Title
Protect Our Parks (“POPS”) Discussion
Presenter:
Richard Skorman, Third District City Councilmember
Kent Obee
Body
Summary:
This ordinance refers a Charter Amendment to the November 2020 election. The Charter Amendment would require any City parkland on the designation list as attached to the ordinance be disposed of only upon a referral of a vote to the citizens by at least six (6) City Councilmembers followed by an affirmative vote of a majority of those citizens voting in the election.
Background:
UPDATE FOR THE JUNE 8, 2020 WORK SESSION:
At the April 27, 2020 Council Work Session, there was discussion related to the Protect Our Parks (“POPS”) proposal. Several new amendments to the proposal were requested by City Council. Council President Skorman wishes to discuss in more depth these concepts in an attempt to reach consensus positions of the Council related to several issues, including: the Parks included in the Parkland Designation List, a final version of the POPS referral ordinance (i.e. including “emergency” language and other circumstances that would not require a vote of the people), and several requested amendments to the ordinance through the citizen group advocating for referral.
INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR THE APRIL 27, 2020 WORK SESSION:
Throughout the summer of 2019 City Council discussed at great length a City Charter proposal which would require a vote of the citizens to dispose of most City Parks properties. This effort was generally referred to as the Protect Our Parks (“POPS”) proposal.
The latest version of the POPS proposal is similar to the past versions but also includes a requirement that a minimum of six (6) members of City Council must affirmatively vote to refer a disposal of a parks property.
Upon a successful vote of the electors, this proposal would approve a Parkland Designation List, which is attached as Exhibit A. The Parkland Designation List would then be set out in an appendix within the Charter.
As with several other proposals that have been discussed by the Council, any conveyance of parkland contained on the list that does not fall within the specified listed exceptions would be subject to a vote of the electors of the City. The Council would have the authority to add future parks to the list by ordinance.
Previous Council Action:
Throughout the summer of 2019 City Council discussed at great length a City Charter proposal which would require a vote of the citizens to dispose of most City Parks properties. This effort was generally referred to as the Protect Our Parks (“POPS”) proposal.
At the August 13, 2019 regular meeting, City Council referred to the ballot on first reading this general Charter proposal on a 5-4 vote. At its next regular meeting, City Council on second reading failed to pass the ordinance referring the Charter Amendment to the November 2019 ballot. Council revisited the POPS proposal at its April 27, 2020 Work Session meeting.
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
N/A
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance submitting a Charter amendment to the registered qualified electors of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado at the special municipal election to be held at the coordinated election conducted by mail ballot to be held on November 3, 2020, adding a new section 11-80 of the City Charter relating to conveyances of City-owned parkland, providing for the form of the ballot title, providing for certain matters with respect to the election, and providing the effective date of this ordinance.