City Council approved the Manitou Springs Fire Department’s controversial and long-standing request for a training facility at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Council’s action specified that J.R. Reed Constructors Inc. will provide construction administration and services to include overseeing foundation work, retaining walls and drainage work, and building the structure.
An earlier proposal for a training facility would have cost more than $400,000 and required voter approval. Voters rejected that proposal. The new plan was projected to cost approximately one-tenth of that amount and does not meet the cost threshold requiring voter approval.
The controversy did not concern the need for such a facility but rather its location.
The proposed location is the area accessed through the neighborhood at the top of Minnehaha Avenue, especially Duncan Street. Neighborhood residents presented a 70-signature petition to City Council opposing the location. Several councilors agreed.
Some objections centered on the disruption construction would potentially cause, but most objections concerned its operation. Increased traffic, wear and tear on the neighborhood’s old roads and fire danger from the practice fires were most often cited.
One speaker accused the city of a lack of transparency regarding plans for the project, although public meetings had been held.
After considerable public comment, mostly opposing the location, Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Fortuin spoke in favor of the proposal, saying that “the city burning down is my worst fear.” She added that fire department training is more important than anything she had heard during public comment.
Councilor Judith Chandler called the issue “the most difficult decision I’ve had.” She proposed that a list of standard operating procedures be prepared, detailing the number of training sessions per month, use by outside agencies, the number of vehicles allowed at the site at one time and other operational variables.
Councilor John Shada agreed and said that the SOPs should be included in a memorandum of understanding with the fire department.
MSFD spokesperson Chris Byrne told council that the department has already prepared a draft of such an agreement. Chandler said she feels the fire department and the neighborhood can reach agreement on the issues raised.
Fortuin moved that council pass the measure with the requirement that the fire department return at a future date with SOPs.
The motion passed unanimously. No date was set for the fire depart- ment’s return to council.
Council rejected a request to approve a condominium development at 6 El Paso Blvd. The Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs boundary runs through the site. The measure contained four items requiring Council approval, the first being a request to rezone the property from hillside low-density to general residential.
Several neighborhood residents spoke to oppose the development, with none speaking in favor.
Councilor Julie Wolfe noted the “overwhelming” neighborhood opposition and moved to deny the rezoning measure. Chandler, who seconded the motion, cited traffic issues, the site’s slope and potential drainage issues.
Council voted to deny the re-zoning, making the three related items moot; they were postponed indefinitely.
Council voted to change the parking-fine fee structure to make fines in residential areas consistent with fines downtown. Fines forunpermitted parking in residential areas are now $70 for the first offense, $100 for the second and $150 for the third.
Council informally approved Mayor John Graham supporting changes to Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority voting procedures, which would proportion- ately adjust the voter power of member municipalities when new ones join the PPRTA. As Manitou’s mayor, Graham sits on the PPRTA board of directors.
Fortuin told council that she had spoken with Marc Snyder, current state representative and former Manitou mayor, and was told that City Council should revisit the redistricting question it had previ- ously approved. Graham said that Snyder will be invited to address council on the matter.
Council revisited a previously considered major conditional-use permit at 306 Manitou Ave. for Treehouse Coffee. Issues involving city access to Schryver Park have been resolved and the permit was unanimously approved Tuesday.
Manitou resident Cory Sherman addressed council to propose that a plaque honoring Emma Crawford be placed in town, suggesting the public
library park, Town Clock park, Schryver Park or Memorial Park.
Herman said that Crawford is one of Manitou’s most famous residents, even though the Coffin Races in her honor have been cancelled this year and last. Sherman told council that Crawford’s life in Manitou, and the Coffin Races, highlight our town’sfresh air and mineral springs.
“Hopefully, we’ll celebrate the Coffin Races next year,” Sherman said.
Council adjourned to an executive, or closed, session to discuss how the city and council handle personnel issues. Graham told the Bulletin on Wednesday that a policy statement is being prepared and will be added to the city website, probably as early as Wednesday, Sept. 8.