OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

AboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Colorado Springs, Colorado/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Work Session – September 21, 2026

City Council — Monday, September 21, 2026
BodyColorado Springs, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:17:02

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Department, you'll find Johnny.

0:02

He's part of the team that maintains the city's comprehensive plan and updates the unified development code and zoning map.

0:08

These tools serve as the roadmap for developers, businesses, and residents as our city grows.

0:45

Will the clerk please call the roll?

0:50

Councilmember Casey.

0:51

Here.

0:52

Councilmember Crow Iverson.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Councilmember Donaldson.

0:56

Here.

0:57

Council Member Gold.

0:59

Excused.

1:01

Councilmember Henjam.

1:04

I believe is here.

1:05

And she's here.

1:07

Um Council Member Lineweber.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Councilmember Rainey.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Councilmember Risley.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Thank you.

1:16

Council Member Williams.

1:19

Here.

1:24

Are there any changes to the agenda for today?

1:29

Councilmember Henjum present.

1:31

Seeing none, moving on to item three.

1:33

Are there any changes to the regular meeting?

1:37

Seeing none, moving on to item 4A.

1:39

Will the clerk please read item 4A into the record?

1:42

Item 4A, City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes, September 8th, 2026.

1:48

Are there any changes to these minutes?

1:51

Oh, madam President, I just I have a question just about the uh closed executive session.

1:55

When is that gonna happen?

1:57

At the end of this meeting.

1:59

Okay.

2:02

Item 5A.

2:05

Will the clerk please read item 5A into the record?

2:08

Item 5A, 26-316, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC 2026 mid-year lodgers and auto rental tax contract update to city council.

2:21

Good morning, Danny.

2:26

There we go.

2:26

Good morning.

2:28

Thank you for having me this morning.

2:30

So I like to start off.

2:31

Um, first of all, my name's Danny Bowling.

2:33

I'm the chief operating officer at the Colorado Springs Chamber in EDC.

2:36

Hope you're all doing well, and thank you for having me this morning.

2:39

I like to start off with this slide that includes an excerpt of our LART contract, saying that the Chamber in EDC runs business attraction, retention and expansion, and business tourism programs for the Pikes Peak region.

2:51

The rest of my slides will show results in Earn Media, an update on our Source Colorado Springs program, a new initiative in our FAM tour, and all of this fulfills our LART's purpose, which is attracting visitors, promoting business tourism, and supporting economic development.

3:08

So to start off with our economic development team on the road.

3:13

This is the outbound part of our strategy, taking the Colorado Springs story directly to where site selectors and decision makers are already gather.

3:22

Industry conferences reach our cybersecurity software companies that are core to our tech sector.

3:28

Economics is a high-profile uh networking group with with actual site selectors and deal makers where deal uh where deals are being decided and where business lands.

3:38

And our aerospace and defense summit is uh reinforces our number two ranked space economy to industry buyers.

3:44

This is our economic development team fulfilling our marketing plan strategic outreach and industry activation strategy, going to targeted trade shows is tied to our priority industries generating qualified one-on-one meetings.

3:58

Here's just a couple of photos of our team in action.

4:01

Seth Pruitt on the left is participating in a panel talking about workforce, and then uh two of our team members at Economics, which is that networking uh with site selectors conference that I mentioned.

4:13

So last uh presentation I shared with you all on Source Colorado Springs and the findings um and results of our national uh messaging and branding to tell our story at that national level and have that unified voice.

4:27

Uh, since then, we've launched our website and we have our assets up and running.

4:31

Uh so a couple things on the website is this is a home for all of our earned media and national press and turns it into a lasting asset.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████████████26%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Tourism██████████10%
Procedural████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Energy And Sustainability███████7%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Youth Programs█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Work Session – September 21, 2026

The City Council held a work session on Monday, September 21, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The agenda covered updates on economic development, quarterly finances, a proposed furlough day elimination, Colorado Springs Utilities rate changes, updates to Civil Service Commission rules, a lease extension for the City Auditorium, and a ground lease for First Tee Southern Colorado. Council also heard reports on community events and made a request to reschedule a public hearing.

Presentations for General Information

  • Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC LART Update (20 min): Dani Barger, COO, reported mid-year results for the Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART) contract. The Chamber has secured 55 national trade and local media placements, launched the Source Colorado Springs website, and announced a familiarization tour for meeting planners in October 2026. Councilmember Donaldson asked about negative statewide stories being countered (e.g., businesses fleeing). Barger noted the annual LART funding is $787,500. There were no other questions.

Staff and Appointee Reports

  • Quarterly Financial Report (30 min): CFO Charae McDaniel presented revenue updates. Sales and use tax is estimated $9.2 million over budget for 2026. LART is up 3.09% year-to-date. Retail marijuana tax collections are rising but comparisons are limited. The $9.2M surplus is proposed for: (1) elimination of the November 25, 2026 furlough day ($330,800), and (2) one-time capital expenditures. McDaniel also discussed a $2.275 million stipend from the 911 authority for call takers, creating savings for PD capital projects (roof replacements, parking lot). Council discussed turnover rates: estimated 16.6% total turnover for 2026 (vs. 14.1% in 2025), with higher rates in police and fire. Councilmember Henjum attributed attrition to budget cuts and compensation. For 2027, the budget includes no furlough days, 2% pay-for-performance for civilians, market adjustments for sworn police/fire, and a dedicated pothole crew (3 positions). Councilmember Donaldson questioned the pothole team's dedication. McDaniel said the team would fill over 10% more potholes annually.
  • Agenda Planner Review (5 min): No questions or changes.

Items for Introduction

  • 7A – Elimination of November 25, 2026 Furlough Day: Chief of Staff Wayne Williams presented a supplemental appropriation ordinance to remove the furlough day and pay employees for that day. Estimated cost: $330,800 from the general fund surplus. Council discussed options for employees who had planned the day off – they may use vacation, personal day, or unpaid time. Councilmember Lineweber advocated giving the day as a paid day off without requiring work. Councilmember Donaldson supported the administration's proposal (work day with optional leave). Councilmember Henjum requested clarification on taking unpaid time even if vacation is available. Williams said they would work with employees. The item will be voted on at a future meeting.
  • 7B/7C – Colorado Springs Utilities Electric Rate Changes and Rule Changes: Chris Bidlack presented draft Decision & Order and Resolutions for net metering rate changes approved by council direction on August 25, 2026. Councilmember Henjum asked about the cost shift amount: staff testified $38/month (2027 basis) vs. $33 (2025 basis) – both correct due to escalation. She also asked about a battery storage program; staff confirmed a demand-side management program for batteries is planned to be announced by April 1, 2027. Councilmember Donaldson defended the rate changes as necessary to recover costs and reduce subsidies from non-solar customers. The documents will be voted on at the September 22 formal meeting.
  • 7D – Civil Service Commission Rules Update: Danielle Delgado (Fire HR) presented updated rules to modernize language and align with current practices. Noted one objection from Local 5 regarding a provision allowing the chief to remove candidates from promotional lists at sole discretion. The plan is to withdraw or alter that provision and bring it back before the October 13 vote. The rest of the rules were supported. Councilmember Hinjem asked if police and fire unions were consulted; Delgado confirmed they were. Councilmember Williams requested a special meeting to handle the revision before the vote.
  • 7E – City Auditorium Lease Amendment (AVA Presents): Kim King requested extending the rent abatement period from June 9, 2026 to April 1, 2027 due to delays in studies, contracting, and construction. The operator, Jesse Morreali, said work is underway with local contractors (CSNA Architects, Fred Fleetmeyer Co.). Councilmember Risley expressed concern about subsidizing a for-profit business and questioned the new timeline. Councilmember Donaldson strongly supported the extension, calling it essential to save a historic building. The Parks Board recommended approval. The item will be voted on at a future meeting (not on consent).
  • 7F – First Tee Southern Colorado Ground Lease: Kim King presented a resolution finding community benefit for leasing a portion of Valley Hi Golf Course to First Tee for a new year-round facility. First Tee offers youth golf programs starting at age 3. The 25-year ground lease (with 25-year renewal) is $1/year plus utilities and maintenance. First Tee will build a $1.2 million facility and donate it to the city at lease end. The program serves diverse youth and never turns a child away for inability to pay. Councilmember Henjum expressed strong support. Councilmember Lineweber asked about PGA grants; First Tee CEO Sandy Johnson said all funding is secured. The item will be voted on at the September 22 meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • The City Council will consider the following items for formal adoption at the September 22, 2026 regular meeting: 7A (furlough elimination ordinance), 7B/7C (Utilities rate case resolutions), 7D (Civil Service Commission rules, with a pending revision), 7E (Auditorium lease amendment), and 7F (First Tee ground lease).
  • The Civil Service Commission rules update will be revised to address the objection from Local 5 before the October 13 vote; a special meeting may be called.
  • Councilmember Donaldson requested that the Project Taurus public hearing date be moved from October 13 to a date earlier or later to avoid the appearance of post-election voting.
  • Councilmember reports highlighted the International Association of Fire Fighters Memorial (over 6,000 attendees), the Pikes Peak Ascent, the Saluting Branches tree care event, and the passing of World War II veteran Ed Beck.

Meeting Transcript

Department, you'll find Johnny. He's part of the team that maintains the city's comprehensive plan and updates the unified development code and zoning map. These tools serve as the roadmap for developers, businesses, and residents as our city grows. Will the clerk please call the roll? Councilmember Casey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Council Member Gold. Excused. Councilmember Henjam. I believe is here. And she's here. Um Council Member Lineweber. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Here. Councilmember Risley. Here. Thank you. Council Member Williams. Here. Are there any changes to the agenda for today? Councilmember Henjum present. Seeing none, moving on to item three. Are there any changes to the regular meeting? Seeing none, moving on to item 4A. Will the clerk please read item 4A into the record? Item 4A, City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes, September 8th, 2026. Are there any changes to these minutes? Oh, madam President, I just I have a question just about the uh closed executive session. When is that gonna happen? At the end of this meeting. Okay. Item 5A. Will the clerk please read item 5A into the record? Item 5A, 26-316, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC 2026 mid-year lodgers and auto rental tax contract update to city council. Good morning, Danny. There we go. Good morning. Thank you for having me this morning. So I like to start off. Um, first of all, my name's Danny Bowling. I'm the chief operating officer at the Colorado Springs Chamber in EDC. Hope you're all doing well, and thank you for having me this morning. I like to start off with this slide that includes an excerpt of our LART contract, saying that the Chamber in EDC runs business attraction, retention and expansion, and business tourism programs for the Pikes Peak region. The rest of my slides will show results in Earn Media, an update on our Source Colorado Springs program, a new initiative in our FAM tour, and all of this fulfills our LART's purpose, which is attracting visitors, promoting business tourism, and supporting economic development. So to start off with our economic development team on the road.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com