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OCN > 2604 > Woodmoor Improvement Association, March 25 – Public Safety leadership change

Woodmoor Improvement Association, March 25 – Public Safety leadership change

Highlights

  • The Woodmoor Improvement Association welcomed Darrin Abbink as the new Woodmoor Public Safety Chief, succeeding Kevin Nielsen who retired after 35 years of service.
  • A resident proposed expanding dog waste stations across Woodmoor, with about 90 survey responses showing 70% in favor, though the board cited cost, practicality, and aesthetics concerns and will seek clearer estimates and approvals before moving forward.
  • The board addressed the pace of the state wildfire mitigation reimbursement program, explaining that payments depend on state reimbursements and noting recent staffing changes as a factor in delays.
  • Reports from officers noted potential phone system problems, possible replacement needs, and financial shifts, including softer revenues from barn rentals and project fees.
  • Several operational items were reviewed: Covenants reported 27 items with zero violations, high archival approval rates for architectural projects, forestry activities and upcoming chipping days, and the notice of a destroyed Toboggan Hill picnic table requiring replacement.
  • For the Highway 105B project, the board approved granting to the county three easements valued at $81,200.

By Jackie Burhans

The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on March 25 to say goodbye to one Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) chief and welcome a new one. It also heard residents’ ideas for community dog waste stations, concerns about the pace of mitigation reimbursement, and director reports.

WPS chief changeover

Director of Public Safety Brad Gleason reported that WPS Chief Kevin Nielsen’s last day in office was March 26, with his last office day on Friday, March 27. Gleason said that after 35 years, he wanted to thank Nielsen for everything he had done for this organization and community. He wished Nielsen the very best.

Gleason also introduced the new WPS Chief, Darrin Abbink, saying WIA was excited to have Abbink on the team. He comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience leading a private security team. He retired from the Colorado Springs Police Department after 22 years of service in 2017 at the rank of lieutenant.

In the March newsletter, you can find a farewell letter from Nielsen and an introduction and biography of Chief Abbink: https://tinyurl.com/wia-news-2603.

Resident proposes expansion of dog waste stations

Resident Marty Froelich proposed expanding dog waste stations throughout the Woodmoor neighborhood to supplement the ones available in some of the common areas. He cited frequent encounters with bagged pet waste along the roadways during his runs and his wife’s daily dog walks. He said other communities had this amenity and wondered if Woodmoor residents would support this.

Froelich did an informal survey promoted throughout the neighborhood and on Nextdoor, garnering about 90 responses with 70% being in favor of the idea. He estimated installation costs at $250 to $300 per station, which could be covered by sponsors, and noted that the current monthly maintenance cost was about $66 per station. He suggested about 20 stations at high-traffic intersections along walking routes, including WIA-owned parcels or other easements, saying that the El Paso County Public Works staff expressed a willingness to work with the association.

Board members raised concerns about cost, effectiveness, and aesthetics, and President Brian Bush objected to the idea of sponsorship signage, noting that WIA seeks to maintain a natural character and avoid commercialization. Board member Jason Hann said installation and maintenance could exceed $15,000 annually and noted that the survey represented fewer than 3% of Woodmoor’s residents.

The board agreed that the proposal warrants further review but said it would need clearer cost estimates, written county approvals, and feedback from residents near proposed locations before committing funds. Froelich indicated he was willing to refine the proposal and gather additional input for the board to review at a later meeting.

Wildfire mitigation reimbursement discussed

A Woodmoor resident criticized the pace of a state-funded wildfire mitigation reimbursement program and said delays have discouraged him from completing additional work on his property. Bush and Hann explained that WIA must first receive reimbursement from the state before issuing payments to residents. Hann noted that the process is slow and complicated by state bureaucracy, noting that it had recently changed personnel and processes. Bush said Forestry Administrator Justin Gates had left his position in late January, and the new employee, Kelci Spencer, began working on March 16 with volunteers covering the operational gaps during the transition.

Hann said participation in the grant program is voluntary and urged residents not to abandon mitigation efforts. Bush apologized for the delay, saying that staff would follow up and get an answer in the next few days.

Highlights

  • Vice President. Homeowners’ Association (HOA) Administrator Denise Cagliaro reported on behalf of Vice President Peter Bille that WIA is starting to have problems with its phones and may need to buy new ones.
  • Treasurer. Bush reported for Treasurer Pete Giusti that revenues are down for Barn rentals and project fees but may pick up depending on the economy.
  • HOA Administrator. Cagliaro reported that WIA hired Kelci Spender as Covenants and Forestry administrator. She also reported that the realtor who had sponsored the community garage sale for the last 20 years would not be doing it, so there won’t be one unless someone takes their place. She reported sending 212 past-due letters to residents.
  • Covenants: Director Jennifer Davis reported 27 covenant items resulting in zero violations. There were no hearings in February or March, with one upcoming hearing in April for two possible issues. She reminded residents that there is no dumping in common areas, including golf balls.
  • Architectural Control: Director Ed Miller reported 21 project submissions in February, 19 of which were approved administratively and two by the Architectural Control Committee, which maintains an approval rate of 100% for the year. There are 35 projects for the year, which is a 12.5% decrease from 2025.
  • Forestry: Director Hann said that WIA completed seven forestry and Firewise visits. Spencer is going through training on site visits and mitigation planning, with grant training scheduled for the following week. He noted that the grant fund has plenty of money. Chipping days are set for June 20 and 21, and July 18 and 19. Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA) is also doing a mulching day on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Oktoberfest Drive and Slopeside Street, which is free to MVEA customers. See https://tinyurl.com/mulch-madness.
  • Common Areas. Cagliaro reported for Director Steve Cutler that a picnic table at Toboggan Hill had been destroyed and would not be replaced. Bush asked that anyone seeing damage done to WIA property contact WPS at 719-499-9771.
  • Easements granted. The board unanimously voted to grant three easements to the county for the Highway 105B project. The easements, for WIA property on the north side of Highway 105 near Furrow Road, were appraised at $81,200.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on April 22.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/events/. Once approved and posted, the WIA board meeting minutes can be found at www.woodmoor.org/board-of-directors/.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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