Councilmember Avila asked what services Colorado Spring Utilities (CSU)
provides to Manitou Springs. Mayor Graham stated CSU provides electric,
natural gas, and bulk service for wastewater to Manitou Springs and the
cumulative total is over $300,000 over the span of eleven years. Tristan
Gearhart, Chief Planning and Financial Officer, CSU, stated the impacts
from a potential rider, based on the cost they have been presented
throughout the annexation process, shows that for a typical residential
customer, the impact would be $8.52 a month for first year of the rider, it
goes down in the subsequent years when there is less capital infrastructure
being put in place, and it goes back up again if there is a year where
there's more capital infrastructure being put into the development and the
$300,000 is what they calculated for Manitou Springs over an eleven year
period.
Councilmember Avila asked if wastewater is included in that cost. Mr.
Gearhart stated he will need to research that because it is bulk service
through a tariff.
Citizens Tom Strand, Brett Smith, Tom Wilson, Drew Petrie, Susan Patee,
Kevin Treble, Chris Bender, Tim Hatton, Dana Duggan, Hayley Gleason,
and Bill Murray spoke in support of the Amara annexation.
Citizens Maggie Hanna, Jay Frost, Jack Goble, Michael Bartolo, Ryan
Hemphill, Matt Heimrich, Mike Roe, Brett Smith, Mary Sprunger-Froese,
Karen Simon, LeRad Niles, Jack Damoli, Dallas May, spoke in opposition
of the Amara annexation.
Councilmember Leinweber asked if they do not vote for this, will Council
have any say in the growth of the region. Mr. Strand stated approving this is
a step in the right direction and doing right for the community by providing
housing for them.
Councilmember Risley asked if CSU was in partnership with the
community in the Arkansas Valley. Mr. Heinrich confirmed they are, but no
one said they were going to annex 3,500 acres and build a city south of
Colorado Springs.
Councilmember Talarico asked how LaPlata Communities will ensure
developers will provide affordable and attainable housing. Mike
Ruebenson, Chief Operating Officer, La Plata Communities, representing
the applicant, stated it has been defined that eighty percent or less
Average Median Income(AMI) which allows someone to pay thirty percent
of their income to housing and La Plata Communities has voluntarily
committed to build a minimum of seven percent of homes which fit in that
range.
Councilmember Leinweber asked what the differences are between City