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Allen Alchian

Monument Fire District, Oct. 25 Fallen firefighter remembered; fire academy development underway

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Oct. 25, the board received the second presentation of the proposed 2024 budget addressing executive staff changes and station staffing, and the board heard about the coordinated development of a regional fire academy program.

President Mike Smaldino led a moment of silence before the pledge of allegiance in memory of Driver/Engineer Bobby Keese after his sudden off-duty passing. Keese served with the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) for over 30 years.

Director Tom Tharnish was excused.

Second presentation of the proposed 2024 budget

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said almost three years had passed since he joined the district, and part of his promise was succession planning to avoid any future leadership void. He recommended a few organizational changes to prepare the department for future leadership of the district, and said:

  • The proposed organizational chart for 2024 would create an executive battalion chief position to learn the budget and administration skills under the direct supervision of the fire chief for a year. Battalion Chief Micah Coyle will be the first to fill this role.
  • Division Chief of Operations Jonathan Bradley will move to the position of division chief of Community Risk after learning fire marshal skills.
  • The workload of Division Chief of Administration/Fire Marshal Jamey Bumgarner needs to be divided. Bumgarner would still be responsible for fleet, logistics, communications, and information technology for the district.
  • The position of EMS battalion chief will be eliminated and Battalion Chief Sean Pearson will return to shift commander, replacing Coyle.
  • Battalion Chief Shannon Balvanz will be the Training and EMS battalion chief.
  • A two-year rotating administration assignment is proposed for the training lieutenant position. See www.ocn.me/v23n10.htm#mfd.
  • The EMS clinical coordinator position will be filled by Paramedic Stephanie Soll.
  • A hiring process will be conducted to fill the EMS educator position.

Vice President John Hildebrandt said the department had undergone many changes in the three years under Kovacs’ leadership, to include the consolidation with Wescott. At the threshold of blossoming a whole lot more, the transformation is quite incredible, he said.

Kovacs said it is important to get the right people in the right positions and allow staff to excel. The department has a long line of folks ready to assume leadership responsibilities. A couple of additional pickup trucks are budgeted and will be needed for the additional positions in the organization.

Smaldino said he echoed Hildebrandt’s comments on the direction of the district, and it is good to develop the organizational chart, but staff coming up underneath to reach the appropriate level is the whole goal.

Kovacs said it is important to build the infrastructure and great emphasis is needed on providing enough firefighters and paramedics to improve health and safety for all staffers.

Bradley said the district station staffing plan had undergone several iterations, but the Master Plan conducted by Emergency Services Consulting International in 2019 recommended over-staffing of 1.22 persons per shift. In 2023, each shift had 21 staffers plus two additional per shift. With training, retirements, resignations, and sick and annual leave, the 23 per shift is not maintained. In 2024 the district is budgeting for two staff members to attend Paramedic School. From 2025 to 2029 the district may add additional line staff per shift incrementally. It is not easy on the existing staff to onboard a large number of newly trained firefighters all at once, he said.

Smaldino asked about the timeline for opening a sixth station, and said the district would require temporary over- staffing, and the apparatus purchases would need to be made several years in advance to facilitate opening on time.

Kovacs said the district is operating out of five stations and responds to about 4,000 calls annually. Pursuing a sixth station will depend on call volume, growth within the district, and the ability to meet the standard response times in all areas of the district. Those timings will be established through the accreditation process. A sixth station in the next five years is unlikely due to signs of a recession, with homes being purchased at a lower rate than five years ago, along with less competitive over-bidding to purchase a home. There is a steady decline for both commercial and residential permits, he said.

Bumgarner said developers are proposing to build in Monument but more significantly multi-family units and commercial development are being planned rather than single-family homes. The Eagle Rock Distribution Center undergoing construction in the Falcon Commerce Center will be the single largest building within the district. A 400-unit apartment complex is planned north of the Woodmen Valley Chapel, and a family entertainment park is proposed north of the apartment complex. Growth is not consistent, so the full development may not happen for a while. A sixth station will not be required until further development begins on the west side of I-25, he said.

Fire academy program development

Kovacs said that in the past the district had relied on sending recruits to gain fire academy experience at a larger organization, but unfortunately placements are not available in 2024. The district is quickly establishing a fire academy program to begin in January 2024 in partnership with Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) and Pikes Peak State College (PPSC).

Bradley said that it was gracious for the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Fire Academy to host the district firefighter recruits for the past two years, but the district has vacant positions and cannot go a year without sending staff and new hires to a fire academy. PPSC has three CSFD professional firefighter instructors to instruct and replicate the tuition. The district is partnering with BFFRPD and PPSC to run the 600-hour, 16-week fire academy. Spots will be open to self-pay students, and smaller career agencies within the county have been invited to send recruits. The anticipated minimum attendance is eight to 10 students per academy but 15 placements are expected with a cap at 18 per academy, he said.

Kovacs said initially the new fire academy may not be perfect, but in the future it will be comparable to other academies when the district develops the 14-acre training center at Station 1. Kudos to Bradley, BFFRPD and PPSC for developing the academy at short notice after receiving word in September that access to the CSFD academy would not be available in 2024, he said.

Firefighter hiring in process

Coyle said 56 potential firefighter recruits completed the written portion of the application process and interviews for 47 of those applicants have concluded and the recommendations will be made by the end of October.

Bradley said the district has two existing vacancies, will hire six recruits, and a district EMS/Medic has requested attending a firefighter academy, for a total of seven students from the district attending the fire academy in January.

Proposition HH

Hildebrandt said that if Proposition HH passes, the district will still have control over the mill levy, but not over the $50,000 assessed reduction in property tax assessments.

Kovacs said the mill levy will need to be adjusted to absorb the loss of about $750,000 in revenue for the combined districts in 2024. He does not anticipate receiving any backfill to compensate for lost property tax revenue from the state due to the residential and commercial growth in the district, he said.

Note: The board adopted a temporary increase in the mill levy from 18.4 mills to 18.83 mills in property tax collection for 2023. The mill levy adjustment was approved to offset a loss of revenue that occurred due to the state Legislature’s temporary drop in the Residential Assessment Rate for 2023. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#mfd. The mill levy certification can be found under transparency at www.monumentfire.org.

Hildebrandt said the wording for ballot questions 6A/6B for the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District residents is unfavorable, suggesting an increase in taxes rather than an actual decrease.

Kovacs said a Gleneagle Safety Association has been formed to educate the Gleneagle residents on Ballot questions 6A/6B. A 51% vote in favor of the dissolution process is required to pass the measure on Nov. 7. Passing the measure will increase the level of service to the residents of Gleneagle, coupled with a drop in the mill levy for those residents. The mutual agreement between the district and CSFD for the small southern enclave (an area without fire hydrants at the southern end of Voyager Parkway) will need to be revisited after the election, he said.

Note: The notice of public hearing and proposed 2024 budget is available for viewing at www.monumentfire.org. The public hearing will be held on Nov. 15 followed by final approval by the Board of Directors.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

  • Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate injuries during a working garage fire on Sept. 13.
  • A contract is under review by the legal team for American Medical Response (AMR). The regional partners are requesting AMR contact special districts to provide mutual aid to AMR only when all CSFD EMS units are exhausted. The district responded to 11 requests to AMR in September. It was an unusual spike, and those responses remain at the discretion of the shift battalion chief. The priority is to always ensure ambulances remain available for district residents.
  • Staff completed a district-wide Courage Under Fire leadership training and lithium ion and electric vehicle training.
  • The district anticipates receiving the Type 3 Wildland Engine and an ambulance in November, and another ambulance in the first quarter of 2024.
  • The remodel of Station 5 is underway and is expected to be completed in late December.
  • During October Fire Prevention month, staff attended 17 first-grade classes to talk to students about cooking safety.

For additional information, see the DWFPD article on page < 10 > or visit www.monumentfire.org.

EMS supplies donated

Kovacs said the Denver Metro fire chiefs are collecting EMS supplies to donate to Israel. EMS coordinator Soll identified expired supplies within the district and a point of contact from CSFD will deliver the supplies to Denver for transportation to Israel. The district is proud to be part of the effort, and those supplies will be saving lives during the conflict, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.

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Correction

In the October edition, under “Community paramedic proposal,” the last sentence of the first paragraph should have read: “The Colorado Springs Fire Department and South Metro Fire Rescue already have robust programs, and the district calls for fall assistance are about 15% and about 11% for mental health assistance of the total EMS call volume.” OCN regrets the error.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Monument Fire District articles

Monument Town Council, Oct. 2, 16, and 19 – Councilmembers scrutinize traffic report, proposed investments, park development, and resolution opposing Proposition HH

By Chris Jeub

Two regular meetings and one special meeting took care of many issues in Monument in October. These included water management, streetscape redesign, traffic safety, investment strategy, and community park development.

Monument traffic study

Councilmember Ken Kimple expressed his dissatisfaction with police Commander John Lupton’s traffic study, which Kimple had specifically requested. Lupton’s presentation provided insights into how the Police Department tracks traffic citations, accidents, and citizen complaints. He made it clear that the study aimed to provide objective data to enhance traffic safety. However, Kimple was not entirely satisfied and referred to it as “a good start.”

Kimple raised concerns during the presentation, emphasizing that he had asked for studies in areas where he had personal experiences, including near-miss incidents involving himself and his wife. He particularly highlighted issues near Jackson Creek Parkway, where he believed speeding cars were a major concern. He sought more comprehensive solutions to mitigate speeding and improve safety in these areas.

Commander Lupton responded by underlining his extensive 32 years of experience in conducting traffic studies. He explained that the Police Department’s role was to use data for objective decision-making and to respond with changes and enforcement measures. He also clarified that certain traffic issues, like the implementation of speed bumps, were under the jurisdiction of the Planning Department, not law enforcement. Despite Lupton’s explanations, Kimple continued to express doubts and the need for more comprehensive actions to address traffic problems in his neighborhood.

Wells Fargo investment strategy criticized

Rachel Brown from Wells Fargo addressed the Monument Town Council, shedding light on an investment strategy involving the money market fund specifically designed for government entities. This initiative aimed to allow the town to maximize the interest on funds held in its bank accounts, potentially boosting revenue. Brown explained that when the town’s daily balance exceeds its target amount, the excess funds are transferred into an omnibus account overnight and invested the following morning when the financial market opens. Conversely, if the balance falls below the target, provisional credit is extended to bring the town back to the desired level, and funds are redeemed the next morning when the market reopens.

Mayor Mitch LaKind asked for assurances regarding the protection of taxpayer money and expressed concerns about issues such as fraud and fines that had been imposed on the bank in recent years. Brian Scott, managing director for Wells Fargo, specializing in government clients, responded by acknowledging the bank’s troubled history, notably the fines imposed in 2016. He clarified that it had been a disappointing chapter in the bank’s history but reassured the council that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for the bank had returned to the highest rating of “outstanding” status by 2020. Despite Scott’s explanation, LaKind remained unsatisfied and pressed for further safeguards to protect the town’s money from any potential misconduct by bank employees.

Kimple inquired about Wells Fargo’s motivation for the initiative, to which Scott responded that they aimed to provide excellent service to the town as a client. Councilmember Jim Romanello countered the dissention by first referencing his financial advisor experience of over 30 years, then sharing insights about money markets, emphasizing the relatively low level of risk associated with them. He encouraged the town to take advantage of the current high interest rates.

Director of Finance Mona Hirjoi, who presented the initiative, suggested that monthly reports could be included to track the revenue generated by the fund. LaKind continued to express dissatisfaction in Wells Fargo, but the council still gave direction to the town staff to continue with the investment fund.

Heart of Monument Playpark

Resolution No. 64-2023 was discussed, which involved approving a contract with N.E.S. for the design and management of the Heart of Monument Playpark. The decision to select N.E.S. was reached after evaluation of proposals and presentations. It was clarified that the funding for this project primarily stemmed from fundraising efforts by the Kiwanis organization, which had successfully secured $35,000 of the estimated $47,000 required for the design phase, with the total cost of park construction estimated at $450,000.

Scott Ross, representing Kiwanis, shared insights into the fundraising sources, which included substantial contributions from both grants and local donations. However, during the discussion, Councilmember Steve King expressed doubts and questioned the financial aspects of the project. He sought clarification on who would be responsible for the costs and expressed difficulty in comprehending the $47,000 price tag for park design. Furthermore, King voiced concerns about N.E.S.’s past interactions with the community, claiming a “lack of compassion.”

Katy Frank, a project manager with N.E.S., responded by assuring the council that she has always approached projects with community interests in mind. King inquired about Frank’s role in the project, to which she confirmed her involvement as the lead. Councilmember Kimple raised a question about the park’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Frank affirmed that the park would indeed be ADA compliant.

Continuing to seek clarification, King questioned the scoring method for selecting N.E.S., and Madeline VanDenHoek explained that N.E.S. was chosen primarily due to their experience with fundraising, which was crucial for the project’s success. In the end, the motion to approve the contract with N.E.S. for the park’s design and management passed unanimously.

Water issues

Two presentations were given during the Oct. 2 meeting, both explaining Monument’s water resources and soliciting the town’s involvement. The first presentation was given by Jim McGrady, general manager for the Triview Metropolitan District, concerning the Northern Delivery System (NDS). The importance of storage was underscored as it provides the town with reserves in case of droughts. “If we don’t conserve and the aquifer drops, pretty soon you find yourself without access to water,” McGrady warned. His presentation ended with the request for Monument to tap into the Triview water district. “We need to know now” if Monument would like to work with Triview.

The second presentation was from John Guzman and Jessie Schaffer of the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA). Established in 2022, the EPCRLWA is seeking Monument’s participation, with a total project cost estimated to be $150 million to $200 million. The primary objective is to transition away from the Denver Basin as quickly as possible and adopt a “3 Rs” approach: reducing, repurposing, and reusing water sources.

Notable distinctions between the EPCRLWA and the NDS project were discussed, including EPCRLWA’s independence from third-party involvement and potential value-creation opportunities. During the discussion, Mayor LaKind expressed concern over the wide cost estimate range and urged the EPCRLWA to provide more accurate figures. In response, EPCRLWA representatives explained that the wide price range was meant to prevent misrepresentation. Schaffer insisted that the EPCRLWA is about six months out from having more accurate numbers. Amy Lathen, general manager for the EPCRLWA, concluded the presentation by emphasizing that numbers are difficult to put up right now, but the EPCRLWA allows for options to get off dependence from the Denver Basin. “Autonomy is one of the major goals [of the EPCRLWA],” she said.

After the lengthy discussion, Romanello motioned to move Resolution No. 59-2023: A Resolution Affirming Participation in the Loop Water Authority Project to the first meeting in December.

Streetscape design concepts

Michelle Lazarz, a student at the University of Colorado, presented redesign proposals for Historic Downtown Monument. The primary focus of her presentation was on wayfinding and streetscape design concepts, with the intention to enhance the area’s appeal and attract visitors from the nearby interstate.

A significant aspect of the project involved assessing the existing parking spaces in the area, which currently consisted of 66 parallel parking spaces. A survey with 350 respondents was conducted. The proposal included three parking alternatives designed to optimize parking capacity while preserving the historic charm of the downtown area. However, it was emphasized that these were preliminary design concepts that would require further in-depth surveys to ensure compliance with ADA standards and streetscape regulations. The estimated budget for these proposed upgrades and improvements was $2.2 million, encompassing enhancements to the streetscape, signage, and parking facilities.

Councilmembers posed questions and sought clarifications. Some of the key points of discussion included the consideration of roundabouts in the design, the potential increase in parking spaces with angle parking, and next steps in the project. The forthcoming stages of the project, including grant writing and planning, will be instrumental in bringing these innovative concepts to life for the benefit of Monument’s residents and visitors.

Resolution to oppose Proposition HH dies

Mayor LaKind presented Resolution No. 65-2023, which addressed the council’s position on Proposition HH, a state bill with potential ramifications for Monument residents’ taxes. The resolution explicitly conveyed the council’s opposition to Proposition HH and encouraged Monument residents to vote against it.

However, the introduction of the resolution sparked a discussion among councilmembers. Councilmember Kimple raised concerns about the council advising residents on how to vote, fearing it might lead to legal complications. Councilmembers Laura Kronick and King also voiced apprehensions, emphasizing the council’s need to remain apolitical. In response, LaKind referenced Rep. Don Wilson’s remarks that previous boards had passed similar resolutions. To navigate the legal aspects of the matter, the council sought guidance from the town attorney, Robert Cole.

Cole clarified that the law allowed the council to disseminate information and cited examples of other clients using similar resolutions. Councilmember Marco Fiorito clarified that the resolution aimed to express the council’s opinion rather than dictate how residents should vote. Kronick emphasized the council’s non-political stance, recommending that they refrain from taking a political position. Although LaKind called for a motion to approve the resolution, no motion was presented, resulting in the resolution being dropped.

Emergency sign ordinance

On Oct. 18, the MTC held a special session to address concerns raised by the Monument Citizens for the First Amendment, a newly formed activist group, regarding the town’s sign ordinance. The group claimed that the ordinance and its enforcement unconstitutionally restricted free speech, particularly related to political signage in public rights of way. An executive session was convened, and after discussions, the council decided not to pass an emergency ordinance temporarily suspending the enforcement of the specific section in question. The council, backed by the town attorney, argued that the existing sign code met legal standards and did not discriminate based on sign content.

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The Monument Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 6, but the Monday, Nov. 20, meeting has been cancelled. Call 719-884-8014 or see www.townofmonument.org for information. To see upcoming agendas and complete board packets or to download audio recordings of past meetings, see https://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on Town Council.

Chris Jeub can be reached at chrisjeub@ocn.me.

Other Monument Town Council articles

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Oct. 12 and 26 – Use of undeveloped rights of way debated

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

In October, at two board meetings, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees continued a discussion of how to manage undeveloped rights of way (ROWs) that arose from its discussion in previous meetings of how to regulate use of recreational vehicles (RV) on private property. It continued its work on amending the town’s sign code and considered a study of Stormwater Enterprise Fund rates. Town Administrator Dawn Collins distributed a draft budget for 2024 and the board set a schedule for a public hearing and approval.

Three public hearings were held, each ending in a vote on a resolution. The board heard a petition for annexation from the United Congregational Church and granted three special event permits. The board heard a request to install an electrical vehicle charger on town property and comments from a resident regarding its accounting practices.

The Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 meetings were preceded by executive sessions, which were concluded after the regular meeting.

At the Oct. 26 meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sarah “Buddy” Caldwell, who recently moved into Hilltop Ranch, a community living facility for disabled adults.

Use of undeveloped ROWs means risk for town

The board’s discussion in previous months of how to regulate the use of RVs on private property revealed a related problem: often undeveloped ROWs that belong to the town are used to move RVs to private property. Attorney Matthew Krob pointed out that this use of undeveloped ROWs can make the town liable should an accident occur. He asked the board to consider this risk before reaching a decision on the RV issue.

At the Oct. 12 meeting, Krob reminded the board that it has the authority and the responsibility to regulate undeveloped ROWs and that the board previously adopted the El Paso County road standards in 2021. Residents using a town ROW that have built a road or driveway to standard don’t present a problem, he said, but the town is liable when residents using an undeveloped ROW have not followed the road standards. When the town knows a resident is using an undeveloped ROW, the risk is even higher, he said.

Mayor Glant Havenar said requiring residents to abide by the road standards felt like over-governance. She argued Palmer Lake is unique and the road standards the town adopted might not be a good fit.

Krob pointed out that the standards allow for a range of road types, from simple gravel roads to more complex roads made from durable materials, with curbs and gutters. He suggested a review of the issue by the town’s engineering consultants.

Trustee Shana Ball raised the issue of driveway agreements, contracts between residents and the town that allow the use of town ROWs to access private property but make the resident liable. The agreements need to be renewed every year. Collins said the town had a good number of these agreements in place, but some are no longer valid because they have not been renewed. Krob said the legal counsel for the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA), which insures the town, advises against the use of driveway agreements. Krob said the town should be moving away from driveway agreements.

Krob said the town needed to put the burden of compliance with standards on the developers of the property. Failure to do this puts the town at risk, he said.

In response to a question from Ball, Fire Chief John Vincent explained that the Fire Department also set standards for roads, requiring them to provide access for emergency vehicles at all times.

The board agreed to continue the ROW discussion at its next meeting.

At the Oct. 26 meeting, Collins emphasized the difficulty of conducting town business without clear standards in place.

Mark Morton, senior engineer at GMS Inc., explained the range of road types covered by the town’s adopted standards. He pointed out that the number of daily trips on the road determined which standard would apply.

Krob repeated that the town should move away from driveway agreements and should adhere to standards to avoid being sued. He explained that if the town made an exception in one case, all future developers could demand the same exception for their project. Owners using undeveloped ROWs should be required to comply with the standards, he said.

Collins said the board should address this issue consistently going forward rather than trying to remedy every current situation.

The board took no specific action following the discussion.

Sign code discussed; moratorium extended

At the Oct. 12 meeting, Havenar said she was uncomfortable with the exceptions proposed during the previous discussion of the sign code and concerned about which signs would be grandfathered in.

Krob said the staff needed direction on how to handle new signs, old signs that were never legal, and old signs that were legal at one time but don’t comply with the new sign code. If the board could clarify the issues, he would write their ideas into the code, he said.

Ball asked why this was before the board and not a matter for the Planning Commission. Krob said the Planning Commission gets its authority from the board.

Havenar said she had gotten complaints about the proposed sign code from businesses who felt the code made it difficult to do business in the town.

Krob agreed the discussion so far was causing concern among business owners. He added his sense was the board wanted the code to allow existing signs to remain unchanged, but he argued signs that were never legal should be required to comply with the new code. The board has policing power over signs, he said, and can demand signs comply or be removed. Sign compliance could be made a requirement to get a business license. Krob said the board needed to specify the maximum size for signs. He emphasized that sign content can’t be regulated.

Krob said he would continue to work on the sign code and recommended that the moratorium on new signs be extended.

At the Oct. 26 meeting, the board voted unanimously to extend the moratorium on new signs for six months.

Study of Stormwater Enterprise Fund proposed

Morton presented a proposal for a study to determine appropriate rates for a Stormwater Enterprise Fund to the board. The proposal specifies that GMS Engineering Inc. would review the town’s financial records relating to stormwater, as well as operating and maintenance costs for proper stormwater management, and would propose fees to support stormwater management that complies with state law. The study would cost $18,500, Morton said, would be completed within 120 days, and would include recommendations for establishing, operating, and billing for a Stormwater Enterprise Fund.

Trustee Dennis Stern asked if there was money in the budget for the study. Collins said the board has prioritized infrastructure issues, and the funds needed for the study were available. She said the current discussion was a chance to ask questions, and a resolution to approve the study would be brought to the board at a future meeting.

Resident Roger Mosely argued against the need for a stormwater enterprise fund, claiming it was an indirect way to get money for roads. He said drainage issues affected only hillside neighborhoods, his neighborhood did not have drainage issues and he should not be required to pay for problems related to stormwater.

Resident Marty Brodzik commented that it was impossible to remediate stormwater drainage problems in The Glen, as the streets had no room for culverts.

Morton pointed out that discharge of stormwater is regulated by the state, and the town will be fined if it does not comply with stormwater discharge regulations. Havenar said the town would not be able to obtain loans or grants unless a Stormwater Enterprise Fund is in place. Trustee Nick Ehrhardt said the entire town, not just the hillside neighborhoods, was responsible for proper management of stormwater.

The board took no action following the discussion on the expectation that a resolution would be brought back to them at a future meeting.

Draft of 2024 budget presented

At the Oct. 12 meeting, Collins distributed a draft of the town’s budget for 2024. The board voted to hold a public hearing on the budget at the Nov. 6 board meeting.

Public hearings and resolutions

At the Oct. 26 meeting, three public hearings were held.

A public hearing was held regarding Creighton Smith’s application for a conditional use permit to open a motorcycle maintenance business at 84 Highway 105. At the hearing, Ball raised issues about fuel storage, fumes, and proximity to a restaurant and residences. Smith said very little fuel would be stored on site and fans would be used to mitigate fumes.

Terri Hayes, president of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of Smith’s application, arguing that the town needed tax revenue and should be willing to accept change.

Following the hearing, the board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 69-2023, which approves Smith’s conditional use permit.

A second public hearing was held regarding James Wilson’s request to move an interior lot line on his property at 84 Highway 105, known as Wilson’s Corner. There were no questions from staff or the public at the hearing and the board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 70-2-23, authorizing the change to the lot line.

A third hearing was held regarding Maria Duran’s request to vacate and replat a property at the intersection of Buena Vista and Rosita Avenues. Collins said the staff supported the request and the board voted to approve Resolution 71-2023, granting Duran’s request.

Petition for annexation considered

Collins told the board that the United Congregational Church, at 3295 Palmer Divide Rd., has petitioned for annexation into the town. She said staff would bring back a resolution to approve the annexation at a future meeting.

Brodzik told the board that she opposed the church being annexed without relinquishing its water rights to the town. She asked that the church be required to commit to no future development on its property.

Krob said the details of the annexation would be worked out later in the process when there is a zoning request.

Special event permits granted

The board approved special event permits for three events:

  • The Funky Little Theater production of The Stinky Cheese Man, Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall.
  • The Second Annual Town Christmas Tree Lighting, Saturday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Village Green next to the Town Hall. Santa Claus and his wife will attend, cocoa will be served, and there will be an ugly sweater contest.
  • A Christmas Musical Review, Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Town Hall. The event will be put on by the Arts Council.

Electric vehicle charger proposed

Collins told the board that CORE Electric Cooperative had proposed the installation of an electric vehicle charging station on town property, with the location to be determined. The consensus of the board was to continue the discussion with CORE, but to clarify if the town would receive revenue from the charger.

Accounting practices questioned

Brodzik asked the board to explain why entries regarding water loan reserves and American Recovery Plan Act funds were in different locations in the town’s financial reports. Collins explained some items were moved to the cash position portion of the financial reports as part of the town’s cleanup of its financial reporting. Brodzik claimed the board is covering up serious errors in the past and pointed to voided checks as an example. Collins said that in the past there was no policy regarding voided and re-issued checks, but now the town has a register of voided checks. Collins offered to report on checks voided in 2022 if the board requested it.

Executive sessions

The Oct. 12 meeting was preceded by an executive session to discuss the potential sale of public property and to receive legal advice concerning a Police Department complaint.

The Oct. 26 meeting was preceded by an executive session to discuss the potential sale of public property and to receive legal advice concerning a Police Department complaint and a human resources complaint.

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The next board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9. The board will meet only once in November to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake Board of Trustees articles

El Paso Board of County Commissioners, Oct. 3, 12, 19, and 24 – County presents its 2024 preliminary balanced budget, approves 21-home development

By Helen Walklett

During October, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard proposals for the 2024 county budget. The commissioners also approved a plan for a 21 single-family subdivision south of the Forest Lakes development.

2024 preliminary balanced budget

The county Financial Services Department presented the preliminary balanced budget at the Oct. 3 BOCC meeting. The approximate $482.9 million budget includes $217 million in unrestricted general fund expenditures and prioritizes investments in road infrastructure and public safety. Roads and Bridges is assigned a one-time $10 million funding increase to address high-priority projects in addition to the base budget of $28 million, and public safety is allocated $97 million, 45% of the total unrestricted general fund. The budget includes a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase for county employees.

As the county’s revenues exceeded the TABOR cap this year, residents will see a refund of $138 per property via their property tax bill in 2024.

Nikki Simmons, chief financial officer, said: “One of the highest priorities for this budget was to ensure we have a recession-resistant budget.” Commenting on the 22% of revenue earmarked for reserves, Chair Cami Bremer said, “I am incredibly comfortable with that given the number of unknowns we have, and I think we continue to do a great job of conservative budgeting here.”

As part of the budget-setting process, county departments and offices presented their critical needs to the commissioners at the Oct. 19 and 24 meetings. A further budget hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 when the BOCC will give final direction on budget allocations.

The public is encouraged to participate in the budget-setting process. The preliminary budget and all supporting documents can be viewed on the county website at: https://admin.elpasoco.com/financial-services/budget-finance/county-budget/. Paper copies are also available for inspection in the commissioners’ office at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs.

The final budget vote is scheduled to be held at the BOCC meeting on Dec. 5. However, if ballot initiative HH passes, the valuation of properties in the county could change, and budget adoption will not be possible until the first week of January 2024.

Hay Creek 21-home subdivision

At the Oct. 12 BOCC land use meeting, the commissioners approved an application for a preliminary plan for 20 single-family lots to be known as the Hay Creek Valley subdivision. The one residence currently on the property will remain, making a total of 21 lots. The application came to the BOCC from the Sept. 21 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting with a unanimous recommendation for approval.

The 214.62-acre property is zoned RR-5 (residential rural) and located west of Interstate 25, directly north of the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), south of the Forest Lakes subdivision, and southwest of Monument. Lots are planned to range from 5.5 to 17 acres. The USAFA has reviewed the plan and stated that an avigation easement (giving the right of overflights in the airspace above or in the vicinity of the property) needs to be recorded with the final plat.

The property is currently gated and will continue to be once it is developed. Access is off Hay Creek Road. Jason Alwine, Matrix Design Group Inc. and representing the owner, said the county is requiring the developer to straighten the junction of the property’s private road and Hay Creek Road to provide better line of sight. Trees will be removed as part of the improvements.

Twenty-one neighbors were notified ahead of the public hearings. Justin Kilgore, planning manager, Planning and Community Development, said that concerns had been raised about the potential impacts on wildlife and traffic at the Planning Commission hearing. No one spoke against the application at the BOCC hearing. One neighbor spoke in support, stating, “As neighbors we would love to have as much open space as possible, but I do think development is inevitable and I think the developer has been very responsible in trying to keep the development” in keeping with the rest of the development in the valley.

Regarding wildlife, Alwine said Colorado Parks and Wildlife had recommended prairie dog and burrowing owl surveys that had shown no evidence of either creature. He said that raptor nesting on the property meant the developer would be limited when construction and wildfire mitigation could take place and they would work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish those timeframes. No high fencing was being proposed, and bear-proof containers and inside storage would be used to help eliminate some of the human/wildlife interaction. The extent of wildfire mitigation work would depend on where on the lots houses are built and the developer would work with county staff and the Fire Department on this throughout the construction process.

The vote to approve was unanimous.

Helen Walklett can be reached at helenwalklett@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Board of County Commissioners articles

El Paso County Planning Commission, Oct. 19 – Black Forest four-lot subdivision recommended for approval

By Helen Walklett

At the Oct. 19 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to recommend for approval rezone and minor subdivision applications to create a four-lot subdivision, Fairytale Acres, at a Herring Road property. The request is to rezone 7.59 acres of the 14.54-acre property from RR-5 (rural residential) to RR-2.5 (rural residential).

The subdivision request includes two waivers, one to allow a private roadway instead of a public road, and the other to exempt the property from having to provide a fire cistern. Discussion at the hearing centered on the latter with Ryan Howser, planner III, Planning and Community Development, explaining that although the code states a fire cistern is required where fire hydrants are not present, a 2013 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) resolution states that subdivisions of four or fewer lots are exempt from International Fire Code (IFC) coverage, which is the model code on which the county’s fire requirements are based.

Howser said, “I do think that the waiver is still warranted because our code requires it. However, I could interpret that as a conflict between the board’s adopted version of the IFC and the code.”

Howser stated that the Black Forest Fire Protection District (BFFPD) had chosen not to comment on the matter, its stance being that it will always recommend code compliance in lieu of making a formal recommendation one way or the other. Meggan Herington, executive director, Planning and Community Development, said that, unlike larger districts, BFFPD does not have a fire marshal looking specifically at fire code and the application of the IFC and so is choosing to stay neutral.

Nina Ruiz, Vertex Consulting Services, representing the applicant and speaking in justification of the cistern waiver, said the property was 2.5 miles from the fire station, which would allow for relaying fire trucks to fill up there should a fire occur. She also said the property was treeless and the homes would be spread apart, reducing the risk of fire jumping from one structure to another. BFFPD’s fire risk assessment has identified the property as having a low overall risk rating.

Commissioner Eric Moraes suggested, given the BOCC’s resolution, that a waiver was not really needed. Herington replied, “I would disagree with that because this section of the code I believe was written in 2014 and so my question is, ‘Why was this section of the land development code not amended to specify that minor subdivisions were not required to follow the land development code?’.”

Herington stated, “When we update the code next year, we really need to pay attention to this section of the land development code and what needs to be in it and what doesn’t need to be in it and where we would just reference International Fire Code.”

The vote to recommend both applications for approval was unanimous. They are now scheduled to be heard at the BOCC land use meeting on Nov. 9.

Helen Walklett can be reached at helenwalklett@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Planning Commission articles