolitan District – Bond Issuance (Item 8B)

Allison Stocker presented a resolution approving the issuance of up to $4 million in Senior and Subordinate Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds (Series 2025) for ongoing development. The 29‑acre district is northwest of West Fillmore and I‑25 (Council District 1), created in 2021. No debt has been issued yet. The district has 167 single‑family units planned. The total cost of planned improvements exceeds $4 million, so additional bonds may be needed in the future. No council questions were raised.

Partial Land Donation to Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (Item 8C)

Troy Stover (Business Park Development Director) presented a resolution recognizing the partial donation of approximately 54 acres (Parcel 4A) to the airport. The property is east of the airport. The Purchase and Sale Agreement (executed May 2023) was amended to split Parcel 4, and a fifth amendment reduced the annual price escalator from 4% to 2.5%, saving the airport about $98,000. The parcel appraised above the negotiated price, creating an in‑kind donation. The seller requested back‑to‑back approval for end‑of‑year tax purposes and is leaving the country on September 23, 2025. The resolution will go to the regular meeting on September 23 for a vote. Attorney Trevor Gloss confirmed City Attorney’s Office approval.

Tutt Boulevard Extension – Property Acquisition (Item 8D)

Gayle Sturdivant (City Engineer) presented a resolution authorizing the acquisition of real property, permanent easements, and temporary easements using Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) funds for the Tutt Boulevard Extension from Dublin Boulevard to Templeton Gap Road. The project is complete. The city’s appraisal valued the needed property at $580,000; the owner’s appraisal came in at $1.2 million. After a year of negotiations, the parties reached a settlement agreement of $910,000, which also considers damages to a remnant parcel. Because the amount exceeds $100,000, council approval is required. PPRTA already approved the original $580,000; the remaining $330,000 will be requested from the PPRTA board on October 8. The item was placed on the consent agenda for October 14.

Key Decisions and Outcomes

• Bradley Ranch Metropolitan District: The resolution will go to the regular meeting on October 14, 2025 for a vote.
• Ellston Park Metropolitan District: The bond issuance resolution will go to the regular meeting on October 14, 2025.
• Airport Land Donation: The resolution is on the September 23, 2025 regular meeting agenda and will be voted on (back‑to‑back).
• Tutt Boulevard Extension: Placed on the October 14, 2025 consent agenda.
• Circular Economy/Recycling: Council expressed interest in further exploring participation in EPR education and outreach funding and in receiving a formal presentation on the Waste Characterization Study results and an action plan.
• PPLD: Council requested an annual presentation from the library district.