At its May 9 work session, Manitou Springs City Council voted unanimously to delay
moving forward with the Soda Springs Park Master Plan until designs are approved and costs
reviewed.
Danu Fatt, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Robyn Bartling with
Hord Coplan Macht, the principal landscape architect firm, discussed master plan revisions. The
plan was presented to City Council on Oct. 18, 2022, and has been updated since the last
presentation on Jan. 24, 2023.
Significant resources, such as funds and staff time, were put into the public process and
design. Additional funding will be necessary for the design team to make any changes for a final
approved master plan. To date, HCM has been paid $43,619 for its work on the Phase II designs.
“We met with PARAB in March and they felt comfortable bringing the plan to you,”
Bartling said.
PARAB opted for artificial turf in the park to save water and resources, but there are
concerns about safety of materials, the heat of synthetic turf and microplastics.
However, the city favors allocating resources to water natural sod and continuously replace
it, if needed, to avoid having something artificial in the park. HCM and PARAB will look for
locations where sod has the best chance of survival.
Residents are asking for more parking, but Fatt and Bartling agreed that PARAB wants a
“no parking, less concrete” concept.
Both suggested reserving parking adjacent to the park, and said that a loading and
unloading zone, at a minimum, is better than a parking lot. Gravel is preferred, and permeable
paver is an option.
Bartling said HCM is trying to provide connectivity and that fine gravel can offer this.
“By not having that parking, you have more landscaping and opportunity for table games.
The intent is to keep the planting areas natural, but also being sensitive about how much
maintenance you have for those planting areas,” Bartling said.
PARAB believes parking elsewhere should be reserved during events. This may take away
parking for visitors, but alternative transportation could be considered.
“I like it and think it is a good balance of what is going on here,” Councilor John Shada
said.
Also, Shada wanted to know if bicycle lockers, as well as bike racks, could be included in
the plan. Bartling said that’s being discussed.
Councilor Julie Wolfe asked about portable toilets.
“Are they there to supplement the public restroom?” Wolfe asked.
Fatt said they would be used for special events only and not for general daily use.
Council was divided over adding a water feature. Fatt said typical water features range
from $500,000 to $1 million due to the recirculating system, custom design, underground vault,
sanitization system and maintenance. Colorado water restrictions could close the fountain during
certain seasons.
“We must be cognizant of anything we put in the park, as we don’t want to have adverse
effects in a flood plain,” Bartling said.
PARAB agrees that a water feature is not sustainable, and shouldn’t be included due to
cost and maintenance. Council asked for additional information so members can decide whether
it should be included in the park.
“It looks like a lot of expenses and maintenance, so I am not in favor of adding a water
feature. It seems like in the age of drought, we’re going in the wrong direction,” Mayor John
Graham said.
However, Councilor Natalie Johnson said this is a feature most requested by residents.
“Maybe this isn’t the right spot for one, but there may be a spot for one in the future in
another park,” Johnson said.
City Administrator Denise Howell recommended making more changes based on what had
been discussed and get an approved design so costs can be considered. Council agreed.
Also, Council unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 0723: approving a
lease purchase agreement with Clayton Holdings LLC for equipment and vehicles.
Finance Director Rebecca Davis said Clayton has offered a 3.98 percent interest rate for 10
years for the 2023 lease purchase.
“The entire lease package is for $431,105, with annual payments for the first five years of
$68,715.42. And, for years six through 10, payments of $29,613.44. The final payment will be
on May 27, 2032,” Davis said.
A lease purchase program with 10-year leasing was included in the 2023 budget.
Davis said the Capital Improvements Fund would provide one-half the cost of a Type 3 fire
pumper engine at $250,000, two police vehicles at $121,275, four police radios at $17,363 and a
Polaris for Neighborhood Services at $29,500, for a total of $418,138. All are on a five-year loan
rate except for the fire pumper, which is 10 years.
“Due to cost increases, the total borrowed had to be increased to $431,105. However, this
increase was mitigated by the interest rate being only 3.98 percent, as opposed to the 6 percent
that was budgeted. A total of $70,310 was budgeted for the payment in 2023 and the actual
payment will be $68,715.42,” Davis said.
Council offered no comments.
The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. May 16.