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Wal-Mart proposal May 11
View photos of the Wal-Mart Community Meeting March 2
The proposal for a Wal-Mart store on a 30-acre parcel on the
south side of Baptist Road, directly across from King Soopers, is the only
project on the agenda for a special meeting of the El Paso Planning Commission
May 11, 9 a.m., at the El Paso County Building, 27 E. Vermijo, Colorado Springs.
The specific request is for approval of a rezoning of the parcel from R-4 to
planned unit development (PUD) and approval of a preliminary plan for the site.
The proposal is for a 24-hour supercenter, with a
203,000-square-foot (4.7-acre) store that includes a grocery store, garden
center, and six-bay tire lube express. There would be parking for about 1,000
cars. The store would be at the eastern part of the parcel, with the parking lot
to the west. It would occupy Lot 1 (about 24 acres).
Lot 2 (1.4 acres) on the northwest corner is proposed to be a
Wal-Mart gas station that includes a 975-square-foot building.
Drainage from the approximately 25 acres of impervious area
would be collected in Lot 3, a roughly 2.5-acre snow storage and runoff
detention area on the southeast corner of the parcel.
Three points of access to the store are proposed. At the
western edge of the development, Jackson Creek Parkway is already a full-motion
intersection with a traffic signal. The plan calls for two entrances off the
extension of Jackson Creek Parkway south of Baptist Road. The third access to
the store would be a right-in/right-out directly onto Baptist Road toward the
mid-point of the parcel. That access would be about 275 feet west of the
right-in/right-out access to the King Soopers shopping center.
**********
For more information on this project and to provide comments,
contact Carl Schueler, Director, El Paso County Planning Division, 520-6300, CarlSchueler@elpasoco.com.
Mail comments and questions to the El Paso County Planning Department, 27 E.
Vermijo, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-2208.
Additional information on the project is available at www.ourcommunitynews.org/top_stories.htm#wal-mart
and www.CoalitionTLC.org/wal-mart.htm,
or by calling John Heiser at 488-9031.
Forest residents to consider incorporation
By John Heiser
At the April 8 meeting of the Black Forest Community Club (BFCC),
Larry Stanley and Gary Schinderle solicited volunteers to help study possible
incorporation or other measures to preserve the Black Forest lifestyle. After
some discussion, the committee was named the Black Forest Future Options
Committee.
Formation of this committee was precipitated by recent county
actions, including the proposed update to the county’s major transportation
corridors plan. The revised plan shows extension of several major roadways
through the Black Forest.
One of these is the controversial extension of Milam Road
from where it ends at Shoup Road north to Hodgen Road or Walker Road. The courts
have ruled against the county’s original plan to extend Milam through a
portion of Black Forest Regional Park. The El Paso County Board of County
Commissioners is now going ahead with eminent domain proceedings to force
property owners near the park to sell property needed for the right-of-way. With
this plan, the proposed extension of Milam would pass adjacent to the western
edge of the park and then curve to the east through portions of the park not
covered by the court rulings.
"Many feel we don’t have the kind of representation
that will protect our lifestyle, the reasons we moved to the Black Forest,"
Schinderle said.
BFCC president Eddie Bracken, a retired Air Force major
general, described the contentious situation regarding the major corridors plan
as "frontal combat with the county over transportation. This is a watershed
moment for our community."
Schinderle said the Future Options Committee plans to form
several subcommittees and review research from the 1970s and 1980s regarding
possible Black Forest incorporation. They are also in contact with the Colorado
Municipal League. Schinderle said some of the issues include what services are
legally required, what potential revenue sources are available, and what the
boundaries should be for a possible Black Forest municipality.
The BFCC has also formed a separate transportation committee
headed by Phil and Barbara Hosmer to provide a rapid unified response to the
county on transportation issues and in particular the major transportation
corridors plan.
**********
The Black Forest Community Club was formed in the mid-1920s.
Its bylaws state, "The purpose of the BFCC is to promote community among
the residents of the Black Forest; to promote interaction among its members; to
provide a place: for social and intellectual growth, for the dissemination of
information, for discussion of public affairs, and for entertainment and social
activities; to obtain local improvements; to assist in the preservation of the
Black Forest; and to provide a point of contact for issues affecting the Black
Forest."
The BFCC meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
at the Black Forest Community Center near the corner of Shoup and Black Forest
Roads. The next meeting will be May 13. There is more information on the club
and the center at http://www.blackforest-co.com/bfcc/.
Gary Schinderle can be reached at 495-1809. Larry Stanley can
be reached at 495-7825. The Hosmers can be reached at 495-3948.
By Steve Sery
There were two items of particular interest to residents of
northern El Paso County at this month’s meeting: Forest Lakes and Wal-Mart.
Final Plat Forest Lakes Filing No. 1
On May 16, 2002, the El Paso County Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) approved the Forest Lakes PUD zone change and preliminary
plan. This is a 1,070-acre property, including 467 dwelling units, a 10-acre
school site, utility tracts, roads, trails, open space and two parks. It is
located west of the railroad tracks and north of Baptist Road. Filing No. 1
consists of 33 single-family lots, an elementary school site, a park site, and
an open space tract of 135.5 acres. Initially, water will be supplied by a well
and central water system; ultimately, the water source will be surface water
from Beaver Creek and Beaver and Pinon Lakes on the property.
A development agreement between Forest Lakes LLC (the
developer), Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (the provider of services), and
the BOCC provides for participation in off-site infrastructure improvements. In
particular, these are the extension of Mitchell Avenue and a two-lane grade
separated rail crossing on Baptist Road. The agreement caps the amounts the
developer and/or the metro district will pay at $117,126 for Mitchell Avenue and
$572,591.28 for the railroad crossing.
Wal-Mart
The Wal-Mart zoning change and preliminary plan is scheduled
to be heard by the planning commission at a special meeting on May 11. This will
be the only item on the agenda that day. The location of the planned Wal-Mart
Supercenter is directly across Baptist Road from King Soopers.
**********
The county planning commission normally holds hearings on the
third and, if necessary, the fourth Tuesday of each month. The next regular
meeting of the planning commission will be May 18. The agenda will be posted at http://adm.elpasoco.com/planning/Agendas/PC/PC-Agn.asp.
The hearings begin at 9 a.m. in the 3rd floor hearing room of the county
building, 27 E. Vermijo, Colorado Springs.
By John Heiser
At the El Paso County Water Authority’s regular monthly
meeting April 7, Suzanne Paschke, a research hydrologist with the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS), announced that the USGS, in partnership with the state
of Colorado, has been authorized to conduct a three-year Denver Basin study to
understand groundwater flow and storage, evaluate and predict changes in aquifer
levels, and evaluate the monitoring network.
Of the 32 proposals submitted last August, this project was
one of three picked for funding. The other funded projects were in central
California and the Carolinas.
A main focus of the Denver Basin project is development of a
three-dimensional flow model, with explicit modeling of each layer including the
alluvial. That will be calibrated against a variety of existing data, including
logs for 4,400 wells and the research results produced by Dr. Bob Raynolds (see
front page article in the April 3, 2004 issue of OCN).
One of the anticipated results of the model will be particle
travel times. The model results will be compared with the measured age of water
drawn from a variety of wells. Water age is estimated using radiocarbon dating
and by measuring the amount of dissolved gases. Once the model has been
validated, it will be used to predict anticipated changes in water levels,
storage capacity, and stream flow to the year 2100.
The USGS has a network of 260 Denver Basin monitoring wells.
Part of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of that network and to
identify existing or inactive wells to be added to the network to improve its
effectiveness.
Paschke said the state’s role is to coordinate data
collection. The USGS will focus on modeling.
When asked about inclusion of data for private wells, Paschke
said, "I would be interested in talking to people about that. There are
anecdotal stories about dropping levels." The Protect Our Wells
organization is conducting a survey of local private wells.
In other business, Gary Barber, consultant to the water
authority, discussed possible formation of a water conservation district along
the Front Range. He said water conservation districts are formed by the
legislature. Funding requires voters to approve a property tax mill levy. There
are currently three water conservation districts in the state: the Colorado
River Conservation District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and the
Southwestern Water Conservation District.
Barber said the new conservation district would extend from
Denver to northern El Paso County. The exact boundaries are still be negotiated.
The water authority unanimously voted to support the concept of the proposed
conservation district.
**********
Founded in 1998, the water authority is composed of 19 water
system operators in the county, including the towns of Monument and Palmer Lake,
the local Donala Water and Sanitation District that serves Gleneagle, the Forest
Lakes Metropolitan District intended to serve the Forest Lakes area, Triview
Metropolitan District that serves Jackson Creek, and Woodmoor Water and
Sanitation District. Even though the county is not a water service provider, it
is a member of the authority, contributes $27,000 annually, and donates a
variety of services including administration of the master plan consulting
contract with John C. Halepaska and Associates of Littleton. While liaison is
maintained with Colorado Springs Utilities, it is not a member of the authority.
The water authority normally meets at 9 a.m. on the first
Wednesday of each month in the 3rd floor hearing room of the county
building, 27 E. Vermijo, Colorado Springs. The next meeting will be held May 5.
For more information on the water authority and the water
report, contact the county planning department at 520-6300. The water report is
posted at http://adm.elpasoco.com/planning/water_report.asp.
Suzanne Paschke with the USGS can be reached at (303)
236-4882, x352, spaschke@usgs.gov. The
USGS Web site is http://co.water.usgs.gov.
For more information on the Protect Our Wells organization,
contact Larry Stanley at 495-7825 or visit the Web site, www.protectourwells.org.
By John Heiser
The regular quarterly Baptist Road Rural Transportation
Authority (BRRTA) meeting was held April 9. County Commissioner Jim Bensberg was
absent. The BRRTA board is composed of three county commissioners (Bensberg,
Chuck Brown, and Wayne Williams) and two Monument Board of Trustees
representatives (Mayor Betty Konarski and Trustee Byron Glenn). This was
Konarski’s last meeting as a BRRTA board member. In the April 6 election,
Glenn succeeded her as mayor.
2003 Financial Report
Conner Shepherd, BRRTA project manager, distributed copies of
an accountant’s report for calendar year 2003. Total budgeted expenses for
2003 were $321,300. Actual expenses for the year totaled $91,640. The largest
discrepancies between the budgeted and actual expenditures were in the areas of
engineering services, legal services, accounting, and district management.
For engineering, $190,000 was budgeted; actual expenses
totaled $45,570. Shepherd attributed the wide disparity to delays in the
engineering work due to switching consultants from Loris and Associates to Post,
Buckley, Schuh, and Jernigan (PBS&J).
Legal services were budgeted at $5,000, but actual expenses
were $15,679. In addition to preparing the new engineering contract, the
district was involved in negotiations over the Creekside Middle School impact
fee levied against Lewis-Palmer School District 38.
Accounting was budgeted at $3,000 but actual expenses were
$5,969. During 2003, BRRTA switched accountants from R.S Wells to BKD.
District management had $20,000 budgeted, but actual expenses
were $22,725.
District revenue for 2003 was budgeted at $105,000; actual
revenue was $192,303. Shepherd attributed the deviation to the unanticipated
receipt prior to the end of the year of the impact fee for the Home Depot store.
Due to higher than expected revenues and lower than expected
expenditures during 2003, the fund balance grew from $333,037 to $433,700. The
adopted 2003 budget had called for the fund balance to decline to $65,551.
The budget for 2004 calls for engineering expenses of
$475,000 and a resulting decline in the fund balance to $88,949.
Developments within the district
Mike Davenport, assistant Monument town manager and town
planner, said he expects applications for about 100 new houses in Jackson Creek
and for the Wells Fargo branch in the Monument Marketplace.
Williams announced that county staff is reviewing the revised
traffic study for the Wal-Mart proposal. Regarding the extension of Jackson
Creek Parkway south of Baptist Road to serve the Wal-Mart, Konarski remarked to
Williams, "Half of that road is in town limits, and we have not been
contacted."
Brown said the remaining property needed to extend Baptist
Road to connect to Hodgen Road at Highway 83 is being appraised. He said,
"Maybe mid-year, we [the county] will have that property. That connection
will be another generator for traffic down through here [Baptist Road]."
Engineering contract
Deana Bakkar, county contracts administrator, reported that
the contract with PBS&J is being finalized. Stephen Sandvic of PBS&J
reported that they have received a notice to proceed. They are collating data
from Loris, CLC Associates—who did the traffic analysis for the Monument
Marketplace project and the Wal-Mart proposal—and prior work PBS&J did for
the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). He added the overall modeling
work was already done for CDOT.
At the request of James Hunsaker of law firm Grimshaw &
Harring, attorney for the district, the board unanimously ratified the PBS&J
engineering contract and approved intergovernmental agreements with the county
regarding the engineering work.
Hunsaker reported that inclusion of additional Forest Lakes
parcels will be considered at BRRTA’s July 9 meeting.
Election
The following slate of officers was unanimously approved:
President – Commissioner Williams
Vice President – Monument Mayor Glenn
Secretary-Treasurer – Commissioner Brown
Assistant Secretary-Treasurers – Commissioner Bensberg and a Monument
Trustee to be appointed to BRRTA.
RTA planning status
Duncan Bremer, former county commissioner and a current
Highway Advisory Commission (HAC) member, reported that the HAC met with the
Colorado Springs Citizens Transportation Advisory Board to develop
recommendations on the priorities of various roadwork projects. These
recommendations will be used in presenting the November ballot issue on
formation of a countywide rural transportation authority (RTA) funded by a 1
percent sales tax.
Bremer said all of the Baptist Road projects were included in
the top priority group of 85 projects. He added, "The RTA board would
decide which projects get funded and in what order. We don’t want to tie their
hands." Bremer said the RTA board would be composed of elected officials
from the county and participating municipalities.
Brown added that 25 projects would be listed on the ballot.
He said, "Those would be moved around as engineering, design, and
right-of-way acquisition are available. There would be some flexibility on how
projects would be done."
Williams said, "The needs across the county vastly
exceed what would be brought in by the RTA 1 percent sales tax." He gave as
an example intersections that cost $40 million. Williams added that there is a
statutory limit on the total tax burden, so if the 1 percent sales tax for the
RTA is approved, BRRTA would be precluded from seeking an additional sales tax
within the district.
Ridge at Fox Run resident Ronald Henrickson asked,
"Would the RTA supercede BRRTA?" Williams responded that the intent is
to collect the BRRTA impact fees for new developments within BRRTA’s
boundaries. He said there would be an equity issue if current Jackson Creek
homeowners paid a BRRTA fee and future ones did not. He added, "When
development is completed, we might dissolve BRRTA." In the course of the
discussion, Williams inadvertently referred to Baptist Road as "Wal-Mart
Road."
At the end of the meeting, Williams made a motion thanking
Konarski for her insight and counsel.
**********
BRRTA meetings are held the second Friday of the first month
of each quarter. Notices for the meetings are posted not less than 24 hours
ahead at the Monument Town Hall, the Baptist Road King Soopers, and the County
Office Building, 27 E. Vermijo, Colorado Springs.
The next meeting will be held Friday, July 9, 2:30 p.m., in
the 3rd floor hearing room of the county building, 27 E. Vermijo.
The last meeting of the year will be held Friday, Oct. 9,
2:30 p.m. at Monument Town Hall, 166 2nd St., Monument.
Articles on prior Baptist Road-related meetings are posted at
www.ourcommunitynews.org/top_stories.htm#baptist.
There is also background info at http://adm.elpasoco.com/transprt/baptist_rd.asp
and www.coalitiontlc.org/baptist_road.htm.
To get more information and provide comments on the Baptist
Road Improvement Project, contact:
By Jim Kendrick
Sheriff Terry Maketa and 14 members of his senior leadership
gave a spirited presentation that explained new programs, crime statistics and
patterns, and ways to prevent crime to an attentive and supportive audience of
over 60 people at the Gleneagle Golf Club on April 6. Despite a recent spate of
windshield vandalism in Gleneagle in March and mailbox bashing in Woodmoor in
late April, Tri-Lakes and Black Forest have little crime compared to the rest of
the county. Drug-related crime is very low, but empty and isolated buildings in
the rural areas are increasingly vulnerable to becoming drug labs.
The message from every presenter was that they want to be
notified of even "small" crimes and that no information or complaint
is too trivial. All county enforcement officials want to know what crimes are
occurring, not only because they want to do their best in serving the public,
but also because the statistics help them get federal and state grants for crime
detection and prevention. Monument crime statistics were not presented because
the town has its own police department.
Crime Prevention: Lt. Todd Evans gave the main presentation
on crime prevention in the Woodmoor, Gleneagle, and Black Forest districts.
Although these three districts comprise 15.4 percent of the county’s
population, the numbers of cases recorded were 420 (2.4 percent), 548 (3.1
percent), and 555 (3.2 percent) respectively out of 17,527 cases countywide in
2003. Evans said there is no particular crime pattern in the region, but he did
make some generalizations regarding vehicle-related thefts. In Gleneagle, they
are more the result of windows being smashed, while in Woodmoor they tend to
occur in unlocked cars. In Black Forest, it’s roughly half and half.
Attention-getting visible items in victimized cars are purses, wallets,
checkbooks, and stereo equipment, as they are in many burglaries.
Half of area burglaries result from unlocked doors and
windows, half from forced entry. As with cars, if the following can be seen
through a window in a home, they often precipitate a burglary: X-box computer
games and other computer equipment, liquor, and weapons. In rural areas,
burglars may ring doorbells to see if people are home, and then look for
unlocked doors and windows for easy access, which Evans classified as
"opportunity crimes." As with cars, lock everything and make sure
high-value items cannot be seen through a window to attract a
"smash-and-grab" theft. Construction burglaries are more prevalent in
Tri-Lakes than elsewhere in the county, accounting for about 25 percent of all
burglaries in these three districts.
Evans also listed vehicles most likely to be stolen:
Ford/Chevy/GMC/Dodge pickup trucks, Honda Civics, and all-terrain vehicles. The
latter are especially vulnerable if trailer-mounted, because trailers are highly
prized targets of theft. It is very easy to remove a trailer’s serial number
and re-register it as "home-built." Typically, coupler and tongue
locks are only slightly discouraging to a trailer thief. In far too many cases,
trailer owners do not know that their trailers have been stolen, because they
are stored in remote locations on the owner’s or someone else’s property.
Every speaker emphasized that lack of reporting is a serious
problem because it prevents investigators from identifying patterns of criminal
activity. Several attendees said during the presentation or in conversations
afterward that they or their neighbors have failed to report "minor"
incidents that then rapidly accumulated into serious crimes. Multiple
misdemeanors become felonies when they can be tied to a single individual.
Citizens should not be discouraged if someone does not take the report
instantly; it will be taken as soon as possible. In addition to active officers,
three retired volunteers known as the "Apple Dumpling Gang," take
reports.
Evans recounted a citizen’s tip that solved the windshield
vandalism cases in Gleneagle. Slingshots were wielded by three individuals from
Pine Creek High School, and one perpetrator’s girlfriend who lived in
Gleneagle tipped off police. This information enabled Sheriff’s Office
investigators to tie a number of separate cases to these individuals, which
allowed for stronger prosecution at a higher level of crime than just a single
broken windshield would have justified in court.
Commander Brad Shannon reported on violent crime in this
area: There have been 12 sex crimes in the past year (April 1, 2003-April 1,
2004), four against a child and eight against an adult. There are 17 registered
sex offenders living here, out of 238 in the county. Of 621 assaults reported to
the Sheriff’s Office, 60 occurred in the Tri-Lakes area.
Patrol Division Sergeant Kevin Acre discussed the
difficulties that are coming to the area due to construction on Baptist Road. He
introduced volunteer Reserve Deputy David Fell, who he said performs traffic
enforcement, drawing a round of applause from the packed house. Acre noted that
one-third of traffic complaints (233 of 741 phoned in during 2002, and 194 of
621 in 2003) come from this area. He also discussed the likelihood of increased
traffic, speed, and aggressive driving on Gleneagle Drive as frustrated
motorists seek to avoid delays at Exit 158 of I-25. Deputy Chris DeStefano
talked about the speed box set up on Gleneagle Drive in recent weeks. It records
statistics on detected speeds, how much vehicles slow down as they approach the
radar unit, and also how much they accelerate back above the speed limit going
away. He added that far too many resume their original speed as soon as they
pass the speed box, but this data helps them plan where to deploy traffic
officers to apprehend the most speeders.
A major attention-getter of the evening was a listing of the
top 10 aggressive driving areas in the county. Confirming what many in the room
already suspected, Highway 83 from County Line Road to Hodgen Road ranked number
one, followed by the intersection of Higby and Furrow Roads, and the surrounding
area.
Coordinator Cindy Corsaro asked all in attendance to work
with their homeowners associations to set up Neighborhood Watch committees and
also to organize and update area citizen e-mail lists so she can send them
"Neighborhood Newsletters" and special crime alerts. She also
distributed handouts on Neighborhood Watch, home security surveys, and auto
theft prevention. Sheriff Maketa and Chief Paul Zani thanked all the attendees
individually, shaking hands with them as they departed at the end of the evening’s
presentation.
Contact Information: Traffic complaints should be made to
520-7192. The Web site for crime alerts and statistics is www.shr.elpasoco.com.
Because criminals often return to a former meth lab location, citizens were
encouraged to call the County Assessor’s Office at 520-6600, to check if such
a lab was found at a particular address in the past two years. Motivated
citizens can help Corsaro create notification lists or start a Neighborhood
Watch group by calling her at 520-7151.
By Jim Kendrick
Byron Glenn became the new mayor and five trustees were
elected to Monument’s Board of Trustees (BOT) at elections held April 6.
Seventy-seven ballots were cast, which is only 3.3 percent of the 2,317
registered voters. Well over twice as many votes were cast by "old
town" residents than in Jackson Creek: There were 56 votes cast at Town
Hall out of 1,155 eligible voters and 21 votes cast at Creekside Middle School
out of 1,162 eligible citizens
Two trustee incumbents were successful in gaining reelection:
George Brown received 55 votes and Frank Orten 51 votes. Both previously
appointed trustees were also elected: Dave Mertz, former Planning Commission
chairman, got 55 votes; and George Case, a former Police Advisory Committee
member, got 45 votes. Gail Drumm secured the final trustee position with 52
votes. Leon Johnson lost after receiving 38 votes. Glenn was an incumbent
trustee, so the BOT will appoint a sixth trustee to fill that position, which
was not officially vacated until the BOT accepted Glenn’s resignation at its
April 19 meeting. Volunteers are being sought for this position.
Mayor Betty Konarski is stepping down even though she was
eligible for another term. She was elected on Sept. 11, 2001, along with Glenn
during a recall election that ousted Mayor Leon Tenney and Trustees Skip Morgan,
Kristi Schutz, and Steve Wilcox.
By Jim Kendrick
At its last session before the elections, the Monument Board
of Trustees (BOT) held only a regular meeting. Mayor-elect Byron Glenn honored
the contributions of Mayor Betty Konarski, who did not run for reelection, and
Trustee Glenda Smith, who is term limited, presenting them with bouquets. The
BOT approved the annexation of Kerr Addition No. 1 and a number of routine
payments for public works projects. George Brown was absent.
Monument business owner John Dominowski was appointed to the
Police Advisory Committee (PAC) as a nonresident alternate by 5-1 vote. Smith
voted no. The newly approved alternate position on the PAC and Parks and
Landscape Committee help each to reach a quorum. Alternates may vote if there
are not five residents in attendance. Dominowski also showed the BOT the
T-shirts that will commemorate the town’s 125th anniversary on July 3. By a
vote of 4-0-2, the BOT approved a request for $5,000 for anniversary activities
from the town’s Community Development Fund. Konarski and Brown abstained, as
they serve on the anniversary committee. The total budget for these activities
is $9,600.
Substitute Water Supply Plan approved
Town water attorney Robert T. F. Krassa, of Krassa and
Miller, LLC, was reappointed unanimously for another year. For medical reasons,
Krassa was unable to attend. The firm has been providing this service since
1982. Public Works Supervisor Tom Wall reported that Krassa had received
approval on April 2 from the state engineer’s office for the town’s
Substitute Water Supply Plan to refill Monument Lake. Refill would require 469
acre-feet of water in order to limit the actual lake surface to no more than
46.3 acres. Evaporative losses are estimated at 102.7 acre-feet annually. Water
would be purchased from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) under a new contract
that has not been completed. Konarski noted that she will appear before the
Colorado Springs City Council to request purchase once Krassa finishes writing
the request. She also reported that she had gained 100 percent support for the
plan from the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners and will be receiving
a letter to that effect from Commissioner Chuck Brown. She further noted that
nothing can happen until there is substantial water flowing in the creek even
with CSU approval, and recommended that the town pursue a one-time full refill
at that time. The substitute water plan is only approved by the state for one
year and must be renegotiated 90 days prior to its expiration in April 2005,
should the drought continue and not allow diversion from Monument Creek.
Trails End Subdivision Presentation
Kim Catalano gave a presentation on his plans to seek
annexation for a residential, and possibly commercial, development just south of
the town’s current boundary, between Old Denver Highway and the railroad
tracks. The 45-acre parcel is adjacent to the Santa Fe Trails and Village at
Monument subdivisions. The small commercial portion on the southeast portion of
the parcel is adjacent to the commercial area in the Village at Monument. Nearly
half of the land is proposed for open space due in large part to potential
habitat areas for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. There would be 13 acres
of undeveloped open space west of the railroad track. The town would be asked to
provide water for the Trails End subdivision, unlike other recent and projected
annexation proposals. Houses would range from $150,000 to $275,000.
Most of the proposed lots are substandard in size, even
though the average for the 45 acres meets regulation minimums. There are 50
3,375-square-foot lots, 41 5,000-square-foot lots, and 14 7,150-square-foot
lots. Trustee Dave Mertz expressed his unhappiness with this kind of
single-family home density within town limits. No member of the BOT expressed a
position on simultaneous initial and final plat approvals.
If the commercial area is used for construction of a new
tax-exempt Abundant Life Church building, as is currently planned, there is no
possibility for the subdivision to generate sufficient tax revenue to pay for
required town services. Church representative Kenneth Kale said they would
propose to build the new church in three to five years. It would lie on a
2.07-acre lot on Old Denver Highway next to the southern boundary of the Village
at Monument. Trustee Byron Glenn observed that Old Denver Highway would have to
be significantly improved before a church could be constructed and that all open
planning issues would need to be defined in writing before the town could
consider moving forward with any formal annexation process.
The 1.93-acre lot south of the proposed church, with equally
narrow frontage on Old Denver Highway, would be passive open space because it
would be mouse habitat along the north shore of Teachout Creek. The 3.93-acre
lot west of these two lots is proposed to be a non-irrigated public park, to be
owned by the proposed subdivision’s homeowners association. The developer has
proposed land dedication, but Glenn suggested cash-in-lieu to help pay for land
for Limbach Park.
The proposed town requirement to provide water to the annexed
land may be problematic in the short run until the actual production and
allocation of water by the new town well 9 is proven and formally adjudicated by
the water court.
In the interim, the number of taps the town can provide to
the Trails End subdivision from well 7 is short by 28 to 30
single-family-equivalent taps, according to Public Works Supervisor Tom Wall. It
could be 18 months before water from well 9 could actually be used. Town well 7
can provide 88 additional taps in the future, but each of these is already
allocated to the two adjacent subdivisions currently under construction.
Catalano has offered up to $200,000 toward construction costs for water access
if the town meets his timetable for annexation, rezoning, and plat approval. He
also proposed giving the town 6 to 8 acre-feet of the parcel’s 65 to 69
acre-feet of water rights from all four aquifers. Wall and Catalano assume that
well 9 will have enough excess physical production capacity to supply Trails End
as well as currently planned in-town requirements. Wall added that well 9 will
fulfill all the water needs of remaining undeveloped land within town limits.
The other major proposed annexations do not require town
water. The Wahlborg addition would get water from the Woodmoor water district,
and the Walters addition would be supplied water by Triview.
The developer is anxious to move forward with approval and
construction, but there are a number of unresolved issues such as drainage,
usable open space, and the actual extent of mouse habitat (up to 40 percent of
the parcel) that may cause problems once the state-mandated, tightly constrained
annexation and rezoning timetable is initiated. The developers of Santa Fe
Trails and Village at Monument are currently involved in lawsuits regarding
drainage and dangerous erosion under the ties along the east side of the
railroad tracks and related uncontrollable mudslides onto the property of Mike
Watt, who owns the agricultural-zoned parcel between the subdivisions and Soc
‘n’ Roll.
Kerr Addition Annexation approved
John Kerr’s petition for annexation of his property bounded
on the east by the railroad tracks, the south by Second Street, the west by
Mitchell Avenue, and the north by the Third Street right-of-way (currently the
driveway to Mountain Farmer) was approved unanimously. Kerr proposes to build a
commercial wholesale building on this parcel to relocate his Present Perfect
Gifts business from Colorado Springs. The building’s exterior will look like a
commercial office building. Kerr has met all town requirements for changes
requested in previous reviews and hearings for downtown B zoning (business). The
B zone was extended to the lake by revision to the Comprehensive Plan. Future
approvals for Kerr’s property will now be handled by the staff.
Kerr agreed to reposition the building 5 feet west, away from
the tracks, in order to provide space for more landscape buffering from the rest
of downtown. He also eliminated a portion of the proposed parking lot
immediately in front of the building in order to locate a septic system there,
since there was no cost effective way to obtain sewer service from Monument or
Palmer Lake. If sewer pipes are ever constructed within 400 feet of the building
in the future, Kerr is obligated to build a connection. Annual water use is
expected to be 2.25 acre-feet from the Denver Basin aquifer, comparable to a
single-family home. A detention area on the property will mitigate drainage
problems.
The board unanimously approved the annexation, rezoning, and
plat for the Kerr addition and all accompanying ordinances.
Dad’s All American Hot Dogs and Links
By a 6-0 vote, trustees approved an ordinance allowing
Lawrence Hicks to run his kiosk business in front of the foyer of Foxworth-Galbraith.
He also plans to have similar outlets in Gleneagle and at the Air Force Academy.
His application for a Monument business license was also approved.
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Regional
Building
The board unanimously approved an amendment to the IGA
between the Regional Building Commission and its constituent municipalities,
which are Colorado Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Manitou Springs, Fountain,
and Green Mountain Falls. The amendment enables Regional Building to maintain a
capital reserve fund of $2.9 million for unforeseen expenses at its
soon-to-be-occupied new building. The amendment also allows Regional Building to
adjust the implementation date of its new permit fee schedules from other than
Jan. 1 of each year. Regional Building is a joint regulatory agency that
provides regional standardization of building code enforcement formed under the
Colorado Constitution.
Valley Ridge Subdivision Improvement Agreement amended
The warranty period for the subdivision’s streets,
sidewalks, associated drainage, and auxiliary structures was extended from two
to three years. The extension was recommended by town consulting engineer GMS,
Inc. and would provide additional protection for the town and residents because
of unexpected cold weather during construction. The vote was 5-1, with Smith
voting no.
Well 9 Construction Contract Approved
Layne-Western Company’s lowest bid of $262,800 was
unanimously approved by the board.
March Financial Report Approved
The report was approved unanimously. Trustee George Brown
commended Treasurer/Town Clerk Judy Skrzypek for the quality of her reports.
Other trustees concurred. Although not discussed, her status report recommends
better software for water billing and business licensing, as well as electronic
fund transfer payments through Wells Fargo Bank for water bills. There were no
disbursements over $5,000.
Appraiser for Limbach Park Railroad Land
Jan Winkler was selected to perform the appraisal on the
three parcels that the railroad is offering the town. Two parcels are west and
south of the current park boundaries. The third parcel is west of the railroad
tracks, south of Second Street and east of Mitchell Avenue. Winkler’s fee will
be $4,000-$4,250, depending on the type of report required for the southern
parcel along Front Street.
Change Order for Booster Pump Station Upgrade Project
Approved
GMS, Inc. negotiated a reduction in the previously approved
change order cost from Layne-Western. Originally the change order cost was about
$28,000; it is now $21,072. Approval of the lower cost order was unanimous. In a
separate action, an interim payment to Layne-Western of $39,403.93 for this
ongoing project was unanimously approved.
Monument Lake Mouse Payment Approved
The board unanimously approved a payment of $14,927.40 to
Western States Reclamation for habitat construction at the empty lake. The
contract provides for mouse-friendly plantings at the lake and Dirty Woman Creek
Park. The funds come from the 2003 Water Capital Improvement fund.
SCADA Payment Approved
The board unanimously approved a partial payment of
$75,659.16 to Applied Control Equipment, LLC for supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) equipment used to monitor water production and distribution
by Public Works.
Sand/Salt Spreader Purchase Approved
The board unanimously approved a purchase order for $7,340
issued to MacDonald Equipment Company for a new 10-foot box spreader with a
stainless steel hopper. Wall recommended buying it now to avoid a price rise
expected due to escalating steel prices.
Pay Request for Mitchell Avenue Bike Lane and Santa Fe
Trail Changes Approved
Trustees unanimously approved a payment of $3,816.62 to GMS,
Inc. for additional engineering services requested by the town for these two
projects. Planning Commissioner Skip Morgan suggested that the trail
intersection traffic lights on Second and Third Streets be changed from normally
green to normally flashing yellow ($2,119.94). Changes in drainage and striping
for the bike lane cost $1,696.71. A state grant covered 80 percent of these
expenses; the town’s share was $763.33.
Town Comments to County Planning Commission Regarding Wal-Mart
Woodmoor resident Scott Saunders wrote to the town planning
staff on March 8 regarding his concerns about the proposed Baptist Road
Wal-Mart. Saunders indicated that the town could make stronger comments and
recommendations to the county planning commission that would improve the
appearance and landscaping of the proposed superstore. He asked that the town
research the ability to require a more upgraded façade than the one proposed,
to parallel the quality of the Safeway store in Woodland Park. Town Planner Mike
Davenport circulated copies of the upscale façade on the Wal-Mart in Durango,
noting that a Walton heir living in Durango specifically requested this
exception to company standards.
In response, Davenport reported that the town does have some
indirect approval authority over Wal-Mart through the Baptist Road Rural
Transportation Authority (BRRTA), since the mayor and a trustee are on the BRRTA
board and have a say in road construction along the parcel’s north boundary.
BRRTA has no direct power to review and approve land development, however.
Triview Metropolitan District can act independently in providing water to
Wal-Mart, in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement it has with the
town.
Davenport also concluded that the western half of the
proposed Struthers Road, a southward extension of Jackson Creek Parkway, lies
within Monument town limits. This land was purchased by the Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT) from developer Steve Schuck for mouse mitigation
related to improvements at interstate exit 158. Thus, indirectly, Monument would
have a say in road improvements in front of the Wal-Mart parcel as well as along
Baptist Road.
Konarski noted that this was pointed out to Wal-Mart and CDOT
18 months ago, but the county and state have said nothing in reply. Davenport
said that CDOT sees it as their land and thus exempt from oversight by Monument
or the county. The county has given no input to the planning staff on its
position in the six months since Davenport’s additional request. Konarski
quipped, "We’re the gnat on the elephant’s behind." Mertz
suggested that Davenport re-submit the town’s concerns in a letter describing
the town’s full history with the Wal-Mart project.
Town Staff Reports
Sonnenburg reported that work on the definition of
"permanent residence" was not yet complete with regard to the
controversy surrounding off-season occupancy at Ernie Biggs’ Lake of the
Rockies trailer park. Permanent residency at the campground has always been
specifically prohibited by the town plat, even as recently amended. However,
there is no ordinance prohibiting ongoing off-season occupancy. The term must be
clarified in order to write an ordinance that will be enforceable by the
Monument Police Department and will also hold up in court. Biggs is expected to
fight enforcement of an ordinance prohibiting permanent residence. Voters
"permanently residing" at the Lake of the Rockies Campground have in
the past registered to vote in Monument.
Town Attorney Gary Shupp reported that depositions are being
taken for the Transit Mix concrete batch plant lawsuit against the town by
Kalima Masse.
The board unanimously approved an advertisement for a new
member for the town’s Board of Adjustment.
Police Chief Joe Kissell reported that the town has been
given 600 gunlocks to be given away free to town residents to promote improved
gun safety in the home. The town of Palmer Lake gave away over 100 locks on
April 5. Monument residents are urged to contact the Police Department if they
can use one of these locks.
Tree City USA
The town of Monument has been named a Tree City USA by the
National Arbor Day Foundation for the year 2003, to honor its commitment to its
community forest. It is the third year in a row and the 10th year Monument has
received this national recognition since 1981. The foundation, in cooperation
with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service,
sponsors the Tree City USA program. Monument Town Manager Rick Sonnenburg stated
he wished to thank Public Works Superintendent Tom Wall, Street/Parks Foreman
Ray Fisk, and Fisk’s crew for their hard work and dedication in again
accomplishing this goal.
The next BOT meeting was scheduled for April 19.
By Jim Kendrick
Trustee Byron Glenn’s resignation from the Monument Board
of Trustees (BOT) was accepted unanimously at their meeting on April 19 at Grace
Best Elementary School. He was then sworn in as mayor by Town Clerk/Treasurer
Judy Skrzypek. Re-elected Trustees Frank Orten, George Brown, Dave Mertz, and
George Case and newly elected Trustee Gail Drumm were also sworn in by Skrzypek.
Glenn reciprocated by swearing in Skrzypek. Orten and Skrzypek will serve
two-year terms; the others will serve for four years. Orten was unanimously
approved as mayor pro tem and also unanimously approved to become Monument’s
alternate representative to the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG).
Mertz was unanimously approved to replace Former Mayor Betty Konarski on the
Baptist Road Rural Transportation Authority.
Volunteers are being sought through newspaper advertisements
to fill Glenn’s vacated trustee position. The BOT will select a candidate to
fill a two-year appointed term.
Konarski and Smith Honored
Konarski and former Trustee Glenda Smith received plaques and
copies of resolutions praising their service to the town. Both expressed
satisfaction with their times in office and thanked those they had served with,
commending them for their achievements in what is "not an easy job."
Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce President Bonnie Biggs thanked both for their
contributions to the community.
Wahlborg Addition Annexation Hearing scheduled for June 7
Town Planner Mike Davenport recommended the BOT hold this
hearing on June 7 to satisfy Colorado law that requires a hearing within 60 days
of the property being determined eligible for annexation. The BOT approved
unanimously.
2003 Audit
Kyle Logan of Swanhorst and Cutler gave the town a clean
opinion, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in their
audit for 2003. He praised Skrzypek for having such thorough and accurate
documentation that he could make his report so early in the year. He made some
recommendations to improve record keeping and suggested the town have two people
prepare tax/utility bills and record payments. The report was unanimously
approved.
Plans for Lariat Ranch Filing 3 to be considered concurrently
A request by Rick Blevins of Vision Development, Inc. for
concurrent (preliminary and final) review of plans for Lariat Ranch Filing 3 in
Jackson Creek was narrowly approved by a 4-2 vote, with Mertz and Drumm voting
no. Mertz told Blevins that as chair of the Planning Commission and as a
trustee, he had been asking Blevins for over three years for Vision Development’s
plans for parks, trails, and open space that were required following adoption of
the town’s new Comprehensive Plan. Mertz said he told Blevins at the June 11,
2003, meeting—when the Regency Park rezoning was approved, allowing Vision
Development to build out Jackson Creek—that he would no longer approve
anything they propose until their parks, trails, and open space plan is
presented and approved. Mertz reminded Blevins that Planning Commissioner Kathy
Spence had said the same thing when the commission approved Monument
Marketplace. Glenn said he wanted to see a plan too.
Blevins replied that Jackson Creek has 18 percent open space,
more than the minimum 12 percent required. The planned "field of
dreams" athletic complex was lost when the space allocated for it was
determined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be mouse habitat. He said they
will redesign the master plan as they build north to add parks. Davenport said
the town was not in a strong position due to vesting of Jackson Creek in 1997
before Fish and Wildlife made their habitat declaration in 2001. He asked
Blevins to provide the latest mouse map before the next BOT meeting.
Plans for Monument Rock Business Park to be considered
concurrently
A request by William Guman and Associates for concurrent
preliminary and final review of plans for the 4.27-acre Monument Rock Business
Park, on the northeast corner of Mitchell Avenue and Synthes Avenue, was
approved unanimously.
Kerr Addition Annexation approved
The Kerr Addition annexation was approved by a vote of 5-0-1,
with Drumm abstaining since he was not a trustee during any of the previous
hearings on the annexation. John Kerr will be building a wholesale warehouse for
Present Perfect Gifts on the northeast corner of Second and Mitchell, just west
of the railroad tracks.
St. Peter K-5 Elementary Approved
Over 30 people were present to observe this hearing regarding
opening a private elementary school in the St. Peter Parish Education Center.
Trustees expressed concern about the traffic through a 100-year old residential
neighborhood during drop-off and pickup times. Currently, plans call for an
additional 280 students (14 classrooms of 20 students) to use the facility. The
number of additional students proposed was higher in previous estimates but was
said at this meeting to have been an error.
A condition of approval was developing a parking and traffic
flow plan that controls on-street parking by neighboring homes and Grace Best
Elementary School, as well as ensuring that traffic on Second and Jefferson
Streets is not brought to a standstill during peak hours. The town’s and the
church’s traffic consultants said their studies for the initial construction
of the Parish Education Center were still valid; the town’s planning staff
concurred. An ad hoc committee of four representatives will be formed and meet
as required over the next few years to prepare, then adjust, this plan as the
school grows in attendance. Members will be from the Monument Police Department,
the town’s traffic consultant, town planning, and the school.
The trustees and Planning Commission Chair Skip Morgan all
spoke in favor of the school, expressing a solitary concern over traffic and
parking. Several parents who intend to enroll their children in the fall—mostly
nonresidents—earnestly agreed to do whatever was required to minimize traffic
and parking problems. The audience was quite restless as the trustees asked
architect Brian Bucher a number of questions about traffic flow, playground
availability, utility use, alley paving, and screening. The church agreed to
provide a screening fence to a neighbor who rents a house from the church. The
measure passed 5-0-1, with Case recusing himself as a neighbor of the school
building.
Jackson Creek Market Village rezoning approved
The BOT approved the rezoning of the 5.8-acre area on Baptist
Road just east of the King Soopers shopping center, part of Regency Park
Amendment 4, from multi-family to retail (PRD-10 to PCD). The rezoning passed
5-1, with Mertz voting no.
There was considerable concern about approving a preliminary
site plan lacking detail about building elevations for both the shopping center
and residential areas. Trustees expressed the same concerns that the planning
commissioners had expressed at their meeting on April 14. Concerns about the
4.3-acre residential portion focused on road width, play areas, grading, and a
long steep driveway down from the residences to the shopping center becoming a
skateboard raceway. Concerns about the shopping center centered on traffic flow
past King Soopers, adequacy of the existing right-in, right-out Baptist Road
access—which would now have to serve both shopping centers—and doubling the
existing traffic flow to and from Jackson Creek Parkway. Trustees also wanted
more data on the effect Wal-Mart would have on Baptist Road access if the
superstore is approved. No new access from Baptist Road is possible due to the
steep grade east of the existing shopping center access, nor is access from
Leather Chaps possible because of neighboring mouse habitat.
Owner and developer Miles Grant, of PRD 10 Development, Inc.,
withdrew his application for a preliminary plan until he could provide more
details to answer the concerns and comments he had received from the planning
commissioners and trustees. But he is satisfied that further investment in
engineering design is warranted since the town is likely to approve the
development eventually. [See the article on the April 14 Planning Commission
meeting on the facing page for these issues.]
Wild Bob’s Barbecue continued to May 3
Paul Lundeen is seeking approval in principle of a kiosk-type
retail food business. He will later seek town staff approval for specific
locations within town limits, somewhat analogous to a peddler’s license in
other municipalities. This would require that the town’s regulation on kiosk
businesses be amended. The item was continued to May 3 to allow time to research
what regulation changes would be required.
Other items
A number of other items were also approved unanimously with
little discussion:
-
A resolution authorizing temporary closure of portions of
Second Street and Washington Street for a July 5 street fair.
-
A contract for $6,500 for new Police Department records
maintenance software.
-
A water fund allocation of $5,000 for a town Denver Basin
aquifer water availability resource study by Halepaska and Associates.
-
The March financial report and transfer of $6,531.13 in
motor vehicle sales tax and $9,530.30 in general sales tax from the state to
Triview Metropolitan District per intergovernmental agreement.
-
A recommendation to refinance 1995 water revenue bonds
that would produce a savings of $95,239.08.
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A proclamation declaring May 8, 2004, to be Arbor Day.
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A trustee orientation and retreat to take place at Town
Hall on May 10 and 24.
-
A liquor license renewal for Columbine Gardens.
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A resignation letter from Planning Comissioner Chair Bob
Mooney. Commissioner Skip Morgan was elected to replace him.
Staff Reports
-
Work on the lowered well 7 pump has been completed;
preliminary testing shows 25-30 percent increase in output and some
operational tests will be completed soon.
-
A new pump has been set at the booster pump station.
Electrical panels are being configured prior to installation.
-
Water demand is increasing with warm weather, perhaps due
to irrigation of new landscaping.
-
Only two water conservation program rebate requests have
been received; both were paid.
-
A close eye is being kept on the Dirty Woman Creek
culvert under Old Denver Highway because of beaver activity.
-
All of the original dedication tiles at the skateboard
park have been damaged, and there is a lot of graffiti that is derogatory to
the police and the town.
-
The arborist is spraying for Ips beetles.
-
The Police Department gave a presentation to educate the
elderly on protecting themselves from lottery scams.
-
Officer Mark Owens is now assigned as the town’s
liaison to the Colorado Springs Police Department for their Gang Net
partnerships.
-
Monument Police Department Explorer Bruce Case was
selected by Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera as a Top 100 teen.
-
Police cases totaled 44 in March: 36 criminal, 6 traffic
accidents, 2 combined traffic and accidents, and 4 incident reports
(information), in addition to 55 traffic citations and 55 warning notices
issued. The highest categories were 31 speeding citations and 31 traffic
offenses.
-
There were nine arrests in March: 4 DUI, 2 larcenies, 1
other for adults; 1 larceny and 1 other for under 18.
-
Crimes for March were 1 assault, 4 burglaries, and 14
larceny; 6 of the 19 were cleared.
-
The Board of Adjustment approved a 2.6-foot variance on
the maximum height for a sign.
-
A request for qualification has been sent to landscape
architect firms in the Colorado Springs area.
-
The Greater Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) staff advised the
town planning staff that neither the Monument Lake Regional Facility nor the
Park and Recreation Complex center (next to Lewis-Palmer High School) would
be likely to receive Legacy Grants. GOCO indicated these projects may be
considered in the next cycle of regional grants.
-
Total cost of the April 6 election was $1,723.57. This
compares with $2,867 for the mail ballot election last April. There will be
additional election expense in November. The November election in 2003 cost
$1,027.42.
By Jim Kendrick
The Monument Planning Commission met at Grace Best Elementary
School on April 14 and heard citizen comment on the St. Peter Catholic Church
proposal to start a private elementary school. The meeting was expected to draw
as many as 100 parents; only about 20 attended the session when the K-5 school
proposal was conditionally approved. Several comments and concerns, mostly
regarding traffic control, were forwarded to the Monument Board of Trustees (BOT)
for resolution at its April 19 meeting. In other matters, several previously
deferred or postponed changes to the recently approved overhaul of the town’s
Zoning and Subdivision Regulations were also discussed. Commissioner Kathy
Spence was absent.
There was unexpected turnover again at this tier of town
leadership. Chairman Bob Mooney stepped down from the Planning Commission,
effective on April 12, saying in his e-mail letter of resignation that
"changes in my work environment and a general need to simplify my life have
driven this difficult decision." Commissioner Skip Morgan was unanimously
elected to replace Mooney as chair.
Work Session
The commission first held a work session at 5:30 p.m.
regarding a pre-application review of the proposed Trails End Subdivision
Annexation and Rezoning request and a Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update.
The Trails End presentation by Catalano-Way Group was similar to the one given
to the BOT on April 5, giving the developer and the commissioners a public
opportunity to exchange views before the tight timeline of annexation begins.
[See page 19 for a report on the specifics of this Trails End proposal and its
many unresolved, controversial issues.]
A typographical error in the notices the town sent to
neighboring property owners said that citizens could comment at 6:30 p.m., which
resulted in residents from Shoshone Trails arriving well after the developer’s
presentation concluded at about 6 p.m.
Discussion of the many revisions to the Zoning and
Subdivision Regulations was not completed during the time remaining in the work
session. However the discussion was resumed and completed during the regular
meeting.
Regular Meeting
Public Comments on Trails End Annexation and Rezoning
Proposal: Though the subdivision’s developer had left, citizens who came
at 6:30 p.m. were allowed to speak. Developer and adjoining property owner Mike
Watt addressed the commission regarding drainage and sedimentation problems on
his residential unincorporated property between the Soc ‘n’ Roll Indoor
Recreation Rink and the Village at Monument subdivision. If annexed, Trails End
would be adjacent to Watt’s northern rural property boundary. Like the Trails
End parcel, Watt’s property also spans the railroad tracks, though his house
and outbuildings are on the west side of the tracks. He said that, as a
developer, he is neither for nor against Trails End. He presented complaints and
concerns about the town’s inadequate regulation of upstream drainage,
sedimentation, and erosion from neighboring Monument subdivisions (Santa Fe
Trails and John Laing Homes) to the north. Watt said they have created
"huge physical and economic hardships" on him due to drainage issues
the town has allowed to develop at these subdivisions and has done nothing to
remedy.
Watt claimed additional development on the Trails End parcel
will only worsen these problems that include severe and dangerous erosion under
the railroad tracks just north of his property. He showed pictures of numerous
railroad ties under which there was no ballast whatsoever due to erosion caused
by the inadequate drainage. He said the railroad has twice made emergency
repairs to restore the stability of the rail bed. He showed a photo he said was
taken just after a rainstorm deposited nearly the entire first load of repair
ballast onto his property. The second repair, more extensive than the first,
appears to have stabilized the risk of derailment but has done nothing to
preclude continued washout of subdivision sedimentation along the railroad
drainage ditch onto his property by Teachout Creek. He also showed a picture of
exposed underground Sprint telephone trunk line cables along the eastern
right-of-way.
Watt said sediment from these subdivisions is delivered to
his driveway, where it goes under the tracks after every rainfall. He showed
pictures of the aftermath of one storm’s sediment deposit, which he said cost
over $8,000 to haul away by truck. He has filed lawsuits against the Santa Fe
and John Laing subdivisions to recover damages from repeated massive flows of
this sediment and said they have made no effort to correct this problem.
Morgan noted that the town had approved these developments
and had heard of drainage issues along the railroad tracks, but this was the
first time he had seen documentary evidence of how substantial Watt’s problem
is. Town Planner Mike Davenport said Town Engineer Tony Hurst and the town’s
consultant engineers were trying to determine what corrective measures need to
be made. Watt noted there is a significant potential for derailment that would
occur next to 125 homes and said that continuing erosion from the Village at
Monument and Santa Fe Trails subdivisions is still damaging wetlands, upland
habitat, and Preble’s mouse habitat, in addition to destroying his pastures.
He displayed photos he said he had taken of collapsed and missing silt fences on
clear-cut lots in the Santa Fe Trails subdivision, saying the sediment pond had
never been drained. Watt added that the subdivisions’ homeowners associations
or the town should treat the standing storm water that is "dumped on his
property" for West Nile virus.
Watt also showed pictures of what he said were hay bales that
were deliberately placed so as to dam up sediment/detention ponds. These
pictures also showed erosion damage caused by drainage from recent rainfalls
flowing around, rather than into, these blocked ponds. Morgan and several of the
commissioners assured Watt that the town needed to take action to prevent
further damage to Watt, before considering the Trails End annexation. So far,
Watt has sued the developers. The town has made no offer to compensate Watt for
his damages.
Several residents from Shoshone Trails and other nearby areas
complained about the density proposed in Trails End, with lot frontages of only
45 to 72 feet. Their primary concern was the extremely high density and minimal
separation of the single-family homes on mostly very small, substandard lots.
Though other neighbors had hoped to speak, Morgan closed the public comments
portion of the meeting at 6:50.
Relocation of Union Pacific Freight Rail Route: Morgan
asked Davenport to comment on a remark by Leon Tenney, who said there is a plan
for a new north-south freight rail line to be built east of Monument and
Colorado Springs as a continuation of new tracks to be built east of Denver.
Tenney was inquiring as to whether a passenger train would use the abandoned
rails through town. Davenport said studies show that there is no forecast
passenger load through 2020 that would justify or sustain passenger rail service
along the current freight route. However, he said inquiries are being made into
commuter bus service between Denver and Colorado Springs, with a stop in
Monument.
Regency Park 4th Amendment Rezoning Proposal: Wendell
Ayers of Paragon Engineering Consultants, Inc., in Littleton, presented the most
recent version of the proposal contained in a formal application for a
preliminary plat and site plan for Jackson Creek Market Village formerly known
as Academy View. The 4.3-acre, 40-unit multifamily residential development is
proposed to be built on Lyons Tail, northeast of the Baptist Road King Soopers
shopping center. Also proposed in this 4th Amendment is a zoning change from
residential to commercial for the 5.8-acre portion next to the shopping center.
Owner and developer Miles Grant wants to build a second shopping center directly
east of this existing center that will look like an expansion, even though it
would be built by a different developer. Grant noted that the name of his
Littleton company for this subdivision development has a new name, Monument PRD
10, LLC.
Although the commission had heard and approved the previous
proposal three months ago, several changes had been made based on their comments
and concerns and were being presented again as a courtesy before the BOT hearing
of April 19. The subdivision’s private road right-of-way was widened from 30
feet to 40 feet. The latest revision provides 30 foot-wide paved surface,
flow-line to flow-line, and adds 5-foot sidewalks. There are now minimum
setbacks of 18 feet, and driveways have been lengthened to 20 feet. Parking has
increased to 140 spaces, with 56 garage, 56 driveway, and 28 dedicated street
parking places for guests resulting in roughly 3.5 parking spaces per unit, well
above the minimum average requirement of 2.0. There is no on-street parking,
which addresses town concerns about snow-plowing. These new specifications also
meet all Triview Metropolitan District regulations.
No play space for children, playground equipment, or play
areas were shown on the plan, despite a concern Commissioner Spence previously
expressed to Grant. However, the commission unanimously approved and endorsed
the changes shown in the preliminary plan and plat, as well as the rezoning of
the shopping center portion of the parcel to commercial.
St. Peter Elementary School (K-5) recommended for approval:
Architect and St. Peter parishioner Brian Bucher, of Bucher Design Studios,
designed the Monument church’s Parish Education Center. He presented the
application for approval of this "use by special review," often called
a conditional use, on behalf of Father Bob Jaeger, of St. Peter Parish.
The issue was first considered by the commission on March 10,
but was continued to allow time to receive additional information regarding the
original traffic study performed in 2001. The church’s and town’s traffic
consultants reviewed their original findings, which included development that
has occurred in the intervening years, and determined that their original
findings were still valid and made no additions to their respective studies.
Traffic and parking are the primary concerns of the
commissioners, neighboring residents, and town business owners. No one spoke in
opposition to any other aspect of the school; there was near unanimous approval
of adding the K-5 option. Bucher noted that only 15 to 20 students would be
added in fall 2005, and the number of additional elementary students would grow
to no more than 280 over time. A traffic consultant, police representative, town
staffer, and parish representative will form an ad hoc committee to determine a
drop-off/pickup procedure to minimize disruption of local traffic that will
eventually double, and perhaps triple, in the neighborhood. However, only
members of the police department would have the authority to temporarily
restrict existing traffic patterns by using traffic cones and enforcing
temporary "rush hour" one-way traffic and parking prohibitions by
nonresidents, by writing parking tickets or having cars parked on adjacent
residential streets towed away. Likewise, only police officers could close First
Street during drop-off/pickup intervals to help reduce the likelihood of
children being struck by cars. The commissioners expressed particular concern
about parents worsening the existing rush-hour traffic on Second and Jefferson
Streets caused by area manufacturing employees and parents of Grace Best
students.
Several parents, mostly nonresidents, who want to place their
children in this parish elementary school spoke in favor of the proposal, vowing
to abide by any traffic or parking restrictions. The use by special permit was
approved by a vote of 4-0-1, with Morgan abstaining. As they were leaving,
parents and church officials expressed apprehension about what would happen at
the BOT hearing on April 19, despite the relatively easy approval by the
planning commission.
Wild Bob’s Barbeque: Paul Lundeen of Bosque Verde, LLC,
dba Wild Bob’s BBQ, is proposing to operate a hot dog cart at various parking
lot locations in Monument, with permission of the property owner, under the new
regulations covering this kind of mobile business. He was seeking a general
approval by the town of his overall business plan, with the ability to gain
approval for specific parking lot locations at a later date from town staff,
rather than a BOT approval for each parking lot operation. The cart would be
removed from the lot each night.
Commissioners initially expressed concern about creating a
loophole in the parking lot kiosk regulations, but settled on approving his
application with a condition that no more than three locations could be approved
by staff. The required change in the regulation and his application were
unanimously recommended for approval.
Jackson Creek Electric Fence Dispute: The commission
heard a citizen request from Julie A. and Marie L. McCearley, who live in
Jackson Creek, to change a town zoning regulation prohibiting residential
electric fences within town limits after the Board of Adjustments decided it did
not have the authority to grant their appeal of a town order to remove the
existing electrified fence around their Candle Creek Drive residential property.
Julie McCearley told the town that the electric fence was installed with
approval from Classic Homes, the builder, before she bought the home in January
2000. She said it was needed because her mother, Marie, is highly allergic to
animals, and neighbor’s dogs entering her yard were a problem.
Neighbors John and Debbie Warren said they opposed the fence
on humanistic grounds. They also were concerned about the negative effect the
presence of the adjacent fence and its many warning signs might have on the
resale value of their home if they ever had to sell. Initial agreements with the
McCearleys to turn off the power to the fence when the Warren children were
playing outside have broken down, according to a letter the Warrens sent to the
town.
The town received a complaint about the fence in 2001 and
first ordered it removed in a letter to McCearley in June 2002.
Commissioner Ed Delaney stated he was unaware of the
prohibition and has had an electric fence around the perimeter of his property
for over a decade, though it is currently disconnected from a power supply.
Morgan said that safe, defensible specifications for low but effective voltage
and current ratings should be determined by the town engineer and that staff
approval for such fences was appropriate. He noted that the Warrens’ dogs had
jumped the fence, reducing the strength of his argument against it.
The matter was continued pending receipt of information from
the town engineer on appropriate specifications that deter pets and children
from contacting the fence without causing permanent injury. There was consensus
that a change in the regulations to allow such fences was appropriate since
there are also town officials that are or have been using them.
Changes to Zoning and Subdivision Regulations recommended for
approval: The commission unanimously approved changes to the comprehensive
update of these regulations that were still pending:
-
Low-voltage, low-amperage electric fences that were
prohibited, may now be approved by town staff, once a ruling on maximum
voltage and current ratings to be allowed is rendered by the town engineer.
-
Town staff will be able to administratively approve new
or changed locations for kiosk businesses in parking lots, once the business
is initially approved by the planning commission and BOT.
-
The town may use an alternate water standard downtown in
the B zone to help promote business development and multifamily housing on
small lots.
-
Procedures were defined in a new section on acceptance of
subdivision improvements, such as streets, giving the Public Works
Supervisor final authority.
-
A slight change was made to somewhat archaic prohibitions
on making plans to subdivide and sell land before a development is actually
approved by the town, which eliminated words that may have made every
developer a potential criminal for performing normal planning, seeking
investors, and marketing housing developments.
-
Some acts deemed comparable to a parking ticket that were
nonetheless classified as "misdemeanors," were downgraded to
"violations."
-
Traffic analyses are now triggered when any new
development proposal generates 50 new trips per day or 10 additional trips
per hour during the peak traffic hour.
The commission rejected a proposal that would have reduced
its authority by allowing the BOT to override the planning commission with less
than the two-thirds majority now required for commission decisions. The rejected
citizen proposal asserted that planning commissions are less important now than
before and that elected officials should have more authority on this small
subset of responsibilities than appointed commissioners.
There was a brief discussion about what, if anything, the
town could do about the orange color of the exterior of the Home Depot building
under construction at Monument Marketplace, since this color violates the
developers’ town-approved exterior building specifications.
Commissioner Jim Thresher volunteered to fill the empty
commissioner seat on the Board of Adjustments created by Mooney’s resignation,
then the commission adjourned.
By Jim Kendrick
The Monument Parks and Landscape (P&L) Committee approved
several landscape plans for development proposals at its meeting on April 12.
All four active members were present. There is still one empty position. The
Monument Board of Trustees (BOT) has approved filling empty advisory committee
positions with nonresidents who have an active interest in Monument, and the
P&L committee agreed to let an alternate fill the fifth position. No
applicant for this position has volunteered yet.
Kerr Annexation Revision Approved: John Kerr has
incorporated all the previously recommended comments and suggestions from the
March P&L meeting in his revised site and landscaping plan for annexation.
The amount of landscaping was increased to include the following:
-
Crabapple trees were added to mimic those planned for the
rest of Second Street.
-
Evergreens and vines were added in the rear building
buffer by the tracks.
-
Spirea shrubbery was added along the walls for the
loading dock driveway.
-
Trees and shrubs replace the parking lot in front of the
building where the newly added septic system will be installed.
Tuscany Hill Market Revision Approved: Tony Duca of
Paisano LLC has incorporated all the previously recommended comments and
suggestions from the March P&L meeting in his revised site and landscaping
plan for a retail center with a restaurant on Cipriani Loop by Knollwood Drive.
A six-foot privacy fence has been added along the south property boundary to
screen residences to the south. Some notes were also added to the final PD site
plan and landscape plan indicating that exterior lighting should be downward
directed only. Signs will be on the opposite side of the building, out of view,
from neighboring homes.
BOT Work Session on Trails End Annexation: Town Planner
Mike Davenport briefed the committee on Kim Catalano’s presentation to the BOT
about his plans to build a 45-acre subdivision, upon annexation and rezoning.
The parcel extends from Old Denver Highway west across the railroad tracks and
north behind the western boundaries of the Santa Fe Trails and Village at
Monument subdivisions. The development would be mostly residential, while the
narrow portion by Old Denver Highway is planned for commercial or use by
Abundant Life Church for a new, larger building. About 40 percent of the parcel
would be open space (mostly mouse habitat), parks, or trails. The 13 acres west
of the tracks would all be mouse habitat open space. Davenport noted that the
BOT recommended some changes to Catalano.
Davenport then reviewed annexation policies, procedures, and
timelines. This is the first annexation in years that would require the town to
provide water service. He discussed the fact that all currently available town
water taps are already allocated to other subdivisions under construction,
except for only 28-30 available for Trails End, until town well 9 construction
is completed and the actual water it produces is adjudicated. If annexed, Trails
End would get over 100 single-family equivalent taps for residential lots, as
well as the church.
As did some on the BOT, the P&L committee suggested that
requiring cash-in-lieu from the developer, rather than all the open space
proposed by Catalano, might be better for the town. The cash could be used to
buy railroad land for expansion of Limbach Park or improvements for the expanded
park. It was also noted that cash-in-lieu requires a compromise in that much of
the mouse habitat that can only be open space might be developed in the future,
if the mouse is de-listed as no longer endangered. This delisting by U.S. Fish
and Wildlife would not occur within the next five years at the earliest, if at
all.
Other matters
Committee Chair John Savage expressed concern that money
might be diverted from park expansion or improvements to "buy lawn
mowers." Davenport said the cash-in-lieu could be restricted to park
improvements. Other options were briefly discussed, and then the matter was
tabled.
Davenport distributed copies of changed zoning and
subdivisions that showed the committee members that their recommendations had
been accepted and approved by the Planning Commission and BOT.
The committee’s annual visit to the town’s cemetery and
parks was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on May 11.
The town’s request for a Colorado Coalition Tree Grant for
up to $3,000 was not granted.
Several suggestions were made to solicit
"Adopt-a-Bed" volunteers to help maintain flower beds around town
facilities, donations of trees, and donations of park benches and other
equipment.
Bent Tree resident Diane Figgins attended the meeting to ask
how she should apply for the alternate committee position.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. The next meeting will
start at 5:30 p.m. on May 12 at Town Hall in the parking lot to form carpools
for the parks and cemetery tour. The regular meeting will start at or after 6:30
p.m. in Town Hall after the tour is completed.
The P&L committee normally meets on the second Tuesday of
the month at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
By Jim Kendrick
The Triview Metropolitan District Board meeting on April 28
was marked by the start of a "changing of the guard." Julie Glenn
replaced Linda Jones as a board member, while Gary and Karen Walters served in
their final session. As the membership was changing, the agenda remained the
same as it has been for some time: Moving forward with the paving of Jackson
Creek Parkway, providing services to Monument Marketplace, arranging a
short-term loan from the developer to build subdivision utility infrastructure,
and coping with mouse habitat issues. Monument Mayor Byron Glenn attended the
meeting as a constituent of Triview whose spouse now serves on the board.
Monument Town Planner Mike Davenport discussed the projects
his staff has been working on. He noted that there have been six applicants for
Monument Marketplace’s pads along Jackson Creek Parkway and that an amendment
to the shopping center’s site plan is in the works. He also said that he had
an appointment on April 30 to discuss adding another restaurant to the
Marketplace. He concluded by saying that the town should know within 30 days
whether they have been awarded a state trail grant to widen to trail width (10
feet) the sidewalk that is to be built along the extension of Leather Chaps to
Jackson Creek Parkway then north past Higby to Highway 105. The district would
be responsible for building the trail/sidewalk south of Higby and the town
between Higby and Highway 105.
Rick Blevins, of Vision Development, the construction manager
for the District, reported that the six pads Davenport referred to would be a
gas station/convenience store, three restaurants, a Wells Fargo Bank, and a
retail store. He also announced that the pad next to Home Depot would most
likely house a mortgage broker, a coffee shop, and a cell phone retailer, though
all of this is subject to change. He said this would complete Filing 1 for the
Marketplace. He added that retailer Target has been consulting with the
Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District and appears to be nearing a decision to
build. Triview’s G-1 phase is nearing completion with all roads, utilities,
signalization, and street lighting under construction.
Since the Marketplace is being built faster than anticipated,
there are insufficient funds in the current budget for required landscaping for
3,600 feet of Jackson Creek Parkway and Leather Chaps. The landscaping is part
of phase G-2 that has not been finalized or financed yet. Another possible
complication is the need to build a parallel water re-use system that will save
water and money in the long-run, but has significant up-front costs. The board
approved an offer from Blevins to loan the district $300,000 at 6 percent to
finance the landscaping including 180 trees and shrubbery and irrigation. Ron
Simpson, manager of the Triview district, implied that this might be a
short-term loan if Wal-Mart is approved and starts producing revenue for the
district. There was also unanimous approval to switch from 6x6 inch wooden
street sign posts to two-inch dark bronze galvanized steel street posts similar
to those Monument has just begun installing. They are about half the price of
wooden posts, easier to work with, and far more durable as well as safer if hit
by a vehicle.
There has been a delay in digging for the main sewer line
from the Marketplace at the intersection of Jackson Creek Parkway and Baptist
Road. The directional drilling performed by Arapahoe Utilities to avoid hitting
the large number of fiber optic cables under the intersection has missed the
existing sewer main in the eastbound lane of Baptist Road. It may be necessary
to make a claim against the construction bond to reach a settlement on how much
Arapahoe should forfeit in payment. An additional $45,000 was unanimously
authorized to hire another trenching company to complete the Marketplace line
that is 120 feet short of the Baptist Road connection at this time. A different
method of excavation will be used which will require closure of the eastbound
lane of Baptist Road for about three days, but avoids the need to completely
close Baptist from the Shell station to the bridge over I-25.
Construction will begin soon on an extension of Kitchener
Road to connect Leather Chaps to Lyons Tail through Lariat Ranch and Filing 3.
Developer Miles Grant will build the southern half and Triview the northern
part. Grant has financed the bonds for the roadwork he is responsible for
through a public financing authority. Triview is seeking a $1.4 million loan for
construction of the north half of Road B.
In other matters:
-
A final decision on whether to move forward with a new
sewage treatment plant using Sequencing Batch Reaction (SBR) technology will
be made by July 1.
-
A UCCS student majoring in Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) will be hired again this summer to enter GIS data into the district’s
database. The cost for data entry should be about $33,000.
-
The board declined to pay for half of the mouse habitat
that must be set aside to satisfy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS)
requirements for alternate mouse habitat for Wal-Mart. Triview’s share
would have been $25,600 if they had agreed to pay.
-
Simpson indicated that a decision on whether or not to
move forward with the long process of delisting the Preble’s mouse will be
made in December.
-
The district also declined to guarantee for Wal-Mart that
Target would be prohibited from building within Triview. Simpson said that
Target must be ready to build in Monument Marketplace and be considered a
serious threat by Wal-Mart. He added that the final FWS decision on the
adequacy of the alternative mouse habitat would be made by April 30.
-
Blevins told the board that the four lanes of Baptist
Road across Jackson Creek that the Marketplace is about to build between
Jackson Creek Parkway and Exit 158 will be removed and replaced by CDOT when
they improve the interchange.
-
The contract for the Triview’s consultant who inspects
Marketplace construction was increased from $26,400 to $41,400. Simpson said
that the amount of money saved by the inspector in finding numerous
deficiencies was well worth the overtime and extra expense. The increase was
unanimously approved.
-
Triview will ask its patrons to voluntarily limit
watering to every other day using the odd/even address method.
-
Simpson noted that Triview cannot afford water police and
that watering has no significant effect on the Denver Basin. He said he
wanted to restrict watering because the summer supply load is five times
that in winter and it requires around the clock pumping. He said he had no
idea what long-term effect that would have on installed equipment.
-
The board unanimously approved a construction payment of
$140,000 for well A-4. Blevins had left the building to buy his wife flowers
for their anniversary and did not offer a 7 % construction loan. Simpson was
unsure how to cover the check.
-
The board unanimously approved a semi-annual $205,000
payment for year 2008 bonds to be paid on June 1.
At 6:37 p.m. the board went into executive session to discuss
condemnation litigation on Jackson Creek Parkway.
**********
The Triview Metropolitan District Board of Directors normally
meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 4:30 p.m., at the district offices,
174 N. Washington St.
The next meeting will be held May 26.
For further information, contact the Triview Metropolitan
District at 488-6868.
By Jim Kendrick
At elections for the new term of the Palmer Lake Town Council
on April 6, those who participated in Candidates Night were elected: incumbent
Trustee Brent Sumner, Planning Commissioner Gary Coleman, George Reese, and Max
Parker. Gary Atkins and Nick Casale were unable to attend the session at Town
Hall due to long-planned vacation and business trips. Mayor Nikki McDonald ran
unopposed and was re-elected to a two-year term. Two separate ballot issues
passed, authorizing the town to retain excess revenue in 2004 (157-32) and 2005
(148-41).
There were 192 votes cast overall, resulting in the following
vote counts: McDonald, 137; Coleman,131; Sumner, 129; Parker, 98; Reese, 98;
Casale, 85; Atkins, 83. Coleman and Sumner were elected to four-year terms. At
the Town Council meeting of April 8, the tie was broken between Parker and Reese
when Judge John Ciccolella drew numbers from a hat, giving Reese the third
four-year term and Parker the two-year term.
By Jaqui Parker
Reports
Park and Recreation Committee: Trustee Cindy Allen
reported that the Easter Egg Hunt was scheduled for April 10.
Water Committee: Trustee Chuck Cornell reported the water
situation continues to be much less than desirable. Water restrictions are still
in place. Even addresses may water Tuesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. the
next day. Odd addresses may water Wednesday and Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. the
next day. This information is on the Palmer Lake Web site.
Roads Committee: Trustee Randy Jones presented two
requests. One was for a holding tank for magnesium chloride, the chemical
applied to the roads for dust control. He proposed the town will save money by
storing the magnesium chloride, rather than having to apply it on the date it
was received. The roads must be wet to apply the dust control. Currently, if
they are not wet when the magnesium chloride is received, they must use town
water to first wet the roads. With a holding tank, the dust control can be
applied after a rain. The cost is $12,000 for a 6,500-gallon holding tank,
including $4,000 for a concrete containing area. There was concern about the
tank cracking or leaking. Cornell strongly advised Jones to review the Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) the vendor would be required to provide. The MSDS
includes detailed information regarding toxicity, storage, application, etc.
The second request was for the purchase of a skid loader with
broom and bucket attachments at a cost of $16,000. Later, an auger attachment
for street signs, lighting, etc., would be purchased. Mayor Nikki McDonald
questioned if this is the most financially efficient approach. The answer was
yes. Jones stated the money is currently available in the Road Capital Account.
Police Committee: Trustee Ed Kinney reported 111 total
calls. The department is currently working 12 cases. They gave out 42 traffic
citations, more than 20 traffic warnings, and one dog citation.
Fire Committee: Trustee Brent Sumner reported 13 calls
for March. Of the 53 calls year to date, 37 were in Palmer Lake, 16 were mutual
aid calls. He reported on classes given. The fire department has applied for
federal aid. A reply should be received within three months
Mayor’s Report: McDonald reminded people of the
election April 6.
Town Staff: Town Clerk Della Gins invited everyone to
attend a Sky Warning Weather Spotter class scheduled for April 7 at Town Hall.
Conditional Use for a single-family residence and a
chiropractic office 20 Primrose St., Sharon Hamand
Dr. Christy Meisland would like to lease this property from
Hamand for use as a single family dwelling and place of practice. She proposes
to be open for business three days per week. The other two days would be used
for administration and for Reiki sessions. One concern is parking; installing
more parking would result in a drainage issue for the Post Office. Current
parking will be used and a walkway (ADA compliant) installed. Another concern
was the use of X-ray equipment, whether lead-lined walls are required. The X-ray
room is in the basement corner, underground. Currently, the inspector feels
there is no need to install lead-lined walls, but this issue is still
outstanding. Dr. Meisland needs to apply for her business license. The Town
Council will vote on the issue at the April 8 meeting; the applicant must be
present.
Resolution No. 1-2004 Amending Paragraph 18 of the
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
There was some confusion about what the amendment is. The
Town Council plans to consult with the lawyer.
Request for New Business Licenses
High Country Trees – Kyrsten Jenkins, 80 Highway 105:
Landscape supplies and remote control car racetrack. The property, located where
Highway 105 splits to the left and Spruce Mountain begins, is not zoned for the
remote control car racetrack. Jenkins can apply for conditional use and may
reapply for the nursery. Jenkins reported she has a contract to truck water in
for this year. Each year, she will reapply for a business license, and at that
time it will be determined if she must supply her own water or, if the drought
should ever let up, if she can use Palmer Lake’s water supply. There was
discussion regarding existing water taps. Gins noted that two taps exist, but
one is broken and unusable. Jenkins will return to the Town Council meeting on
April 8 for a vote.
As You See It – Terri Lynn Whittaker, 4 Highway 105: Retail
products/supplies for body and spirit (candles, incense, candy, Reiki sessions,
and classes). The shop (next to Bella Pannini) would be a metaphysical gift
shop. Whittaker was advised this would be a consent item; she does not have to
appear at the Town Council meeting for the vote.
Tree Man Fire Prevention – Jonathan Eckberg and Bill
Eckberg, 315 Chatauqua: Tree removal, trimming, felling, chipping, and
hauling. A father/son business, Dad has 30 years of experience, son has 5 years’
experience. They are fully insured. They have a 65-foot bucket reach truck and a
chipper, and are in the process of purchasing a skid loader. Discussion included
concern about bringing beetle-infested wood into the area. That would be
resolved with the chipper. The issue of cut wood storage was also raised. Much
of what they cut is donated to Pinecrest. Sales of cut wood is not a priority;
such sales would require another license. They are in the process of getting a
certified climber’s license. This business request will be voted on at the
next Town Council meeting, and the applicants must be present.
Sports Riders’ Agreement Annual renewal for the lease
of town land on County Line Road for the motorcycle track
There was no discussion.
By Jim Kendrick
The outgoing Palmer Lake Town Council held two separate
meetings. First was the Liquor Licensing Authority Board meeting that is
actually the Town Council but with its own separate, brief agenda and then the
April Town Council meeting. Lastly, Judge John Ciccolella administered the oath
of office to newly elected council members and all town officers. Ciccolella was
then reappointed, with Town Clerk Della Gins administering his oath of office.
Mayor Nikki McDonald was reelected for two years. Incumbent
Trustee Brent Sumner was elected to a four-year term, along with Planning
Commissioner Gary Coleman. The tie vote between George Reese and Max Parker was
resolved when they were selected for four-year and two-year terms, respectively,
based on numbers drawn from a hat by Ciccolella.
Reappointed for two-year terms were Gins, Deputy Town Clerk
Tara Barreth, Town Engineer Paul Gilbert, Chief of Police Dale Smith, and Town
Attorney Larry Gaddis. Resolutions praising the contributions of outgoing
trustees Susan Miner, Eddie Kinney, and Cindy Allen were passed unanimously and
read aloud by newly elected trustees. Allen had the longest tenure of the three,
with 14 years on the council.
Liquor Licensing Authority Board: Special event liquor
licenses were approved unanimously for the gala opening parties of Tri-Lakes
Views on May 7 and the Palmer Lake Art Group on June 5, both to be held at the
Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts.
Three business licenses approved unanimously
As You See It, owned by Terri Lynn Whittaker, is a retail
store at 4 Highway 105 that sells products and services for body and spirit. The
license was approved by consent.
High Country Trees, owned by Kyrsten Jenkins, sells
landscape supplies and wants to operate a remote control car racetrack at 80
Highway 105. Only the landscape portion was approved, with the voluntary
condition that Jenkins, who said she does not want to use town water for her
business, must get water by contract from another source. Gaddis advised her
that in the future, applications for renewal should have water contracts
attached.
Tree Man Fire Prevention, owned by Jonathan and Bill
Eckberg, is located at 315 Chatauqua and provides tree removal and trimming
service to include branch hauling and chipping. Resident Sue Coons spoke against
bringing in wood from out of town and chipping during pine beetle season.
The license was approved with the condition that no trees or
branches could be brought in from outside town limits to be chipped and that
felled branches have to be chipped immediately.
Reports
Kinney reported that the Police Department had purchased a
2001 Blazer through Palmer Lake Motors (before George Reese was elected). All
police equipment would be installed and the Blazer would be in service by May 1.
Miner said that the town would be building a walkway from the
athletic fields, past the Rock House, to the Village Green. An easement for the
trail and arbor will be obtained before construction begins. The budget sets
aside $1,400 for this project.
Trustee Sumner asked all citizens to thank the town’s
volunteer firefighters as election and merger discussions in neighboring
districts begin to peak. Bob Miner is now representing the town on the Fountain
Creek Watershed study group, being sponsored in part by the county water
authority.
Tree City USA and Arbor Day
For the 22nd year, Palmer Lake has been declared a Tree City
USA participant. McDonald read a proclamation declaring April 16 Arbor Day.
Resolution No. 1 – 2004
The council unanimously approved a resolution for an
amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Pikes Peak Regional
Building Department and its member municipalities. The amendment allows the
maximum in Regional Building’s capital reserve account to grow to $2.9 million
and sets limits for the cash balance on hand at between 25 and 50 percent of the
overall annual budget.
Hamand Conditional Use Approved
Sharon Hamand’s request for mixed residential dwelling
rezoning for her home on 20 Primrose Street was approved unanimously. Gins noted
that the state has responsibility for regulating installation of X-ray equipment
and that the neighboring Palmer Lake Post Office had agreed to her drainage
plan.
Items Not on the Agenda
Allen thanked those she had served with, noting she had
served with five mayors but only one town attorney. She also thanked her husband
for his patience in helping her think through solutions to the variety of issues
the council had faced during her 14 years of service.
Several trustees expressed concerns about teenagers creating
fire hazards around the base of Ben Lomond mountain. A proposal to block vehicle
access to the private road primarily used to drive to this vicinity and the
establishment of fines for misuse of the area were discussed extensively; the
issue was continued.
There was a discussion about the low water levels in the two
town reservoirs. Miner noted that although there is water flowing by the
reservoirs, the town has no water rights to any of it at current flow rates.
Coons registered a complaint about developer and trustee
Randy Jones’ Meadow Lane construction project. She said that the requirement
for revegetation to prevent erosion along the roadway of his development had not
occurred in the past four years. She said that the number of buildable lots
exceeded the maximum authorized of 10, that the number of trips on the road were
too high, and erosion extending along the railroad made the town liable for
disturbed habitat that didn’t belong to Jones. She said he was receiving
special favors that were unethical and discriminatory.
In further discussion, residents Tom Martinez and Gary Atkins
expressed concern about the erosion that may occur as Jones uses the town’s
alleyway to access Meadow Lane construction lots. The matter was continued to
provide time for staff to gather documentation about the citizen concerns.
A recess was then declared for a reception for the new
trustees at 8:45 p.m. Afterward, the mayor, new trustees, and town staff were
all sworn in by Ciccolella, who was then sworn in by Gins.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting of the
Town Council will be at 7 p.m. May 6 in Town Hall.
At the April meeting, which lasted only 15 minutes, the
following were recommended to the town council for approval:
-
Request for vacating a street right-of-way, Fair Street,
by Wilma French represented by Nikki McDonald.
-
Request for a conditional use in a C1 zone, a commercial
zone, for two single-family residences on the south side of Mystic Lane, by
Wilma French represented by Nikki McDonald.
-
Denise Cornell and Gary Atkins volunteered to fill the
vacancies left by Gary Coleman, now a trustee, and Denise Hammond, who
resigned when she moved to Black Forest.
By Jim Kendrick
Bill Lowes presided over a historic Donald Wescott Fire
Protection District Board (DWFPD) deliberation in his last full meeting as
president on April 21, as he led a lengthy executive session to polish the final
wording of a merger agreement with the Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection
District (W/MFPD) (see article on the fire authority).
W/MFPD signed the merger document on April 26, but its closely contested
election leaves the door open for the merger to dissolve (at least two of their
board members and one candidate oppose the merger). In other matters, Chief Bill
Sheldon reported the recruitment of six new volunteers.
Lowes is stepping down due to term limitations. Directors
Brian Ritz, Joe Potter, and Kevin Gould are running for re-election on May 4,
while Dennis Feltz has two years left on his term. Voting will take place at
Antelope Trails Elementary School. Unlike W/MFPD, there is no controversy among
the candidates, or the staff, over the memorandum of
understanding (MOU) that forms an interim fire authority between the two
fire districts. All members of the board expressed the hope that the Palmer Lake
Town Council will vote to join the fire authority and also that the Tri-Lakes
Fire Protection District will eventually change its position on the merger,
which it currently opposes.
Chief’s Report
The district had 100 calls in March, 58 within the district
and 42 for automatic or mutual aid. There were 36 medical calls in district and
35 out of district.
Gould and Sheldon reported that the architect is pricing the
electrical and mechanical work to be done in adding a bay, office space, and a
meeting room on the north end of the station, and Regional Building is moving
forward on finalizing review of the drainage report.
There has been an increase in death and disability benefits
statewide for volunteer firefighters.
The next board meeting has been rescheduled from May 19 to
May 26 at 7 p.m. at Station 2. Normally, the meeting is on the third Wednesday
of the month.
By Jim Kendrick
The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) will hold
an election for two four-year term board positions and two two-year positions on
May 4, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Antelope Trails Elementary School, located
at 15280 Jessie Drive, in Gleneagle.
An eligible elector is a person who has been a resident of
DWFPD for not less than 30 days or who (or whose spouse) owns taxable real or
personal property within the district, whether they reside in the district or
not. For further information about eligibility, contact DWFPD’s Designated
Election Official, Ginnette Ritz, at 488-8680.
Two candidates are running for the two open four-year terms:
Joseph Potter and Brian Ritz. Three candidates are competing for the two open
two-year terms: David Cross, Kevin Gould, and Vincent Schauer. Our Community
News offered each candidate the opportunity to respond to the following
questions:
-
What in your background would help you as a board member?
-
Do you favor a merger by DWFPD with another north county
fire district and/or Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department? If not, why? If
so, which form of merger would you prefer (consolidation, inclusion, or fire
authority) and with which organization(s)? Why?
-
Other than merger, what are the greatest issues facing
the district and what would you propose that DWFPD should do to deal with
it?
Joseph Potter
1. My background and experience that help me as a board
member of the DWFPD is that, as a senior military officer and commander, I have
been responsible for several fire departments and their operations from home
fires, hazmat situations, major fire structures, fuel tank "farms,"
evacuation and cordoning off of residential and commercial buildings, mutual aid
agreements with large cities, airports and nearby military bases, and providing
emergency training for fire and medical teams. I have served on the DWFPD board
for over a year, protecting our citizens and ensuring efficient operations. I
have taken the CERTs course for El Paso County and completed the
"professional development" FEMA courses for Colorado.
2. Yes, I favor a "merger" with Palmer Lake FD
and W/MFPD to help obtain increased operational efficiency, lower overhead
costs, decrease response times, and to provide the best trained and best
motivated firefighters and medical personnel possible to better serve our mutual
constituents.
3. Other than merger, the greatest issue facing DWFPD is
to obtain expensive and specific training for Homeland Security and Defense
emergencies. Rather than attempt to raise mill levies of our constituents, I
believe that we must initiate well-crafted grant proposals to state FEMA
officials, unilaterally and with our "partner" fire protection
districts.
Brian Ritz
1. I am currently with the Colorado Springs Police
Department, having served for almost 25 years, which has provided me with an
extensive insight into public service. For the last 10 years, I have been a
first line supervisor over a patrol team, Community Policing Unit, and
Investigations Unit. I have been with the DWFPD for the last two years, during
which time we have dealt with complex issues such as exclusion of property and a
mill rate increase.
2. I am in favor of a unification of the DWFPD with other
districts in the area for the purpose of enhancing fire protection services in
the community. Increased demands and budgetary concerns threaten the service
levels of all of the districts in the area north of Colorado Springs.
Unification offers the chance to maintain and enhance fire protection and
emergency medical services to the area.
In order to establish a unified fire protection district, I
feel that all involved districts should work under the auspices of a fire
authority until such time that each district has demonstrated the ability to
work and act as one district and is prepared to go to its voters and recommend
the dissolving of all existing districts and the formation of the new
consolidated district. Each involved district has its own distinct history, and
while that history is important, it could interfere with the development of the
new district. I believe that any new district would need to develop its own
history; for this reason, I do not feel that any other form of unification is
the correct way to go. Ideally, all three fire protection districts in northwest
El Paso County should consolidate. The Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department
should also be involved in a consolidation. Efforts in the past to examine the
options have met with mixed results. Individual demands and expectations by
various members of the respective fire district boards hindered these efforts.
3. As with most public service organizations that operate
on tax dollars, budgetary constraints are an issue the DWFPD must deal with. The
continuing expansion of the city of Colorado Springs further enhances the
challenges of the DWFPF in maintaining professional fire services to an
ever-shrinking area with an ever-shrinking budget. I feel that it is incumbent
on the board of directors—having recently obtained voter approval of a mill
levy increase for the district—to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and meet
or exceed those promises that were made during the campaign to seek the mill
levy increase. This included enhancing fire protection services to include
24-hour/seven-day-per-week coverage, which was done.
To further offset the operating budget, I feel that the
district must aggressively seek state and federal grants. Partnering with other
districts to enhance purchasing power and training should also be pursued.
Another issue is maintaining a quality workforce, which can only be done by
ensuring that they know they are a valued member of the district and receive
appropriate compensation.
David Cross
1. I have served as a volunteer firefighter in both
Mississippi and Colorado. I am also a certified and current Emergency Medical
Technician. I spent seven years as an Air Force pilot and currently serve as
manager of Crew Resource Management (teaching airline crews how to work together
in high-threat environments) for United Airlines. I am very familiar with the
job of firefighter and the management decisions (budget, training requirements,
policy issues) necessary to ensure a top-notch department.
2. I do favor creating a fire authority to guide Wescott
and Woodmoor departments. One authority should have operational control, while
allowing the departments to build a strong working relationship. As two
departments working together, both will have the opportunity to grow stronger
while maintaining their own history of community service. This will create a
win-win situation for both the departments and the people they serve.
3. The greatest issue facing any fire department is
budget. Budget drives critical issues such as training, number of full-time
personnel, and quality of firefighting equipment. Budget issues require two
actions:
-
Get the best quality training and equipment for the
dollar. A department must always train for the mission the way they would
conduct the mission. This includes a maximum amount of hands-on training
with the highest quality equipment.
-
Always aggressively seek new sources of income via state
and federal grants. Creating opportunities for funding and actively pursuing
grant money is a high priority of every board member.
Kevin Gould
1. I have served on the board of directors for the Donald
Wescott Fire Protection District for one year. I am an architect and have had
the pleasure of working at numerous airports in Colorado and Wyoming, where I
was involved with the design and construction of the Airport Rescue and Fire
Fighting (ARFF) buildings. These buildings house the airport firefighting and
rescue personnel as well as all of their equipment. I also have extensive
experience with the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the Pikes Peak Regional
Building Department for building permit reviews where the building, fire codes,
and life safety issues are reviewed and approved prior to construction of a
building.
2. I favor ultimately a consolidation of the north county
fire districts (Donald Wescott, Woodmoor-Monument, and the Tri-Lakes Fire
Protection Districts) as well as the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department. But,
first we must begin this process by creating a fire authority amongst these
districts. This would allow each department the necessary time to work out all
the specifics of a consolidation and the opportunity to work together while
continuing to operate independently as separate departments. This authority
should only be in place for a short period of time (approximately one year),
then the consolidation issue should be presented to the constituents for
approval. A consolidation of the departments should be beneficial by providing
better services at no additional costs.
3. I believe the biggest issue facing the Wescott Fire
Protection District is the continuation of the excellent services the department
already provides. We have a professional and efficient department that I believe
cares deeply about its services to the public. Like any good organization,
sometimes the toughest obstacle is staying on top and providing the best
possible services to those who pay for it. I believe this department is fully
capable and committed to that mission.
Vincent Schauer
1. I have been a resident of this district for 11 years
and have witnessed the growth and changes of this area. As a member of a
Commercial General Contractor, my daily involvement with the continual updating
of building code requirements, development issues, and changing insurance
regulations would help with the ongoing development within our district.
2. I would agree with a consolidation of all the northern
El Paso County fire districts into one organization. I believe the most
important issue is the life safety of the residents of northern El Paso County
and the individuals traveling through this part of the county. A merger would
shorten response times and distances to calls, which is currently an issue with
three fire districts. This merger could possibly reduce homeowners’ insurance
premiums, since a fire station from another district may have a shorter response
distance than its current district.
It would eliminate the confusion as to which district is the
primary or secondary unit in command on major fires or crashes within the area.
It would also allow better distribution of current equipment and personnel to
stations throughout northern El Paso County.
The merger would allow for one unified firefighting training
and procedures for this area. Currently, you have three districts that have
different training requirements and firefighting procedures.
3. Growth is an important issue to Donald Wescott Fire
Protection District (DWFPD). With both the residential and commercial growth in
northern Colorado Springs, Northgate, and Gleneagle, DWFPD needs to have the
necessary capital, equipment, facilities, and personnel to maintain the safety
of the residents and occupants within the fire district. This may require the
expansion of current stations within the district or the addition of new
stations.
Second, the continual drought and changing environment will
require that the personnel of DWFPD maintain current training on wildland
firefighting procedures and certifications.
By John Heiser
At its meeting April 15, the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection
District Board of Directors approved petitions for inclusion of six additional
parcels and subdivisions east of Highway 83 and approved purchase of two new
fire trucks. Director Oscar Gillespie was out of town. Donald Wescott Fire
Protection District board member Dennis Feltz and Tri-Lakes board candidate Jim
Lipper were in the audience.
Inclusion hearings
Hearings were held on the following petitions for inclusion:
-
Approximately 40 acres in Walden III filing 5, 48 of 49
lots, excluding Lot 43.
-
Approximately 240 acres in three parcels owned by Cross
Bar P Land Company
-
Approximately 70 acres owned by Ronald Brown
-
Approximately 80 acres owned by Lowell and Sandra Haugen
-
Approximately 240 acres owned by Andrew and Linda Marcus
-
Approximately 40 acres owned by Susan and Nolan Koch
All the petitions were signed by 100 percent of the property
owners. The board unanimously approved all the inclusions.
Financial Report
Director and District Treasurer John Hildebrandt reported
that as of the end of March, the district had received 37 percent of the
anticipated income for the year and had expended 21 percent of the annual
budget, 4 percent less than expected at that point in the year.
Chief’s Report
Chief Robert Denboske reported that the Colorado State
Firefighters Association made telephone solicitations that mentioned the
Tri-Lakes district. He said he contacted the organization and discussed the
calls. He said, "The organization is legit but they are not allowed to
mention specific districts. They went about it the wrong way."
Denboske reported that Monument is considering annexation of
the 140-acre Wahlborg property. He noted that the current plan includes
single-family houses, multifamily and patio homes, and 48 acres of commercial
businesses. Director Rick Barnes said, "My concern is with improvements to
Highway 105. It needs to be widened and flattened."
Charlie Pocock, president of the Tri-Lakes district, noted
that the Wahlborg property will add about $30,000 in property taxes per year to
district revenues. He added that current estimates are that the recently
included areas east of Highway 83 will add about $70,000, the Monument
Marketplace will add another $70,000, and other growth within the district will
add about $30,000 for a total increase of about $200,000. He concluded, "We
need to be thinking about where we are going and what it is going to cost."
Station 2
Ron Thompson, assistant chief and Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) coordinator, reported that removal of the concrete pad left from
demolition of the equipment shed at the Station 2 site on Roller Coaster Road
near Highway 105 is scheduled to start on April 19.
He said the plumbing changes for the well are being
completed. He added that there will be separate water meters used to keep track
of station usage and water for the water augmentation plans implemented by Great
Divide Water Company.
Rick Barnes, board member and architect for Station 2,
reported that value engineering on the project has produced cost savings.
Pocock announced that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held
April 17. He added that a ribbon cutting and open house should be held in about
six months when the station is completed. Click
here to view photos of the groundbreaking.
Two new fire trucks
Firefighter John Vincent presented the results of research
into potential purchase by the district of two new pumper fire trucks. Vincent
said, "Everyone had input." He said one of the goals was a piece of
apparatus that could be used for structure and wildland fires. The list of
requirements from the request for quotations included 330 hp diesel capable of
75 mph, 750-gallon water capacity, 1,250 gallons per minute pumping capacity,
seating for eight people, 31 feet bumper to bumper, 8 feet 4 inches wide, and 9
feet 5 inches tall.
Quotes ranging from $216,282 to $242,714 were received from
four vendors: Smeal, E-One, Central States, and Sutphen. Smeal had the fewest
deviations from the requirements and the lowest price. After holding an
executive session, the board approved the bid from Smeal. Pocock later said a
purchase order has been signed for delivery of the first truck in October for
assignment to Station 2. The second truck would be delivered in 2005. He said
the total amount authorized by the board was $230,000 per truck. Pocock added
that each truck will carry more than $50,000 in hoses, nozzles, extrication
tools, and other equipment.
District debt
Hildebrandt said, "I have been through all of our debt.
We should be able to handle it quite nicely. I feel very comfortable." He
noted that in the five years from 1999 to 2004, district revenue grew from about
$500,000 to $1.4 million. At the March board meeting, Hildebrandt said the
district has $1.8 million in debt.
Campaign issues
Pocock, Hildebrandt, and Barnes expressed outrage at
statements made in a campaign flyer supporting the re-election of Woodmoor/Monument
Fire Protection District director Tom Conroy. They objected to the claim that if
the Woodmoor/Monument and Tri-Lakes districts merged, the station on Woodmoor
Drive would be closed. Barnes said, "There has been no discussion of
closing that station." Hildebrandt said, "The core area of Monument is
a high liability area. There is an advantage to having two stations
nearby." They also objected to the claim in the flyer that merger would
mean "reduction in the quality and training of emergency services personnel
serving Woodmoor." Pocock cited improving Tri-Lakes district skill levels
and said, "Woodmoor hired two of our firefighters. Everyone is certified to
the same levels."
**********
The Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District board normally meets
at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the district firehouse, 18650
Highway 105 (near the bowling alley). The next meeting is scheduled for May 20.
For more information, call Chief Denboske at 481-2312 or
visit www.tri-lakesfire.com.
By Jim Kendrick
The Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD) will hold an
election for two four-year term board positions on May 4, between 7 a.m. and 7
p.m., at Station 1, located at 18650 Highway 105 in Monument.
An eligible elector is a person who has been a resident of
TLFPD for not less than 30 days or who (or whose spouse) owns taxable real or
personal property within the district, whether they reside in the district or
not. Further information about eligibility can be obtained by calling TLFPD’s
Designated Election Official, Chief Robert M. Denboske, at 481-2312.
One ballot issue has been certified by TLFPD: "Shall the
limitations on terms of office imposed by Article XVIII, Section 11, of the
Colorado Constitution, be eliminated for directors of the Tri-Lakes Fire
Protection District?"
Three candidates will compete for the two open four-year
terms: Robert Keith Duncan, John M. Hartling, and James M. Lipper. Our Community
News offered each candidate the opportunity to respond to the following
questions:
-
What in your background would help you as a board member?
-
Do you favor a merger by TLFPD with another north county
fire district and/or Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department? If not, why? If
so, which form of merger would you prefer (consolidation, inclusion, or fire
authority) and with which organization(s)? Why?
-
Other than merger, what are the greatest issues facing
the Tri-Lakes FPD and what would you propose that TLFPD should do to deal
with it?
Robert Keith Duncan
1. As an 11-year Tri-Lakes resident, with over nine years
as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and officer with the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection
District (TLFPD), I am intimately familiar with the operation, management, and
future needs for the TLFPD and surrounding area. In addition, I have actively
participated on emergency calls with all the other northern El Paso County fire
departments. My priority to the residents of the district is to ensure the best
possible emergency service 24/7.
2. Yes, I strongly support a merger that provides the
best service to our community and at the lowest cost. I prefer inclusion, where
one district is merged into the other. Inclusion is best for several reasons: 1)
eliminates management overlap—and by definition, creates a more uniform
department; 2) lesser cost than consolidation—with consolidation of two
districts, both are dissolved and a new district is formed that encompasses both
former districts’ boundaries, but at added taxpayer cost to establish; and 3)
the Fire Authority has both success and failures in this state and needs more
research if we are to proceed.
The Woodmoor-Monument Fire Protection District (WMFPD) is a
logical choice to merge into the TLFPD. The Woodmoor-Monument district is nearly
surrounded by the Tri-Lakes district, and one of many positive outcomes is
better ambulance response times at less cost. Transporting the patient to the
emergency room is what is really important. The multi-agency study completed
several years ago recommended a cooperative arrangement using the Tri-Lakes
district’s ambulances.
Currently the WMFPD board members are in merger discussions
with Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department (PLVFD) in spite of very little
common borders of their respective districts. In the past, the Palmer Lake
voters defeated a proposed 6 mill levy to fund the PLVFD; a successful election
would be required to create a mill levy on Palmer Lake residents equal to that
of WMFPD (9 mill levy) at the time of the inclusion into WMFPD. Tri-Lakes Fire
continues to provide mutual aid fire and ambulance service to Palmer Lake
residents, and in spite of attempts by PLVFD management to use other fire
departments, I feel the current agreements between TLFPD and PLVFD provide the
best service to the Palmer Lake residents.
3. The largest challenge is how to continue to deliver
first-rate emergency services in an effective, cost-efficient manner, given the
region’s tremendous growth and the area east of Highway 83 just included in
the Tri-Lakes district,. We must address the effects of the expected growth and
maintain the required capability to provide emergency services with highly
trained and professional personnel. A perfect example is the ongoing
construction of TLFPD Station 2 on Highway 105 and Rollercoaster Road.
John M. Hartling
1. I have resided in the TLFPD since 1976 and have seen
it grow in both population and geographical area from a very small ranch/farm
and bedroom community to a bustling residential and business community. For
almost five years in the early 1980s, my wife, two sons, and I worked as
volunteers with the TLFPD. At that time, I was an EMT, a state-certified
Firefighter II, and briefly a lieutenant in charge of Station 2. I feel that, in
spite of the tremendous growth in the area and concomitant demands on resources,
I remain familiar with the overall operation and personnel of the TLFPD. I
retired from the U.S. Navy in 1980 after serving for five years as an assistant
professor of computer science at the Air Force Academy. I had a subsequent
20-year career in the computer industry as an engineering and general manager,
retired in 2000 as CEO and chairman of the board for Sistina Software. I am
currently a certified scuba diving instructor and am working with the TLFPD to
certify a rescue diver team. I am active in the Monument community, serving as
the vice president of Tri-Lakes Cares, secretary of the local Knights of
Columbus council, and tutor for the Step-by-Step remedial reading program in
support of School District 38.
2. I am strongly in favor of consolidating the fire and
rescue resources into one fire district serving the northern part of the county.
As residents, our tax dollars and resources are scarce and the demands on both
are growing yearly. Having redundant resources (e.g., two hook and ladders)
within several miles of each other is a waste of money, which could be
reallocated to boost the coverage in the eastern and southern portions of our
district. I fully understand the history and complexity of this issue, but I
feel strongly that if the board of directors of the collective agencies would
put the interest of the community as their highest priority, they will find a
way to make it happen.
3. I believe the greatest issue facing TLFPD is providing
adequate and timely fire and rescue services to the entire district. Getting
Station 2 up, staffed, and running is critical. Having waited for an ambulance
on two occasions in the last year, I can vouch that the response time to the
eastern portion of the district is long, given the climb up Highway 105; all too
frequently in the winter, this road is closed. The only true solution to this
problem is Station 2. I believe the same issue will exist in the southern part
of the district until local resources are established.
James M. Lipper
1. I have to admit to being a fire buff. Being a fire
buff also means that I have an intense interest in the local fire departments. I
volunteer with the Pikes Peak Firefighters Association Fire Rehab Service and
have seen up close how the local fire departments work together. As a part of my
hobby, antique fire apparatus, I subscribe to fire trade magazines and have a
much better understanding of the fire service and its history than the average
person. If elected to the board, I plan on representing the taxpayers’
interest. Respecting what our firefighters do and wanting to help make the
district better I consider to be my qualifications. Following what’s been
going on, I have many ideas that will help to provide for a better district.
2. I consider the best solution to the merger question is
one district for all of the northwest part of the county. The district
boundaries as they now exist would make Governor Gerry of gerrymandering fame
proud. Without throwing stones at any one department, the utilization and type
of equipment purchased in the last few years, in some cases, has not made sense.
If all the departments and districts were one, the best use of manpower,
equipment, stations, and long-range planning would benefit all. My preference
would be for Tri-Lakes to absorb the other departments. I think that TLFPD has
the best "corporate culture" when it comes to making the
volunteer/paid department work. We can and should stay with the volunteer/paid
system. Volunteers enable a district to provide fire protection at a reasonable
cost. The other plus to this is that it has a much larger manpower base for
major incidents.
Can we form a workable merged fire district? It remains to be
seen. With new faces coming to all the fire boards, maybe merger talks can start
up again and progress made. I do not support a fire authority. This only adds
another layer of government and is a halfway measure to what really needs to be
done. Forming a new district to accomplish the one fire district goal has a set
of problems that it is not necessary to get into. What if the vote turns out
like the recreation district: approval for a district but not a mill levy? I am
not saying that I would only support my idea of the best solution. If a workable
plan is proposed, I will consider supporting it.
By Jim Kendrick
President Bob Browning presided over a memorable final
Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (W/MFPD) Board Meeting on April 26.
He signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
forming an interim Palmer Divide Fire Authority with Donald Wescott Fire
Protection District (W/MFPD) that is to lead to a consolidation into a unified
district after the 2005 special district elections. While not binding on either
of the next boards, the MOU is the culmination of over a decade of merger
discussions between the four north end fire districts. The MOU also provides for
near-term inclusion of Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department (PLVFD) into the
fire authority. The MOU was approved 4-1. Sibell voted no, saying he would vote
only for a merger of all four districts. [Details of the MOU are discussed in
a separate article]
Public Comments
Browning, who chose not to run for re-election, thanked the
board for its hard work during two challenging years. He has been on the board
for eight of the past 12 years. He said the board has had "great
opportunities to do good things," adding that he hoped Sibell and Tom
Conroy were re-elected based on their dedicated service to the district. He said
he would be swearing in three electees at the next meeting on May 24. Incumbents
Russ Broshous and Bob Harvey are not up for election.
Browning commented extensively on recent newspaper reports
regarding merger and the election. He said it is "interesting now that
everyone is for merger. I hope that’s the case. We’ll find out if they’re
really serious about it." He noted that Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District
(TLFPD) President Charlie Pocock "looks at 7 mills and $2 million in debt
as no problem." He challenged Pocock to prove his beliefs by agreeing to a
merger under the MOU and said, "He should agree that the debt stays with
Tri-Lakes only."
Browning also noted that Pocock agreed to resume merger talks
when the North Group suspended TLFPD for failure to attend meetings and
participate in training, but then withdrew from the talks when the type of
merger preferred shifted from a fire authority to a consolidation last July.
Assistant Chief Jim Rackl pointed out that the planned TLFPD station in Jackson
Creek is closer to DWFPD than Woodmoor’s station is to Tri-Lakes.
Harvey observed that he and Broshous had initially opposed an
interim fire authority but now support the MOU. Conroy suggested forming a
civilian advisory board, and several directors initially agreed. However,
Assistant Chief Jim Rackl serves on the Service Improvement Task Force for the
city of Colorado Springs, and he said that members of civilian boards don’t
completely understand the practical realities of fire and emergency operations.
He recommended against forming a civilian board for the new fire authority.
Chief’s Report
Bid Accepted: Chief Dave Youtsey reported that there was
only one sealed bid on the 1997 Tahoe that has been replaced. The envelope was
opened, revealing a bid in the amount of $9,100. It was accepted unanimously.
The average NADA trade-in value for the vehicle was $8,800; average retail was
$12,900.
Activity: As of April 23, there have been 63 AMR
ambulance responses since service began on Feb. 9, resulting in 33 transports.
This is roughly one transport every other day, which is the "breakeven
rule-of-thumb," Conroy said. In March, there were 45 calls consisting of 13
structure fires, 24 medical, one traffic accident, four wildland fires, and
three public assist calls. Total calls year to date are 134. There was
considerable discussion about several recent Sheriff’s Office dispatching
errors where a TLFPD ambulance was dispatched to a W/MFPD address. This costs W/MFPD
and AMR needed revenue. Several directors questioned why TLFPD would respond to
a call that was an obvious error and take the transport fee, rather than tell
the dispatcher to change the call to Woodmoor. The chiefs were asked by the
board to provide the Sheriff’s Office with a current list of W/MFPD taxpayers.
Secretary Donna Arkowski recommended using County Assessor tax records as a
reference to help correct errors in the new dispatching software data base.
Youtsey said he would deliver a letter of complaint at the April county fire
chiefs’ meeting he would be attending that evening.
Benefits Review: The report, when completed for
distribution to the employees, will compare the W/MFPD benefits package to
Manitou Springs, Security, Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and Fountain fire
districts/departments. The report will be finished for the next board meeting.
The board asked that employee comments be gathered and forwarded to the board to
help in making future decisions.
Attorney’s analysis: Attorney Tim Schutz wrote an
opinion about charging for calls to unprotected property that is not part of a
fire district. This analysis was requested after the board decided it would like
to charge for fire responses and actual employee hours expended in areas that
have not asked to be included by TLFPD and are no longer covered by DWFPD.
Schutz determined that Colorado law only allows billing for "ambulance or
emergency medical services" or "for requested or mandated inspections
if a fire code is in existence…." The absence of permission to charge for
firefighting service disallows charging or attaching a lien. The district has no
choice but to respond to a North Group automatic aid fire call to an unincluded
property, under current regulations, and has no way to recoup expenses for work
performed out of district.
Board Secretary Bob Harvey said the district needed to amend
automatic aid agreements with other districts for areas northeast of Hodgen and
east of Highway 83, noting that DWFPD had already done so as of April 1.
Furthermore, Harvey said that W/MFPD should not respond to a mutual aid call in
that area with lights and sirens on, to minimize liability risks. Also W/MFPD
should set a policy that its firefighters would not enter a burning structure
unless there is a defined life threat. Firefighters should only try to confine
the fire to the property if no taxes are being paid. He said the board must take
the position that it will not "risk our firefighters in an area where
property owners have thumbed their nose to the districts for decades." He
said that action should be taken to ensure that a fire does not spread into a
fire protection district, however. Broshous, Conroy, and Browning concurred with
Harvey. Sibell had no comment.
Youtsey reported that Gasper Blea is no longer an employee of
the district. Firefighter I/EMT-B Kristian Naslund was hired on April 12, and
Firefighter I/EMT-B Joshua Verplank was hired on April 27.
Browning announced that there would be a special executive
session meeting on April 30 to discuss legal and personnel matters.
The meeting adjourned at 10 a.m. The next board meeting will
be at 8 a.m. on May 24.
By Jim Kendrick
The Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (W/MFPD) will
hold an election for two four-year term board positions and one two-year
position on May 4, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., at the W/MFPD Station, 1855
Woodmoor Drive.
An eligible elector is a person who has been a resident of W/MFPD
for not less than 30 days or who (or whose spouse) owns taxable real or personal
property within the district, whether they reside in the district or not. For
further information on eligibility, contact W/MFPD’s Designated Election
Official, Donna Arkowski, at 488-3303.
Three candidates will compete for the two open four-year
terms: Bob Hansen, Marlin "Si" Sibell, and Rod Wilson. Two candidates
will compete for the one open two-year term: Tom Conroy and Jeremy Diggins. Our
Community News offered each candidate the opportunity to respond to the
following questions:
-
What in your background would help you as a board member?
-
Do you favor a merger by W/MFPD with another north county
fire district and/or Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department? If not, why? If
so, which form of merger would you prefer (consolidation, inclusion, or fire
authority) and with which organization(s)? Why?
-
Other than merger, what are the greatest issues facing
the district and what would you propose that W/MFPD should do to deal with
it?
Bob Hansen
1. I am a retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and
have extensive knowledge in emergency procedures. I also understand the
feelings, attitudes, and concerns of emergency personnel.
2. I am in favor of a merger, and I believe the logical
first step in unifying the north county fire districts is a TLFPD and W/MFPD
merger. From the standpoint of efficient emergency service to the public, this
makes sense, since W/MFPD is totally enclosed within the TLFPD and would not
require traveling through another district to reach an emergency. Any other
merger would create illogical boundaries and cause misunderstandings for the
public. Boundaries drawn with little to no regard for service can result in
poorly deployed emergency resources. This would result in duplication of
services between competing districts, wasted public funds, and inefficient
emergency service.
Currently W/MFPD relies on an outside ambulance service (AMR)
to provide transport of patients. Under the current arrangement, if W/MFPD
receives a medical emergency call, AMR would respond from the W/MFPD station
with a W/MFPD paramedic. If the patient needs to be transported to the hospital,
the ambulance along with the paramedic will be out of service for what could be
several hours. This would violate the commitment of the district’s Mission
Statement to provide "a fully manned station with four-man crews, 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year." In the event of another medical emergency, an
ambulance would be dispatched from as far away as Colorado Springs to Woodmoor/Monument.
Bringing the districts together would improve ambulance response time and
overall transport service to the residents.
3. In addition to the merger, I think the greatest issue
is the concerns, feelings, and morale of the firefighters. I know the morale of
the firefighters is low, and they do not have confidence in their chief. They
have presented the current board with letters of no confidence twice, and the
board chose to disregard their concerns. I believe it is time to start,
"protecting the people who protect us." As a board member, this will
be my mission.
Secondary to the firefighter morale, I think the mill levy on
residents of Woodmoor/Monument is currently too high. TLFPD, which has an
approximate service area of 50 square miles, runs their district on 7 mills
while W/MFPD, with a service area of 9 square miles, runs theirs on 9.921 mills.
I will make it my goal to reduce the current mill levy by investigating other
options and more proficient processes to reduce expense while maximizing
service.
Marlin "Si" Sibell
1. Years and years of public service.
2. Merger of all four north end fire departments.
3. Maximum fire protection for the minimum taxpayer
dollars spent.
Rod Wilson
1. Water technician with the town of Monument; former
firefighter EMT, 15 years service with TriLakes Fire Department; Monument
resident for the past 22 years.
2. Regarding fire department merger/consolidations: We
need to do what is best for the community and taxpayer. Unnecessary duplication
of resources and services needs to end. This issue needs to be brought to the
attention of the voters for their decision.
3. The two biggest issues facing W/MFPD are staff
retention and management. Regarding staff retention, we need to discover why
people are leaving for other fire departments. Is it pay, benefits, working
conditions, or equipment needs? We need to provide a working environment that
addresses all these issues. Regarding management, we need to discover if there
is a problem between the chief officers and the line firefighters. If a problem
exists, we need to create an environment of mutual cooperation and respect.
Tom Conroy
1. I am a current W/MFPD board member, appointed 19
months ago. I represent the district to the Joint Working Group (JWG), whose
goal is the merger of the Tri-Lakes area emergency service providers.
Professionally, I run the Storage Networking Industry Association Technology
Center in Colorado Springs. We bring together the biggest competitors in the
high-tech industry (IBM, HP, Sun, HDS, etc.), to work collaboratively on
programs that benefit end-users. The challenges in bringing high-technology
competitors together are similar to those with local emergency services
providers. My educational background includes bachelor’s of engineering and
MBA degrees.
There are clear potential benefits to a merger of emergency
services providers in northern El Paso County:
-
Faster response times to some areas.
-
Improved ability to raise personnel skills through
area-wide training programs.
-
Improved asset positioning to provide better defense
against major fires.
-
Opportunity to reduce duplication and use tax dollars
efficiently.
A successful merger depends upon several critical decisions.
After the right skills and equipment, time is the most important factor
determining successful outcomes of fire and medical emergencies. Station
placement is therefore critical, with too-close placement being wasteful. Having
the right skill levels of personnel and supporting them with the right equipment
is also critical. If these issues can be resolved, best-in-class service can be
delivered at the most competitive tax (mill) rate.
In order to move from the current collaborative three-way
discussion and include all departments, I make the following recommendations:
-
Bring back the expert ESECG Fire Consulting Group to
deliver (within 45 days) recommendations for station placement in a merged
district.
-
Establish a Tri-Lakes Area Citizens Emergency Services
Advisory Group to provide recommendations and advice. Important decisions
include: What maximum response times are acceptable to residents? What
levels of skill and training does the district want? Shall we have
Advanced-Life-Support ambulance services? This advisory group would
represent all geographic areas and fire districts and act as an advocate for
citizens across the area.
In my proposal, final decision making would remain with the
district boards of directors, but the merger process will become expert- and
citizen-driven, as it needs to be. For any merger to succeed, it must be a
win-win for all parties involved.
3. The greatest issues are: maintain and improve our
high operational performance standards, and reach a long-term agreement with AMR
to maintain our Advanced Life Support ambulance service. Operational excellence
requires the commitment of all department personnel and the board. To succeed,
district personnel must have the right skills, training, equipment, procedures,
and leadership. Specific initiatives under way are:
• Management training and team building. The disruptive
personnel experiences in the W/M station over the last months must be
corrected. A leadership training program for all levels—chief through
captain—needs to be implemented.
• A continuous improvement process for response times.
Station management measures performance and have improved in all areas,
extending even to the call dispatching done in Colorado Springs. All of the
district employees deserve credit for the great progress that has been made.
• A hydrant maintenance program was implemented with
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation and the town of Monument. The program should be
completed.
Medical services represent the majority of the districts
calls. The recent partnership agreement reached with AMR to station a
paramedic-based Advanced Life Support Ambulance at the W/M station has been a
tremendous win for residents. The agreement must be renegotiated in August 2004,
and should be extended.
Jeremy Diggins
1. Being in business for myself, I have had plenty of
experience managing a budget and managing people. I have learned the importance
of making every dollar work for you and how higher taxes affect local businesses
as well as homeowners. Also, having been a member of the Woodmoor/Monument
community since 1986, I have seen many of the growing pains the area has gone
through, which I believe gives me a better understanding of the problems we face
in the future.
2. I feel that a merger of fire districts in northern El
Paso County is essential to the future of the community. It will provide
improved service and response times by pooling all resources under one
management base. The best starting point would be the merger of Woodmoor/Monument
and Tri-Lakes Fire Protection Districts. When looking at the district maps,
Woodmoor/Monument is the donut hole in the center of Tri-Lakes. This causes fire
trucks to respond from across major highways and intersections, even though
neighboring district stations are much closer.
I am dedicated to finding a merger agreement that will work
for both districts. With the consolidation of management and administrative
expenses, the taxpayers of Woodmoor/Monument will save a considerable amount of
money, without closing stations and still providing the best possible service to
the community. The type of merger will depend on whatever scenario works best
for the community and that the voters approve. When such a merger becomes a
reality, a new board of directors should be put in place—fresh faces that only
know how to function as one district, doing away with the pettiness of the past
and with the struggle of who will be in charge. The old board members would
serve the community best by remaining as an advisory committee.
3. The issue I am most concerned with is firefighter
morale. I would like to know why longtime veterans of the department are
suddenly in fear for their jobs, why other members of the department have left,
and why the firefighters themselves have no confidence in their management or
the current board of directors. It is important to listen to the voices of those
who protect us; if the firefighters have concerns about the future of our
protection district, then we need to be concerned as well.
By Jim Kendrick
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been approved by the
Donald Wescott and Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection Districts (DWFPD and W/MFPD)
that forms an interim Palmer Divide Fire Authority to direct joint operations
between the two districts. While joint operations will begin, the actual
consolidation of the two will not become official until it is approved by voters
in the May 2005 election.
The DWFPD board unanimously approved the MOU at its meeting
on April 21, and the W/MFPD board approved it at its April 26 meeting, with only
Director Si Sibell voting against it. The memo provides an option to the Palmer
Lake Town Council to have the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department (PLVFD) also
join the fire authority. Palmer Lake has indicated an interest in being a
partner in the merger; if it signs on, it will be an equal participant in all
acts, actions, decision making, and policymaking with the other two boards of
directors. The Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD) board withdrew from
merger discussions in June 2003 and is not a party to this MOU.
Background
The MOU is the result of several years of discussion among
the north county fire protection districts about consolidation and merger. The
end goal of the three fire districts that have worked on this MOU is now a
unified fire protection district (FPD). However, until about two years ago, all
the districts except W/MFPD initially supported formation of a permanent fire
authority.
In May 2002, a study commissioned by TLFPD, W/MFPD, and PLVFD,
was completed by the Emergency Services Education and Consulting Group (ESECG)
that recommended consideration of consolidation/merger to improve fire
protection services and emergency medical services to the residents at a reduced
cost. DWFPD did not participate in the study, but agreed with its findings when
they were presented at a public meeting on July 15, 2002.
However, an impasse with Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD)
subsequently emerged at the April 22, 2003, meeting over choosing between
formation of a permanent unified FPD or a fire authority. At a special meeting
held on April 24, the TLFPD board approved a resolution to terminate any
negotiations with the town of Palmer Lake and W/MFPD. At the following merger
meeting on June 3, the other three districts agreed to move forward toward a
merger and formed the Joint Working Group that produced this MOU.
In the phone conversation where Tri-Lakes was invited to
attend the June 3 meeting, Charlie Pocock, president of TLFPD, said they would
not send representatives to that meeting because the agenda called for agreement
by all parties on some items that Tri-Lakes had repeatedly said they could not
accept. That included the requirement to stop work on their Station 2 and the
decision to have the board of the merged district determine the use of Tri-Lakes’
ambulance service. TLFPD has boycotted the JWG meetings since then.
Goals and Objectives of the New Fire Authority
-
The DWFPD and the W/MFPD Boards of Directors will proceed
with the establishment of a fire authority as soon as possible after the May
2004 special district elections, if the newly elected board members are in
agreement with the provisions of the MOU.
-
Once a fire authority is formed, it will be governed by a
board of directors consisting of five members: two from each of the boards
of DWFPD and W/MFPD and one from PLVFD, if it joins. If Palmer Lake does not
join, the other two districts will decide where the fifth member will come
from.
-
The fire authority will have operational control over
DWFPD and W/MFPD from the time it is formed until it is changed by election
or otherwise.
-
The Boards of Directors of DWFPD and W/MFPD agree that
they will pursue the formation of a Unified Fire Protection District Board
prior to the May 2005 special district elections.
-
The current number of paid staff in each FPD will not be
reduced without approval from each of the respective district’s Board of
Directors. There will also be no staff reduction without board agreement at
the time of a consolidation/merger.
-
The existing fire apparatus, fire equipment, and fire and
staff vehicles will not be permanently relocated or assigned to locations
other than their present location within either district without the prior
approval of the respective district’s boards.
-
There will be no need for additional physical structures
or fire stations during this interim period.
According to the MOU, a Unified Fire Protection District can:
-
More efficiently utilize existing fire stations and
structures
-
Effect a better utilization of personnel
-
Effect a better utilization of fire equipment and fire
vehicles and staff vehicles
-
Simplify administrative and operational services.
The MOU acknowledges that the makeup of either or both boards
could be substantially changed after the May 4 elections. So, both boards agreed
that the MOU can be changed or modified at any time, in writing. In addition,
either district may terminate its participation in the agreement.
However, both current FPD boards agree that it would be in
their constituents’ best interests to proceed with consolidation/merger plans,
and they strongly urged any newly elected board of directors to commit the time,
effort, and resources necessary to forming a Unified Fire Protection District.
The MOU will dissolve when there is a vote on the consolidation as a ballot
issue at next year’s special district elections in May 2005, unless modified
by the newly elected boards. At that time, the unified district will be created
or the districts will split and revert to separate operations.
It is also possible the MOU could be dissolved within weeks
if Jeremy Diggins defeats Tom Conroy in the W/MFPD board elections on May 4.
Recently, a group of W/MFPD firefighters who belong to the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF) have allied themselves with the TLFPD board
in supporting W/MFPD board candidates who live in the Woodmoor district yet are
volunteer firefighters with TLFPD. The goal of these IAFF firefighters, and now
the TLFPD board, is to change the makeup and majority position of the W/MFPD
board from being in favor of the consolidation with DWFPD to seeking inclusion
of W/MFPD by TLFPD.
Bob Hansen and Rod Wilson are running for the two open
four-year terms, as is Sibell. All three have long-standing relationships with
TLFPD. Sibell has already voted against the MOU and has long favored merger with
TLFPD, so there will likely be two votes for TLFPD inclusion no matter which two
of these three win. The swing vote on the MOU surviving is the contest for the
two-year term between Conroy and Diggins. Conroy negotiated the MOU, and Diggins
opposes consolidation. If Diggins is elected, TLFPD would have three votes of
five on the W/MFPD board, and they would have a majority that would likely vote
to be included by Tri-Lakes. TLFPD would then seek to include PLVFD as well.
Pocock lives in Palmer Lake.
[The positions of all the candidates for the three fire
district elections in the region are found on pages 25,
27, and 29.]
By Jim Kendrick
It has taken years to create the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the Donald Wescott and Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection Districts
that was finally approved on April 26. The four northern fire districts that
have been the subject of merger discussions, are Donald Wescott Fire Protection
District (DWFPD), Woodmoor /Monument Fire Protection District (W/MFPD), Palmer
Lake Volunteer Fire Department (PLVFD), and Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD).
The tabular listing on the facing page shows the differences
in equipment, supervisory structure, manning, and types of firefighting and
emergency medical qualifications among the four districts shows why, in part,
seeking a merger has been so difficult. The differences are the result of each
of the districts meeting very different needs. The listing also shows why merger
makes sense despite these differing requirements. Consolidation of so many
valuable resources in equipment and manning should produce improved service and
lower costs.
The table of numbers does not take into account other
important differences in mill levies, voter-approved methods of calculation of
mill rates, or debt. Three districts have mill levies; one has none. Two have
about the same mill levy. The third is higher. One district has $1.8 million in
debt; another has none. In the other two districts, one has cash reserves equal
to debt and one has no cash reserves whatsoever. Three districts have roughly $1
million budgets. Palmer Lake’s volunteers are forced to make do with only
$47,935 and a firehouse where their pumper can only back in if nothing is behind
it and the mirrors are fully retracted.
Three districts actively support all North Group (NG)
training goals, while Tri-Lakes had been suspended from North Group for not
consistently participating in group meetings and because its personnel did not
participate in training conducted jointly. Tri-Lakes remains on probation, which
was scheduled for review at the April 14 NG meeting, but was continued because
no TLFPD representative attended.
Response times (not part of this chart) have exceeded six
minutes in each of the four districts for varying reasons at times over the
years, but some will be reduced when the Tri-Lakes’ Roller Coaster Road
Station is opened. They will continue to exceed six minutes in TLFPD and W/MFPD
because Monument’s interchange construction has impeded traffic, contributing
to delays; the potential but unfunded Baptist Road interchange construction will
make the problem worse for several more years.
Note the following differences among the district statistics
listed:
-
Two have 75-foot aerial ladder "quint" fire
engines, and two do not.
-
Three have tenders to carry water to isolated locations
away from hydrants and cisterns. One has no tenders because the entire
district has readily available hydrants.
-
One has a six-wheel drive tender to drive off-road or
climb the mountainous trails behind Mt. Herman; the others do not.
-
One owns three ambulances, and one has none, while the
other two contract with AMR.
-
AMR provides a driver/EMT to one district, but a
driver/paramedic to the other.
-
One district has three smaller SUVs, one has a Suburban,
one has a Hummer, and one has none.
-
Two districts have two staff cars for their chiefs, two
have no vehicle for their chiefs.
-
One has two spare pumpers and a spare tender; the others
have none.
-
One has two supervisors; another has 10.
-
Two districts have lieutenants, two have none.
-
One has a fire marshal, the others have none.
-
Two have certified fire officers, two do not.
-
One has a certified Fire Officer IV, the others have
none.
-
Two have part-timers budgeted, two do not.
-
One district is staffed completely by full-timers, one
has none. The others recruit and develop volunteers differently.
While merging equipment will benefit all, the inevitable
changes in staffing models that are needed to achieve standardization will
require firm leadership, skillful management, and a spirit of compromise to
avoid bad feelings among the personnel in the new unified district. Should
repositioning of fire engines, ambulances, or other vehicles or equipment also
prove to be more cost effective, a similar spirit of acceptance will be helpful.
However, since all four staffs have worked together on automatic and mutual aid
calls for years, the initial merger should start smoothly.
All these differences are pointed out to help voters
understand that merger issues are not trivial. OCN does not propose
solutions or priorities to these inherent systemic conflicts. That is the job of
the Joint Working Group and the respective boards. The voters will have a say on
May 4 when they vote for candidates in special district elections. The views of
most of the candidates on major issues are printed elsewhere in this edition;
often they differ as well. Who you choose to vote for does make a difference in
this election.
| Equipment |
DWFPD |
PLVFD |
TLFPD |
W/MFPD |
| Quints (aerial ladder) |
0 |
0 |
1 (1,750 GPM/450 gal)
(75 ft ladder) |
1 (1500 GPM/300 gal)
(75 ft ladder) |
| Pumpers |
1 (1500 GPM/500 gal)
1 (1250 GPM/750 gal)
2 spares available
|
1 (1250 GPM/1000
gal) |
1 (1250 GPM/500 gal) |
1 (1500 GPM/750 gal) |
| Tenders |
1 (1500 gallons)
1 (1100 gallons)
1 Spare available |
1 (1000 gallons)
(all wheel drive) |
1 (1500 gal) |
0 |
| Brush Trucks |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Ambulances |
1 (AMR contract) |
0 |
3 (owned) |
1 (AMR contract) |
| SUVs |
1 Hummer |
1 Suburban (Rescue)
(used for medical calls) |
0 |
1 Tahoe
1 Blazer
|
| Staff Cars |
2 (Chevy Impalas) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Supervisors |
DWFPD |
PLVFD |
TLFPD |
W/MFPD |
| Chief |
1 (Full-Time) |
1 (Volunteer) |
1 (Full-Time) |
1 (Full-Time) |
| Assistant Chief |
1 (Full-Time) |
1
(Volunteer) |
1
(Full-Time) |
1 (Full-Time) |
| Battalion Chief |
1 (Full-Time) |
|
|
|
| Training Chief |
1 (Volunteer) |
|
|
|
| Shift Captain |
2 (Full-Time) |
|
3
(Full-Time) |
3 (Full-Time) |
| Shift Captain |
1 (Volunteer) |
|
|
|
| Safety Captain |
1 (Volunteer) |
|
|
|
| Lieutenant |
1 (Full-Time) |
|
3
(Full-Time) |
|
| Lieutenant |
1 (Volunteer) |
|
1 (admin
volunteer) |
|
| Fire Marshall |
|
|
|
1 (acting) |
| Qualifications
(Full-Time) |
DWFPD |
PLVFD |
TLFPD |
W/MFPD |
| Total Personnel |
10 |
0 |
12 |
13 |
| Fire Officer VI |
|
|
|
1 |
| Fire Officer I |
1 |
|
|
7 |
| Firefighter II |
2 |
|
9 |
3 |
| Firefighter I |
6 |
|
3 |
2 |
| Paramedic |
2 |
|
4 |
6 |
| EMT-I |
|
|
6 |
|
| EMT-B |
8 |
|
2 |
6 |
| First Responders |
|
|
|
1 |
| Driver/Paramedic |
N/A (1 from AMR) |
|
|
|
| Driver/EMT-B |
|
|
|
N/A (1 from AMR) |
| Qualifications
(Part-Time) |
DWFPD |
PLVFD |
TLFPD |
W/MFPD |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
| Fire Officer I |
|
|
|
1 |
| Firefighter II |
|
|
|
5 |
| Firefighter I |
|
|
7 |
1 |
| Paramedic |
|
|
7 |
4 |
| EMT-B |
|
|
|
3 |
| Qualifications
(Volunteers) |
DWFPD |
PLVFD |
TLFPD |
W/MFPD |
| Total |
26 |
17 |
40 |
0 |
| Firefighter II |
1 |
4 |
7 |
|
| Firefighter I |
20 |
13 |
15 |
|
| Paramedic |
2 |
|
3 |
|
| EMT-I |
1 |
|
3 |
|
| EMT-B |
19 |
6 |
30 |
|
| First Responders |
|
11 |
1 |
|
By Jim Kendrick
The North Group (NG) chiefs met at the Woodmen Valley Fire
Protection District on April 14 to coordinate training, communications, and
group policies. Representatives from Larkspur, Palmer Lake, Woodmoor/Monument,
Donald Wescott, Black Forest, and the Air Force Academy fire organizations
attended. Assistant Chief Woodrick of the Franktown Fire Protection District (FPD)
also attended, and his district has expressed an interest in joining the North
Group. This would further strengthen automatic and mutual aid support for
members.
The chiefs had planned to review Tri-Lakes’ probationary
status as a member of North Group but continued the issue to the May meeting. No
representative from Tri-Lakes FPD attended this meeting. Reportedly, lack of
attendance is one of the reasons Tri-Lakes continues to be on probation.
The NG departments are testing the use of plain language
radio identifiers for emergency vehicles in lieu of the current numbering
system. For instance, "Engine 2112" does not mean much to new
personnel using emergency frequencies, but "Wescott Engine 1" may be
easier to say and understand when under stress and in a noisy operational
environment.
Member departments announced several training programs and
arrangements were made to fill seats and share expenses. One benefit that NG can
offer cash-strapped members is discounts for training.
One unique training program NG provides is hands-on
operations with portable water storage tanks that are common equipment for rural
fire districts but rarely seen in city fire operations. These "porta-tanks"
look like, and are sometimes called, swimming pools and hold up to 2,500
gallons. The Colorado Springs Fire Department will take this training on May 22
and will practice using three "pools" to simulate operations in areas
without hydrants.
Black Forest FPD Chief Dave Ury briefed the group on his
current plans to establish a joint station with Falcon FPD in the north end of
the county east of Highway 83. This unincluded area is surrounded by Franktown,
Falcon, Black Forest, and Tri-Lakes. Ury is trying to get residents of old
ranches and new subdivisions to join a district and thus reduce the likelihood
of wildfire problems spreading to these four districts from areas without fire
protection. Serious ethical and legal questions are raised when fire companies
leave their districts to fight fires on property where owners pay no fire taxes.
By Jim Kendrick
Despite the wet snows of April, the wildfire season has
already begun. Recently, about 60 acres near Filly Road in north El Paso County
between Franktown, Tri-Lakes, Black Forest, and Falcon burned after a rocket
launch went awry. The Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners (PPWPP)
constituent fire districts are once again taking on the task of informing the
public of the need for preparedness as the wildfire season approaches. They are
also organizing programs to help property owners eliminate or reduce slash by
chipping and mulching, as well as minimizing other wildfire hazards.
Twenty organizations from El Paso, Douglas, and Teller
Counties were represented at the PPWPP meeting at the Monument Work Center on
April 8. Chief Julie Lokken of Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department and Chief
Dave Youtsey of Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District are officers in PPWPP.
Locally, Youtsey will supervise the chipping project that is
set to start at the Woodmoor/Monument fire station at 1855 Woodmoor Drive on May
15. Further information is available at 488-3303. Lokken will be directing a
Palmer Lake mobile chipping program that started on April 7. Contact town staff
at 481-2953 for additional information.
A video will be available on wildfire mitigation at www.rockymountainwildlandfire.info,
and a summary of appropriate wildfire mitigation steps can be found at this Web
site by clicking on the PPWPP logo.
The next PPWPP meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on May 13 at
the Larkspur Fire Station, 9414 South Spruce Mountain Road. The Larkspur
district is a member of the North Group and provides automatic and mutual aid to
Palmer Lake, Tri-Lakes, Woodmoor/Monument, Wescott, and Black Forest Fire
Protection Districts.
By Tommie Plank
Charles Holt presented a comprehensive proposal from Monument
Academy requesting the addition of tenth grade next year. Curriculum guides for
nine course offerings as well as budget estimates, including personnel and
facilities have been submitted. Director of Curriculum Mary Ann Wiggs commented
on the curriculum guides, saying they were a great improvement over the previous
offerings. The Board will meet on May 6 with the Monument Academy board of
directors for a final review and possible approval of the application.
Wiggs presented a long list of programs and services District
38 provides to all students in the district. This report was in response to the
Board’s request to discuss what is offered to the majority of students in the
district. While special programs for students at the lower or higher ends of
performance and achievement are often discussed, the Board wanted the community
to know that District 38 also offers exceptional opportunities for
"typical" students.
The Board approved contract extensions for personnel for the
2004-05 school year. Joe Subialka, financial director, reported that there will
be a 2 percent increase in premiums in health insurance coverage for the coming
year. This follows a 34 percent increase last year. Educational sessions
concerning insurance usage have been held with the staff this year and are felt
to be largely responsible for the significantly lower increase in next year’s
coverage.
Board members discussed the meetings they have been
conducting with various groups within the district to receive input regarding
high school education. They feel that the essential question is, What
opportunities do students need in the high school experience to be ready for
life after high school? Board members expressed their appreciation of the
participation and comments they have received thus far. Next month they will
begin meeting with leaders in the community to receive their input.
Dr. Pete Heinz reported on the April District Advisory and
Accountability Committee (DAAC) meeting. He believes the building plans process
has made a difference and DAAC has never been so energized. The next meeting
will be May 4, when Joy Quaite will discuss the CSAP grading process. They will
wrap up the year by electing officers, and currently are in need of a secretary
for next year.
Superintendent Dave Dilley announced that the District has
received approval from the Colorado Department of Education to become its own
special education administrative unit next year. The District will maintain an
associate status membership in the Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational
Services.
Nate Keisling, a fourth grader at Lewis-Palmer Elementary,
showed a video of his construction of a steam engine and his explanation of how
steam engines work, a project in his Gifted and Talented program. The Palmer
Lake Elementary School’s Cat’s Meow Choir and the Lewis-Palmer Elementary
School Choir entertained the board and audience by performing three songs.
Robin Mossman received a commendation certificate for her
work with the Booster Club concession stands over the past three years.
Due to security measures at the Air Force Academy,
Lewis-Palmer High School graduation has been changed to Wednesday, May 26, 6
p.m., in Clune Arena at the Academy. The next regular meeting of the Board of
Education will be May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building.
By Jim Kendrick
The Donala Water and Sanitation District will hold an
election for two four-year term board positions on May 4, between 7 a.m. and 7
p.m., at Antelope Trails Elementary School, 15280 Jessie Drive, located on the
southwest corner of Baptist Road and Gleneagle Drive.
An eligible elector is a person who has been a resident of
the Donala district for not less than 30 days or who (or whose spouse) owns
taxable real or personal property within the district, whether they reside in
the district or not. For further information on eligibility, contact Donala’s
Designated Election Official, Jackie Sipes, at 488-3603.
Six candidates will compete for the two open four-year terms:
Dale E. Schendzielos, Charles L. Schmidt, Mark T. Moore, Edward H. Houle,
Kristine (Teena) Barager, and George (Tom) Wall. Our Community News offered each
candidate the opportunity to respond to the following questions:
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What in your background would help you as a board member?
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What do you think are the two greatest issues facing the
Donala district and what would you propose that Donala should do to deal
with them?
Dale E. Schendzielos
1. I have recently retired after 30 years from Colorado
Springs Utilities, where I was the telecommunications manager, a senior
position. I was responsible for a staff of 42 highly technical folks, a yearly
capital budget of approximately $2 million, and a yearly operating budget of
nearly $3 million. I am very familiar with how a water and wastewater
(sanitation) utility functions—from rate structures, budgets, maintenance,
security, pipelines, pumping stations, environment, and personnel to drought
concerns and water rights. I graduated with a major in business administration,
with minors in accounting and computer science.
2. Like many districts in Colorado, the Donala W&S
district faces population growth issues. How to provide the water that will be
required and the wastewater facilities to handle the growth will always be a
challenge. I feel that the staff and board at Donala have worked hard on finding
new sources of water (buying water rights and drilling deep wells) and looking
for partners to help expand the wastewater facilities. I would expect to
continue these efforts, possibly through more inter-governmental agreements with
other districts.
Another issue is water conservation. I recognize that most of
us intuitively know how to conserve water, but I think an occasional expansion
of the monthly newsletter would benefit us all. Too often, I see sprinkling
systems running while it’s raining—a simple detection device would turn the
system off. Also, programming the system to water every other day would help
conserve water while providing sufficient water for the lawns. I do read the
newsletters and have found good advice in it. I would promote more Xeriscaping,
which doesn’t mean using rocks and bark exclusively. For example, I have
replaced 50 percent of my Kentucky bluegrass with a Colorado native seed that is
greener, uses less water, and seems to be free of dandelions. I am a big
advocate of lower water bills—only conservation can make it happen.
Charles L. Schmidt
1. I have a bachelor of science degree from the United
States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and did post-graduate studies
in industrial relations at the University of Minnesota. During many years
serving my country as an officer in the U.S. Army, I held numerous command and
staff positions requiring leadership as well as administrative skills to get the
job done.
Since retirement from the military service, I have served on
volunteer civilian boards as director, finance chair, fund-raising chair,
vice-president, and president. I currently serve as president of two volunteer
organizations: Gleneagle North Homeowners Association and the 11th Armored
Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. The former serves some 480-plus
homeowners in Gleneagle, and the latter has a membership of over 4,000 veterans.
As president of each organization, I coordinate myriad activities to include
various committees, volunteers, budget, monthly and annual meetings, and an
annual reunion at numerous locations around the country, with attendance
normally exceeding 1,000.
Both my military experience and my volunteer work as a
retired officer provide me the background to serve on the Board of Directors of
the Donala Water and Sanitation District.
2. The first and most important issue facing the Donala
district is the reliance on the Denver Basin of aquifers as the primary source
of supply.
There is no simple answer to the issue of relying on a
nonrenewable water supply. Donala must continue to work through the El Paso
County Water Authority and seek to form and join other coalitions to locate and
develop renewable sources. As other communities around the Donala district
continue to drill more and deeper wells, the problem will only worsen. The key
to solving this problem will be working with other users in a cooperative
effort. The future is now when it comes to ensuring a future supply of potable
water.
The second greatest issue facing the Donala district is
encouraging customers to conserve water while avoiding mandatory restrictions.
Education is the key to solving this problem. Since Colorado
Springs and surrounding communities have imposed mandatory water restrictions
and Donala has not, the district must rely on voluntary efforts on the part of
customers to conserve. Increasingly higher prices for increased water usage is
another method, which could be a form of rationing, but this impacts
lower-income families without necessarily having the desired outcome. It is
essential to convince customers through education on both the need and how to
conserve water (Xeriscape is one method).
Mark T. Moore
1. Over the last 14 years I have dedicated myself to achieving the highest levels of certification in the Water/Wastewater industry. I currently hold “A” certifications in both Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations, the highest certifications in Wastewater Collections, Water Distribution, as well as Backflow Prevention/Testing. During this time I have been employed in numerous management positions and performed as a consultant. At present I am the Operator in Responsible Charge of the Triview Metropolitan District’s Water/Wastewater infrastructure.
2. It is my belief that the greatest issue that we, the residents served by Donala Water and Sanitation District face is the challenge to provide water in the future. It is quite the hot topic in this time of unpre cedented growth, limited precipitation and diminishing ground water resources. There are solutions to these issues such as better land usage/planning, xeriscaping, the use of native vegetation, the utilizing of reclaimed waters for irrigation, and conservation. The old saying that
“You never miss the water until the well runs dry” is profound. I believe and will be an advocate for the best use of our most precious resource
“water”. The second issue I believe to be of greatest importance is the expansion of the
wastewater treatment facility. This is a process that has begun and will require extensive review and oversight. Having been involved in numerous projects of this nature I am certain that as a member of this board I can help to achieve maximum utilization of our expenditures on a project of this magnitude.
Edward H. Houle
1. Of the six candidates, I’m the only incumbent board
member standing for re-election. I’m completing my first term on the board and
am currently serving as the board’s vice-president. For the past few years, I’ve
been involved with the wide variety of operations and development issues related
to supplying water and sanitation services to the residents of the district.
This includes several long-range strategic projects that will help the district
meet future requirements. I know the current issues and future challenges that
we face, and I offer experience and continuity as a current board member.
Finally, I know the people and operation at Donala.
2. Let me first say that neither of the issues that I
mention below is related to managing growth in the area. The properties within
the Donala Water and Sanitation District have almost completed their final
development/build-out, and the district has set aside both water resources and
sanitation capacity to meet all future requirements. But, we do have challenges
related to water and sanitation.
One major challenge is securing a long-term source of
renewable water since we are currently dependent on the nonrenewable Denver
Basin aquifer. Although this is a long-term issue and we currently have a
sufficient water supply, we must address it now if the district hopes to supply
water at reasonable rates in future years (2020 and beyond). To that end, the
district is working very hard to find and secure that renewable source with a
combination of interim steps (acquiring available aquifer water rights as a
backup water source) while working in conjunction with other area water
suppliers and municipalities to secure that long-term renewable source.
The other major challenge, providing sanitation services to
the residents, is more pressing. We are quickly approaching the capacity limit
on our waste treatment plant. The good news is that we are working with our
partners in the plant to expand and update the treatment facility to meet all
projected requirements. Visionary long-term planning allowed us to forecast this
future need in a timely manner while also setting aside the funds over time, so
that the update and expansion project will not present a financial burden to the
residents of the district.
Kristine (Teena) Barager
1. There have been numerous times in my background that I
have worked on teams to meet a common goal both as a volunteer and as an
employee—most recently, as an employee of a large corporation working on the
sales and marketing team. In this capacity, we established goals and objectives,
then organized and executed a plan of action to meet those goals and objectives.
I have also been elected to the vestry (the governing board) at our church and
served for five years.
2. The two greatest issues facing the Donala district are
growth of the district and its future water supply. The growth issue I feel is
at the forefront because most decisions will be based on the resolution of this
problem. I believe that the growth in the Donala district must be planned,
sensible, and controlled. I know that there are many political implications,
many different opinions on this matter, but it is one that needs to be discussed
and resolved in a very orderly manner.
The second greatest issue is the availability of a future
water supply. I feel that Donala district needs to be proactive in pursing this
issue, rather than reactive. I know that this issue is and has been addressed
and that it is on the front burner. I want to ensure that there will be a water
supply for the Donala district for many many years to come.
George (Tom) Wall
1. The board will be well served by taking advantage of the
knowledge and skill-set that I have developed by working in the trenches of the
water and wastewater industry. I will use my experience from sitting on several
boards in both municipal and private environments, as well as past and present
managerial positions, to review and develop budgets, evaluate supply/demand
issues, provide technical knowledge for capital improvement projects, set policy
and practice guidelines, and establish reasonable goals for the district. My
ability to demonstrate each of these attributes contributes to my capability of
meeting the expectation of a board member to hit the ground running and have an
immediate impact.
2. In Donala and all of the other surrounding and
neighboring groundwater-dependent areas, the greatest issues are that of
ensuring a continual supply of safe, high-quality, and affordable drinking
water. I am confident that these are foremost in the thoughts and actions of
board members and district management. These issues are long-term issues and
cannot/will not be resolved during the term of an existing board. So rather than
create new issues, elevate issues to an inappropriate degree of concern, or
pursue a personal agenda, I think it is more important, prudent, and beneficial
to all to have continuity of the future boards and the resolve to address these
issues.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in letters to our
community should not be interpreted as the view of OCN even when the letter
writer is a reporter for OCN.
For several years, a dedicated group of citizens has invested
countless hours to create a unified emergency services organization for the
Tri-Lakes area. I have attended virtually all of those meetings. It amazes me
that so many people, including individuals from Pueblo, have expressed opinions
on the issue without having ever attended a meeting. It is also amazing that
most of those opinions are so pro Tri-Lakes Fire Department (TLFPD) when they
have withdrawn from the discussions. As one of the active participants, I offer
the following:
An emergency services study was initiated at the request of
the firefighters of the region. The board of directors of TLFPD refused to
participate for many months. It was only when they were faced with a termination
of relationships with the other participants that they agreed to join Palmer
Lake (PLVFD) and Woodmoor/Monument (W/MFPD) in the study.
Upon completion of the study, the Joint Working Group (JWG)
was formed for the purpose of studying the impact of merger on the community. At
that time, it was determined that Inclusion was the method that was best suited
to our community. This legal term is very important in understanding some of the
following events.
Points of discussion included the number of and locations of
fire stations, emergency response times, and appropriate staffing levels. All
departments slowed capital spending to avoid overdevelopment and redundancy in
staff and equipment in the event of unification—all except Tri-Lakes. TLFPD’s
plan to build a station at Roller Coaster and Highway 105 was and still is a
concern for the other departments. The study specifically states that a station
at this location is redundant, wasteful and NOT recommended. Donald Wescott (DWFPD),
encouraged by the progress of the JWG, asked to join in the discussions for the
purpose of joining the unified organization.
Meanwhile, TLFPD was removed from participation in the North
Group for unsafe practices—a serious concern for the other members of the JWG.
TLFPD was eventually returned to the North Group on a probationary basis, but
has yet to meet the requirements for being a member in good standing.
At a regularly scheduled JWG meeting, after months of
discussing the details of an Inclusion, TLFPD called for a vote for a "fire
authority." PLVFD and W/MFPD voted no, DWFPD voted yes—a vote they later
withdrew. TLFPD terminated their relationship with the JWG and left the
negotiations.
Today, due to the diligence of all boards involved, W/MFPD,
DWFPD, and PLVFD have reached the major benchmarks of compatible relationships
in daily operational procedures, Preliminary Pre-Inclusion Agreements, and low
or no debt financial status—all as recommended by the study. All have
excellent working relationships, from firefighter to the board level.
Discussions continue to identify the strengths of each department so the unified
organization can maximize its use of the expertise available. The goal date of
January 1 was delayed by the reorganization required when TLFPD walked out.
I guess it is not so amazing that those from TLFPD keep
writing the Tribune about nothing happening—they are not aware of what has
been accomplished since they left the discussions. Those seeking to make major
changes in the W/MFPD board need only read the minutes of the meetings to know
that the JWG does not take election schedules into account in our actions.
TLFPD refused to participate in the study.
TLFPD violated the study recommendations with redundant
facilities.
TLFPD’s debt load continues to escalate.
TLFPD walked out on the unification talks.
TLFPD cannot maintain the safe working and training
standards of the North Group.
The facts of the Inclusion (both pro and con) will be
presented at public meetings so the voters can make a decision driven by safety,
service, and personal economics. I encourage citizens in W/MFPD, DWFPD, and
PLVFD to talk to members of the JWG for answers to questions. Get your
information from someone who is actually attending the meetings, hearing the
information firsthand, and knows the details of the discussions—not from
individuals who do not even participate in the process.
Susan L. Miner
In a recent Our Community News article ["Monument
Board of Trustees meeting, Mar. 15" in the April issue], you wrote that
Pegasus Transit is discontinuing its Monument Express due to lack of ridership.
Pegasus Transit does not provide a Monument Express (not as
yet). That is Springs Transit.
Pegasus Transit does plan to begin where Springs Transit
leaves off this summer.
Further, Pegasus Transit plans to begin operations in the
Tri-Lakes region as a local (through town) service, as well as regional bus
services for Colorado Springs and Denver, for commuters.
Please visit our Web site at www.pegasustransit.com
(then click routes, "Tri-Lakes") for more information on the services
planned.
We look forward to providing the Tri-Lakes community with bus
services. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions, comments,
or anything. We would love to hear from you.
K.B. and the Pegasus Transit Staff
Editor’s note: In that article, OCN reported that express
bus service provided by Pegasus Transit between Monument and Colorado Springs
would be terminated in April. The article should have said Colorado Springs
Transit. OCN regrets the error.
My letter entitled "Tickets on the Road to Tyranny"
which mentioned no individuals by name, printed in the March 6 Our Community
News, advised the people of the TriLakes area to beware of the possible
abuse of government power by the Monument police department. In the April 3 Our
Community News, a letter by one Diane Wilson attacked me by name in a
rebuttal of my original letter. That being the case, I feel justified in
returning her favor, even at the risk of beating a dead horse. Her closing
remarks admonished me: "If you ‘do the crime,’ then ‘do the time.’
Get real."
If my memory serves me correctly and my history books were
accurate, in 1773 some of the colonists in Boston dumped a load of tea leaves
into the harbor as an act of defiance against laws emanating from the government
in London. If Ms. Wilson’s education failed to include this protest against
government authority, she can probably learn more about it on the Internet
somewhere. Our older history books called it "The Boston Tea Party."
And then in 1776, a couple of dozen individuals in the
colonies pledged their lives, their fortunes, and sacred honor in support of our
Declaration of Independence. This document can also probably be found on the
Internet if Ms. Wilson is unfamiliar with it. In any event, if it were not for
these few courageous souls, many of whom did lose their lives and/or fortunes,
there probably wouldn’t be any "land of the free and home of the
brave."
Every citizen of a free country has the responsibility,
indeed the duty, to resist oppressive government. My advice to Ms. Wilson is to
take the ring, by which the government is leading her around 24/7, out of her
nose. Get a life!
Wm. R. Lamdin
There have been several letters published in the local
newspapers in recent months that somehow want to blame "the mouse" for
just about everything that is going wrong in the area. The mouse is responsible
for there not being enough affordable housing, for the government taking away
people’s property "rights," for eating farmer’s crops where there
are no crops, for spreading disease (as if humans didn’t), and causing the
realignment of roads.
In one such letter, the mouse was accused of not being smart
enough to find other accommodation and not standing up for itself, but in
another letter the mosquito was accused of killing people with West Nile. So
apparently, the mouse is doomed to failure–do nothing and people want to get
rid of it, and if it manages to figure a way to kill people to defend itself, we’ll
get rid of it then as well.
All this ignores the real issue that bringing more people to
the area is the real cause of the problem. If the area weren’t so popular,
land prices would fall and there would be plenty of affordable housing. Only
last week, a coworker talked of an area in another part of the country where a
house could be bought for $9,000. Presumably, the landowners in these areas are
also whining about their "property rights" and how they are losing
money because they cannot develop it because there aren’t enough people.
At some point we reach sustainability limits that weren’t
apparent many years ago. The recent proposal to pump water from the Western
Slope to provide supplies for the Front Range might have looked good years ago,
but the recent photographs of a less than half full Lake Powell clearly show
that there is no surplus to be had. A more recent letter complained that we let
water leave the state for other people–apparently forgetting that they had
"rights" to use it first.
The mouse serves as a warning flag to point out that taking
wetlands and the riparian areas nearby is the wrong thing to do. Converting the
most diverse and interesting areas into concrete channels has been proven in the
Springs to be the WRONG thing to do. Mouse habitat and wetlands take up only a
small percentage of the available area and should be preserved–we cannot
afford the irrigation water to replace them with grass anyway. The wetlands
moderate the temperature and control the runoff, and maintain a diversity of
plant and animal life.
On the scientific side, no evidence is presented to support
the case of getting rid of these "unwanted" creatures. As it is, the
percentage of man created and controlled animals is quickly overtaking the
natural world to the point where it would be easy to understand an animal
population crash. This being outside the fact that many fish populations have
already been reduced by a factor of 10 or more. Doesn’t this give us some
indication that continuing sprawl and development might be a bad thing? Or is
the idea to make Colorado a rolling carpet of concrete and patio homes with the
occasional interspersing of Home Depots, Wal-Marts and McDonalds?
Why exactly are we wanting to celebrate the mass destruction
of any species, be they abundant or scarce?
Chris Pollard
By Woody Woodworth
Plants need a balance of minerals, air, and organic matter
throughout the root zone to perform well. The single most important thing you
can do for your garden is amend the soil. Care of the plants will be more
effective and will conserve water and save on fertilizing costs.
In our region, there are three types of soil: clay, sand, and
decomposed granite. Your soil texture affects the amount you water and
fertilize. You can test your soil texture like this: Slightly moisten some of
your soil and roll it between your thumb and fingers. If it forms a ball and is
sticky, you have too much clay. Clay retains moisture and in such tight soil
conditions, your plants may be unable to use the nutrients available to them.
You will need to open the soil pores or aerate the soil. If you can’t form a
ball and it feels a little grainy or won’t stay together, you have a better
texture. If your soil feels too coarse, however, it may be too sandy and won’t
hold enough water.
The solution to these problem soils is adding organic matter.
In sandy soils, adding organic matter will create a sponge effect and help
retain moisture. In clay, it will loosen the soil, letting it breathe and drain
better.
The best organic matter is somewhat coarse decomposed or
partially decomposed compost, peat moss, and aged manure. Compost from the
compost bin is great, but if you don’t have compost developed, purchase some
bagged compost or peat moss. My favorite compost is a brand called EKO. It has a
good coarse texture and seems to be consistent bag after bag. Peat is available
in bagged bales also. Barnyard manure should not be too fresh because young
manure has a high ammonia content that injures plant roots.
Adding too much organic matter at one time can create a
soluble salt problem, especially in clay. To avoid this, spread about 1¼ inches
of your soil amendment on the surface and till it in to create a more uniform
texture. Add organic matter seasonally to create the perfect environment for
vigorous and healthy growth in your plants.
Knowing fertilizers is important. The "NPK" reading
is on all bags of fertilizers, and what you select depends on what you want to
achieve. The "N" is nitrogen, which stimulates top growth and
aggressive growth. The "P" is phosphorous, which concentrates more on
root growth and blooms in flowering plants. The "K" is potash or
potassium, which helps plants fight off diseases and drought.
A good rule of thumb for early spring is use a fertilizer
that has approximately twice the amount of nitrogen as potassium, such as
16-8-8. Lilacs and irises will bloom more using a concentrated phosphate in the
fall, such as 0-18-0, to increase the blooms in the spring. Formulas comprised
of even amounts, like 10-10-10, are also a good, general fertilizer to use
anytime.
So remember: Amend the soil and fertilize wisely to achieve a
little better luck in the elevated, dry climate where you and your plants live.
Woody Woodworth owns High Country Feed & Garden and is a
member of Garden Centers of Colorado and the Green Industry.
By Leon Tenney
The Palmer Lake Historical Society hosted Robert Connerly,
one of our last prairie settlers, at the April event. Mr. Connerly told us about
four generations of his family going West during the 19th century. He wrote a
book about it called Settler’s Prairie: A Family Triumphs over Tragedy. In
this book, he cleverly changed all the names so the living relatives would not
be too embarrassed by the antics of their ancestors.
Mr. Connerly began by singing, "Who threw the overalls
into Mrs. Murphy’s chowder?" He followed with tales about one of his
ancestors in New England who managed to triumph over the many challenges that
life had thrown at him. He was abandoned, and he found his grandfather. He was
apprenticed to a hard-driving and tough disciplinarian, and he ran away to his
uncle. He had no prospects, and he met his future wife in Chicago. He was beaten
and robbed, and found a new employer in Pittsburgh. He eventually found his
mother living in Nebraska and forgave her. He began living near a town called
Sedgwick on the high prairie in a sod house called a dugout. He and his wife,
Myrtie Chloe, had five children; two died young and his wife died in childbirth,
but he went on. Their homestead was burned out by a prairie fire, but he saved
his livestock. All of these adventures are chronicled in Connerly’s book.
All of us who have come to live in the West have ancestors
like this. They failed in the East or in the old country and came to America for
a better life. If they were doing fine where they were, they would not have
settled this land around us. They all had to overcome many hardships, the least
of which was poverty, and they all were willing to put up with raising many
children to carry on into the indefinite future.
Robert Connerly has these memories that he is willing to
share, and he has written many of them into books. Why aren’t we all doing
this? Each of us should tell our tales of getting here and enduring here. Not
just every January at Old Timers’ Pot Luck, but also to those who care the
most, our own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
We had a grand time with the Watkins and the Allens, who
actually knew some of these folks Mr. Connerly mentioned.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
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May 20, 7 p.m., the Society will see the Buffalo
Soldiers of the Old West.
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June 19, 1 p.m., local historian Jim Sawatzki will
lead an informative Vaile Museum tour and walking tour of Palmer Lake. Meet
at the Vaile Museum.
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July 17, 1 to 5 p.m., the McGuireville Tour and
BBQ Feast, featuring a superb antique exhibit. Chuck Pyle will entertain.
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Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the annual Estemere
Tour. Don’t miss this opportunity to tour the elegant Victorian mansion in
Palmer Lake. Watch for details.
 There is a
sweet little female cat named Rosie who desperately needs a good home. She has
tested positive for feline leukemia, but she does not have any symptoms of the
illness. Rosie is very playful, friendly, and loving. All she needs for a happy
life is a real home. She is currently living at the Cat Tails Feline Health
Center, but she has to live in a cage away from other cats. The feline leukemia
virus can be transmitted to other cats via fluids from an infected cat such as
saliva and tears. Humans cannot catch feline leukemia, and there is no danger to
other species of animals. Rosie can be safely kept in any home that does not
have other cats or in a home with other feline leukemia positive cats. Rosie was
rescued three months ago by veterinarian Dr. Laurie Clauss. If you or someone
you know could give Rosie a home, call Laurie Clauss, DVM, at Cat Tails Feline
Health Center, 575-0007.
The Black Forest Spring Show and Sale, along with the garage
sale, will be held May 1 and 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the old fire station
at the corner of Shoup and Black Forest Roads. Proceeds go toward school and
community fire prevention programs, CPR classes, and equipment for the Black
Forest Fire & Rescue. For information, call 495-4300 or visit www.bffire.org.
Repairs will be made to the Union Pacific railroad crossing
at Second Street in Monument on May 1-3, no times given. A detour will be
set up that will route cars through Palmer Lake. Repairs will be made to the
railroad crossing at Baptist Road on May 6, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will
be no traffic through this point during these times. For more information,
contact Scott Gaddy, (800) 689-3549, or e-mail sgaddy@aw-inc.com.
Concerned citizens are invited to a meeting May 4,
6:30 p.m., to help prepare for the El Paso County Planning Commission hearing of
the Baptist Road Wal-Mart project May 11. The meeting will be at the
Bethesda building, 15475 Gleneagle Dr., located on the southeast corner of
Baptist Road and Gleneagle Drive. Enter on Gleneagle and drive to the building
entrance that faces Baptist. The meeting will be in the downstairs break room.
For information, call John Heiser, 488-9031.
Antelope Trails Elementary School will observe Cinco de Mayo
with a school-wide celebration on May 5. Students from every grade level
will perform traditional Spanish songs and dances. Performances are at 9:30 a.m.
and 1:30 p.m. After the performances, students will visit Antelope Trails’
version of a Mexican marketplace, where they can sample traditional Mexican fare
such as tamales, sopaipillas, and salsa. Antelope Trails is located at 15280
Jessie Drive in Gleneagle. For more information, call Deanie Allen or Maria
Claflin at Antelope Trails at 234-4100.
The Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) will present its 39th Annual
Fine Arts Show and Sale, May 7-27 in the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts,
304 Highway 105, Palmer Lake. The opening reception will be held May 7, 5-8 p.m.
The exhibit will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, May 9, 16, and 23; and 9 a.m.-5
p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Admission is free. More than 50 PLAG member
artists will exhibit a wide variety of art works in different media. Funds
raised from this show will be used to support the arts in the community and aid
the awarding of scholarships to senior students at Lewis Palmer High School who
plan to continue their studies in art. For information, phone John DeFrancesco,
4889685, or email: jdefrancesco@LCWA.com.
Many sales along Becky and Tari Drives and the side streets. May
8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. West of Roller Coaster off Stella, or take Baptist
Road (Exit 158), east of I-25, right on Tari Dr. For information, call 487-8387.
The Historic Monument Merchants Association is sponsoring its
annual celebration on May 8, the day before Mother’s Day. [See ad on
page 7].
Bella Art & Frame and The Woodmoor Center Merchants
invite you to their Spring Fling Event, May 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. [See ad
on page 9].
The Black Forest Slash-Mulch Program is a Wildfire Mitigation
and Recycling Program of the El Paso County Solid Waste Management Department,
co-sponsored by Colorado Forestry Association and Black Forest Fire Department.
The site is located at the southeast corner of Herring and Shoup Roads in Black
Forest. For more information, call El Paso County Solid Waste Management at
520-7878 or Ruth Ann Steele at 495-3107, or visit www.bfslash.org.
The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) and The Wine Seller
Concert Series presents Colorado’s award-winning singer/songwriter and
recording artist Wendy Woo on May 15. Summer Hartbauer will open.
Tickets, $10 for members and $12 nonmembers, are available at The Wine Seller,
The SpeedTrap, and TLCA. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is located at 304 Highway 105 in Palmer Lake.
For more information, call 481-0475 or visit www.trilakesarts.com.
TriLakes Views 2004 is a juried art show that will be on
display June 4-July 4 in the TriLakes Center for the Arts, located in the
historic Kaiser-Frazer building at 304 Highway 105 in Palmer Lake. Scholarships
are available to offset entry fees for students. Cash prizes will go to winners
in Best of Show, Best Painting, Best Photography, Best ThreeDimensional Art, and
Judges Awards in Adult and Junior Divisions. The deadline for entry applications
is May 15. The show’s Gala Opening Party is June 5, 7 to 10 p.m.
and will feature a "performance piece" by world-renowned puppeteer
Patty Smithsonian. Specialty wines, boutique beer and creative foods will be on
hand. Tickets for the Gala Opening Party are $30 in advance or $35 at the door
with the tax-deductible price benefiting the TriLakes Center for the Arts.
Tickets are available in Monument at the TriLakes Chamber of Commerce, The Folk
Art Gallery, Covered Treasures Bookstore, Petal Pushin’, Sabrina’s, and The
Feed Store or in Palmer Lake from the Speed Trap or TriLakes Center for the
Arts. Tickets may also be obtained by sending a check, made out to TriLakes
Views, to PO Box 2564, Monument, CO 80132. For information on how to submit art
for the show, contact Sandra Kinchen at 4810475, or visit tri-lakesviews.org.
The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and
largest classroom driver refresher course specially designed for motorists age
50 and older. The course will be offered at Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake
Woodmoor Dr., May 17 and 18, noon to 4 p.m. You must attend both days.
Upon successfully completing the course, graduates may present their course
completion certificate to their insurance agents for a discount. Registration is
$10; call 488-2370 to pre-register.
This year’s sale will take place on June 11 and 12,
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are a Gleneagle resident who wants to participate,
simply choose one or both days, gather up all your treasures, and put them out
for display in your garage. Around May 15, you can pick up your Garage Sale Help
Packets at Peoples Bank in Gleneagle and First Bank in the King Soopers Shopping
Center. For more information, call Terry Galloway, 487-3326.
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