Beginning Monday, Aug. 23, masks will once again be required in all Manitou Springs indoor spaces. The new order includes Manitou Springs School District 14.
The vote to re-impose the mask requirement was 6-1, with Mayor John Graham the lone dissenter. Graham told council that he wants to preserve the school district’s autonomy.
All recent statistics at all levels of population reflect an alarming resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, driven by the emergence of the delta variant. As the number of cases increases, so does the opportunity for the virus to mutate. The math is simple.
The tipping point for City Council seemed to be the state of confusion among local entities. School District 14 Superintendent Elizabeth Domangue told council that the district follows El Paso County Health Department policy, meaning that masks are “strongly encouraged” in the district.
The county health department tells inquirers that mask policy is set at each local level. Councilor John Shada said that means that no one makes decisions.
Shada challenged “everyone in this room to lead.” Councilor Steve Bremner once again called for Manitou to lead, citing an “exponential” rise in cases. Councilor Judith Chandler said, “Manitou is cutting edge once again.”
Councilor Julie Wolfe introduced the motion to re-impose the mask order “until further notice,” starting Monday. Chandler seconded the motion. Wolfe called for the schools to be specifically identified as requiring masks.
City Attorney Jeff Parker said that a city-wide order would include the schools, as was done in Denver earlier that day. Parker also said that City Administrator Denise Howell could write the order and basically re-impose the order from July 2020.
There are two differences from last year’s mask order: it does not apply to those younger than 5 and there is no mention of social distancing, indoors or outdoors.
Business owners will be the first line of enforcement in most cases. Businesses are asked to inform maskless customers of the order and seek police assistance if a confrontation ensues. Misdemeanor trespass citations have been the only tickets issued relative to masks.
The final text should be prepared by the end of the week.
In a related action, council gave unanimous consent to Shada’s motion to require a weekly report about the percentage of vaccinated city employees; they won’t be identified by name.
In earlier council action Tuesday, members unanimously postponed consideration of a major conditional-use permit for a coffee shop with a drive-up window at 306 Manitou Avenue. Council wants input from the fire department concerning access to a bridge on the site, greater clarity on financing improvements to the property and a specific requirement for wildlife-resistant trash handling.
Council discussed the Housing Advisory Board’s recommended Housing Habitability Code draft and the concept of a rental-housing licensing program.
The existing Housing Habitability Code would be little changed by a revision, according to City Planner Michelle Anthony. More details about provisions would be added protection for tenants, Anthony said in response to Wolfe’s question. First and second readings of the proposed ordinance are required, with Graham noting, “There’s no rush.”
The rental licensing program would impose a new fee but is otherwise described as educational.
Coreen Toll of the Housing Advisory Board told council that property owners would benefit from property inspections and that the licensing procedure would protect property owners, tenants and the city. The purpose, Toll said, is “cleanliness and health.”
The city requires rentals consisting of four or more units to be licensed. The new requirement, if enacted, would also provide information on who owns what properties in town, information currently difficult to obtain.
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Fortuin said that incentives could be added to the rental licensing program, such as waiving the fee after a specified number of years of compliance or rewards for adding energy efficiency. Anthony told Wolfe that implementation costs are unknown at this time.
The discussion revealed that 40 percent of Manitou properties were built before 1940.
Council indicated that work on the habitability code and the rental licensing program should go forward.
Finance Director Rebecca Davis presented long-term financial options for the city. Borrowing and issuing bonds are two options, as are imposing more fees and raising city taxes.
An example of a new fee that enjoys some traction among council members and staff is a proposed Transportation Utility Fee. Chandler opposed such a fee because it would burden Manitou citizens. She would favor increasing parking fees on the street, mainly impacting visitors.
In response to Councilor Natalie Johnson’s question, Howell described how the city could borrow money despite Manitou’s dependence on the volatile tourist trade.
Graham expressed a desire for the city not to be “held hostage” by marijuana and tourism.
Taxes account for more than two-thirds of city revenue, with the special sales tax on marijuana accounting for more than 40 percent of sales tax receipts. The current marijuana tax rate is 6 percent of sales.
Council can raise the marijuana sales tax to as much as 10 percent of sales without residents voting.
Graham told council that he had been roundly castigated for taking a guided tour of the Hiawatha Gardens building with his own advisers. Graham said that he was within his rights and that any council member could do the same. He invited critics to pull an application to run for mayor.