OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Meeting Summary 2025-11-10

City Council — Monday, November 10, 2025
BodyColorado Springs, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:42:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good morning.

0:02

Welcome to the City of Car Springs regular city council meeting for November 10th, 2025.

0:09

Will the clerk please read the roll call?

0:13

Councilmember Bailey.

0:15

Here.

0:15

Councilmember Crow Iverson.

0:17

Here.

0:17

Councilmember Donaldson.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Gold.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Councilmember Hendriam present.

0:23

Councilmember Line Weber.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Rainey.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Councilmember Risley.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Councilmember Williams.

0:30

Here.

0:30

Online present.

0:32

We'll move on to the consent calendar.

0:34

We will now consider the consent calendar with those items that will be acted on as a whole, unless a specific item is cost called off for discussion by a council member or a citizen wishing to address it.

0:44

Is there anyone wishing to pull anything off of consent?

0:48

Seeing none, can I have a thumbs up?

0:51

Voice vote.

0:56

We need a motion.

1:00

Councilman, I have a motion from Councilman Bailey, a second from Councilman Risley.

1:06

It was all in favor.

1:08

Thumbs up.

1:09

Moving on to recognitions, will the clerk please read item 4A into the record.

1:24

A resolution honoring November 11, 2025 is Veterans Day.

1:29

Councilman Rainey.

1:32

Thank you, Madam President, and what an honor to read not only this resolution, but uh hopefully anyone who's also here who is a veteran and want to say some words later would share those words to include my colleagues here on the dais who've also served in uniform.

1:54

You know, I did some reflecting a little bit on you know this resolution, and I think sometimes, you know, we do resolutions and it's another holiday and it happens every year, and people just kind of look at it from a sense of, well, it's just another resolution.

2:10

Um I will tell you, we're at a very unique time in our nation.

2:15

And uh the one thing I do take great pride in is when I see our young folks stepping up, raising their hand to serve our nation.

2:27

And whether they are going down to joint base San Antonio Likelin for Air Force basic training, uh whether they're going to Paris Island, whether they are going to Fort Mark and Fort Jackson, whether they're going to Camp May uh for the Coast Guard training, whatever that looks like, and when they are done with their training, they are raising their hands to serve our great nation and protect those uh liberties and and those values that we set as Americans.

3:02

And no matter what the political temperatures are, whether that's local at the state level or federal level, we have men and women out there that are serving and uh protecting uh our great nation.

3:20

Uh and I can't uh say uh a lot more uh about doing that, being able to uh take the oath and knowing whether it's you serving two, four, or twenty or twenty-nine years in the military, uh the fact that you are gonna wear that uniform, proudly represent the American flag and serve those uh every day um is something extra special.

3:50

And I'm quite sure a lot of you in the audience and those online, uh you probably if you're not a veteran yourself, you probably have uh a spouse who serve right next to you, or you've had uh relatives who served in the military.

4:04

Um with that being said, I will go ahead and read this resolution and then when we bring it back up to the dies, I would like to uh have uh some of our council members uh chime in on that.

4:18

A resolution honoring November 11, 2025 as Veterans Day, whereas the United States Congress declared November 11th, Amnesty Day on May 13, 1938, to honor World War One veterans and was renamed Veterans Day on June 1, 1954 to honor veterans of all wars, and whereas Veterans Day honor all those who have served the country in war or peace and in time for us to pay our respects to those who have served.

5:04

And we affirm our sacred duty as citizens to express our enduring gratitude, both in words and in actions.

5:13

And whereas our country has the best trained and the best equipped military force in the world.

5:20

And we need to make sure that we have the most supported and respected veterans in the world.

5:26

And whereas the city of Colorado Springs is a proud home to over tens of thousands of veterans and has recognized what has been recognized with numerous awards as a top location for veterans to call home.

5:42

And whereas may we sustain veterans' lasting contributions to our nation's progress and carry forward their legacy by building a future that is stronger, safer, and freer for all.

5:57

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city of Colorado Springs.

6:01

The City Council honors November 11, 2025 as Veterans Day, dated 10 November 2025, sign City Council President Lynette Crow-Irison.

6:14

Back to as requested by Councilman Rainey, if there's any veterans in the audience that would like to say something, maybe Jesse Kimber in the corner.

6:27

I see her looking at me, looking down away from me.

6:36

Thank you, Madam President.

6:38

I think it's so important that this council recognize the sanctity and celebration of Veterans Day, given that we have such a high population of veterans in our community.

6:49

Approximately 90,000, their spouses, their dependents have all sacrificed to make our country and our community safe.

6:56

And I thank you again for this proclamation.

7:00

Thank you.

7:02

Seeing no others, I'll move it up to the dais.

7:04

Um Councilman Donaldson.

7:07

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Land Use and Zoning███████████11%
Procedural█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Veterans Recognition███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City of Colorado Springs Regular City Council Meeting - November 10, 2025

The City of Colorado Springs held its regular city council meeting on November 10, 2025, beginning with a unanimous consent calendar approval and a solemn resolution honoring Veterans Day. The primary deliberations of the evening focused on three major agenda items: a proposed consolidation and amendment of urban camping ordinances to include in-vehicle habitation, two ordinances authorizing police technology surcharges on traffic and criminal convictions, and the adoption of several annexations and specific improvement district budgets. The council also heard extensive public testimony regarding homelessness, public safety, and urban development.

Consent Calendar

  • Routine Approval: Council moved, seconded, and approved the consent calendar by voice vote (thumbs up), with no items pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Veterans Day Recognition:
    • Councilman Rainey, Councilman Donaldson, Councilman Williams, and Councilman Gold expressed deep pride and gratitude for veterans, noting the unique contributions of current service members and the sacrifices of families, including World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam vets. They emphasized the generational impact of military service.
    • Jesse Kimber (Public Commenter) testified regarding the sanctity of Veterans Day, highlighting the 90,000 veterans in the community and the sacrifices of their spouses and dependents.
  • Camp Ordinance (Vehicle Camping):
    • Opponents (including David Valencourt, Rick Herman, Susan Bolduck, Alyssa Rizzo, Tim Close, Rabbi Aya Pillsbury, Cody Natelli, Mark Johnson, Catherine Rombers, Kayla Murphy, Dr. Jason Fournier, Mia McCall, Jacqueline Deutsch, Eric Deutsch, Mary Sprunger, Beth Rolstad, Gerald White, Ollie Glessner, Bug Peterson, Emory Jenkins, Eliza Blanding, and Mariah Lauer) expressed strong opposition to criminalizing homelessness. They argued the ordinance lacks a holistic approach, fails to address the root causes of housing insecurity, and ignores the lack of resources (shelter beds, safe parking, bathrooms). Many testified that it targets vulnerable populations (families, veterans, youth) without viable alternatives, potentially leading to increased ER visits, death by exposure, and financial ruin.
    • Supporters/Procedural Comments (including David Bally, Rick Herman [supportive but requested strategic plan], and Councilman Donaldson) noted that while compassion is needed, the current lack of enforcement tools creates safety and sanitation issues for residents. They emphasized that the ordinance is a necessary tool to move individuals and connect them with services, though some called for concurrent strategic planning.
  • Police Technology Surcharge:
    • Councilman Hingem expressed full support, viewing fees on violations as appropriate consequences for breaking the law and distinct from a general public safety sales tax.
    • Councilman Risley and Mayor's Chief of Staff/Chief Financial Officer Sherry McDaniel noted concerns that layering surcharges could make passing a public safety sales tax more difficult and questioned the sustainability of relying on violation revenue amidst budget mismanagement.
    • Councilman Rainey expressed strong concern about “junk fees” and argued the police department is not managing the budget effectively, making it irresponsible to shift costs to citizens for unfunded state mandates.
  • Annexations (Woodman Rd & Peach Ranch):
    • No public comments in support or opposition were received for the Woodman Road annexation. Public comments were closed before any opposition was voiced on the Peach Ranch annexation despite community concerns about traffic and environment noted by staff.
  • General Homelessness & Budget:
    • Beth Rolstad (Homeward Pikes Peak) and Gerald White (Family Promise) urged the council to convene a task force and consider safe parking programs rather than enforcement measures.
    • Amy Cox (Chief Housing and Homelessness Response Officer) provided data on shelter capacity and confirmed no safe parking exists currently, while emphasizing the city’s commitment to long-term solutions.

Discussion Items

  • Consolidation of Camping Ordinance (Item 9E):
    • Councilman Donaldson introduced the ordinance to consolidate urban camping laws and add vehicle camping prohibitions (requiring movement of 1,000 feet within 24 hours). He argued it addresses safety concerns while offering a “move along” option rather than immediate citation.
    • Emily Vandenberg (City Attorney) and Lt. Ryan Tepley (HOT Team) confirmed that while other camping violations already exist, vehicle camping adds a specific penalty structure. They clarified that fines are rarely imposed in camping cases and that the HOT team prioritizes compassion and resource offering.
    • Councilman Lineweber and Councilwoman Henjam argued the ordinance is piecemeal and lacks holistic planning. They expressed concern over the lack of safe parking options, the potential for criminalization without resources, and the need to involve service providers in the drafting process. Councilwoman Henjam noted the ordinance was developed without prior consulting with service providers or the fire department.
    • Councilman Bailey questioned the specific objectives of a six-month postponement and whether it would yield a different outcome than the current narrow focus.
  • Police Technology Surcharges (Items 9B & 9C):
    • Deputy Chief John Koch proposed surcharges ($20 conviction fee) on non-AVIS and non-parking violations to fund mandatory police technology (body cams, Tasers) and address unfunded state mandates. He noted revenue would be capped for 2026 at roughly $544,000.
    • Councilwoman Henjam moved to approve, citing the need for targeted revenue sources for public safety. The motion passed 5-4.
    • Councilwoman Risley and others expressed strong opposition, fearing the “junk fees” would erode public trust and hinder future sales tax measures. They argued the city is managing its budget ineffectively by creating “band-aid” solutions.
    • Item 9C (failure to pay fines/surcharges) passed 8-1 after a brief amendment discussion.
  • Annexations:
    • Woodman Road (Item 10A/B): Approved unanimously (8-0 and 9-0) as city-initiated public right-of-way annexation.
    • Peach Ranch (Item 10C-F): Approved unanimously (9-0) for a 42.43-acre residential development, with City Council noting compliance with utility capacity and land use plans.
  • Improvement District Budgets:
    • Briar Gate GID: Budget adopted with a 4.409 mill levy. Council noted high salary costs are due to it being the largest district overseen by Parks.
    • Marketplace at Austin Bluffs GID: Budget adopted with a 50 mill levy for debt service.

Key Outcomes

  • Veterans Day Resolution: Passed unanimously (9-0) to honor November 11, 2025.
  • Camp Ordinance (Item 9E): Postponed indefinitely until the May 12, 2026 meeting (approx. 6 months) to allow for a holistic review involving service providers and potential safe parking development. Motion passed 5-4.
  • Police Technology Surcharge (Item 9B): Passed (5-4). Ordinance to impose a $20 surcharge on traffic/criminal convictions for technology funding is approved.
  • Fine Payment Ordinance (Item 9C): Passed (8-1). Amends municipal court procedures to align with state law regarding surcharge waivers.
  • Annexations:
    • Woodman Road: Approved (9-0 total).
    • Peach Ranch: Approved (9-0 total). Zoning, Land Use Plan, and Annexation all passed unanimously.
  • Budgets:
    • Briar Gate GID (2026): Adopted (Mill levy 4.409).
    • Marketplace at Austin Bluffs GID (2026): Adopted (Mill levy 50).
  • Next Steps: The council will reconvene in May 2026 to revisit the camping ordinance with a broader strategic approach. The administration commits to continuing collaboration with service providers regarding homelessness solutions."

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Welcome to the City of Car Springs regular city council meeting for November 10th, 2025. Will the clerk please read the roll call? Councilmember Bailey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Councilmember Gold. Here. Councilmember Hendriam present. Councilmember Line Weber. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Here. Councilmember Risley. Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. Online present. We'll move on to the consent calendar. We will now consider the consent calendar with those items that will be acted on as a whole, unless a specific item is cost called off for discussion by a council member or a citizen wishing to address it. Is there anyone wishing to pull anything off of consent? Seeing none, can I have a thumbs up? Voice vote. We need a motion. Councilman, I have a motion from Councilman Bailey, a second from Councilman Risley. It was all in favor. Thumbs up. Moving on to recognitions, will the clerk please read item 4A into the record. A resolution honoring November 11, 2025 is Veterans Day. Councilman Rainey. Thank you, Madam President, and what an honor to read not only this resolution, but uh hopefully anyone who's also here who is a veteran and want to say some words later would share those words to include my colleagues here on the dais who've also served in uniform. You know, I did some reflecting a little bit on you know this resolution, and I think sometimes, you know, we do resolutions and it's another holiday and it happens every year, and people just kind of look at it from a sense of, well, it's just another resolution. Um I will tell you, we're at a very unique time in our nation. And uh the one thing I do take great pride in is when I see our young folks stepping up, raising their hand to serve our nation. And whether they are going down to joint base San Antonio Likelin for Air Force basic training, uh whether they're going to Paris Island, whether they are going to Fort Mark and Fort Jackson, whether they're going to Camp May uh for the Coast Guard training, whatever that looks like, and when they are done with their training, they are raising their hands to serve our great nation and protect those uh liberties and and those values that we set as Americans. And no matter what the political temperatures are, whether that's local at the state level or federal level, we have men and women out there that are serving and uh protecting uh our great nation. Uh and I can't uh say uh a lot more uh about doing that, being able to uh take the oath and knowing whether it's you serving two, four, or twenty or twenty-nine years in the military, uh the fact that you are gonna wear that uniform, proudly represent the American flag and serve those uh every day um is something extra special. And I'm quite sure a lot of you in the audience and those online, uh you probably if you're not a veteran yourself, you probably have uh a spouse who serve right next to you, or you've had uh relatives who served in the military. Um with that being said, I will go ahead and read this resolution and then when we bring it back up to the dies, I would like to uh have uh some of our council members uh chime in on that. A resolution honoring November 11, 2025 as Veterans Day, whereas the United States Congress declared November 11th, Amnesty Day on May 13, 1938, to honor World War One veterans and was renamed Veterans Day on June 1, 1954 to honor veterans of all wars, and whereas Veterans Day honor all those who have served the country in war or peace and in time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. And we affirm our sacred duty as citizens to express our enduring gratitude, both in words and in actions. And whereas our country has the best trained and the best equipped military force in the world. And we need to make sure that we have the most supported and respected veterans in the world. And whereas the city of Colorado Springs is a proud home to over tens of thousands of veterans and has recognized what has been recognized with numerous awards as a top location for veterans to call home. And whereas may we sustain veterans' lasting contributions to our nation's progress and carry forward their legacy by building a future that is stronger, safer, and freer for all. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city of Colorado Springs. The City Council honors November 11, 2025 as Veterans Day, dated 10 November 2025, sign City Council President Lynette Crow-Irison.

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