Monument Town Council, June 2 and 16 – Council navigates development questions and compensation study; Smith appointed to the council

Pikes Peak Rodeo delegation promotes summer events
Willow Springs Ranch development sparks discussion
Outdoor storage ordinance approval
Water infrastructure investment addresses iron content
Comprehensive compensation study addresses market competitiveness
Chad Smith appointed to fill council vacancy
Professional services agreements enhance financial management
Old Denver Road annexation completed
Council addresses development advocacy concerns

By Chris Jeub

The Monument Town Council held two meetings in June, addressing key issues ranging from industrial development concerns to comprehensive employee compensation reforms and filling a vacant council seat.

Pikes Peak Rodeo delegation promotes summer events

The June 2 meeting opened with a spirited presentation from representatives of the Pikes Peak Range Riders and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Greg Budwin of the Range Riders, along with rodeo board Vice President Lauri Carroll and Girl of the West Emma Considine, invited the council and community to the annual Western Street Breakfast, which was held on June 18th in downtown Colorado Springs. The group promoted the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, scheduled for July 8-12 at the Norris Penrose Event Center, featuring over $1 million in payouts for contestants from the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican circuits.

Willow Springs Ranch development sparks discussion

Planning Director Dan Ungerleider presented a preliminary discussion on the proposed Willow Springs Ranch Filing No. 3, also known as the Rickenbacker property. Developer Tim McConnell of Drexel Barrel & Co. outlined plans for annexing 39.6 acres to develop 38 single-family residential lots of 15,000 square feet or larger—a significant reduction from a previous proposal that called for about 100 lots.

The presentation sparked a procedural debate when Councilmember Ken Kimple questioned the unusual process: “I haven’t seen it done like this that we get a presentation before the Planning Commission.” Kimple asked whether this would become standard practice, noting the difficulty of having a presentation without full debate on the merits.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve King pressed the developer on several concerns, including traffic access issues with the single entrance from Forest Lakes Drive and whether the proposed Rickenbacker Road exit would be permanent or emergency-only. King also insisted on community engagement meetings before formal processing, noting residents in the audience.

Ungerleider explained this approach followed the council’s previous request for preliminary meetings on annexation proposals. King confirmed the background, referencing earlier meetings where a 100-home proposal was deemed “fairly egregious” and appreciated the developer’s willingness to modify plans. No formal action was taken, with the item referred to the Planning Commission for detailed review.

Outdoor storage ordinance approval

The council approved Ordinance No. 10-2025 granting conditional use approval for outdoor storage at 836 Synthes Ave., though not without discussion about screening requirements and height restrictions.

Property owner Chandler Knob emphasized his family’s deep Monument roots, noting his father founded Prescott’s Surgical Microscopes and the family’s long-standing community ties. The Planning Commission had recommended approval with a 30-foot height restriction for stored materials.

King expressed wariness due to past code enforcement issues with outdoor storage in the area, calling it “a giant code issue constantly” that creates ongoing compliance problems. King questioned the 30-foot height allowance, stating it was “too tall for me.”

The debate centered on municipal code requirements versus the Planning Commission’s conditions. Councilmember Laura Kronick suggested following existing code, which requires storage materials to be screened “so as not to be visible from adjacent property or from public right-of-way.” Ungerleider explained that screening height should match fence height under the code, typically 6-8 feet for industrial uses. Councilmember Sana Abbott raised concerns about neighboring crane operations and the precedent this might set.

The council ultimately approved the ordinance 6-0 with modifications removing the 30-foot height restriction and defaulting to municipal code screening requirements.

Water infrastructure investment addresses iron content

The council approved Resolution No. 37-2025, authorizing a construction contract with Native Sun Construction for $582,241 to install iron removal systems at Wells 11, 12, and 13. Director of Public Works Thomas Tharnish explained that iron levels in these wells had been climbing, causing customer complaints about metallic taste and smell.

However, the approval process highlighted ongoing concerns about contract oversight. Mayor LaKind insisted on seeing the actual contract language before final approval, demanding “not to exceed” language be included. “Without a contract this resolution will not go anywhere because I need to see the language of the contract,” he stated. Councilmember Marco Fiorito agreed, noting he thought this was “a resolution to start the proceedings which then would lead to us approving the contract.”

The resolution passed 6-0 with the understanding that the contract would return for final council review before execution, following the town’s updated purchasing policy requiring council approval for expenditures over $25,000.

Comprehensive compensation study addresses market competitiveness

In a move toward professional municipal operations, the council approved Resolution No. 38-2025, adopting a comprehensive salary structure and classification system developed by CBIZ consultant Taylor Sprag. The study revealed that general structure employees are currently at 98.2% of market rate, while sworn police officers are at 92.4% of market rate.

The analysis recommended salary increases for 32 employees totaling $101,000 (1.6% of payroll) and established a new 16-grade salary structure with market-based positioning. The study included a five-year planning component, with CBIZ providing annual planning letters to help the town stay current with market rates.

LaKind questioned the extremely low Grade 1 minimum salary and probed the data sources used for comparison. Police Chief Patrick Regan discussed recent incremental raises, explaining, “We gave the raise that we could afford, we didn’t give the raise to fix,” noting the ongoing strategy to reach market midpoint gradually within budget constraints.

Both King and Kronick praised HR Director Emily Trujillo’s leadership on the project. “I do appreciate the leadership you’ve thrown out there from an HR perspective,” King stated, while Kronick thanked staff for their transparent, employee-first approach.

The resolution passed 7-0 for implementation in the 2026 budget, with recognition that annual adjustments would depend on available revenue.

Chad Smith appointed to fill council vacancy

At the June 16 meeting, the council addressed its vacant seat left by Jim Romanello’s passing. Chad Smith, who has served two years on the Planning Commission including recent service as chair, was the sole applicant for the position.

Smith outlined his priorities as maintaining the current council’s course, emphasizing responsible growth and preserving the town’s improved financial stability. When asked about Planning Commission experience preparing him for the role, Smith cited his land use knowledge, code navigation skills, and leadership development.

Ungerleider endorsed Smith despite losing him from the Planning Commission, noting Smith’s comprehensive plan work and calling for more Planning Commission volunteers: “We need two alternates and we need a sitting member.”

The council approved Resolution No. 42-2025 by a 7-0 vote (counting Smith immediately), and he was sworn in as council member at-large during the meeting.

**Above:** Chad Smith is switching public service positions. He’s moving from the Monument Planning Commission to the Town Council. He was sworn in on June 16, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Jim Romanello on April 12. The council voted unanimously to appoint Smith who’ll serve until the next regular election on Nov. 2 of next year. Smith had been serving on the Planning Commission since Jan. 16, 2024. His departure leaves an opening that will have to be filled. He told the council he thinks his time on the commission helped him prepare for his new position. Smith said one of his priorities will be to ensure “responsible growth” in the town. In photo, Town Clerk Tina Erickson gives oath of office to Smith. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Professional services agreements enhance financial management

The council approved two significant agreements with Willdan Financial Services to modernize the town’s financial operations. Resolution No. 40-2025 authorized a cost allocation plan and fee study for $39,000, while Resolution No. 41-2025 approved a water rate study for $37,260.

Finance Director Jennifer Phillips explained that the cost allocation plan would replace current lump-sum estimates with specific cost tracking for services like town manager and finance director time allocated to the water fund. The plan would also enable grant administration overhead recovery for projects like Jackson Creek Parkway.

The fee study would update user fees that haven’t been revised since 2016. Phillips emphasized that the study would show full cost recovery for all services, but the council would make policy decisions on actual fee levels. “Let’s say renting a park space turns out to be $50 as full cost recovery and the council says, ‘No way, we want it at $20’—that’s your policy decision,” Phillips explained.

King praised the professional advancement of Phillips and her presentation: “You’ve taken this town from a much lower level into, like, we’re a real town now.” Both resolutions passed 7-0.

Old Denver Road annexation completed

In what Ungerleider called “probably one of the easiest annexations we’ve ever gone through,” the council completed the annexation of Old Denver Road right-of-way that the town already maintains. The two-step process included Resolution No. 43-2025 (findings of fact) and Ordinance No. 11-2025 (actual annexation), both passing 7-0.

The 12.9-acre annexation brings the county right-of-way from West Baptist Road north to the corporate limits into town boundaries. The El Paso Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved waiving the annexation impact report, facilitating the smooth process.

Council addresses development advocacy concerns

During council comments at the June 16 meeting, Mayor Pro Tem King raised concerns about his role in addressing development issues in adjacent municipalities. King explained his dilemma regarding a Beacon Light/County Line property that previously came before Monument for multifamily annexation but was rejected based on neighborhood concerns.

With a “more intense use” now proposed in an adjacent municipality, King sought guidance on speaking to the media about the development’s history. Attorney Bob Cole advised that speaking for the council requires bringing positions to council first and getting delegated authority, while speaking individually requires being clear about personal capacity.

The council unanimously supported King providing factual history about the previous annexation process, with Councilmember Kimple noting, “I’m 100% for Steve giving the history because all that is public information.” King confirmed his intent to speak only about historical facts, not council positions.

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The Monument Town 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 meetings are scheduled for Monday, July 7 and 21. For more information, call 719-884-8014 or visit www.townofmonument.org. To view upcoming agendas, complete board packets, or download audio recordings of past meetings, visit http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on “Town Council.”

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