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Record of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - October 26, 2026

City Council — Monday, October 26, 2026
BodyColorado Springs, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 26, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:18

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

An extreme threat.

0:01

Monitor fire conditions and load essentials into your car.

0:05

Go means evacuate now.

0:07

Listen.

Speaker 2

0:08

So did your home, work, and school.

0:11

Download the Reach Well app to receive emergency alerts in more than 130 languages.

0:16

Visit PeakAlerts.org to learn more.

Speaker 3

0:25

Good morning.

0:26

Welcome to the work session meeting for Car Springs.

0:30

City Council work session Monday, October 26th, 2026.

0:36

There's something to that.

0:38

Will a clerk please call the roll?

Speaker 4

0:43

Councilmember Casey.

Speaker 5

0:45

Here.

Speaker 4

0:45

Councilmember Crow Iverson.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Councilmember Donaldson.

Speaker 5

0:49

Here.

Speaker 4

0:49

Councilmember Gold.

0:51

In Rue.

0:53

Right.

0:53

In the hall coming in.

0:55

Councilmember Hen.

Unassigned speaker

0:58

I

Speaker 3

0:58

think she's going to join us online.

Speaker 4

1:01

Councilmember Lionwever.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Councilmember Rainey.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Councilmember Risley.

Speaker 6

1:06

Here.

Speaker 4

1:07

Councilmember Williams.

1:08

Here.

1:09

All nine present.

Speaker 3

1:10

Moving into item two.

1:11

Are there any changes to the agenda today?

1:15

Seeing none.

1:16

Moving on to item three.

1:17

Are there any changes to the regular meeting?

1:22

Seeing none.

1:23

Moving on to item 4A.

1:24

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

Speaker 4

1:28

City Council Worksarsial Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2026.

Speaker 3

1:32

Are there any changes to these minutes?

1:35

See none moving on to item seven.

1:38

Will the clerk please read item 7A into the record?

Unassigned speaker

1:42

A

Speaker 4

1:42

resolution fixing and certifying the 2026 tax levy for taxes payable in 2027 at five mils for the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority in the Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Unassigned speaker

1:55

Good

Speaker 4

1:55

morning, Chelsea.

1:56

And 7B goes with that.

1:58

Okay, do you

Speaker 3

1:59

want to read 7B

Unassigned speaker

2:00

in?

Speaker 4

2:00

Okay.

2:00

A resolution approving the 2027 budget for the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Speaker 7

2:08

Good morning.

2:09

Good morning.

2:09

Thank you so much.

2:11

Chelsea Gondack with the Downtown Partnership here on behalf of both the Business Improvement District and the DDA.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Downtown Revitalization████████████████████████████28%
Community Engagement███████████████████19%
Land Use and Zoning███████████11%
Airport Management█████████9%
Fire Prevention██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Procedural████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Colorado Springs City Council Work Session - October 26, 2026

The City Council held a work session on October 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The session focused on introducing and discussing several resolutions and ordinances related to downtown development authorities, improvement districts, airport land donation, accessory dwelling unit height allowances, and the creation of a fire construction services enterprise. No formal votes were taken; all items are slated for future public hearings and formal adoption.

Discussion Items

  • 7A & 7B – Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Business Improvement District (BID): Chelsea Gondeck, CEO of Downtown Partnership, presented the 2027 mill levy certification (5.000 mills) and budget for the DDA, along with the BID’s operational plans. She highlighted downtown cleaning, marketing, grants, and the shift to the “block by block” program. Councilmembers asked about grant funding sources (DDA funds) and coordination of downtown events. The council expressed appreciation for the work and noted increased foot traffic.
  • 7C & 7D – Briargate General Improvement District 2021: Charae McDaniel, CFO, introduced a resolution fixing a 4.409 mill levy (unchanged) and a 2027 budget of $2.248 million (up $165,000 from 2026). The district is managed by the Parks department for maintenance. A public hearing is set for November 10, 2026.
  • 7E & 7F – Marketplace at Austin Bluffs General Improvement District: McDaniel introduced a 50.00 mill levy (unchanged) and a $545,325 budget for debt service on bonds. An additional $355,000 payment will be made in 2027 to reduce interest. Public hearing set for November 10, 2026.
  • 7G – Partial Land Donation to Colorado Springs Airport: Alexandru Kovacs, Director of Aviation, presented a resolution accepting a partial donation of approximately 174 acres from Veranda Vista Investments. The donation represents the difference between appraised value and purchase price for Parcels 4B and 5. The land is intended for future development and airport protection. Councilmembers asked about intended use and history of the acquisition.
  • 7H – Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Height Allowance Amendment: Johnny Malpica, Senior Comprehensive Planner, introduced an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code to change the height allowance for detached ADUs. The current code allows 16 feet, or 25 feet if the ADU is “converted” from a garage. The proposed change strikes “converted” and allows 25 feet for any detached ADU attached to a detached garage, aiming to reduce regulatory hurdles. The City Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Councilmembers expressed support for increased flexibility.
  • 7I – Fire Construction Services Enterprise Establishment: Kris Cooper, Fire Marshal, presented an ordinance to create a separate enterprise for fire construction services (plan review and inspections), moving it out of the existing Development Review Enterprise. The change aims to improve alignment under fire department leadership, financial accountability, and workflow. No staffing or fee changes are proposed. Councilmembers voiced support for efficiency.

Councilmember Reports & Open Discussion

  • Councilmembers reported on community events: Homefront Military Network breakfast (900 attendees), Da Vinci Museum in Pueblo, Filipino American History Month, upcoming elections (November 3), the announcement of a UFL team (Colorado Stampede), a space academy bid, the AKC dog show (estimated $1 million economic impact), Rosemont Reservoir recreational development, and the Veterans Day Parade (November 7).
  • Councilmember Donaldson requested moving the reconsideration of Project Taurus out of the lame-duck period, citing trust concerns.

Key Outcomes

  • All items (7A–7I) were introduced and discussed; no votes were taken.
  • Public hearings and formal adoption votes for 7C–7F are scheduled for November 10, 2026.
  • The ADU ordinance (7H) is expected to go to first and second reading in November.
  • The fire construction enterprise ordinance (7I) will proceed to a future regular meeting for adoption.

Meeting Transcript

An extreme threat. Monitor fire conditions and load essentials into your car. Go means evacuate now. Listen. So did your home, work, and school. Download the Reach Well app to receive emergency alerts in more than 130 languages. Visit PeakAlerts.org to learn more. Good morning. Welcome to the work session meeting for Car Springs. City Council work session Monday, October 26th, 2026. There's something to that. Will a clerk please call the roll? Councilmember Casey. Here. Councilmember Crow Iverson. Here. Councilmember Donaldson. Here. Councilmember Gold. In Rue. Right. In the hall coming in. Councilmember Hen. I think she's going to join us online. Councilmember Lionwever. Here. Councilmember Rainey. Here. Councilmember Risley. Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. All nine present. Moving into item two. Are there any changes to the agenda today? 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? City Council Worksarsial Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2026. Are there any changes to these minutes? See none moving on to item seven. Will the clerk please read item 7A into the record? A resolution fixing and certifying the 2026 tax levy for taxes payable in 2027 at five mils for the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority in the Colorado Springs, Colorado. Good morning, Chelsea.

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