City Hall  
107 N. Nevada Avenue  
Colorado Springs, CO  
80903  
City of Colorado Springs  
Meeting Minutes  
Council Work Session  
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024  
9:00 AM  
Council Chambers  
How to Watch the Meeting  
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- Stratus IQ Channel 76 / 99 (Streaming)  
Estimated agenda item times are provided for planning purposes and do not constitute notice  
of a specific time for any item. Items may take more or less time than estimated. City Council  
may amend the order of items.  
1. Call to Order and Roll Call  
President Helms called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  
8 -  
Present  
Councilmember Yolanda Avila, President Pro Tem Lynette Crow-Iverson,  
Councilmember Dave Donelson, President Randy Helms, Councilmember Nancy  
Henjum, Councilmember David Leinweber, Councilmember Brian Risley, and  
Councilmember Michelle Talarico  
1 - Councilmember Mike O'Malley  
Excused  
2. Changes to Agenda  
There were no Changes to Agenda.  
3. Regular Meeting Comments  
President Helms stated upon conclusion of today’s Work Session, City  
Council will take a short recess then start the regular City Council meeting  
and will take item 7. Citizen Discussion at 1:00 PM or later.  
4. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes  
24-637  
4.A.  
City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 21, 2024  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: 10-21-24 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes Final  
The minutes of the October 21, 2024 Work Session were approved by  
Consensus of City Council.  
5. Executive Session  
5A. Open  
There was no Open Executive Session.  
5B. Closed  
24-614  
5B.A.  
In accord with City Charter art. III, § 3-60(d) and its incorporated  
Colorado Open Meetings Act, C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b) and (e), the City  
Council, in Open Session, is to determine whether it will hold a Closed  
Executive Session. The issue to be discussed involves consultation with  
the City Attorney and discussing strategy for negotiations and instructing  
negotiators regarding four sales and use tax rebate-related economic  
development and incentive agreements.  
The President of Council shall poll the City Councilmembers, and, upon  
consent of two-thirds of the members present, may conduct a Closed  
Executive Session. In the event any City Councilmember is participating  
electronically or telephonically in the Closed Executive Session, each  
City Councilmember participating in the Closed Executive Session shall  
affirmatively state for the record that no other member of the public not  
authorized to participate in the Closed Executive Session is present or  
able to hear the matters discussed as part of the Closed Executive  
Session. If consent to the Closed Executive Session is not given, the  
item may be discussed in Open Session or withdrawn from  
consideration.  
Presenter:  
Wynetta Massey, City Attorney  
Attachments:  
24-614 Closed Session Council Notice for 11.12.24 (Projects All  
Natural Phoenix Thunder and Diamond) 2  
Ben Bolinger, Corporate Division Chief, Office of the City Attorney, stated  
that in accord with City Charter art. III, § 3-60(d) and its incorporated  
Colorado Open Meetings Act, C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b) and (e), the City  
Council, in Open Session, is to determine whether it will hold a Closed  
Executive Session. The issue to be discussed involves consultation with  
the City Attorney and discussing strategy for negotiations and instructing  
negotiators regarding four sales and use tax rebate-related economic  
development and incentive agreements.  
President Helms polled City Council regarding the desire to proceed with  
an electronic Closed Executive Session. At least two-thirds of City Council  
agreed to proceed in a Closed Executive Session.  
6. Presentations for General Information  
24-589  
6.A.  
UCHealth and Children’s Hospital Colorado Annual Update  
Presenter:  
Lonnie Cramer, President & CEO, UCHealth Southern Colorado  
Region  
Greg Raymond, Southern Region President, Children’s Hospital  
Colorado  
Attachments: Children's Hospital 2024 Colorado Springs City Council Presentation  
City Council (UCHealth annual update) 11.12.24 FINAL  
Lonnie Cramer, President and Chief Executive Officer, UCHealth Southern  
Colorado Region, presented an annual update on the UCHealth Southern  
Colorado Region. He provided an overview of their mission, Medicaid  
redetermination, risks/ongoing challenges, commitment to the community,  
investment in community health benefits, Colorado Springs Health  
Foundation, and commitment to medical education/training. He identified  
the Colorado Springs hospitals, ranking by U.S. News, DocLine growth,  
workforce, Whole Blood initiative, expanded access to care, virtual care,  
commitment to behavioral health, veteran/armed forces support, Forensic  
Center of Excellence (FCOE) program, Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit  
(MSTU), and Southern Colorado providers.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what is being done at the state level to  
address the decline in Medicaid recipients. Mr. Cramer stated they have  
been working with Healthcare Policy and Finance (HCPF) both from  
Colorado hospital associations and locally to continue to help make a fast  
track and improve people's eligibility and signing up it's very complicated  
right now and they're seeing people that just aren't going through the  
process. He stated locally, they have partnered with Peak Vista so that they  
can help patients after they have been treated to potentially get them  
enrolled in Medicaid.  
Councilmember Henjum asked why Colorado is having such a hard time  
enrolling people for Medicaid in comparison to other states. Mr. Cramer  
stated it is due the complication and the amount of logistics required to  
sign up and be eligible.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how Colorado’s total enrollment in  
Medicaid compares to other states. Mr. Cramer stated he will provide that  
information.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what the future of Next Chapter is. Damien  
McCabe, Director, Next Chapter Program, UCHealth, stated Next Chapter  
is a collaborative in the community which is made up of a number of  
community nonprofit agencies that many of you are familiar with focusing  
on upstream mental health concerns with the ultimate goal of reducing the  
suicide rate and it is currently approximately six months out from the end of  
its pilot phase, but the annual reports to the state has suggested that the  
program is both innovative, effective, and should be continued or expanded  
up and down the Front Range as resources and funds are necessary. He  
stated right now the program relies on state funding through a grant  
program as well as insurance carriers, but they are working on a long-term  
funding plan.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked where UCHealth stands regarding the  
use of psychedelic drugs. Mr. Cramer stated they do not have a stance on  
it, but they do have researchers looking into the use of those types of drugs.  
Greg Raymond, Southern Region President, Children’s Hospital Colorado,  
provided an update on Children’s Hospital Colorado. He identified their  
mission, Honor Roll ranking by U.S. News, 2023 statistics, hospital payor  
mix, children’s mental health at Telstar statistics, community health  
improvement, Medical Career Collaborative (MC2), and neonatal intensive  
care unit (NICU) flight nurse.  
Councilmember Henjum asked if the children who live in the southern part  
of the City has access to the same mental health options as the residents  
who live in the northern part of the City. Mr. Raymond stated access is  
generally through referral from a primary care provider or the emergency  
room.  
Councilmember Avila asked if there are support groups for children who  
have been burned. Mr. Raymond confirmed they offer multiple burn camps  
for children during the summer.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if the Children’s Hospital still has children  
on hormonal and puberty blockers for transgender reasons. Mr. Raymond  
stated Children's Hospital Colorado treats the mental and the medical  
aspects of all kids regardless of what services they approach them for, so it  
is very individualized to each patient, and they do have a clinic that  
provides services for those types of children at our Anschutz Medical  
Center and there is a modest presence in Colorado Springs.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how many of these types of patients  
Children’s Hospital currently has. Mr. Raymond stated he does not have  
that information.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if Children's Hospital was familiar with the  
United Kingdom and European countries who are pulling back from  
offering these services. Mr. Raymond stated as an academic medical  
center, Children's Hospital is following the research nationally and they take  
a very individualized approach in partnership with parents and with  
caregivers for the mental, behavioral health, and physical needs of these  
patients and so as it relates to the way that these kids are treated, we  
follow the research.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if Children’s Hospital performs gender  
reassignment surgery for children. Mr. Raymond stated they do not.  
Councilmember Donelson requested that Children's Hospital stop  
providing hormonal and puberty blockers for transgender reasons here in  
Colorado Springs and that they follow the science/medicine regarding it  
and not the politics.  
7. Staff and Appointee Reports  
24-636  
7.A.  
Agenda Planner Review  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: Agenda Planner Review 11-12-24  
There were no comments on this item.  
8. Items for Introduction  
24-625  
8.A.  
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Colorado Springs,  
Colorado rescinding Resolution No. 136-19 and establishing fees and  
charges associated with the building permit applications for the  
Development Review Enterprise.  
(Legislative)  
Presenter:  
Dan Sexton, Development Review Enterprise Manager, Planning  
Department  
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, Planning Department  
Attachments: Proposed DRE Fee Schedule_962024  
Signed Resolution 136-19  
Res. 24-625 DRE Fee Schedule_1162024  
CC Presentation_Staff_DRE and LUR Fee Schedules_draft  
Exhibit A_DRE Fee Schedule 2024  
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, Planning Department, presented the  
Resolutions establishing fees and charges associated with the building  
permit applications for the DRE and land development applications. He  
provided an overview of the proposed fees and charges which have been  
adjusted based on cost of service, capacity analysis, and level of service  
programming for the respective divisions of the Planning Department, DRE  
fee schedule, Land Development fee schedule, and the fee/charges  
establishment.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what costs these fee increases will offset.  
Mr. Walker stated the DRE fee increase is to provide a one hundred  
percent balance between revenue and expenditures and the Land Use  
Review fee is a result of a review of the costs and how much time it takes  
to review the applications, and they will be sharing this information with  
industry partners over the next year.  
24-626  
8.B.  
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Colorado Springs,  
Colorado rescinding Resolution No. 77-23 and establishing fees and  
charges for land development applications administered by the Planning  
Department. (Legislative)  
Presenter:  
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, Planning Department  
Attachments: Proposed LUR Fee Schedule_962024  
Signed Resolution No. 77-23  
Res. 24-XXX_Land Development Fee Schedule_1162024  
Exhibit A_Land Development Fee Schedule 2024  
Please see comments in Agenda item 8.A.  
24-652  
8.C.  
An Ordinance amending sections of Part 2 (allowed use and tables) and  
Part 3 (Use-Specific standards) of Article 3 (Use and Regulations) and  
Section 1003 (parking space requirement by use) of Part 10 (Parking  
and Loading) of Article 4 (Development Standards and Incentives) and  
Part 3 (Definitions) of Article 6 (Definitions and rules of construction) of  
Chapter 7 (Unified Development Code) of the Code of the City of  
Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to Natural Medicine.  
Presenter:  
Kevin Walker, Planning Director  
Attachments: UDC-NaturalMedicineORD_MEO_CPC_Version_Clean  
Natural_Medicine_1Mile_v3  
Initiative-58- Natural Medicine Act  
City Council Natural Medicine 11-12-24 presentation final  
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, Planning Department, presented the  
Ordinance amending City Code pertaining to Natural Medicine. He stated  
the approval of Proposition 122 allows certain land uses in the state related  
to psilocybin use effective January 1, 2025, this Ordinance will identify the  
zones and requirements for those land uses, adopt regulations that allow  
the uses in City limits by additions to the Unified Development Code. Mr.  
Walker provided an overview of the issues for drafting a local regulation,  
highlights of the proposed Ordinance,  
Councilmember Donelson asked what the four categories of state licensing  
are. Mr. Walker stated cultivation, manufacture, testing, and clinical use.  
Councilmember Henjum asked if the state statute’s one-thousand-foot  
distance requirement applies to any size practice including micro or  
individual practitioners. Sarah Brewen, Attorney, City Attorney’s Office,  
confirmed that it applies to all facilities.  
Councilmember Henjum requested the stakeholders which assisted in  
getting the Proposition approved by voters be present to speak at the  
November 26, 2024 City Council meeting.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if Oregon was the only other state except  
for Colorado to approve psilocybin use. Mr. Walker confirmed it was.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how long it has been approved in  
Oregon. Mr. Walker stated it was passed in 2020, and the first healing  
center was opened in 2023. Councilmember Donelson asked if Oregon  
has experienced negative outcomes due to the legalization. Mr. Walker  
stated they have not found any related studies regarding positive or  
negative impacts, but they will continue to research the information.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if there was any science behind the  
one-mile buffer distance. Mr. Walker stated a majority of City Council  
supported that distance.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if the citizens of El Paso County voted in  
favor of Proposition 122. Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, stated the measure  
failed in El Paso County by a vote of 54 percent to 45 percent.  
President Helms asked how the timeframe required for clients to wait once  
the drug has been administered was determined. Mr. Walker stated he  
believes it is a judgement call on the part of the clinician and he will provide  
the regulations at the November 26, 2024 City Council meeting.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked what the position of El Paso County  
Health is regarding the public safety component. Mr. Walker stated they will  
look into that.  
Councilmember Henjum requested the next presentation also include the  
potential benefits of these healing centers.  
Councilmember Donelson stated the El Paso County Board of Health has  
not taken a position on this, but he received a letter from a previous  
medical director of the United States Air Force Academy medical clinic  
which used this drug for treatment.  
24-632  
8.D.  
The April 1, 2025 General Municipal Election Mail Ballot plan  
Presenter:  
Sarah B Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: 2025 Mail Ballot Election Plan and Calendar (Final 2024-11-04).pdf  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, presented the Mail Ballot Plan for the April 1,  
2025 General Municipal Election which, per City Code, requires approval  
by City Council. She stated the Mail Ballot Calendar is also included in the  
Mail Ballot Plan which identifies all the key dates such as campaign finance  
filing dates, when candidate filing packets will be available, and other  
important dates. Ms. Johnson stated the Mail Ballot Plan lists the  
twenty-eight 24/7 ballot boxes within City limits.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked when the redistricting map will be  
finalized. Ms. Johnson stated there was a public hearing for the preliminary  
map on October 30, 2024, there will another public hearing held on  
November 13, 2024, and after consideration of the comments received, the  
final map is expected to be finalized by Friday, November 15, 2024 or next  
week. She stated once the map is finalized, they will publicly notice it, it will  
be posted via social media, and there will be a mailing notification sent to  
the affected households. Ms. Johnson stated even though the residents of  
the affected precincts will vote for the new district  
boundaries/representatives for the April 1, 2025 election, the district  
Councilmembers will continue to serve their currently represented districts  
until after the election.  
9. Items Under Study  
There were no Items Under Study.  
10. Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion  
Councilmember Risley stated he and Mayor Yemi participated in an  
interview with the Pacific Research Institute, Free City Center Subgroup,  
regarding the City’s designation as being business-friendly in regarding its  
approach to homelessness, crime, attainable/affordable housing,  
unnecessary government oversight and he attended the Pikes Peak  
Education and Business Alliance Summit regarding aligning workforce  
development in the region with the needs of local employers.  
Councilmember Henjum stated her church, First Congregational Church,  
celebrated its 150th anniversary and she attended the Solid Rock annual  
dinner where Councilmember Avila was acknowledged with the  
Distinguished Service Award, and she also attended the Mayor’s Young  
Leader Award ceremony. She stated she and several other  
Councilmembers participated in the Veterans Day Parade and on  
Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Cornerstone Art Center at Colorado  
College the City’s nationally recognized Youth Documentary Academy will  
be presenting some of their films.  
Councilmember Avila stated she attended the Solid Rock annual dinner,  
Veterans Day Parade, Southeast Neighborhood Plan café roundtable at  
Stompin’ Groundz coffee shop, and the grand opening of the Kamayan  
Hideaway by Lumpia Lheas which offers Filipino cuisine in the Satellite  
Hotel.  
Councilmember Donelson stated he and his wife, Holly, visited the Grand  
Canyon which reminded him that the government does have a role in  
preservation unique physical landmarks such as the Rockrimmon Library  
branch of the Pikes Peak Library District which excluded City Council from  
their decision to close that branch.  
Councilmember Talarico congratulated Councilmember Avila for her  
Distinguished Service Award.  
Councilmember Leinweber stated he and Councilmember Talarico  
participated in interviews for the Community Development Advisory  
Committee and Woodman Valley Chapel has purchased the First Christian  
Church at Cascade Avenue/Platte Avenue, they are renovating it, and they  
are hoping to open it by April 1, 2025.  
President Helms stated he participated in the Veterans Day Parade and  
expressed appreciation for the community members, businesses, and Bob  
McLaughlin, Mt. Carmel Veterans Center, which stepped forward to raise  
funding to ensure the parade took place and Marvin, a 92-year-old Korean  
War Marine Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, rode in the City Council  
parade vehicle.  
11. Adjourn  
There being no further business to come before City Council, President  
Helms adjourned the meeting at 11:50 PM.  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk