Councilors John Shada, Julie Wolfe, and Judith Chandler again remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance, in response to political decisions made by President Donald Trump and what Shada called the “general situation” in Washington D.C.
The Manitou Springs City Council then approved a proclamation “To Recognize Manitou Springs’ Commitment to Valuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in our Community.” Councilor Nancy Fortuin introduced the measure.
“Proclamations are usually a way of celebrating something, and they’re fairly joyful, I would say, and usually they do not incur any risk,” she said. “This one is a bit different in that it reflects our community’s values and there is potential risk by doing so in the current political environment. That said, I believe that the values of free speech and respect for one another are worthy of showing our solidarity and standing up for what we believe.”
In January Trump signed an executive order to end federal support of DEI programs, and funding to entities, like public schools, who continue to “provide or advance” DEI programs.
Soda Springs Park(ing)
Council approved a new set of parking rules for events at Soda Springs Park, limiting the designated dirt area at Soda Springs Park for parking for one delivery vehicle. “Less parking behind the Pavilion produces less compaction on our trees roots that we have planted behind the Bud Ford Pavilion,” said Gillian Rossi, Manitou’s parks and recreation director. “This could be a beneficial item for our trees as well”
URA board nomination, “disappointment” from council member
Council voted to approve Patsy Sitzman’s nomination to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Board. “Since the authority to appoint the members lies solely with the mayor, I’d like to address the fact that he has decided not to appoint me,” said Fortuin after the vote to appoint Sitzman. “To my knowledge this is the first time a candidate that is eligible, qualified, desires to serve, and was formally nominated in writing by the URA board will not be appointed. Not only is there precedent for council members to serve on the URA board – Mark Snyder and Coreen Toll – but provision in Ordinance 2.09.04 [“No member of the city council and no city employee shall serve as a member of a board or commission”] do not apply to the URA board, which falls under state statute. While I question the mayor’s rationale and am disappointed by his decision I willingly and enthusiastically will continue my role as council liaison to the URA board.”
Stang appointed to advisory committee
Council appointed Karl Stang to the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments’ Citizen Advisory Committee.
Employment consultant idea tabled
Council tabled discussion of a potential decision to engage an employment consultant to provide professional services related to the city’s employment environment. During a heated discussion, Chandler and Wolfe raised concerns about the retention of employees while Councilor Michelle Whetherhult noted that employees have left city employment for higher pay and other factors.
Federal funding uncertainties are local reality
“Nobody really knows what’s happening with federal funding,” said City Administrator Denise Howell. The congressional direct funding that we were going to get – $500 thousand for the water meters – it looks like we’re not going to get it. They of course don’t know yet, so they did send me a link and want me to reapply, which I have done. In the next week and a half I will have that submitted. The paving for Manitou Avenue with the water main break is going to be about $88,000 and we have to do that because that was our water main, CDOT won’t cover that, so we’ll have to use our PPRTA [Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority] money.”
