City Hall Highlights – week of February 10, 2020

Highlights from Monday’s City Council Work Session, February 10, 2020:

-Garden of the Gods Commercial Use Permit: Matt Mayberry reiterated that the new permit requirements at city parks DID NOT apply to commercial photographers taking wedding photos unless they were going to close part of the park for their activities. There was a lengthy discussion on the use of the revenue generated from the permits, when would permits apply to commercial photographers, and what the city council and city staff do to quell the growing anxiety on the cost of the permits, the impact and the general rollout of the new rules.

-Resolution approving the amended 2020 Budget for the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority in Colorado Springs, Colorado: Moved off the consent calendar for further discussion.

-A resolution approving the administrative dissolution of the Powers Center Metro District.

-A resolution authorizing the Southwest Downtown Business Improvement District to issue debt in the form of Series 2020 Limited Tax Supported and Special Revenue Senior Bonds in a total principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000

-A Resolution Approving a Cooperation Agreement for Redevelopment of Portions of Southwest Downtown, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

– Update on the amendment of City Code Chapter 7 (Zoning and Subdivision Regulations).

Highlights from Tuesday’s City Council Meeting, February 11, 2020:

-Consent Calendar:  City Council has discussed the items below and approved them.

          -Amended Article 5 (Alcohol Beverages) of Chapter 2 (Business Licensing, Liquor Regulation and Taxation) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, pertaining to Liquor Code.

-Supplemental appropriation to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Fund in the amount of $3,362,600 for acquisition of approximately 335 Acres of property for the purpose of public open space and trails.

-Approved the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan for the use of federal block grant funds (CDBG, HOME, ESG) provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This item was initially moved off the consent calendar for a quick discussion over the strings attached to the plan.  The final vote was 8/1, with Andy Pico voting no.

-Declared the intent of the City of Colorado Springs to issue $21 million of Multifamily Housing Private Activity Bonds to finance the construction of an affordable multifamily housing development known as Draper Commons.

-Citizen Discussion:  This week three citizens voiced their concern about code enforcement, corrupt judges, Drake Power Plant and its fate, and provided a spiritual reading for the city council.

The council went on to approve, by a vote of 9/0, for the following five items:

          -Rezoned 0.44 acres located at 532 West Colorado Avenue on the northeast corner of West Colorado Avenue and South Chestnut Street from general business to planned unit development.

-Authorized the Southwest Downtown Business Improvement District to issue debt in the form of Series 2020 Limited Tax Supported and Special Revenue Senior Bonds in a total principal amount not to exceed $50 Million.

-Approved a cooperation agreement for redevelopment of portions of southwest downtown, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

-Recognized the Mayor’s Authority to execute all intergovernmental agreements related to Colorado Department of Transportation grant applications and execution documents.

-Vacated the public right-of-way described as a portion of the Brookside Williamsons alley within The Town of Brook Side subdivision and the Williamson’s Addition to Ivywild subdivision consisting of 0.043 acres.  The developer is using the public right-of-way to support multi-family residential units.

There was very little discussion on any of the items above and the city council adjourned the meeting at around 11:00 am for lunch and a closed executive meeting in the afternoon.

Check out what happened on February 24, 2020 city council meeting.

The Maverick Observer, or “The Moe” as we affectionately call it, is an online free-thinking publication interested in the happenings in our town. We launched in February 2020 to hold our politicians and businesses accountable. We hope to educate, inform, entertain, and infuse you with a sense of community.