City Administrator
Dear Manitou Springs residents, I am pleased to inform you that the first quarter of 2021 has been as successful and productive as ever before. All departments continue to work tirelessly to improve Manitou for our residents, businesses and visitors.
Our Public Works Department employees excelled at their day-to-day tasks in conjunction with the major construction projects they’re managing. Since January, more than 75 potholes have been patched and staff spent almost 900 hours removing snow from our streets!
Earlier in the year, Public Works finished its facility remodel, significantly improving the workplace. The major construction projects on Beckers Lane, Clarksley Road, Manitou Avenue and Soda Springs Park are all scheduled to be completed this summer.
Colorado Springs Utilities is tentatively scheduled to halt its Park Avenue work on May 15 and resume in October, once our bustling summer season winds down. Soon, the Water Treatment Plant will be powered at an estimated 50 percent from hydroelectricity. The other 50 percent is powered through solar electricity, which will make it a fully sustainable water treatment plant.
Parks and Recreation, a department created in the latter half of 2020, has added proper tree trimming as a weekly practice across Manitou, and has closed more than 150 work orders through our SeeClickFix App in 2021. We are also pleased to announce that the Crystal Valley Cemetery is among the few Colorado cemeteries to practice green burials, and we have seen significant success in doing so.
Neighborhood Services, previously titled Code Enforcement, is now in the Administration Department. This transition will ensure our Neighborhood Services Department is more embedded within our community. As of January, Neighborhood Services completed more than 70 inspections.
Our Planning Department is undergoing an update of our Community Rating System, an extensive flooding preparedness and mitigation program. The planning staff is working on our code update to modernize it and create a friendly and robust municipal code.
Both initiatives are being managed while planning staff completes their day-to-day tasks, such as approving 131 property improvement permits in 2021.
The Parking and Mobility Department has been a major focus, and many years of planning for smoother transportation and mobility are coming to fruition. All city parking lots now have occupancy signs that convey real-time data about availability. Similar signs will be installed to provide related information to those entering Manitou. This will significantly reduce the congestion visitors cause by driving around looking for parking.
Manitou’s mobility will be notably improved by launching PikeRide and extending Mountain Metro’s Route 36.
Lastly, a more effective and user-friendly collections agency and parking software are being introduced.
I want to thank the Finance Department staff for managing a budget during these financially uncertain times. Earlier this year, Finance Director Becca Davis received a Manni Award for her leadership and can-do attitude that has kept the city in excellent financial standing. So far this year, finance staff has issued more than 90 business licenses and is working on our yearly audit and establishing a plan to help further the city’s long-term financial stability.
Our City Clerk’s Office also has been beyond impressive, as they have successfully transitioned from our City Council meetings being held via Zoom to hybrid meetings in 2021. Soon, we hope to allow a limited number of public participants at council meetings in Memorial Hall. The Clerk’s Office will continue to manage all records and ensure that agendas and minutes remain easy to access.
The Manitou Springs Fire Department continues to be one of our most valuable resources. For their standard day-to-day operations, our firefighters have responded to 256 calls so far in 2021. Fire department leadership has completely revised and updated our Emergency Operations Plan. MSFD will soon introduce signs around Manitou that will communicate our region’s fire danger to residents and visitors.
The Manitou Springs Police Department remains a community-oriented and relatable police force. We are incredibly thankful for the men and women who make up our law enforcement and their daily sacrifices to protect our community. So far in 2021, our officers have spent 67 hours walking the street and have responded to more than 2,000 calls!
The administration has ensured that day-to-day operations continue their pace. Shortly, you will receive a community survey. We encourage everyone to complete the short survey so we can have a better sense of our customer service and how we can better serve our residents. Thus far, we have reached more than 80,000 people on Facebook and have had more than 40,000 website visits.
I’d like to recognize the fantastic work of our boards, commissions and task forces. With support from the Finance Department, the Manitou Arts, Cultural, and Heritage board has distributed its first round of grants to regional artists, making a significant impact on our already flourishing arts community. Also, the Hiawatha Gardens Task Force III and the Preserve and Renew Our Carnegie Library Task Force have both made significant progress in determining the future of two historic Manitou buildings. We are forever grateful for our community members who show their great passion for this city by sitting on a board, commission and/or task force!
If you have a concern, issue or suggestion, or want to recognize a staffer, I am available at dhowell@manitouspringsco.gov or 960-7809.
