City Hall

107 N. Nevada Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO

80903

City of Colorado Springs

Meeting Minutes

Council Work Session

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Monday, February 24, 2025

9:00 AM

Council Chambers

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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.

5 -

Present

Councilmember Yolanda Avila, Councilmember Dave Donelson, President Randy

Helms, Councilmember Nancy Henjum, and Councilmember Brian Risley

4 -

Excused

President Pro Tem Lynette Crow-Iverson, Councilmember David Leinweber,

Councilmember Mike O'Malley, and Councilmember Michelle Talarico

2. Changes to Agenda

There were no Changes to Agenda.

3. Regular Meeting Comments

There were no Regular Meeting Comments.

4. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes

25-114

4.A.

City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025

Presenter:

Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk

Attachments: 2-10-25 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes Final

The minutes of the February 10, 2025 Work Session were approved by

Consensus of City Council.

5. Executive Session

5A. Open

There was no Open Executive Session.

5B. Closed

There was no Closed Executive Session.

6. Presentations for General Information

25-090

6.A.

Update on El Paso County Jail

Presenter:

Sheriff Joseph Roybal, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Joseph Roybal, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), introduced

the update on the EPSO Jail mental health and population.

Laura Ridenour, Behavioral Health Manager, provided an overview of the

percentages of homelessness, mental health, psychotropic medication,

EPSO Jail Based Behavioral Services (JBBS) Program, and mental health

resources.

Councilmember Donelson asked if the mental health statistics are

comparable to the general information. Ms. Ridenour stated she does not

have that information, but they are comparable to the general jail

population.

Henjum asked if the twenty-six percent of the jail population who are

reporting homelessness is due to being jailed for illegal camping. Sheriff

Roybal stated they have been tracking high and low charges and will be

able to provide that information in the future.

Councilmember Donelson asked if people are cited and released

immediately for camping violations. Sheriff Royal stated those charges

often result in “Failure to Appear” warrants.

Councilmember Henjum asked how the grant money from the Opioid

Council is being used. Ms. Ridenour stated they have increased the

number of individual substance use sessions and medication assisted

treatment.

Councilmember Henjum asked if they still coordinate with the Colorado

Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Program. Ms. Ridenour stated their

discharge planners work with CSFD in the release area.

President Helms asked how Narcan can help someone released if they are

experiencing an overdose. Sheriff Roybal explained it may be beneficial for

someone in their friend or family group.

7. Staff and Appointee Reports

25-113

7.A.

Agenda Planner Review

Presenter:

Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk

Attachments: Agenda Planner Review 2-24-25

Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, introduced Will Lamb, the City’s new Deputy

City Clerk.

8. Items for Introduction

25-098

8.A.

A Resolution approving an Economic Development Agreement between

the City Of Colorado Springs and Project Chocolate

Presenter:

Jessie Kimber, Economic Development Officer

Shawna Lippert, Economic Development Manager

Attachments: RES_ProjectChocolate_2025

EDA Agreement_Project Chocolate_draft

Project Chocolate EDA Presentation_Work Session

Signed Resolution No. 30-25.pdf

Shawna Lippert, Economic Development Manager, presented the

Resolution approving an Economic Development Agreement (EDA)

between the City and Project Chocolate. She provided an overview of

Project Chocolate, proposed EDA, EDA requirements, four-year and

ten-year expansion/retention/combined: economic impact, fiscal impact,

and incentives. Ms. Lippert went over the financial safeguards and staff

recommendation.

There were no comments on this item.

25-092

8.B.

An Ordinance Amending Budget Ordinance No. 24-104 (2025 Budget

Appropriation Ordinance) for a Supplemental Appropriation to the Park

Land Dedication Ordinance Fund in the Amount of $166,955 to allow the

Spectrum Loop PLDO fee requirement to be used for construction costs

associated with the Grey Hawk Neighborhood Park construction.

Presenter:

Britt Haley, Director, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services

Department

Lonna Thelen, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Design and

Development Manager

Attachments: Ordinance - PLDO Supplemental Appropriation - Grey Hawk Park

PLDO supplemental for Grey Hawk - CC work session

Lonna Thelen, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Design,

and Development Manager, presented the Ordinance for a supplemental

appropriation to the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) Fund in the

amount of $166,955 to allow the Spectrum Loop PLDO fee requirement to

be used for construction costs associated with the Grey Hawk

Neighborhood Park construction. She provided an overview of the site

location, Grey Hawk vicinity map, Spectrum Loop Apartments, Spectrum

Loop Apartment Development Plan Note, timeline, process, project

funding, PLDO Fund balance, and staff recommendation.

Councilmember Henjum asked how much the developer will pay for the

cost of the construction of Grey Hawk Park. Ms. Thelen stated they

estimate the cost of construction to be $2.2 to $2.4 million for the

construction of the park and the developer’s cost is approximately

$260,000.

Councilmember Henjum asked what would happen if the PRCS

Department did not have the additional funding sources to build this park.

Ms. Thelen stated they determine funding priorities each year. Britt Haley,

Director, PRCS Department, stated it comes down to having a strong and

vital economy.

Councilmember Henjum asked if there are any tools like Colorado Springs

Police and Fire Department Impact Fees which could be used for parks.

Ms. Haley stated those fees were implemented for new development to

build facilities and acquire the land and the PLDO is similar to those fees.

25-103

8.C.

An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 24-17 (An Ordinance Setting

the Salary of the City Council Administrator), and Amending Section 3 of

Ordinance No. 18-120 (An Ordinance Appointing the City Council

Administrator and Setting the Salary of the City Council Administrator),

and Prescribing the Salary of the City Council Administrator.

Presenter:

Randy Helms, City Council Administrator

Attachments: Council Administrator Salary Ordinance 2.2025 4+15.docx

President Helms presented the Ordinance increasing the salary of the City

Council Administrator and said he and the President Pro Tem

Crow-Iverson worked the Chief of Staff and the Director of Human

Resources Director regarding setting this rate.

There were no comments on this item.

25-104

8.D.

An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 24-93 And Amending Section 3

Of Ordinance No. 14-20 (An Ordinance Confirming The Mayor’s

Appointment Of The City Attorney And Setting The Salary Of The City

Attorney), And Prescribing The Salary Of The City Attorney.

Presenter:

Myra Romero, Chief Human Resources and Risk Officer

Attachments: City Attorney 2025 Salary Ordinance 249062.docx

Sara Frank, Assistant Director, Human Resources Department, presented

the Ordinance approving the salary of the City Attorney and stated they are

recommending increasing Wynetta Massey’s annual salary effective

December 22, 2024, be prescribed at $249,062 to reflect a two percent

increase.

There were no comments on this item.

9. Items Under Study

There were no Items Under Study.

10. Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion

Councilmember Donelson stated he and President attended the Colorado

Springs Police Department (CSPD) Retiree ceremony, recognized CSPD

Deputy Commander David Edmundson for his 27 years of service to

Colorado Springs and expressed appreciation to the police force for all

that they do.

Councilmember Risley stated he and several other Councilmembers

attended the Volunteer Appreciation event held in City Council chambers

and the State of Housing update hosted by the Pikes Peak Housing

Network which identified based on projected population growth in El Paso

County, there will be approximately 31,000 additional homes needed within

the next five years.

President Helms stated he attended the Boards, Commissions, and

Committees Volunteer Appreciation event and the CSPD retirement event

for CSPD Deputy Commander David Edmundson.

11. Adjourn

There being no further business to come before City Council, President

Helms adjourned the meeting at 10:06 AM.

Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk