By William J. Dagendesh
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Manitou Springs City Council unanimously approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget and amended the annual budget for 2022.
Councilors cast their votes after a second reading and public hearing.
“The way it stands now, the forecasted ending General Fund/unassigned fund balance for 2023 is $8,243,706,” said Finance Director Rebecca Davis.
She said the proposed budget has no sales tax to give to the Urban Renewal Authority with respect to the Holiday Inn Express, and currently has no sales tax going to the URA, only the property tax.
“For 2023, there is nothing. For 2022, there is close to $400,000 that was given to the URA in the first part of the year,” Davis said.
The meeting recalled the Oct. 11 special work session, when council voted 7-0 to approve submitting the proposed budget. State law requires the budget officer to submit a proposed budget to the governing body, which must then publish notice of the budget by Oct. 15.
During that session, Davis said the fund balance for the general operating fund was projected at $6,689,712. That was for the recommended budget, assuming Colorado Springs approved retail marijuana in November, and that the Mobility and Parking Enterprise Fund remained separate.
Davis had said that the General Fund summary had been updated to reflect changes not in this budget, but would be included at the first reading on Nov. 15. These changes would reduce the ending fund balance by $212,000 to $6,477,712.
Davis said she calculated the Cog Railway payment for 2023 and that the estimate for that came to approximately $600,000.
At the Dec. 6 meeting, URA Chair Debbie Sagen said the URA presented its budget to the recent Boards and Commissions meeting, and that the URA wants to collaborate with council on executing projects presented in the budget.
“In the new year, as we adopt our own budget, we would like to work on projects we think are important and agree to carry them out together,” Sagen said.
Councilor Natalie Johnson voiced interest in collaborating on projects, and Councilor Judith Chandler congratulated Davis and her staff for their efforts.
“You put together two budgets. … I appreciate your hard work,” Chandler said.
Council also voted 7-0 to deny the application of a major conditional-use (mobile food vendor) permit at Emerald Fields recreational marijuana dispensary, 27 Manitou Ave., until a new land-use code is passed. Applicant Holly Carpenter requested to park one food truck at a time in the parking lot 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays.
According to Senior Planner Chelsea Stromberg, the site is zoned commercial with re-development overlay designed to provide greater flexibility and encourage a mix of land uses. She said one of the development and design objectives found in the City Code is encouraging pedestrian-friendly mixed uses.
“Food trucks almost exclusively serve pedestrians through walk-up service windows. Additional dining options can promote pedestrian activity from the area’s high concentration of lodging establishments without impacting parking on site,” Stromberg said.
Currently, the business offers 75 parking spaces, including an off-site auxiliary parking lot.
The conditional-use permit, which allowed Emerald Fields to operate at that location, required 40 parking spaces.
“It is staff’s analysis that the existing parking is sufficient for the existing business as well as the food truck business,” Stromberg said.
She said she received two statements opposing the application. However, the Planning Commission recommended approval with the condition that only one mobile vendor is permitted to operate at a time, hours are limited to 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays and that the major conditional-use permit is valid only while the business is operational at 27 Manitou Ave.
Council President Pro Tem Nancy Fortuin said she believes the new land-use code, expected to be completed soon, would allow for temporary approval of such requests.
“Currently, if we approve a major conditional-use permit, we can’t make it temporary, correct?” Fortuin asked.
“With the new code, as it’s currently proposed, this request would fall under a temporary use permit,” said City Planner Hannah Van Nimwegen-McGuire.
Carpenter said the variety of food trucks will help enhance business.
“The intent is to bring people into our business … we are seeing a significant drop in business and we are aiming our food trucks at the neighborhood, people who are staying in the hotels around the area, but also to customers 21 and over,” Carpenter said.
Councilor John Shada questioned hygiene provisions.
“Is Emerald Fields going to provide restrooms for people to wash their hands? How is that going to work?” Shada asked.
Stromberg said food trucks typically don’t offer restroom facilities. However, the food trucks will provide sanitizers and hand-washing stations, Carpenter said.
Council invited Carpenter to re-submit her application with fees waived under the new land-use code. The first reading will be held later this month with the second reading, tentatively, on Jan. 3.
Lastly, Council voted 7-0 to appoint Alan Delwiche to the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority/Citizen Advisory Committee, and to re-appoint him as a regular member of the City Planning Commission.
Delwiche lost to John Graham in the 2021 mayoral election. Delwiche has 25 years of experience with the city’s planning commission, and has served with the Housing Advisory Board and the Urban Renewal Authority Board.
Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13.