City Hall  
107 N. Nevada Avenue  
Colorado Springs, CO  
80903  
City of Colorado Springs  
Meeting Minutes  
Council Work Session  
City Council meetings are broadcast live on Channel 18. In  
accordance with the ADA, anyone requiring an auxiliary aid to  
participate in this meeting should make the request as soon as  
possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.  
Monday, February 26, 2024  
10:00 AM  
Council Chambers  
How to Watch the Meeting  
Coloradosprings.gov/springstv | Facebook Live: Colorado Springs City Council  
Facebook Page @coscity Council | SPRINGS TV - Comcast Channel 18 / 880 (HD)  
- 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 10:00 AM.  
7 -  
Present  
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  
2 - Councilmember Yolanda Avila, and Councilmember Mike O'Malley  
Excused  
Councilmember Henjum attended the meeting virtually.  
2. Changes to Agenda  
There were no Changes to Agenda.  
3. Regular Meeting Comments  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk, stated Planning Staff has requested item  
4B.P. be removed from the February 27, 2024 City Council meeting  
Consent Calendar in order to make a correction. Consensus of City  
Council agreed to this change.  
4. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes  
24-098  
4.A.  
City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes February 12, 2024  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: 2-12-24 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes Final  
The minutes of the February 12, 2024 Work Session were approved by  
Consensus of City Council.  
Councilmember Donelson stated that he has still not received the  
information from Katie Sunderlin, Senior Affordable Housing Coordinator,  
Housing and Community Vitality Department, regarding the calls for service  
at The Ridge he requested at the February 12, 2024 Work Session. Emily  
Evans, City Council Administrator, stated they will follow up on that  
information.  
5. Presentations for General Information  
There were no Presentations for General Information.  
6. Staff and Appointee Reports  
24-107  
6.A.  
PPROEM Updates January Extreme Winter Response and SW Migrants  
Presenter:  
Mayor Yemi Mobolade, City of Colorado Springs  
Andrew Notbohm, Regional Emergency Management and Recovery  
Director  
Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM  
Attachments: SW Migrant Update 2.13.2024 (2).pptx  
Mayor Yemi stated preparedness is very important to the City’s  
Administration and introduced the Pikes Peak Regional Office of  
Emergency Management (PPROEM) presentation of the framework for  
emergency response for the winter of 2024.  
Andrew Notbohm, Regional Emergency Management and Recovery  
Director, PPROEM, provided an update of the emergency warming shelter  
response during the extreme cold event, January 12 through 16, 2024,  
number of people sheltered, what went well, and PPROEM’s commitment  
to improvement.  
Councilmember Henjum asked when PPROEM assumed the role of  
coordinating warming shelters and what the threshold was for providing  
resources. Mr. Notbohm stated September 6, 2023 and the threshold is  
temperatures below twenty degrees.  
Councilmember Henjum asked what the plan was prior to that. Steve  
Johnson, Community and Public Health Administrator, Colorado Springs  
Fire Department (CSFD), stated there was no coordinated response plan  
in place prior to last year other than what the Springs Rescue Mission  
provides.  
Councilmember Henjum asked how the temperature threshold is  
determined. Mr. Johnson stated they have followed the threshold limit for  
the Springs Rescue Mission and other regions across the country.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked why the occupancy rate of the Springs  
Rescue Mission did not increase during this cold spell and what their  
capacity is. Travis Williams, Chief Development Officer, Springs Rescue  
Mission, stated they provide shelter to anyone who needs shelter, there is a  
very small percentage of individuals who are not welcome due to safety  
reasons, and they have multiple beds, mats, and cots which would shelter  
at least six hundred individuals.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if backpacks are searched prior to  
admittance to the Springs Rescue Mission. Mr. Williams stated they are a  
low-barrier shelter, but they do a security check for drugs and weapons in  
order to provide a safe environment.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked how safety is ensured at the churches  
providing shelter when weapons are brought onto the premise. Mr.  
Williams stated they are currently discussing that with the nonprofits.  
Councilmember Donelson stated the other non-secured facilities actually  
drew some of the individuals who needed shelter away from the Springs  
Rescue Mission, he is concerned about the safety in the alternate facilities,  
and the City does not need to be held responsible for people who refuse  
assistance due to their need to keep weapons and drugs on their person.  
President Helms asked if there were any fatalities due to the cold weather  
and if it was due to a refusal for help. Mr. Johnson stated there was one  
fatality and they will provide the information regarding the circumstances.  
Councilmember Talarico stated she believes the alternate facilities are not  
encouraging weapons but are offering a low barrier way to save lives.  
Councilmember Henjum stated HOPECOS has staff trained in  
de-escalation procedures, the Springs Rescue Mission needs to evaluate  
their policies regarding taking away an individual’s bags, and requested a  
debrief to City Council after the After-Action Review Meeting scheduled for  
February 28, 2024. Mr. Notbohm agreed to provide that information.  
Mr. Notbohm provided an overview of PPROEM’s role regarding southwest  
migrants, community impact, migrants served/sheltered by Denver, CO as  
of February 21, 2024, lines of effort, City services limitations, decision  
points, lessons learned from the Denver Office of Emergency Management  
(OEM), and anticipated future impacts.  
Councilmember Risley asked how the City knows that 40,000 migrants  
have been processed. Mr. Notbohm stated that information was provided  
by the City of Denver, CO.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what percentage of migrants have been  
processed. Mr. Notbohm stated he only has the number of migrants which  
have received Alien Identification (AI) numbers and that is ninety-five  
percent.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked how the City’s role can be shared with El  
Paso County. Mr. Notbohm stated he cannot speak of the County’s plan at  
this time, just the City’s response.  
Councilmember Henjum asked why the County is not involved in this  
planning. Jamie Fabos, Chief of Staff, stated the County asked that this be  
presented strictly as a City perspective.  
President Helms stated planning does not invite something to happen but  
provides a contingency to be able to react and asked how the City will  
react if Denver, CO sends a bus full of migrants to Colorado Springs. Mr.  
Notbohm stated that is what they are planning for and are building capacity  
in the sheltering communities.  
Councilmember Donelson stated the Salvation Army stated they are at  
capacity and asked why they are not contributing that capacity to migrants.  
Mr. Notbohm stated that information came from their partner’s group.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what advice was given to the Salvation  
Army regarding their question regarding capacity. Ms. Fabos stated the  
City will not direct a nonprofit’s mission.  
Councilmember Donelson stated he does not believe migrants are coming  
to Colorado Springs independently if Denver, CO government is  
purchasing the bus tickets. Mr. Notbohm stated those individuals  
independently choose their destination.  
Councilmember Donelson requested a list of community partners. Mr.  
Notbohm stated that list is frequently changing because of the growth of the  
list. Ms. Fabos stated those partners are part of the Continuum of Care  
which is available to the public.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what the City’s capacity is for the  
demand for shelter and other life-saving services. Mr. Notbohm stated that  
is what they are trying to figure out, but based on the limited data it is  
challenging, and they are not currently at capacity.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what is considered a significant and  
uncoordinated/unplanned surge of migrants into the Pikes Peak region. Mr.  
Notbohm stated it would be a capacity and resource issue. Ryan Trujillo,  
Deputy Chief of Staff, stated Steve Posey, Chief Housing and Community  
Vitality Officer, will provide an overview of the City’s capacity in his  
presentation.  
Councilmember Donelson requested the City adopt a policy of buying a  
bus ticket for the migrant to be relocated to a sanctuary city if they arrive in  
Colorado Springs. Mr. Trujillo stated they will make a decision at the time  
the City reaches an emergency level position.  
Councilmember Donelson asked if any updated data has been received.  
Mr. Trujillo stated the information they have received has been anecdotal  
and the mission of nonprofit organizations is to not ask the origin of people.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked at what number would the camping ban  
be pushed aside. Ben Bolinger, Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney’s  
Office, stated generally when there is available capacity at the shelters, the  
camping ban is enforceable.  
Councilmember Henjum asked if the City could force a person to relocate  
to a sanctuary city. Mr. Bolinger stated it could not, they could only offer a  
bus ticket.  
Councilmember Talarico asked if the Springs Rescue Mission asks where  
a person comes from. Mr. Williams stated they obtain basic information on  
individuals in order to serve them at their point of need, at this juncture they  
have not recognized a significant enough increase in any particular  
population that is warranting any kind of different response but if they do,  
they will reach out to the community, so they have a unified community  
response.  
Councilmember Talarico asked if it is within the City’s purview to tell a  
nonprofit how to operate. Ms. Fabos stated it is not unless they were  
breaking the law. Councilmember Donelson stated there is a difference  
between telling a nonprofit how to operate and when a nonprofit asks for  
advice because they are at capacity.  
Councilmember Risley stated the City does enforce Code violations for  
nonprofits when necessary.  
President Helms stated he believes everyone is working toward the same  
solutions, but just have some different ways of getting there.  
24-051  
6.B.  
Update to the Colorado Springs City Council on Efforts to Reduce  
Homelessness in Our Community  
Presenter:  
Steve Posey, Chief Housing & Community Vitality Officer  
Attachments: Update to CC on City Response to Homelessness.pptx  
Steve Posey, Chief Housing and Community Vitality Officer, presented the  
update on efforts to reduce homelessness in the community. He provided  
an overview of the homeless population based on the 2023 Census, shelter  
capacity, goals of the House America Challenge - 2022, Pikes Peak  
Continuum of Care, 2019 Homelessness Initiative, Colorado Springs Fire  
Department (CSFD) Homeless Outreach Program, and Colorado Springs  
Police Department (CSPD) Homeless Outreach Team (HOT).  
Councilmember Henjum requested additional information regarding the  
types of beds and funding sources. Mr. Posey provided that information.  
HayDen Kane, Chief Municipal Court Judge, gave an overview of the  
Homeless Outreach Court.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if the City implements seventy-two-hour  
mental health holds. Judge Kane stated that is an El Paso County provision  
and state legislature has limited the City’s ability to hold people.  
Mr. Posey went over the number of camping citations and camp cleanups.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if there were only twenty fires reported.  
Mr. Posey stated that number only reflects the number of citations issued  
by CSPD.  
Mr. Posey identified the WorkCOS program, United States Department of  
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding priorities, and 2024  
initiatives.  
Councilmember Henjum asked if the WorkCOS program can be expanded  
by partnering with other organizations. Mr. Posey stated he will take that  
forward and see what can be accomplished.  
Councilmember Donelson asked who the City’s head of homeless  
outreach is. Mr. Posey stated he is the head of the Department and Crystal  
Carr, Homeless Services Coordinator, works primarily with grant  
administration and the City’s nonprofit partners.  
Councilmember Donelson asked how Colorado Springs is different than  
Denver, CO in the way homeless individuals are allowed to live in the City.  
Mr. Posey stated one difference is in Colorado Springs' approach toward  
ticketing which is why the homeless population is decreasing in the City.  
Councilmember Donelson asked why the number of shelter beds  
increased between 2020 and 2021. Mr. Posey explained where the beds  
were added due to projects and nonprofit partners.  
Councilmember Donelson asked where the emergency shelter beds are  
located. Mr. Posey stated they are provided by the Springs Rescue  
Mission and Salvation Army, and the permanent housing beds are from  
The Commons, Greenway Flats, and Freedom Springs.  
Councilmember Donelson asked what it means to clear misdemeanor  
warrants. Judge Kane stated it is when the warrant is served to the  
individual to appear at court.  
Councilmember Henjum asked how the City is trying to serve the unhoused  
community. Mr. Posey stated the City’s goal is reducing homelessness  
here in Colorado Springs whiling maintaining responsibility to the citizenry  
at large to make sure the City is kept clean.  
Councilmember Leinweber asked if there are distinct groups which  
address the unique needs of the individuals experiencing homelessness.  
Mr. Posey stated the City does rely on the nonprofits to assist with the  
unique needs of the community.  
24-097  
6.C.  
Agenda Planner Review  
Presenter:  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk  
Attachments: Agenda Planner Review 2-26-24.pdf  
Councilmember Donelson stated there will be a public hearing regarding a  
multi-family residential development consisting of twenty attached  
townhomes located at 4113 Centennial Boulevard at the March 12, 2024  
City Council meeting.  
7. Items for Introduction  
24-074  
7.A.  
A Resolution approving an Economic Development Agreement between  
the City Of Colorado Springs and Project TIB  
Presenter:  
Jessie Kimber, Economic Development Officer  
Shawna Lippert, Senior Economic Development Specialist  
Attachments: RES_ProjectTIB_2024  
EDA_Project TIB  
EDA_Project TIB_Presentation  
Signed Resolution No. 20-24.pdf  
Jessie Kimber, Economic Development Officer, presented the Resolution  
approving an Economic Development Agreement (EDA) between the City  
and Project TIB. She provided an overview of Project TIB, EDA  
requirements, EDA Criteria, proposed EDA, four-year and ten-year  
expansion/retention/combined: economic impact, incentives, and fiscal  
impact. Ms. Kimber went over the financial safeguards, consistency with  
the City’s Strategic Plan, and staff recommendation.  
There were no comments on this item.  
8. Items Under Study  
There were no Items Under Study.  
9. Councilmember Reports and Open Discussion  
Councilmember Leinweber stated he and Councilmember Talarico  
attended the opening of the new facility for the National Alliance on Mental  
Illness (NAMI).  
President Helms stated he attended the 158th Anniversary of the Buffalo  
Soldiers event.  
10. Executive Session  
10A. Open  
There was no Open Executive Session.  
10B. Closed  
24-092  
10B.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) and City  
Code § 1.5.506(B), 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 staff for the  
purpose of receiving legal advice and determining positions relative to  
negotiation regarding a litigation settlement in excess of $100,000.  
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: 24-092 March 11, 20204 Closed Session Litigation.docx  
Ben Bolinger, Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office, 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 an electronic Closed  
Executive Session. The issue to be discussed involves consultation with  
the City Attorney and staff for the purpose of receiving legal advice and  
determining positions relative to negotiation regarding a litigation  
settlement in excess of $100,000.  
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 an electronic Closed Executive Session.  
11. Adjourn  
Upon conclusion of the Closed Executive Session and there being no  
further business to come before City Council, President Helms adjourned  
the meeting at 2:17 PM.  
Sarah B. Johnson, City Clerk