OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Work Session Transcript October 27, 2025

City Council — Monday, October 27, 2025
BodyColorado Springs, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 27, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:40:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:53

Good morning.

0:55

Welcome to the City of Corps Springs work session meeting agenda for Monday, October 27th, 2025.

1:04

Will the clerk please read call the rule?

1:10

Councilmember Bailey.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Councilmember Crow Averson.

1:14

Here.

1:14

Councilmember Donaldson.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Council Member Gold.

1:19

Excused.

1:20

And in route.

1:22

Councilmember Henjam.

1:24

Present.

1:25

Council Member Williams.

1:29

Councilmember Lyon Lever.

1:31

Here.

1:31

Councilmember Rainey.

1:34

Excused.

1:37

Councilmember Resley.

1:39

Here.

1:40

All nine.

1:44

Seven presidents.

1:45

Two in round.

1:47

Thank you.

1:48

Before we get started this morning.

1:55

Um we I'm sure all of you have heard over the weekend that um we lost MERV, a very great um man and community leader to our community.

2:07

We will do a resolution later in the year or the first of the year, whichever works best for his wife and children and grandchildren.

2:17

But um for this morning, if we could just take a moment of pause, I would greatly appreciate it.

2:28

Thank you.

2:30

Moving on to changes to today's agenda.

2:32

Are there any changes to today's agenda?

2:37

Moving on to three regular minute meeting comments.

2:40

Are there any changes to the regular meeting for tomorrow?

2:45

Review of previous minutes.

2:47

Will the clerk please read item four A into the record?

2:51

City Council Work session meeting minutes, October 13, 2025.

2:56

Are there any changes to those minutes?

3:00

Seeing none.

3:01

Moving on to item six A.

3:05

Will the clerk please read item six A into the record?

3:17

Good morning.

3:19

Good morning, Council.

3:20

Thank you so much for this opportunity to present a really exciting uh chance we have at Valley High.

3:26

Uh I'm going to introduce it and then as part of that I'd like to introduce actually our new golf manager.

3:32

If you'll remember in June, we had Pat Gentili here recognizing his 30 years of service as he retired from our golf enterprise.

3:40

Uh with us today is Jared Clayton, who is the new golf manager.

3:44

He has a 25-year career, including 16 years in golf uh course management and maintenance with his remaining years focused on water conservation and turf management.

3:56

So he will be coming up and he will talk a little bit about the relationship we've had and developed with First T of Southern Colorado over the last several years, and then they will be presenting this latest project that we're so excited about and are very happy to support.

4:12

So we're gonna turn it over to Jared.

4:16

Good morning, Council members.

4:17

My name is Jared Clayton.

4:18

As Kid mentioned, I'm the golf division manager.

4:20

I oversee operations of both Patty Jewett and Valley High Golf Course.

4:25

Just wanted to give a very, very brief history of Valley High Golf Course and our partnership with the first T of Southern Colorado, especially for our newer council members who may not be familiar with it.

4:36

Valley High Golf Course was originally built in 1956 and later purchased by the city in 1975, making this year the 50th anniversary of municipal ownership.

4:47

In 2013, the city established a partnership with the first T of Southern Colorado to bring on-site youth programming to Valley High.

4:55

The first T has proven to be an exceptional partner, bringing tremendous value to both the course and the community.

5:01

Through their own funding and leadership, they designed and constructed a dedicated practice area in 2015, followed by a four-hole short course in 2016.

5:12

These facilities created an outstanding environment for teaching youth both the game of golf and the core values that come with it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Homelessness███████████████████19%
Economic Development██████████10%
Technology and Innovation█████████9%
Land Use and Zoning█████████9%
Public Health█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Procedural███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Work Session October 27, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council convened for a work session on October 27, 2025, to review diverse agenda items including economic development incentives, cemetery expansions, public safety ordinances, and downtown planning updates. The meeting opened with a moment of silence to honor the late MERV, a beloved community leader, and included presentations from the First Tee, the Coroner's Office, and the Police Department. Council members engaged in substantive discussions regarding fiscal impacts, homelessness strategies, and the need for balanced enforcement alongside community support.

Consent Calendar

  • First Tee Project: The Council deferred a resolution for the November 10th meeting regarding the First Tee of Southern Colorado's proposal to rebuild a deteriorating facility at Valley High Golf Course with a projected budget of $1.4 million.
  • Economic Development Agreements: The Council voted to place three resolutions on consent for the November 10th meeting: (1) approving boundaries for the Chip Zone state incentive; (2) approving an economic development agreement with Project Ray for a $20 million expansion; and (3) authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Peak Metropolitan District Number Two for airport infrastructure maintenance.
  • Cemetery and Airport Items: The Council approved resolutions on consent for the platting of new blocks in Evergreen Cemetery and the approval of a debt issuance for the Copper Ridge Metropolitan District to fund the Powers Boulevard Extension.
  • General Improvement Districts: Resolutions fixing mill levies and adopting budgets for the Briar Gate and Austin Bluffs General Improvement Districts were recommended for adoption on the November 10th regular session.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Housing and Homelessness Crisis: Council members Councilwoman Gold, Councilman Lineweber, and Councilman Rainey expressed deep concern that the new vehicle camping ordinance lacks a corresponding strategic plan for housing. Councilwoman Gold highlighted the lack of safe parking options in Colorado Springs and the potential legal risks similar to the San Diego class-action lawsuit, citing the disparate impact on people with disabilities.
  • Community Support: Councilman Henjam publicly acknowledged Councilwoman Crow Iverson for her instrumental work in bringing the STEP Springs program to Colorado Springs. Councilman Gold expressed gratitude for food distribution resources and urged residents to partner with existing agencies like Solid Rock and Quick Care rather than creating new ones.
  • Condolences: Councilwoman Crow Iverson reiterated condolences to the family of the late MERV, noting a resolution will be presented later in the year.

Discussion Items

  • First Tee of Southern Colorado: Councilman Henjam and Councilman Donaldson questioned the fiscal and ownership relationship between the City and the First Tee. Sandy Johnson, CEO of the First Tee, stated the facility currently has mold and asbestos and is projected to double youth participation with a $1.4 million budget. The group is seeking a 25-year agreement, but the final ownership structure and operating agreement terms are still under negotiation with the City Attorney's office.
  • Coroner's Office Report: Councilman Lineweber questioned the definition of "accidental" vs. "suicide" deaths, suggesting that many drug deaths might be undetected suicides. The Coroner confirmed that without a note or explicit evidence, deaths are classified as accidental, and 61% of outreach services are currently rejected by individuals, though the Coroner noted that some refusals are temporary.
  • Camping and Vehicle Ordinance: Councilman Donaldson introduced an ordinance consolidating camping laws and adding a prohibition on vehicle camping (living in a vehicle for more than 24 hours in one spot). Councilman Rainey and Councilman Lineweber raised concerns that the ordinance merely displaces the issue to new locations and lacks a comprehensive strategic plan for homelessness. Amy Cox, Chief Housing and Homelessness Response Officer, testified that the city is currently short approximately 500 shelter beds and lacks a unified regional strategic plan, expressing fear that enforcement without housing will lead to unintended consequences.
  • Police Technology Surcharge: The Police Department proposed a new surcharge on municipal traffic and criminal convictions (excluding automated red light/stop sign violations) to fund rising technology costs, specifically Axon body cameras and tasers. Councilman Risley expressed concern about the fee becoming a "backfill for the general fund" and potential legal risks regarding fee amounts exceeding fines. The department stated the surcharge is capped at the fine amount and is intended to cover specific technology contracts like tasers, where costs have doubled.
  • Alarm System Fees: The Police Department proposed doubling annual alarm permit fees (residential to $50, commercial to $75) and increasing false alarm penalties. Councilman Risley noted that higher costs might drive residents toward internet-based systems rather than traditional alarms, while Councilman Henjam supported the revenue generation to offset rising personnel and vehicle costs.
  • Downtown Plan Update: Ryan Fertiller and Mark from MIG presented the "Elevate Downtown Plan." Councilman Donaldson expressed skepticism about the delay of a building height ordinance discussion, while Councilman Risley clarified that height limits are already in place for most of the form-based zone. The plan emphasizes small business support, walkability, safety, and a specific focus on adding a downtown grocery store.

Key Outcomes

  • Continuations: The First Tee of Southern Colorado project resolution, the Kennel ordinance (8G), the Camping ordinance (8N), and the Police Technology fee ordinance (8O) were not voted on for immediate consent and are scheduled for the November 10th regular session or future work sessions for further debate and potential amendment.
  • Consent Approvals: The Council voted to place the Chip Zone boundary resolution, Project Ray agreement, Peak Metropolitan District IGA, Evergreen Cemetery platting, Copper Ridge Debt issuance, BriarGate and Austin Bluffs budgets, and DDA mill levies/budgets on the consent agenda for the November 10th meeting.
  • Deference: The Council agreed to postpone the Kennel ordinance vote to allow for the inclusion of requested 55-foot setbacks for residential properties. Councilman Lineweber requested a future work session specifically dedicated to the homelessness and vehicle camping strategy.
  • Utility Rate Review: The Council received a briefing on the draft decisions for the 2026 Utilities rate case, with an understanding that additional off-cycle rate changes (such as tariff updates) may occur in early 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Welcome to the City of Corps Springs work session meeting agenda for Monday, October 27th, 2025. Will the clerk please read call the rule? Councilmember Bailey. Here. Councilmember Crow Averson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Council Member Gold. Excused. And in route. Councilmember Henjam. Present. Council Member Williams. Councilmember Lyon Lever. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Excused. Councilmember Resley. Here. All nine. Seven presidents. Two in round. Thank you. Before we get started this morning. Um we I'm sure all of you have heard over the weekend that um we lost MERV, a very great um man and community leader to our community. We will do a resolution later in the year or the first of the year, whichever works best for his wife and children and grandchildren. But um for this morning, if we could just take a moment of pause, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Moving on to changes to today's agenda. Are there any changes to today's agenda? Moving on to three regular minute meeting comments. Are there any changes to the regular meeting for tomorrow? Review of previous minutes. Will the clerk please read item four A into the record? City Council Work session meeting minutes, October 13, 2025. Are there any changes to those minutes? Seeing none. Moving on to item six A. Will the clerk please read item six A into the record? Good morning. Good morning, Council. Thank you so much for this opportunity to present a really exciting uh chance we have at Valley High. Uh I'm going to introduce it and then as part of that I'd like to introduce actually our new golf manager. If you'll remember in June, we had Pat Gentili here recognizing his 30 years of service as he retired from our golf enterprise. Uh with us today is Jared Clayton, who is the new golf manager. He has a 25-year career, including 16 years in golf uh course management and maintenance with his remaining years focused on water conservation and turf management. So he will be coming up and he will talk a little bit about the relationship we've had and developed with First T of Southern Colorado over the last several years, and then they will be presenting this latest project that we're so excited about and are very happy to support. So we're gonna turn it over to Jared.

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