Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - April 27, 2026

The City Council held a work session on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The agenda included presentations from JustServe, Visit COS, and the Chamber & EDC; a city audit concerning an elected official; resolutions on the Brookside Realignment Project, COS Creek Plan feasibility study, Pikeview Quarry land donation, and natural gas rates; councilmember reports; and executive sessions. Key discussions centered on tourism trends, rebranding of the Chamber & EDC, policy gaps for elected officials' use of city resources, and the acceptance of the Pikeview Quarry donation.

Note: The minutes mention postponement of "item 10C," but the agenda only lists items 10A (open executive session) and 10B (closed executive session). This discrepancy is noted.

Presentations for General Information

JustServe Presentation (Item 5.A)
Tamie Farris, Pikes Peak Area JustServe Specialist, presented an overview of the free volunteer platform. JustServe has over 1 million registered users, 70,000 new volunteers per year, is available in 17 countries and 6 languages, and facilitates 15,000 active projects at any time. Erica Carter highlighted high school clubs at Pine Creek, Liberty, and Doherty. The program is free for both volunteers and organizations. Councilmember Casey asked about high school club operations, and Ms. Farris explained they are charter-based and student-run.

Visit COS – 2025 Year-End LART Update (Item 5.B)
Doug Price, President and CEO, reported that December 2025 Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART) collections were down 1.29% from 2024, and through February 2026 are down 6.18%. He attributed declines to the 44-day government shutdown and higher gas prices. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) was down $8.18 compared to 2024. Economic impact for the second half of 2025 was nearly $109 million from conventions, sports, and tours. Melissa Williams, Director of Marketing, discussed website KPIs, a "This is Why We Have Nice Things" campaign (1.3 million impressions, 1.07% click-through rate), and a new winter leisure campaign. Councilmember Rainey asked about LinkedIn ad effectiveness; Ms. Williams explained it is audience-dependent. Councilmember Henjum inquired about international travel data; it only includes American travelers. Mr. Price confirmed there are plans for the city's 150th birthday, including a drone show.

Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC – 2025 Year-End LART Update (Item 5.C)
Dani Bolling, COO, presented the Chamber & EDC's LART contract update. Highlights include 7 economic development leads from the Space Symposium, the announcement of Select Tech expanding (150 jobs at $85,927 average wage), and a national media briefing that earned 19 placements. The Chamber is undertaking a rebrand to unify messaging, launching "Source Colorado Springs" on May 18, 2026. The LART contract amount is $750,000 annually. Councilmember Leinweber asked for a list of organizations the Chamber is bringing in; Ms. Bolling agreed to provide it. Councilmember Donelson requested a similar list of events.

Staff and Appointee Reports

City Audit – Review of Concerns Involving an Elected Official (Item 6.A)
City Auditor Natalie Lovell presented findings from a Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline report regarding the mayor. The review found five instances in 2025 where the mayor's security detail (sworn police officers) accompanied him for personal tasks (picking up children from school, attending a graduation, picking up dry cleaning). Additionally, the mayor's spouse drove a city-assigned vehicle for 152.5 miles between May and June 2025, which was reported and IRS fringe benefit reporting completed. The auditor concluded that no city policies exist defining appropriate use of security detail or personal use of city assets by elected officials. The audit committee recommended the administration develop a clear policy. Acting Chief of Staff Travis Easton stated a policy is being developed. Councilmember Henjum argued the policy should accommodate the demands of the mayor's role. Councilmember Donelson questioned whether other employee spouses are allowed to drive city vehicles; the auditor said no. Councilmember Leinweber raised liability insurance concerns.

Agenda Planner Review (Item 6.B)
Councilmember Henjum requested more information on upcoming forestry items. Councilmember Donelson noted that the Boulder Street vacation and adult/child daycare ordinance will be on the May 26, 2026 regular meeting.

Items for Introduction

Brookside Realignment Project – Possession and Use Agreements and Eminent Domain (Item 7.A)
Gayle Sturdivant, City Engineer, presented a resolution to authorize use of possession and use agreements and eminent domain to acquire 5 properties for the Brookside Realignment Project, funded by PPRTA. The project aims to improve a dangerous offset intersection on Nevada Avenue. Three properties are owned by Danny Mianka, who supports the approach. Two other properties include a single-family home (Mims Living Trust) and a property with a tattoo parlor and U-Haul (Ringler). Councilmember Donelson requested crash data to justify the need and asked about property owner details. Councilmember Leinweber expressed support for the realignment. The resolution is scheduled for the May 12, 2026 regular meeting.

COS Creek Plan Feasibility Study – Memorandums of Agreement with Army Corps (Item 7.B)
Erin Powers, Stormwater Enterprise Manager, presented a resolution to authorize the Stormwater Enterprise Manager to execute two MOAs with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a feasibility study of the COS Creek Plan (from Monument Creek to Fountain Creek). The study will take 24 months and cost approximately $3.7 million, with the city contributing $600,000 from stormwater funds and private partners (Pikes Peak Waterways and others) contributing over $3 million. Councilmember Henjum expressed full support, calling it one of the most impactful developments. Councilmember Donelson asked about the appropriateness of using stormwater funds; Ms. Powers explained it enables federal cost-sharing (65% federal, 35% non-federal) and that the private contribution exceeds the city's portion. The item was requested to be placed on consent for the May 12 regular meeting.

Pikeview Quarry Land Donation (Item 7.C)
Lonna Thelen and David Deitemeyer of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services presented a resolution to accept a donation of approximately 100 acres of land known as the Pikeview Quarry. This is the third phase of a multi-year acquisition, totaling 415 acres. The reclamation work (stabilizing landslides) was completed in 2025 and approved by the state. An independent review by Granite Engineering Group confirmed the site is stable but recommended continued laser monitoring. The city will incur maintenance costs. Councilmember Henjum asked about the Leica monitoring system being donated; yes. Councilmember Leinweber noted only 10 acres are within city limits. Councilmember Donelson expressed concern about the back-to-back scheduling (work session and regular meeting vote the next day), but the majority agreed to proceed to close by May 15, 2026. No master plan exists yet; a public process will follow.

Natural Gas Rates – March 2026 Rate Case (Item 7.D)
Chris Bidlack, City Attorney's Office, presented a draft decision and order from the April 14 hearing on natural gas rates. No changes were requested. The resolution will receive final approval at the regular meeting on April 28, 2026.

Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion

Councilmember Leinweber reported on his trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and noted the Partners in the Outdoors conference starting in Colorado Springs. Councilmember Donelson attended the ANZAC ceremony and a CSU tour of Horizon Power Plant sites; he held a town hall on time-of-day rates. Councilmember Rainey attended Space Symposium events, a Japanese Space Exploration event, and the 2C Season Launch; he was assigned as an observer to the Horizon Power Plant Safety Risk Management Board. Councilmember Henjum attended a Family Promise event (noting 100% of families remained intact, 88% avoided eviction, 92% exited to stable housing) and a Safe Passage luncheon; she announced a May 7 town hall on Flanagan Park improvements and promoted a choir concert.

Executive Sessions

Open Executive Session – Dunn v. City (Item 10A)
Sara Brewen recommended authorizing the city to defend an employee. President Crow-Iverson polled council, and consensus agreed.

Closed Executive Session – Canett Settlement (Item 10B)
The council voted to hold a closed executive session to discuss litigation settlement in excess of $250,000 (Estate of Canett v. Scott). At least two-thirds consented. The session was held after a brief break.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of April 13, 2026 work session (consensus).
• Postponed agenda item 10C to May 12, 2026 (consensus). Note: Item 10C does not appear on the agenda; this may be an error in the minutes.
• Authorized the city to defend an employee in Dunn v. City (consensus).
• Approved holding a closed executive session on the Canett settlement (two-thirds vote).
• Items scheduled for regular meeting on April 28, 2026 (natural gas rates resolution) and May 12, 2026 (Brookside resolution, COS Creek Plan MOAs, Pikeview Quarry donation, and other items).
• The Pikeview Quarry donation resolution will be voted on at the regular meeting on April 28, 2026 (back-to-back schedule), with closing deadline of May 15, 2026.