At its March 19 regular session, Manitou Springs City Council discussed the city’s payments to the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Councilor Judith Chandler questioned why $621,000 had been budgeted for the Cog incentive agreement, but on Feb. 29, 2024, a city check was written to the Cog for $684,378.76.
“Only council can make changes in the approved budget above the amount, because we also have to justify ‘where’s that money going to come from?’” Chandler said.
If there are any changes, council must be notified right away, she added.
“Probably, our No. 1 job is to make sure we bring you a balanced budget. So when I see things that are $63,000 off, the first thing I worry about is where it’s coming from,” she said.
Becca Davis, city finance director, addressed Chandler’s concerns.
“The reason why it wasn’t brought forward this time is because the money is actually coming from the revenue that was in excess of what was budgeted. This account line directly ties into the revenue account line. … Because we got more revenue than I budgeted, our expenditure also had to be higher to balance that out.
“We cannot reduce the fund balance without City Council approving that,” Davis explained.
Councilors Julie Wolfe and John Shada also expressed their views.
“I don’t think council needs to be informed, I think council needs to decide,” Wolfe said. “I’m not going to have some administrator or employee of the city inform council how they decided to spend the budget. That’s up to us; we’re supposed to appropriate.”
We had an open public process. – John Graham
Shada then read aloud the pertinent portion of the Cog contract.
“This is an annual appropriation and the last I checked, it’s this body that makes annual appropriations. Nobody on staff makes those appropriations, OK?” he said.
City Administrator Denise Howell suggested that Davis notify council whenever revenues are more than expected.
Plan Manitou work group appointments
Last February, council tasked staff with creating an application for residents to encourage diversified community participation. The work groups will provide perspective and insight on the specific topic areas to staff and consultants, and act as informing parties.
Staff has received 27 work group applications. The categories include Arts and Culture, Economic Development & Tourism, Education, Health & Human Services, Historic & Cultural Resources, Housing & Neighborhoods, Infrastructure & Public Services, Land Use & Built Environment, Natural Environment & Sustainability, and Transportation & Mobility.
Staff has asked council to review applications so potential appointees can be assigned to relevant working groups in a timely manner.
City Administrator Denise Howell said people who have and have not been involved with the city comprise this “exciting list.”
“We had some council members recommend people that didn’t submit, so we will look to you for direction on that,” Howell said.
City Planner Ethan Shafer said some council members submitted names that appeared on as many as five lists. Many people applied while others, whose names were submitted, didn’t apply, leaving council to question who will be serving and to what committee(s) they will be assigned.
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Fortuin said she would find it difficult to put non-applicants on the list.
“If they didn’t choose to apply, I would prefer not to have new ones thrown into the mix at this point,” Fortuin said.
Mayor John Graham said he didn’t expect to consider people who didn’t apply.
“We had an open public process for people to apply. It wasn’t difficult, they could do it online. So, I agree, if an individual didn’t apply, they shouldn’t be considered at this point,” Graham said.
Chandler disagreed, saying she recommended people not on the list.
“My rationale is we have 10 sub-committees and 27 applicants. I disregarded two of those applicants because they didn’t provide any more information than their name and address,” Chandler said.
“Committees need to have three or four people on them. Attrition happens, people get sick or go on vacation. My concern was we have such a large, wonderful potential applicant pool of residents.”
Councilor Julie Wolfe said, “I agree we should have a minimum of three people on each committee. I don’t see anything horrific with inviting a few extra people to apply who may not have applied who we think would be good.”
Councilor Michelle Whetherhult added, “I think we should stick to the original plan.”
Council decided to not appoint, but invite applicants, at this time, and to vote on the official list at the next meeting.
MACH grant recommendations
The Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage Board 2024 Grant Awards recommendations were approved 6-0. Councilor Natalie Johnson, Manitou Art Center executive director, recused herself from the discussion.
MACH Board Chair Ralph Routon presented recommendations to council at the March 12 work session.
According to Routon and Finance Director Rebecca Davis, approving the recommendations will ensure timely distribution of the MACH awards. Funding from 2023 tax revenues amounts to $337,403 for Tier 1 properties — the Carnegie Library, Manitou Springs Heritage Center, Miramont Castle, Hiawatha Gardens and the MAC — and $167,000 for Tier 2 applicants, entities supporting the arts, culture and heritage in Manitou.
The list of awardees is available at tinyurl.com/MACHrecommendations2024
Councilor John Shada thanked Routon for his team’s work.
“I think it’s one of the funnest, greatest things we do in our community,” Shada said.
Employee Handbook amendments
Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 0624 approving amendments to sections 7.4 and 7.6 of the Employee Handbook concerning additional grounds for sick leave under the Colorado Healthy Family and Workplaces Act.
In a memo to council, Human Resources Director Kelly Padilla said the resolution would obtain authorization to update the handbook to ensure compliance with Colorado Senate Bill 23-017 regarding utilization of sick leave. Colorado Act SB 23-017 provides additional uses for paid sick leave in addition to typical leave requirements.
Employers must allow sick leave to be used for occurrences not previously identified under Colorado Labor and Employment regulations.
Implementing the Colorado Workplace Act during COVID-19, adding 48 hours of paid sick leave to part-time and per-diem personnel, and accruing one hour of sick time for every 30 hours reached a maximum of 48 hours annually.
The act has been extended to allow paid sick time for other circumstances. This includes a school or daycare closure, or to assist with bereavement leave if not paid by an organization.
The city will comply with Colorado Labor and Employment Regulations. Staff are provided with additional abilities to use accrued paid sick time in place of taking time off without pay. Council didn’t comment.
Memorial bench request approved
Council unanimously approved installing a memorial bench in 7 Minute Spring Park. Parks & Recreation Director Gillian Rossi, and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Chair Danu Fatt said Roberta Graham last year applied for a memorial bench for Teresa Graham and sought to place it in a shady area in the park.
PARAB reviewed the application, worked with Parks maintenance staff in choosing a suitable location acceptable to the applicant and unanimously approved the application. Park staff will pour the concrete pad and install the bench.
Wright re-appointed to HPC
Council unanimously reappointed Tammila Wright as an alternate member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Wright’s current term expires on March 31. Wright requested reappointment, and HPC Chair Susan Presti endorsed that.
“My contribution as a commissioner is one of my most important duties as a citizen of Manitou Springs. I hope to continue for my fifth term,” Wright wrote in a memo to City Clerk Elena Krebs. Council didn’t comment.
Council will meet for a regular session at 6 p.m. April 2.