The February meeting of the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education was held late in the month, making it impossible to include in the March issue of OCN.

At that meeting, Commander Antonio Cruz of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 presented a plaque to the district thanking them for a $1,500 donation resulting from a Jeans for Veterans Day in November where staff could wear jeans to work if they made a donation.

The board approved the hiring of four individuals in leadership positions:

Current superintendent K.C. Somers was scheduled to leave the area on March 31. Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine was approved to fill the position of acting superintendent until June 30.

The board approved the following new curriculum following public review

Whetstine explained that the district reviews curriculum on a six-year cycle.

Board President Tiffiney Upchurch reported that a stakeholder survey resulted in over 1,000 responses as part of the superintendent search. Stakeholders include members of the community, employees, parents, and students.

The superintendent search was a major subject of conversation at the March 5 work session and the March 18 regular meeting of the board.

To view details of the process, please go to the district website, www.lewispalmer.org, and superintendent search 2024. There you can view several videos of presentations by Dr. Walt Cooper of McPherson-Jacobson, the firm conducting the search.

In brief, there was first a survey sent to stakeholders in the district asking about individual priorities to take into account while selecting a new superintendent. These would include community involvement, conservatism and traditional values, academic excellence, safety of students, financial responsibility, and quality and dedication of teachers. To view the ratings in detail, please see boarddocs.

The top three critical issues expressed by the stakeholders were staff recruitment and retention, teacher quality, and financial management.

At the March 18 regular meeting, Cooper reported that a committee of stakeholders had been formed to compile a list of questions for candidates based on the findings from the survey. He also asked each board member to submit three or four questions.

In explaining the terms of McPherson-Jacobson’s contract, Cooper said that its participation includes not only the search for a new superintendent but assistance during the transition process and a two-year guarantee. If the selected candidate does not remain for two years, a new search will be conducted without charge. Additional assistance in the transition would be provided by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) and the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE). These two associations had previously administered searches in the state.

Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz commented that the selection process is subjective. It is critical to find a candidate with the right fit for the community.

Cooper agreed that it is important to consider a good fit and not just the presence of the appropriate skill set. He offered a rubric to help the board organize its thoughts while considering candidates. He added that each candidate would be provided with a question that they would answer in the form of a three-minute video. These videos would become part of the file for each candidate.

He stressed that many candidates will probably research the district and its priorities. As part of the announcement of the vacancy, there was an explanation of the district’s strategic plan and its role in organizing the district’s activities. The video question would be something that could not be researched, such as why a candidate views himself or herself as the best fit for the position.

Cooper recommended that there will be two days of interviews. The first, on the evening of April 4, would consist of a public forum at which each candidate would be asked a few questions and attendees could respond in person or online as the event would be livestreamed. This interview would be held in a round-robin format. Candidates will not get the questions ahead of time. The second, on April 5, would be interviews in executive session. On April 6 the board would meet to decide on a finalist and begin contract negotiations. The finalist would be confirmed at the board’s regular meeting on Apri1 15.

As part of the work session, the board went into a detailed discussion of what actions they would like to take based on the district’s strategic plan.

Two board members were assigned to address each category.

To view the proposed actions and assignments, please see boarddocs.

Another ongoing discussion involves preliminary planning for the 2024-25 district budget.

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported that his development of the budget pivots on the assumption of a 6% increase in funding from the state School Finance Act. Funding has not yet been finalized but is expected sometime in April.

Regarding compensation, Ridgway has developed a budget which would offer an average salary increase of 5.85% with a larger percentage going to lower-paid individuals and a smaller percentage going to higher-paid individuals. This budget includes only the traditional schools, with an appropriate amount set aside for the use of Monument Academy. This also does not include funding from such sources as the Transportation Fund and the Nutritional Services Fund.

Ridgway also proposed setting aside $3 million for capital maintenance funding in the coming year. He said that a new inventory of facilities will soon be underway. A 10% contingency fund is built into this line item in case of unexpected expenses, such as with the Lewis-Palmer Elementary School corridor project, he said.

When asked whether BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant money would be available for any of the proposed projects, Ridgway responded that funding for that program is decreasing.

The next step is to discuss the proposed budget with the Staff Collaboration Committee and the Financial Transparency Committee.

Ridgway also announced that the state Senate bill which he has written, Senate Bill 24-017, has passed unanimously in the Senate and the House Education Committee. This bill will change the timing of payments from the state. At present the district must hold $15 million in cash during January and February to cover district expenses until property tax payments begin in March. It would shift the timing away from March-June to earlier in the year. This would free up $8 million to benefit the students during January and February.

Schwarz commented that bipartisan support at this level is very unusual and the bill may become law before the end of the month. The board will announce when it becomes law.

Steve Waldman spoke of the 17th annual Chess Tournament held Feb. 4 at Bear Creek Elementary School. This year there were a record number of participants, 127 students from grades K through 12. This is the first- or second-largest tournament in the state.

Waldman thanked Bear Creek Principal Donnell Potter, school custodians, Key Club and National Honor Society students, reading teacher Cindy Waldman, and others for their help in setting up and refereeing the tournament.

The tournament was divided into three groups: grades K-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12. The first three places received trophies. Several winners were present at the meeting. To see a list of participants, please see boarddocs under the Board of Education tab at the district website, www.lewispalmer.org. Select the date of the meeting.

The board now welcomes two student representatives at each of its meetings. These students are welcome to participate in discussions and present information about their schools. They do not receive a vote as they were not elected to the board.

The students at the March 18 meeting were Maren and Aaron from Lewis-Palmer High School. To view their presentation, please see boarddocs.

The board approved the hiring of Courtney Harrell as principal of Lewis-Palmer Middle School.

The board and several individuals expressed their gratitude for Somers’ contributions to the district during his tenure.

His ability to guide the district through the pandemic while maintaining school performance was recognized. He went to Washington, D.C., to explain how the district was able to maintain student participation hours and was interviewed by The Washington Post. He implemented a campaign to improve literacy at a time when many districts were declining. He demonstrated an ability to listen deeply to those he encountered, notably during his listening tour at the beginning of his tenure.

Several members of the administration, teachers, and community members thanked him for his leadership and contributions to the district.

Somers responded that he felt the key to his success had been through relationships within the district and the community. He said it had been an honor to serve and that he will not be a stranger. To view the farewell, please see the livestream of the meeting on www.lewispalmer.org.

At its special meeting on March 20, the board announced the selection of four finalists for superintendent. They are:

To view the resumes of the candidates, please see the website under superintendent search 2024.

In last month’s article about a meeting of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, we said that Board President Tiffiney Upchurch traveled to Washington, D.C, as part of a coalition from the Colorado Association of School Boards Federal Relations Network. The purpose of the visit was to lobby for promised funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), created in 1975.

At its inception, Congress pledged to fund education for individuals with Individualized Education Plans at the rate of 40%. This funding was never achieved. At present, the funding is at a rate of 13%. The district funds the remainder.

The article stated that the delegation achieved the full funding. This was not the case. Although some bipartisan support was achieved, there was also a degree of disinterest.

OCN regrets the error.

Caption: The March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting marked the last board meeting for outgoing Superintendent KC Somers, whose last day with the district was March 31. Somers, who started in July 2019, had a tenure of nearly five years. Leadership team members from administration, principals, and board members spoke about Somers’ impact and support. Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services Rick Frampton highlighted Somers’ leadership during the pandemic, and board member Ron Schwarz listed some of Somers’ signature accomplishments. Somers gave a nod to everyone in the audience and all in the community and district. He emphasized the importance of relationships, noting the South African term "sawubona" which translates to "we see you" and saying it had been a privilege and an honor to serve. From left, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, board members Ron Schwarz and Todd Brown, Somers, and board members Patti Shank and Kris Norris. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Caption: Julie Race is a Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (STAR) teacher at Prairie Winds Elementary School. Race is this year’s winner of the Fox21 Remarkable Woman of Southern Colorado for 2024. Seven individuals nominated Race for this prestigious honor, recognizing her profound impact on children’s lives. Race thanked her principal and the district, saying she loves the families and appreciates the paraprofessionals who help. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Superintendent KC Somers, Race, and Exceptional Student Services Executive Director Rick Frampton. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Caption: At the March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting, the board celebrated Music in Our Schools Month. Members recognized that musical arts are vital to the well-being of students at every level, providing a positive impact on academic, personal, and professional growth. They also noted that Lewis-Palmer School District 38 music instructors work diligently to ensure a comprehensive program from kindergarten through graduation. Lee Meyer (Lewis-Palmer Middle School vocal music teacher) and Nathan Nors (Prairie Winds Elementary School general music teacher) also spoke briefly about D38 music programming. From left are Meyer, Nors, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Monument Academy Strings Teacher Christin Patterson, and Superintendent KC Somers. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Caption: Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced Courtney Harrell to the school board for its consideration and approval. Harrell has over 18 years of experience in education from science teacher to assistant principal championing support for students and creating a welcoming environment for staff and families. Harrell said she was eager to lead LPMS with wisdom and strength. Whetstine said Harrell was so excited to start that she showed up on the 18th to unofficially meet the staff. Harrell spoke briefly, saying it was an honor to meet everyone. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Harrell. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Harrell, and Whetstine. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

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The Lewis-Palmer District 38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the district Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next regular meeting is on April 15.

At the March 7 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Highway 83 Access Control Plan (ACP) and incorporate it into the county’s master plan. The commissioners also heard three land development requests for the Tri-Lakes area during March.

The ACP covers the stretch of Highway 83 from its junction with Powers Boulevard to County Line Road, a length of almost 10 miles. It is a long-range plan for 2045 and beyond aimed at improving safety and mobility. The county’s Department of Public Works, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the City of Colorado Springs worked together to develop the plan. CDOT led the work because it owns and maintains the corridor.

The Planning Commission previously received a presentation of the proposed plan at its Dec. 7 meeting. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#wpcpc.

Arthur Gonzalez of CDOT told the commissioners that the only change since the December presentation had been the inclusion of an access based on an agreement between CDOT and an individual which had been omitted from the initial proposed plan. There are around 70 individual access points along this part of Highway 83 and most allow full movement, meaning there are no turn restrictions.

Future traffic volumes along this portion of the highway are expected to increase in the range of 17% to 86% by 2045. Without changes, this increase is expected to result in increased delays, congestion, pollution, and crashes. The plan is also intended to be a tool to help the county, the city, and CDOT make access decisions during development and redevelopment, and will streamline the access permitting process.

It was again stressed that the plan itself does not identify specific projects. Changes would only come if a problem with traffic flow or safety came to light, properties were developed or redeveloped along the corridor, or state or federal funding for a roadway project comes forward (none has been identified at present).

The plan was developed with public input, and Gonzalez said it addresses concerns raised by stakeholders. These include speeding, noise and number of large trucks, traffic volume overall, lack of turn lanes, safety around the newly constructed Stagecoach Road intersection, sight distance through curves, and a need for more traffic signals.

Speaking specifically to the new Stagecoach Road intersection, Jason Nelson of CDOT said he attended a meeting with some 200 residents facilitated by the HOA on the west side of the highway. The developer of Flying Horse North had made improvements on the east side, but it was clear that further improvements to the junction are needed. He said a task force with a consultant on board has been established and CDOT is looking for a location for a public open house. He said, "We have no funding to construct anything but at least we are back engaging and seeing what we can do."

Following the commission’s approval, the intergovernmental agreement among the three partners will now go to the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for signing.

Also at the March 7 meeting, the commissioners heard a request by the Jon Didleaux and Phyllis Didleau Revocable Trust for approval of a 32.168-acre minor subdivision to create four single-family lots and two tracts. The property is zoned RR-5 (residential rural) and is located at 8250 Forest Heights Circle east of Herring Road and north of Shoup Road. The proposed subdivision would be known as Forest Heights Estates.

In conformity with the zoning, all four proposed lots will be a minimum of 5 acres. Two are proposed to be larger at 7.6 acres and 12.10 acres and these would be located on the property’s south side near neighboring larger properties. The two smaller lots would be located adjacent to smaller lots to the property’s north and west.

Access to the lots is proposed to be via the existing private gravel road, Forest Heights Circle, which extends east from Herring Road and serves six existing family homes. The applicant’s letter of intent states that improvements would be made to this to enhance its accessibility.

The request was scheduled to be heard as a consent item but was elevated to a full hearing due to public interest. Four citizens spoke in opposition focusing on trail access, dedication of land for trail easements, the requested waivers pertaining to allowing a private rather than public road and not establishing an HOA, and the maintenance agreement for the private road. The commissioners stated that they felt the concerns were either not directly relevant to the review criteria or were not legally enforceable.

Speaking during the public comment section, Larry Fariss, a neighbor and previous long-term chair of the Black Forest Trails Association, described the property as a linchpin for the area’s trail system.

Chair Thomas Bailey commented, "There’s nothing that compels a property owner to grant an easement." Dave Gorman, with M.V.E. Inc. and representing the applicant, said the family was not comfortable with having a public trail on their mother’s property.

The vote to recommend for approval was unanimous and the application was then heard at the BOCC land use meeting on March 28. See BOCC article on page 4.

The commissioners voted unanimously on March 7 to recommend for approval a request by Aaron Atwood for a 5.04-acre minor subdivision to be known as Pair-A-Dise to create two single-family lots. The property is zoned RR-2.5 and is located on Struthers Loop, south of the junction of West Baptist Road and Leather Chaps Road. The site is currently vacant. The proposed lots would each slightly exceed 2.5 acres.

The application was heard as a consent item, meaning there was no discussion. It was then considered at the BOCC land use meeting on March 28. See BOCC article on page 4.

At their March 21 meeting, the commissioners voted to recommend for approval an application by Pawel Posorski for a rezoning of 6.02 acres from RR-5 (rural residential) to RR-2.5 (rural residential). The property is located at 6225 Vessey Road, a half-mile east of the intersection of Vessey Road and Neva Lane. A final plat application has also been submitted to create two lots from the parcel. This is under review and has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

The application was heard as a consent item. Commissioner Christopher Whitney asked why the county’s report to the commission stated that the property was surrounded by "smaller lots, some 2.5 acres in size" when one of the included maps showed RR-5 zoning around it. Ashlyn Mathy, planner II, Planning and Community Development Department, explained that some lots were created before zoning was put in place and therefore do not meet the lot size set by the zoning. She added that there is RR-2.5 zoning east and west of the property. Bailey said, "I think this is an issue we see often, especially in this area. A lot of legal non-conforming lots. Perfectly legitimate but the zoning is different." Whitney said, "I can’t say I’m happy, but I understand the answer."

The vote to recommend the application for approval was 8-1. Whitney was the nay vote. He said, "The zoning should mean something, otherwise why put a number on it? Just call it large-lot residential and whatever it is, it is." Offering an alternative view, Bailey asked, "I wonder though if the decision to zone this area RR-5 back when it was done, despite the fact that there were several 2.5-acre lots in that area, whether that was the right decision or not?"

It is now scheduled to be heard at the BOCC land use meeting on April 11.

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The El Paso County Planning Commission normally meets the first and (as required) the third Thursday of each month at the Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colo. Springs. Meetings are live-streamed on the El Paso County News and Information Channel at https://www.elpasoco.com/news-information-channel. Information is available at 719-520-6300 and https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/planning-community-development/2024-hearings-schedule/.

In March, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) considered minor subdivision requests for properties in Black Forest and Gleneagle.

At their March 28 land use meeting, the commissioners heard a request by the Jon Didleaux and Phyllis Didleau Revocable Trust for approval of a 32.168-acre minor subdivision to create four single-family lots and two tracts. The property is zoned RR-5 (residential rural) and is located at 8250 Forest Heights Circle east of Herring Road and north of Shoup Road. The subdivision will be known as Forest Heights Estates.

The application came to the BOCC with a unanimous recommendation for approval from the March 7 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting. At that meeting, four citizens spoke in opposition, focusing on trail access, dedication of land for trail easements, the requested waivers (pertaining to allowing a private rather than public road and not establishing an HOA), and the maintenance agreement for the private road. The commissioners at that meeting felt the concerns were either not directly relevant to the review criteria or were not legally enforceable.

In conformity with the zoning, all four proposed lots will be a minimum of 5 acres. Two are proposed to be larger at 7.6 acres and 12.10 acres and these will be located on the property’s south side near neighboring larger properties. The two smaller lots will be located adjacent to smaller lots to the property’s north and west. Access to the lots is proposed via the existing private gravel road, Forest Heights Circle, which extends east from Herring Road and serves six existing family homes. The applicant will be responsible for improving the road and the cul-de-sac at its end. The maintenance of the road will be undertaken by the residents under a formal agreement, although the commissioners heard that not all the neighbors have signed this.

At the BOCC meeting, Ryan Howser, planner III, Planning and Community Development, said that since the Planning Commission hearing the applicant has proposed to work with the community to provide the requested trail easements. This would include a northern easement for a trail along the northern edge of lot 1, which would enable a connection to Meadow Glen Lane. The gesture was described by Commissioner Carrie Geitner as "quite generous."

Judy von Ahlefeldt, an adjacent neighbor, spoke in opposition during the public comment section of the hearing to suggest an alternative to the planned cul-de-sac. This would see it built in a different location which she said would provide better protection for the wetlands. She described it as a practical, economic, conservation solution and said, "I am offering to purchase the end of Forest Heights Circle and have two shared private driveways. I will pay for survey costs. I will pay for maintaining this end of the road."

In rebuttal Dave Gorman, with M.V.E. Inc. and representing the applicant, said the proposed roadway was designed to closely meet county standards and the cul-de-sac is required in the standards and was intended to promote safety. Applicant Jon Didleaux said, "Judy suggested that we move that cul-de-sac but that takes up two areas. It cuts into both 5-acre parcels that we’re trying to subdivide, and we were trying to avoid that just to make it a regular 5-acre parcel for the future owner without having to put a cul-de-sac in each person’s lot."

Seeking clarification, Commissioner Stan VanderWerf said, "There were some statements made by Ms. von Ahlefeldt today offering an alternate proposal and offering to help fund that alternate proposal. Has there been a formal offer from her to your clients about that and, if so, has that been rejected by your clients?" The answer from Gorman was no. VanderWerf then continued, "Under the conditions that this might go forward and be voted on and approved, I just was interested in knowing, I would presume those discussions could continue should an offer be made and the applicant consider it?" Staff advised that this would be the case and it would be a matter for Ms. von Ahlefeldt and the applicant to work out between themselves.

The vote to approve was unanimous.

Also at the March 28 land use meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a request by Aaron Atwood for a 5.04-acre minor subdivision to be known as Pair-A-Dise to create two single-family lots. The property is zoned RR-2.5 and is located on Struthers Loop, south of the junction of West Baptist Road and Leather Chaps Road. The site is currently vacant. The proposed lots will each slightly exceed 2.5 acres. The application was heard as a consent item, meaning there was no discussion.

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The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) usually meets every Tuesday at 9 am at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Agendas and meetings can be viewed at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Information is available at 719-520-643. BOCC land use meetings are normally held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (as needed) at 1 pm in Centennial Hall.

Monument Academy (MA) held two special meetings and one regular board meeting by Zoom in March. Both special meetings consisted primarily of executive sessions, the second of which yielded finalists for MA’s open executive director position. The board also updated policies and heard administrative and committee reports.

The MA board held a special meeting on Thursday, March 21 to go into executive session to interview and discuss candidates not yet named as finalists for the position of executive director. Before entering the executive session, it added another item "to discuss personnel matters re: an employee grievance and legal advice related to the grievance process."

The board returned after two hours and unanimously advanced the finalists for the executive director position: Joshua Yancy, Colin Vinchattle, and David Stanfield. Vinchattle is currently MA’s middle school principal.

A special meeting will be held on April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the East Campus Gym to hear from the finalists.

No action was announced regarding the grievance issue.

The MA board unanimously approved an update to its policy IKE-MA Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Student. Interim Executive Director Kim McClelland said this came to her attention from a registrar and she noticed some red flags in the processes which required a replacement policy. She spoke of the need to use the school’s Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) to ensure proper interventions and support. She noted that in the past, parents had wanted to hold students back so they could do a sport again. The policy addresses how to handle cases for students who have an educational support plan such as an IEP, 504 or ALP. It also requires that elementary students be administered the Light’s Retention Scale before any final retention decision.

The board also unanimously approved the updated policy 1525 State Assessments Refusal Policy. The changes include updating the form and deadline information and by adding the requirement for counseling should a parent/guardian choose to excuse their student from testing once it has begun.

Board meeting highlights included:

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 4 with the executive director finalists. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. See more information at see https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

The Monument Town Council covered various topics in March, including discussions on Monument redistricting, infrastructure development along Jackson Creek Parkway, and Higby Road’s classification. The council approved a daytime park at Falcon Commerce Center and addressed water delivery costs and the ongoing debate between the Loop Renewable Water Project and the Northern Delivery System (NDS). Updates were provided on the building moratorium and an inquiry into raising traffic impact fees.

Discussions revolved around the presentation of findings and options regarding residential district boundaries by the council’s District Advisory Commission. Points included the existence of two residential districts and the necessity to enact changes 180 days before the upcoming election, as outlined in Ordinance No. 25-2023. Emphasizing principles such as one-person-one-vote, racial equality, compactness, contiguity, and preservation of communities of interest, the commission examined census data revealing a population imbalance between District 1 and District 2 in Monument, prompting a proposed redistricting plan.

With District 1 currently housing 4,648 people (56%) and District 2 accommodating 5,891 people (44%), projections indicate a significant population increase to 14,100 by November 2024. The suggested redistricting adjustments aim to balance population distribution, with District 1 proposed at 7,236 and District 2 at 7,131, representing a remarkably close 0.7% difference. Town Attorney Bob Cole noted the rarity of achieving such proximity in redistricting projects.

Jeremiah Reichert from Public Works led a discussion on the construction timelines for Highway 105 and Jackson Creek Parkway. He explained the complex mix of stakeholders including Classic Homes, the Town of Monument, El Paso County, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Reichert emphasized the necessity of infrastructure improvement along the corridor, highlighting the shared burden among the involved parties. Concerns were raised about future maintenance, particularly regarding the widening of Highway 105 encroaching into CDOT’s right-of-way, prompting worries about the town’s capacity to manage such responsibilities. Mayor Mitch LaKind pondered the potential scenario of CDOT shifting maintenance costs to the town. Classic Homes contributed to the discussion by addressing the complexity of the project, including the presence of utilities in the area, and projected an additional eight months for the completion of the development.

Reichert also presented a Higby Road report. It was concluded from an engineering study that Higby qualifies as a major collector street, necessitating additional buildouts. However, discussions ensued regarding the width of Higby, with LaKind expressing concerns about its capacity given the numerous proposed developments in the area. Reichert clarified that the report focused on engineering aspects rather than development specifics, emphasizing comparisons with other thoroughfares like Baptist Road and Highway 105. Councilmember Steve King expressed concerns about potential hazards near the high school and the ongoing debate about right-of-way concessions. Despite differing opinions on challenging county decisions and the costs involved, it was acknowledged that Higby’s classification as a major collector street had been confirmed. Plans were outlined to further refine decisions regarding Higby Road’s future by the end of 2024.

Ordinance No. 06-2024, concerning the approval of a final Planned Unit Development for Falcon Commerce Center Phase 2 Park, passed unanimously. Situated near South Baptist Road and I-25, staff confirmed that all criteria were met, with previous zoning and sketch plan approvals in 2022. The park, spanning 1.911 acres and intended for daytime use, aims to connect with the current Santa Fe Trail. Concerns were raised by Councilmember Kenneth Kimple regarding potential issues with traffic, lighting, and transient individuals utilizing the park for overnight stays. King, however, expressed support for the project, highlighting the value of allocating land for park use rather than industrial purposes, earning his endorsement with "two thumbs up."

Earlier in the year, the council requested Public Utilities Director Thomas Tharnish to present on the cost of water delivery to Monument customers, a request made following council concerns between the Loop and the NDS. Key figures were discussed, including the cost of water delivery at $10.49 per 1,000 gallons and the prevalence of three-fourths-inch-size meters supplying 90% of residential water services. Tharnish emphasized that there are additional costs to consider beyond the base delivery cost.

LaKind raised concerns about divergent cost figures between the Loop and NDS, prompting discussions about the longstanding debate between the two entities. Councilmembers expressed interest in resolving this issue and potentially aligning with one of the entities, with Councilmember Marco Fiorito highlighting the historical connection between NDS and the town. Councilmember Jim Romanello, however, urged the entire council to invite representatives from both the Loop and NDS for fair representation, a suggestion met with general agreement from all present.

After public comment, the discussion on water continued, with Kimple advocating for a timely decision due to upcoming decisions later. LaKind sought an update soon, with Town Manager Mike Foreman suggesting a meeting in the second half of May with representatives from the Loop, NDS, and Triview present. King expressed skepticism about the data provided by the Loop, while Councilmember Kronick emphasized the importance of making the right decision rather than feeling pressured.

During public comment, concerns were raised regarding the building moratorium, with neighboring resident David Brewer expressing his desire for assistance from the Town Council in pursuing his American Dream of subdividing his 1,200-square-foot field. Brewer questioned the duration of the moratorium, as his request should necessitate only a short amount of the town’s time. Foreman provided an update on the moratorium, stating that the town currently has under 20 active cases and has identified a candidate for the planning director position, with background checks underway. Foreman anticipated providing a further update in mid-April regarding when the moratorium might be lifted.

Councilmember King highlighted the disparity between Monument’s traffic impact fees, set at $700 per dwelling unit, and those of other communities, which can reach several thousand dollars. King emphasized the principle that development should bear its own costs, particularly considering the current state of road infrastructure lagging the needs of Monument’s residents. Foreman noted that the staff is assessing these fees and preparing a report to present to the council. LaKind expressed a desire to address this issue before the moratorium is lifted, indicating a sense of urgency in resolving the matter.

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The Monument Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meetings are scheduled for Monday, April 1 and April 15. Call 719-884-8014 or see www.townofmonument.org for information. To see upcoming agendas and complete board packets or to download audio recordings of past meetings, see http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on Town Council.

The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) cancelled its March 4 meeting due to snow but convened on March 28 to hear a proposal from Lindsay and Richard Willan to restore six cabins and the long house at the Elephant Rock property. Town Attorney Scott Krob told the board that the application for annexation of the Ben Lomand property had been withdrawn. The board held a public hearing on a conditional use permit for a multi-family residential development in a C1 zone, followed by a vote on a resolution to grant the permit. It heard a request from Nikki McDonald to transfer a water tap from a property on Greeley Avenue to another property she owns. The board heard reports from Town Administrator Dawn Collins and Fire Chief John Vincent.

The March 28 meeting was preceded by an executive session.

Lindsay and Richard Willan asked the board to reconsider its unanimous vote in 2023 to demolish six cabins and a larger structure called the "long house" at the Elephant Rock property. They proposed renovating the structures and using them as short-term residences for visitors to the spa they are planning to build at the property. They said the renovated cabins might also serve as office space, a yoga studio, an artist’s studio, or an art gallery.

The Willans showed the board a site map indicating the cabins and long house are outside the floodplain. They also presented a report from Darrell Yee, a consulting engineer, verifying the roof and walls of the structures were sound. The insurance policy the Willans have obtained for their spa can be expanded to include the cabins, they said. RE/MAX Properties was interested in providing long-term property management services.

The cabins and long house in their current state are worth $735,000, the Willans said, but after renovation would be worth $1.85 million. Under the Willans’ proposal, they would pay to renovate the structures, but the town would retain ownership. The Willans presented letters from Tri-Lakes Collaborative Counseling and from Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts indicating those organizations might finance some of the renovation work. Resident Cindy Powell said she was working on grants to finance the renovations and an "Adopt-a-Cabin" plan. Caryn Switey of the Wonders of Nature Forest School said the school was interested in providing funding if they could recoup their investment by receiving free use of a cabin until they had recovered their costs.

The Willans estimated their proposal would generate $60,000 annual profit to the town. They projected a total benefit to the town of $1.31 million when the increase in value after renovation is considered. Lindsay Willan estimated the renovation would take three years.

Following the Willans’ presentation, Mayor Glant Havenar said she was concerned the property might become a residential development in the future. She said it might be as long as six years before the town sees any financial benefit. Richard Willan said residential development at Elephant Rock could not happen without the consent of the board. Trustee Shana Ball argued that the current board can’t control future boards. Powell said the Willans’ proposal would save the town the cost of asbestos abatement and landscaping that would follow demolition of the cabins.

Town Administrator Dawn Collins said the Elephant Rock property is a planned unit development, which means the town has more control over the development process.

The board returned to their discussion of the Willans’ proposal later in the meeting as a separate agenda item. Ball said she likes the ideas the Willans presented. Trustee Kevin Dreher reminded the board it has voted three times to demolish the cabins. He said the Willans’ plan was not in the best interest of the town. Trustee Dennis Stern said he was optimistic but wanted to lock down the details of management.

Reid Wiecks, chair of the Parks and Trails Commission, echoed Dreher’s comments. He said if the cabins and long house were demolished the property would be unique in northern El Paso County. He argued using the property as a "passive park" would raise property values and increase property tax revenue received by the town. Wiecks characterized the Willans’ proposal as a seven-home residential development and argued the buildings were not historical, were likely built in the 1970s and therefore not eligible for grants to preserve historical buildings. He expressed concern that the Willans’ plan might conflict with the trail that has been proposed for the property and has been partially built.

Trustee Nick Ehrhardt said he had voted to demolish the cabins because there was no alternative proposal and if the Willans’ plan doesn’t work out, the town could still demolish the buildings because the town would own them. He liked the fact that the town is not responsible for management.

Collins said there was no overall plan for the Elephant Rock property and mentioned that using a portion of the site for a public safety building to house the Police and Fire Departments had been discussed in the past. She called for a meeting that would include all interested departments to work out a plan for the entire property.

Havenar said Trustees Jessica Farr and Samantha Padgett were excused from the meeting and she was reluctant to decide without their input. She felt the finances were not clear, and the proposal would mean a lot of work for town staff. She lamented the fact that the Elephant Rock property had become a burden and a cause for contention.

The discussion ended with the board deciding to hold a meeting with all stakeholders, including the board, the Parks and Trails Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Police and Fire Departments to build a consensus for how to develop the property.

Attorney Scott Krob told the board that the United Congregational Church had withdrawn its application for the annexation of its Ben Lomand property. The board had suggested some changes to the annexation agreement that the church had submitted, but the church would not consider any changes to the agreement. The church’s attorney sent the town a letter indicating that if the town did not accept the original annexation agreement the church would withdraw its application, Krob said. The board was polled electronically and decided not to hold a special meeting to further discuss the application. On March 14 the church formally withdrew its application, Krob said.

Havenar said the board did not agree with the annexation proposal’s plans for the top of Ben Lomand mountain, the requirement that the town take responsibility for County Line Road, and the stipulation that the church would not need to manage changes through the town’s Planning Commission. The original agreement was not in the best interest of the town, she said.

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Rebecca Albright and Philip Tedeschi for a conditional use permit that would allow them to move forward with the development of detached single-family residences and duplex units between Clarence Street and Spruce Avenue, adjacent to Ben Lomand mountain. There would be a total of nine residences, Albright said, perhaps three single-family residences and three duplexes or five single-family residences and two duplexes. The "pocket neighborhood" would consist of smaller, affordable, attainable housing located around a common open space, Albright explained. The plan calls for the residences and duplexes to use septic systems since the town does not provide sewer service to the property, but the town’s municipal code does not permit multi-family residences to use septic systems.

Albright said the property is currently zoned C1 (general business and commercial zoning), but single- and multi-family residences are a conditional use of property zoned C1. She asked the board to grant a conditional use permit and to consider changing its water tap fees to help make the residences affordable. Collins said the town’s code would need to be amended to allow multi-family residences such as duplexes to use septic systems.

Krob said the resolution that would grant the conditional use permit would only take effect if the town amends by Aug. 1 its code to allow the use of septic systems for multi-family residences. The town would not change the code without parameters set by the town’s engineer to govern septic systems for multi-family residences.

The public hearing was closed, and the board voted in favor of Resolution 21-2024.

Havenar told the board that Nikki McDonald and John Cressman, both of whom had served as mayor of Palmer Lake, had recently sold a property on Greeley Avenue. Havenar was the real estate agent who handled the sale. Four water taps were associated with the property, but the buyer only wanted to build three houses, leaving one of the taps available, Havenar said. McDonald had paid the monthly charge for the tap and would like to retain ownership of the tap and transfer it to another property she owns, Havenar said.

The board packet noted that water taps can’t be transferred according to the town’s code.

The board voted unanimously to allow McDonald to transfer the tap to another property.

In her administrative report, Collins told the board public works equipment operator Blake Bloom would start this week. An accounting clerk would start on April 8. Collins said there were no applicants for the supervisor position in the Public Works Department, so she had initiated some recruiting assistance to hire someone on a temporary basis. Unused wages would cover the recruiting costs, she said.

Collins commended police officer Adam Lundy for accepting the position of interim police chief following the resignation of Jason Vanderpool. She also congratulated officer Eugene Ramirez on his promotion to corporal. In April, a consultant would be brought in to review the Police Department and make policy and structure recommendations.

Lundy said there were lots of things in motion in the Police Department and he was glad to have the support of the town to get through the changes.

Fire Chief John Vincent told the board that the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts had obtained a temporary certificate of occupancy, allowing the building to be open to the public. He said training on operating the department’s woodchipper was underway. He discussed how controlled burns can be used to reduce fire danger and mentioned a controlled burn near the Shiloh Pines neighborhood planned by the Forest Service that would take place over several days beginning in late May.

Vincent mentioned he had found a vehicle to replace the department’s Chevrolet Suburban after a search that began in October. He asked the board for authorization to purchase the replace vehicle for $35,000; the board authorized him to proceed with the purchase.

The March 28 meeting was preceded by an executive session to discuss negotiating positions on a possible sale of town property and to receive legal advice concerning the separation of former Police Chief Jason Vanderpool.

No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next regular board meetings are scheduled for April 11 and 25. All meetings will be held at the Town Hall. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

At its March meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard operational reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine, District Engineer Ariel Hacker, board Treasurer Roy Martinez, and board Secretary Bill Clewe, who also serves as the district’s liaison with the Joint Use Committee (JUC), which oversees the Tri-Lakes Waste Water Treatment Facility. The meeting ended with an executive session.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer told the board he expected a report on Colorado Springs Utility’s Edward Bailey Water Treatment Facility (EBWTF) to be complete in March. The report will help the Loop board decide if the EBWTF can be used to treat the Loop’s water, or if the Loop will need to build its own treatment facility. That decision will be a large factor in determining the total cost of the water reuse project.

Shaffer said the Loop was also working on pipeline alignments and easement acquisitions, and on the financial documents that will define the roles and responsibilities of the participating districts. The documents will address the question of whether the participating districts will lease water rights to the Loop. See the Loop article on page 14.

Shaffer also discussed bills under consideration by the state Legislature that could affect the district. A bill concerning Accessory Dwelling Units could have an impact on local land use policies, he said. Dick Brown, the district’s lobbyist, is also watching HB24-1379, which would create a state-run permit system to regulate when developers can dig up and fill in streams and wetlands. A second bill on that issue is expected.

LaFontaine told the board that the water report for February showed a 19% water loss. He said that, in addition to three other leaks, a service line to the Country Club at Woodmoor had failed and three days passed before the underground leak was identified. The lost water did not flow through the sewer system and may have made its way to Monument Creek, he said. LaFontaine said he was continuing to investigate the water loss.

He reported that the water meter replacement project was going well, with 12 to 14 meters a day being replaced. He estimated half the year’s goal for meter replacement would be met by April. He thanked the office staff for their effective communication with customers regarding meter replacement.

Hacker said Wildcat Construction would complete WWSD’s portion of the first phase of the Highway 105 expansion by April. Well 22, located on the southside of County Line Road, is pushing ahead, she said, and the transmission pipeline could be installed by summer if the county permitting process goes well. Installation of the pressure reducing valves required by the Monument Junction development would begin in March and should be complete in June, she said. A sewer capacity study was getting underway and planning for an additional storage tank for redundancy is beginning.

In his financial report, Martinez noted that water sales were up in February, despite a fair amount of precipitation. Sewer revenue was on target, he said. The district’s repair or replace program was at 27% of the annual allocation due to general maintenance expenses and costs associated with Lake Woodmoor.

Clewe told the board that the JUC had received two blowers, used to aerate sewage, from a sanitation district in Lafayette, Colo. The blowers are twice the size of the units they are replacing, he said, and they have variable frequency drives that pump less or more air at different times, which results in electrical cost savings.

The board held an executive session to receive legal advice on Water Court Case 12CW1 and potential agreements with Enerfin Renewables, LLC, JWI, Inc., and El Paso County. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is scheduled for April 8 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

The Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board held a public hearing March 20 on a homeowner’s petition for inclusion in the MSD service area. The board also heard an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker.

Parker told the board that he had been approached by Rick Squires, the owner of a 2.8-acre property at 128 Monument Lake Rd., to provide sewer service to the property. Parker opened a public hearing to consider the request.

Parker explained that the leech field of the septic system at Squires’ property was failing, and El Paso County would not issue a permit to repair or replace it since MSD had sewer infrastructure close to the property. Parker said that Squires would pay all costs required to bring sewer service to his property. Those costs would include an $8,000 sewer tap fee and the cost of a lift station like the one in place at the Wakonda Hills neighborhood, as well as legal fees.

It was difficult to locate the MSD sewer main, Parker said. He believed the locating equipment did not correctly measure the depth of the pipeline. The pipeline runs under railroad tracks, Parker said, which added a complication to providing service.

There were no comments from the public, and Parker closed the hearing.

The board voted unanimously to approve the petition for inclusion.

In his manager’s report, Parker told the board that accumulated grease had been pumped out of the Wakonda Hills lift station.

He said the upgrade of the district’s supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), which controls, monitors and analyzes the district’s sewer infrastructure, had gone well so far but had revealed that the radios used by the system are no longer available to purchase and newer models are not backward compatible. Parker said replacing the radios would cost $16,000 if done now; next year the cost would go up to $25,000. He recommended immediate replacement.

Internet connectivity is in place at all the SCADA sites, Parker said, and he recommended that connectivity become the primary method of connecting the SCADA sites, with radios moving into a backup role. Parker said he would bring a detailed proposal to the next board meeting for consideration.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 17. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

The Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) board held its regular meeting a day earlier than originally scheduled. The board heard about the district receiving an unexpected amount of additional acre-feet of water decreed from the Arkansas Valley Irrigation Co. (AVIC), approved an escrow agreement with a landowner, received multiple updates on the district’s projects, and heard about the snow removal efforts during the mid-March winter storm that delivered about 24 inches in some areas of the district. An executive session was held to discuss various matters.

Secretary/Treasurer James Barnhart was excused.

District Manager James McGrady said AVIC had decreed an average annual yield of about 569.4 acre-feet of water. The district had been hoping for 526 acre-feet and had initially purchased about 435 acre-feet of water. The additional water cost to the district is about $688,775, for a total cost of about $5.9 million for the water rights. The district budgeted for the overage, but will need to make some adjustments, he said.

Water attorney Chris Cummins of Monson, Cummins, Shohet and Farr LLC law firm said in 2020 when the district purchased the Stonewall Springs Reservoir complex and the Excelsior Ditch and that batch of assets that the district contracted to receive an outlet easement from the east reservoir to be built in the future when the last reservoir is built, but the seller could not deliver. The district escrowed $300,000 in May 2020 at closing to obtain the easement from the landowner to put water in the river. After a series of extensions, $150,000 of the escrow money was released to Stonewall Springs Water LLC because the easement was unlikely to cost $300,000. McGrady finally reached an agreement with the landowner to purchase the easement for $45,000. The final post-closing agreement will release $105,000 to Stonewall Springs Water LLC, and the remaining $45,000 will be released to the district to pay the landowner for the easement, Cummins said.

The board approved the final closing escrow agreement and final release between the Stonewall Springs Quarry LLC and TMD, 4-0.

McGrady said the NDS total project cost including Segment D is about $22.274 million and Kiewit has earned about $19.687 million, about 88% of the overall project, and the only remaining item is completion of the pump station. The district owes just over $2 million to finish the pump station. The district is expecting substantial completion around July 5. The pump house will contain two pumps with room for a third. Testing of the system is expected in June and then a ribbon cutting around July 10 at the Highway 83 Colorado Springs Utilities water tank.

Vice President Anthony Sexton asked if the project was over budget by about $1 million.

McGrady said not quite because the district had the materials to install the Segment D (Conexus development) pipeline, and Kiewit billed about $200,000 worth of labor for that installation, and the rest was about $500,000 in over runs on the project.

McGrady said the district began moving water out of the South Reservoir on March 18 and expects to move about 30 cubic feet per second, making a release downstream from the South Reservoir and exchanging water up into Pueblo Reservoir. The goal is to exchange about 1,000 acre-feet out of the South Reservoir to create a "bucket" to capture spring snow melt. The snowpack in the Arkansas River Valley is at about 104% (low estimate) and additional snows and rain over the next six weeks will potentially generate about 120 acre-feet a day.

The district is juggling storage to help capture spring melt and will start releasing water from the Big Johnson Reservoir beginning the first week of April. The exchange will pay the Arkansas Groundwater and Reservoir Association (AGRA) back in water, because all the water in the South Reservoir technically belongs to AGRA, he said.

Note: AGRA is a water utility company located in Fowler.

Sexton said the water exchanges are fictional and never physical.

Cummins said the water is diverted at the upstream source and water is released at the downstream source, and we pretend the water released at the downstream source is what was stored at the upstream source. There are limited windows to complete an exchange, and it must occur when there is enough water in the middle, so that other parties with water rights are not injured when water is taken from the upstream source. It is a complex concept and does not involve actual water molecules, he said.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said that at the direction of AGRA, the district released 100 acre-feet of water into the John Martin Reservoir on March 1-7.

Sheffield said the following:

This reporter thanked Superintendent Matt Rayno and the snowplow crews for the phenomenal job of keeping the streets plowed throughout the March 13-15 snowstorm.

Rayno said the snow removal crews worked around the clock during the snowstorm, keeping the streets passable in the district. Crews stayed with it to keep ahead of the storm, with prior budgeting for housing at The Fairfield Inn during major snow events staff operated on six-hour shifts throughout the storm. One truck completed over 300 miles during the snow event, and when a starter went out on a large truck, it was back in service within the day, he said.

Rayno said the following:

District counsel George Rowley of White Bear Ankele Tanaka and Waldron law firm said the loan with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) had been finalized.

McGrady said the loan extension discussed in October was approved by CWCB to cover additional overages at the South Reservoir. The loan for $450,000 retains the original 2.05% interest rate and is accounted for in the 2024 budget as a reimbursement to the district, and payments will not begin until 2025. See www.ocn.me/v23n11.htm#tmd. The district is exploring the possibility of raising money to construct a slurry wall at the Central Reservoir, and an application for the loan with CWBC is expected to be presented to the board for approval in May.

Rowley said that since the last Legislature session, special district websites are required to be in compliance with full accessibility standards by July 2024. Sites must be available to individuals with disabilities, such as easily readable fonts, text size, and colors. Remediating old documents may be time consuming and removing them may be the simpler option, or employing a third party to correct any issues could ease the burden. Noncompliance could lead to fines, Rowley said.

McGrady said he meets with GroundFloor media, the district’s public relations firm, every other week and it assures the district it is familiar with the new requirements. GroundFloor media receives $5,000 on a retainer per month for producing the district newsletter, public relations and website maintenance. GroundFloor has been pro-active in ensuring compliance and saw the regulations in advance, but he and Rowley would approach the subject again to ensure the district is compliant, McGrady said.

The board moved into an executive session at 7:12 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions, negotiations, and receive legal advice on: water and land acquisitions, the Highway Users Tax Fund share return, strategic planning, economic development incentives, and change case updates.

Sheffield confirmed the board returned to the regular session at 9:29 p.m. No actions were taken, and the board promptly adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of every month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 25 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and update, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

At its March meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board heard good news on water quality from General Manager Jeff Hodge. El Paso County Commissioner Holly Williams gave the board an overview of the county’s study of the Denver basin aquifers. The board also heard operational reports.

Hodge told the board that the hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) adsorption technology the district had implemented had reduced radium in the water DWSD delivers to its customers from the Holbein water treatment plant. The maximum contaminant level for radium is 5 pCi/L and DWSD water had tested at 5.1 pCi/L in 2022, Hodge said. Recent testing showed radium at 1.2 pCi/L, well within the limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Hodge gave the board information developed by Merrick Inc., the engineering company DWSD hired to design its HMO system, that told the history of the radium mitigation project. The presentation tracked the project from the enforcement order DWSD received in 2022 through the third cycle of radium testing completed in December 2023. The project included new equipment and training for staff. The materials credited the district’s culture of transparent collaborative decision-making as contributing to the success of the effort.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere pointed out that DWSD had used federal funds allocated to the district by the El Paso Board of County Commissioners effectively.

Hodge also had good news concerning the level of PFAS chemicals in district water. PFAS, the common name for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are used in a wide variety of consumer products, have been linked to diseases such as kidney and testicular cancer. Hodge said the district’s water did not contain a measurable amount of PFAS at present, but testing would continue.

Williams opened her discussion of a water availability study planned by the county by making a distinction between "paper water"—that is, legal rights to water—and "wet water," that is, water in the ground. Williams said the county has not done a study of the Denver basin aquifers since the 1980s and wants a better understanding of the current state of those aquifers. The aquifers are depleting, she said, adding, "there’s not as much water as we thought there was."

Williams said the county commissioners wanted DWSD, Triview Metropolitan District, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Monument Water Department, Palmer Lake Water Department and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District to contribute data to the study.

Williams said the county has a 300-year water rule, adopted in the 1980s, that requires new developments to prove access to adequate water for that length of time. Hydraulic conditions have changed since then. Other entities have a 100-year threshold, she said. Williams said there is plenty of room to grow in the Black Forest neighborhood.

Williams said the study would assess the available water in each of the Denver basin aquifers, identify the top and bottom of each aquifer, and evaluate geospatial data to assess potential limitations on water availability. A final report would be written that would guide water supply regulations. Williams said lot sizes could be adjusted to make available water last longer.

Vanderschuere said DWSD had reached similar conclusions and had begun investigating indirect potable reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and direct potable reuse.

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The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

At a brief meeting in March, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard a progress report from John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co., who also serves as the Loop Water Authority’s project planning and workflow manager. Board President Jessie Shaffer gave a financial report. The board also held an executive session.

Kuosman told the board that the alignment study, which will address the locations of pipelines and easements required to convey water from Fountain Creek northward to customers in the participating water districts, is underway and he expected it to be complete by the end of March.

At a previous meeting, Rebecca Hutchinson, a consultant with Merrick who is working on pipeline and easement issues for the Loop, told the board that she has contracted with two companies that specialize in easement investigations and acquisitions. Kimley-Horn is working on the pipelines and easements for the southern half of the project and Western States Land Services LLC is working on the northern half of the project, she explained.

Kuosman asked the board members to have their thoughts on the commitments that will be required of the participating water districts submitted to attorney Russ Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLC by March 28. Dykstra is drafting the contract that participating districts will sign to formalize their participation in the project.

Kuosman said progress had been made in defining treatment options for the water that will be diverted from Fountain Creek and he would provide details during the executive session.

Shaffer told the board that the Loop’s accountant, Kathy Fromm, of Fromm and Co., had suggested two companies for the board to consider as auditors: Haynie and Co. and Stockman Kast Ryan + Co. Shaffer said the federal grant money received by the Loop required more rigorous auditing procedures and the board would need to advise Fromm about choosing between the two auditing companies. The board voted to authorize Shaffer to continue to work with Fromm on this decision.

Shaffer said he had received invoices for the month totaling $32,932, with Bishop Brogden and Associates, Fromm and Co., and Merrick Inc. being the largest service suppliers. The board authorized Shaffer to pay the invoices.

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice from the Loop’s attorney regarding negotiating strategies and to hear a discussion of water treatment options from Kuosman. No votes were taken after the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see www.loopwater.org  or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) board met on March 6 and conducted a public hearing on the proposed exclusion of the majority of real property within the district’s jurisdiction pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 32-1-501(1.5) so that it may be included into the jurisdiction of Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD).

Director Mike Forsythe joined the meeting at 4:52 p.m.

The district’s attorney, Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending in person, said the district and TLMFPD had been working since 2022 to merge the two agencies into a single fire protection district that will provide fire protection services to the combined area. TLMFPD will be the surviving district and will officially change its name to "Monument Fire District" to reflect the broader geographic area of the district.

Powell said the merger process is at the point of the inclusion and exclusion of real property, a process that is similar to the way a municipality might annex or de-annex property. Shortly before the meeting, the TLMFPD board held a public hearing and the board agreed to include all the properties within the Wescott area into its boundaries. All except two properties will remain within the district after the inclusion/exclusion process is complete. Those properties belong to the two board members who will continue as directors to assist her in the final dissolution of DWFPD. Upon completion of the dissolution process, the two remaining properties will be included into the MFD boundaries. The inclusion/exclusion process will take place on the same day to prevent any lapse in fire protection services, she said. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#dwfpd.

The board opened the public hearing on the exclusion and inclusion of property, and Powell confirmed the notice of the hearing had been published as required by law.

Volunteer Pension Board Trustee Dennis Feltz said 14-year former Wescott volunteer firefighter Dan Milano had passed away on Feb. 20, 2024. Milano and several firefighters had survived with injuries from falling through the burning roof of the Yorkshire Apartments in May 1976, but the fire claimed the lives of firefighter Donald Wescott and three occupants. DWFPD was built by the community and volunteers, and the district adopted the name Donald Wescott in 1981 to memorialize the loss of Wescott.

Feltz said that in the past, a downfall happened (when revenue was lost along with rooftops) and the department was mismanaged, but since the merger began the district stations on Gleneagle Drive and Highway 83/Stage Coach Road are now fully staffed with professional firefighters. A lot of changes have occurred since the paid professional staff took over, and Feltz thanked Fire Chief Andy Kovacs for ensuring the firefighters are always turned out professionally and the on-duty volunteer firefighters are no longer spotted in gym shorts and flip-flops at King Soopers.

The growth is significant within the region, and a study recommending Wescott merge with the Monument departments in the 1990s only resulted in the Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (WMFPD) being taken over in 2008 by TLMFPD. Since the initial study, further studies recommended the triangle be completed to include the Wescott district. Feltz hopes everything keeps growing and the chief extends the leadership into the future, and history will repeat itself with another successful merger, he said.

Note: A brief history on the formation of the DWFPD can be found at https://monumentfire.org.

The board approved the resolutions in the certified order.

Powell said a 30-day waiting period would ensue before anything happens legally, even though both boards have agreed to the exclusion and inclusion of property. The El Paso County District Court will issue a public order after recognizing all the correct steps have been made. The boundary change will be official after the documents are recorded at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Office. The process is dependent on the court’s calendar, but it is hoped that it will be completed in April.

Treasurer Duane Garrett said the districts have gone back and forth for years to make the merger happen, and finally the right people were in place. He is excited for the future of the district and ready to move onto the next chapter as an MFD board director.

President Mark Gunderman said the concept of a merger had been 20 years in the making and both boards had been working on the merger for four years. The department is modernizing the stations, providing better pay for the firefighters, and implementing new technology. The merger was the right thing to do for the community and the firefighters, he said. The district only encountered a few minor bumps in the road along the way, and he thanked Powell, the executive staff, and the combined district firefighters for their efforts.

Powell thanked the staff, the board directors, and the attendees at every meeting for their support during the merger process. "It was a heavy lift for everyone" and she was currently involved with four fire department mergers, she said.

Fire Chief Kovacs said:

Note: The Station 4 (Gleneagle Drive) Engine Company is operating from Colorado Springs Fire Department Station 22 (Voyager Parkway and Copper Center Parkway) during the remodel. See www.ocn.me/v24n2.htm#mfd and the MFD article below for additional information.

The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

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Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular meeting will be held on April 24 at 4:30 p.m. For Zoom meetings instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

At the Monument Fire District meeting on Feb. 28, the board held a public hearing before approving the inclusion of two unincorporated El Paso County properties in the Forest View Acres subdivision, approved the 2024 Employee Handbook, and received an update on the Station 3 rebuild land purchase agreement.

The board held a special meeting on March 6 to conduct a public hearing for the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) and Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) inclusion/exclusion of real property process.

On March 27, the board received information about the land purchase costs to rebuild Station 3, received an after-action storm report for the mid-March snow event, and held a lengthy discussion on the opportunity to purchase acreage for a future sixth station.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs was absent for the Feb. 28 and the March 27 meetings.

President Mike Smaldino and Secretary Jason Buckingham were excused on March 27.

At the Feb. 28 meeting, the board held a public hearing for the following two properties seeking to be included into the district:

Hearing no comments in favor or opposition, the board closed the hearing. In a roll call vote, the board approved the real property inclusions. Vice President John Hildebrandt abstained in the roll call vote due to audio difficulties via Zoom.

Note: The district received a list of properties from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) identifying properties within the greater district boundaries that had not been officially recorded within the district. The district informed each of the property owners via letter, asking if they would like to be included into the district for fire protection and EMS services. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#mfd.

Division Chief of Community Risk Jonathan Bradley said the board is required to approve each change to the 2024 Employee Handbook. The executive staff must refer to the board to make administration amendments throughout the year, and the fire chief is seeking board approval to make any minor stylistic changes consistent with district practices, without going back to the board.

Local 4319 President Engineer Christian Schmidt said the Local 4319 was always given the opportunity to review the Employee Handbook before any changes are presented to the board.

The board unanimously approved the MFD 2024 Employee Handbook and granted the fire chief authority to make minor changes throughout the year.

John Sattler, vice president of NVS Program Management, representing the district and overseeing the new Station 3 rebuild and the station remodeling projects, said the preliminary design and a program had been developed since September 2023 and a design workshop is scheduled to begin in early April with OZ Architects. See www.ocn.me/v23n9.htm#mfd. The selection of the site and the development of the purchase and sale agreement with the developer/seller is a complicated arrangement that exposes the district to some unusual risks, because normally a finished lot would be purchased and the site selected (adjacent and north of the YMCA, Jackson Creek Parkway) has yet to be subdivided and developed for public improvements.

The due diligence components total about $40,000 to $50,000 for the geo-technical investigation, survey plat, phase 1 environmental study, and a 10-month design adapted for the site. If another site needs to be selected, the design could still fit. The wild card will be the platting and subdivision approval process (about nine months) through the Town of Monument (TOM), but getting the clock started by executing the purchase and sale agreement and providing earnest money is key to obligate the seller to begin the process with the TOM.

The entire process is anticipated to take about 30 months, with a 12-month construction period and completion in 2027. Due to the town’s six-month moratorium on planning approvals that began in January, it is unknown how long the TOM will take to appove the development. The board will be briefed if the developer runs into a roadblock or dead end and further strategies will be discussed to move the rebuild process along, Sattler said. See www.ocn.me/v24n2.htm#mfd.

The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. on Feb. 28.

At the March 27 meeting, Sattler said the purchase and sale agreement for Fire Station 3 land had fallen short of being presented for approval on the action item agenda, and approval will require a special meeting. However, an agreement in principle had been reached earlier that day with legal counsel, Kovacs, himself, and the sellers. The Station 3 lot purchase price for 2.06 acres is about $1.3 million, substantiated by a third-party appraisal completed last year for $15 per square foot.

Future obligations for board approval will be the pro-rated construction for the shared access driveway into the subdivision, the initial traffic signal pro-rated with other occupants, and the future widening of Jackson Creek Parkway that is likely to happen after the station is built. The widening will have no impact on the usable acreage and the cost share of about $1.5 million is expected to be about $300,000 for the district. The total obligation is estimated to be about $1.7 million (does not include building the station). The request for action at the special meeting will be about $1.3 million and a $25,000 earnest money check to the seller. The earnest money will not be returned should the district need to back out, Sattler said.

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner said the district anticipated the costs to begin the project and budgeted $2.4 million for the lot purchase price, infrastructure costs, and design phase for 2024.

At the March 6 special meeting, the board held a public hearing pursuant to a notice published in The Gazette to consider proposed Resolution 2024-09 and a certified order approving the inclusion into the district’s jurisdiction of the real property within the jurisdiction of DWFPD (except two properties that will remain until the board dissolves upon the dissolution of the district). See DWFPD article on page 14.

The DWFPD district attorney, Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, confirmed the intergovernmental agreement remains in place to allow for uninterrupted fire protection and Emergency Medical Support (EMS) services. DWFPD will exist until the merger is completed, she said. After hearing no comments from the public, the board closed the hearing.

The board approved the inclusion of real property in a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m. on March 6.

At the MFD March 27 meeting, Executive Battalion Chief Micah Coyle said over the past five years, three large regional snowstorms occurred around mid-March, and the district expects major snow events similar to the event March 13-15 to occur again. He thanked the district’s regional partners, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Monument Police Department (MPD), Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD, and Palmer Lake Fire Department (PLFD). A Joint Command Center in preparation for the storm was set up at the Monument Town Hall, operating as a 911 call center to cover calls for MFD, PLFD, BFFRPD, Falcon District 5, and MPD. MPD and the TOM Public Works Department operated from the center. Crews were dispatched according to location with BFFRPD handling the east division along with Station 2 and 5, and Stations 1, 3, and 4, and PLFD handling the west.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at St. Peter Catholic Church for stranded motorists. Thankfully citizens heeded the storm warnings and stayed home, reducing the number of incidents to the rescue of four stranded motorists, one ambulance transport and a traffic accident. The district’s new plow was beneficial for emergency operations, but there were a few areas typically retaining large drifts and the plow became stuck in north Woodmoor, and off County Line Road and east of Highway 83 when called in to assist crews responding to medical calls. New drivers are being trained to operate the 1967 Snowcat, but an oil leak was noticed after training and repairs are being made, he said.

Bumgarner said the district just missed out on purchasing a 1990s replacement Snowcat with a trailer caboose from a rebuild center in La Junta last month. It had a good price point and sold quickly for about $125,000.

Coyle said many truck drivers were exiting at Baptist Road to find a spot to camp at the gas station rest stops, and the area quickly became inundated with an overflow of commercial vehicles. For several hours MPD helped redirect many commercial vehicles that had become stuck and needed to turn around. That helped while signs were put in place instructing commercial vehicles not to exit at Baptist Road. A district employee liaising at the OEM heard about plans to close I-25 and fortunately via Zoom call, statements to CDOT helped keep the corridor open. An I-25 closure typically increases the possibility of tricky rescues as motorists seek alternative plowed routes, Coyle said.

Bumgarner said about 24 to 30 inches of snow fell with drifting in various locations, and Crystal Park above Manitou Springs received 51 inches. The district may need to discuss an additional plow attachment for an existing vehicle in the future.

Bumgarner said the QuikTrip Corp. had offered the district two options to purchase 2 acres for about $1.165 million for a future Station 6, or a little over four acres on the lot for about $2.330 million. The district budgeted $500,000 for the land purchase in 2024 with the anticipation that $500,000 could also be taken from the Impact Fee Fund. If the 4-acre option is chosen, some funds could be taken from the Station 2 remodel project, or a loan could be taken out for the remainder of about $1.333 million plus interest and be paid off in 2025. The land is west of the QuikTrip gas station and restaurant off Terrazzo Drive and Baptist Road. The square footage price offered is below the market price, he said.

Director Roger Lance asked if the district could sell the 2 acres in the future if the district did not need all four after building Station 6.

Bumgarner said the district would have the option to sell the remaining acreage after building on the lot.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said he would prefer to retain the funds for the Station 3 project and only purchase the 2 acres needed for the standard-size fire station.

Bumgarner confirmed that all the road infrastructure, water, and utilities are in place.

Director Randall Estes asked Bumgarner why the district sees a need to purchase more land than is needed.

Bumgarner said the district needs 2 acres to build a station, but he does not know down the road what all the district’s needs will be in 10 years, and how much growth could occur. It would not be a bad idea for future investment purposes, he said.

Lance said it would be preferable to have the option of additional acreage to use if needed for expansion or retain at a bargain price for future investment, knowing that land will be in short supply even though a future sale might be unknown.

Estes said he has mixed feelings about purchasing additional acreage looking for an increase in value over time, and it raises red flags to borrow money if the district cannot write a check and pay cash for the land.

Kelly said he would rather keep interest and expenses down, knowing the district is building a $15 million station and plans to build a training center. He said the district should use funds to ensure Station 3 gets what it needs and focus on getting two things right rather than jeopardizing the district by going into further debt.

Hildebrandt said thinking long-term he agreed with Lance’s position and said almost all land is spoken for and having options is desirable as opposed to having options pushed upon the district because of inaction. He is sensitive to the finances and not borrowing, but knowing projects can be moved around, he favors purchasing 4 acres, with the likelihood that 2 acres would be snatched up quickly if the district has financial problems in the future, and probably for a profit.

Kelly said it is taxpayer dollars, and he is not comfortable with all the moving parts and projects the district has going on, and solid cost estimates on the projects have not yet been determined. He would need further estimates for all the projects before deciding.

Bumgarner said the chief suggested the district could borrow $1.1 million (plus interest) for one year and pay off the loan next year. The Station 2 model will not commence until late 2024, and it is budgeted for $2.3 million. The district could divert those funds because the project will not get close to the allocated amount this year.

Kelly said the district will still have to finance a "heck of a chunk" out of the $15 million needed for Station 3. The district could get into a bind if financing is 8% on the loan for Station 3.

Tharnish agreed the 4-acre purchase was likely the best path but agreed it would be a reach financially. It is not a losing proposition, and there is some risk involved, but so far land is trending upward in value and the district could sell the additional 2 acres.

Estes said it is unknown how the market will fare with current interest rates, and commercial land is not moving quickly. He had heard commercial contractors were pulling out and the district could get stuck with a dead piece of property. He declined to decide either way on the acreage, but said it was an incredible piece of property.

Tharnish suggested the district request a first right of refusal on the additional 2 acres.

Lance said the district does not know the real commercial value of the property offered at a reduced cost by QuikTrip, and the owners could increase the price.

Estes said the first right to refusal price would be negotiated upfront when purchasing the first 2 acres.

Bumgarner said the district has been working on the right to purchase the land for about a year, and it is unknown what the accreditation process will point out, but at some point a station will be needed in the southwest corner of the district, and a station would not be built on the site for five years.

Hildebrandt said the district had been looking to build a station in that area for about six years and he only sees calls increasing in that area with residential build-out and the growth in the commercial areas in the next several years. If there is a project that is not started, but funded in 2024, there is money to utilize for other projects.

Bumgarner said the additional acreage could house a repair shop and/or a logistic facility if the district does not build those facilities on the 14 acres at Station 1. If that happens, the additional 2 acres in the southern part of the district would not be needed. Ideally a repair shop would be placed in an industrial commercial area with easy access for trucks.

Kelly said three directors appear to be on board and he would be interested to know more about first right to refusal and the opinions of the absent directors.

Coyle said the following:

Bradley said the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is planning a controlled burn in the areas that were machine-mitigated over the past two years in the Mount Herman Road area. The USFS is keeping the district informed and is planning a three-day back-to-back controlled burn in May or June, depending on fuels moisture and weather conditions. A USFS team will provide a campaign to educate the public. The USFS has requested backup from the district during those days, and it plans to burn about 200 acres per day. The USFS plans to continue controlled burns into the future.

Coyle said staff met with a resident living south of Station 1 to discuss concerns about the proposed training center site development. A proposed training center informational meeting will be held on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105 or virtually via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6714043850?omn =86004342465 meeting ID 671404 3850. Site developer Chris Purdue and board members will be in attendance to answer questions.

Bumgarner said the district is working on the preliminary site plan, the drainage, core sampling, and a noise study, and anticipates all the data being available at the informational meeting. No action will be taken by the board at the meeting, but public comments and concerns will be welcome, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. on March 27.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

The Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) appears to have reached full capacity considering budget estimations and configuration of facilities. This provides staff the opportunity to focus on solidifying processes, structure, procedures, asset management, and long-range planning. Therefore, staff has reorganized to emphasize the roles, responsibilities, and accountability for each section, branch, division, group, unit, and team. The monthly department report reflects these changes providing simple, clear, and concise information regarding projects and data while eliminating areas that have "nothing to report."

Board Chair Nate Dowden noted that Chief PJ Langmaid has been chief since June 2020. Dowden questioned if the board had been clear in their expectations with respect to Langmaid’s performance. Dowden stated he has not been clear and direct regarding expectations and wishes to provide clarity and boundaries for rules of engagement and performance to promote the chief’s ability to succeed. An annual evaluation of the chief has not been provided previously by the board, but this will be done in the future.

The goal for this segment of the board meeting was to clarify which subjects do or do not require board consultation before the chief proceeds with actions. Some examples given were staffing agreements with other departments, development of a fire academy, and the presentation of outside communications to the board.

All board personnel were given large three-ring binders that contained district policies with approvals pending and documents pertinent to the administration of district business and operations.

The board’s responsibility to the district extends beyond financial oversight and includes objectives such as whether the board wants the department to be an elite force or to focus on a capable force that performs well. Expressing concern about the designation of an elite force, Dowden stated each firefighter is highly qualified and experienced. Whether the district firefighters are more elite than city fire departments was discussed. The word "elite" was questioned as a possible hyperbole.

Treasurer Jack Hinton referred to proposal policies in the binder noting specific language in some and his recommendations on some financial policies and questioned processes surrounding others. Attorney Linda Glesne has reviewed all proposed policies. Also reviewing the proposed policies, the directors expressed concerns that there may be ambiguities between policies and questions of content versus intent.

Treasurer Hinton reported that the district has assets of $1.78 million and $2.66 million in total assets. The previous month’s revenues were ambulance receipts of $7,785 and tax revenues of $53,936 with notable expenditures of worker’s compensation, restocked uniform items, and reported monthly hours worked of 8,291.7 hours.

District mechanic Gavin Smith traveled to Florida for final inspection of a tender, and among a few items noted was a $3,000 change fee due to extra painting required for the tender in Colorado, which will be paid for on delivery.

Langmaid laid out his primary focus and intent:

Despite the significant daily operational workload, the leadership within the organization is consistently focused on strategic planning for the next five, 10, and 20 years of professional and high-performing service delivery.

Emry to assume the section lead for finance and administration

The reorganization timing was predicated on the leadership team’s desire to begin developing more detailed long-range plans, detailed asset management plans, and the departure of Director of Public Relations Brooke Reid. The departure of the director allowed the district to bring on a very experienced paralegal from the District Attorney’s Office. Lisa Emry was with the office for 10-plus years, allowing her to now assume the section lead for finance and administration. This change now allows for Administrator Rachel Dunn to focus on logistics and planning. Dunn’s wildland background has been and continues to be in logistics and she has now assumed the responsibilities of being the section lead for asset management plans, long-range planning, and the daily logistics of the district.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7 p.m. For joining instructions, updates, agendas, minutes, and reports, visit http://bffire.org or contact the director of Public Relations at Admin@bffire.org or call 719-495-4300.

The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its bi-monthly meeting March 9. NEPCO’s purpose is to serve and be a point of contact between local government and agencies regarding land use matters that impact member associations and their residents. NEPCO is a nonprofit corporation formed in June 2000. Bob Swedenburg, vice president, is a founding member of NEPCO with continued service since its inception. Mike Aspenson, president, called the meeting to order. NEPCO has 51 Homeowners Associations (HOAs); there were 21 HOAs present, short of a quorum.

Several board members gave their reports. Wildfire/Preparedness Committee Chair Beth Lonnquist spoke to remind those present that Monument Fire District (MFD) opened registration on March 26 for free chipping days for HOAs in the area. MFD will send two firefighters and a chipping truck. HOAs will need 10-12 people working together to prepare the slash and tree limbs for the chipper, then on chipping day to help load the hopper with the debris. To sign up your HOA and more information about fire mitigation, go to www.monumentfire.org

Guest speakers Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) Director Andy Gunning explained that it is a council of 16 jurisdictions covering El Paso, Teller, and Park Counties. It is preparing a wildfire protection plan between Monument and Palmer Lake with a grant from the federal government.

PPACG also funnels funds from federal and state money to military planning programs, the Council on Aging, metro planning, and long-range transportation, air and water quality control. See www.ppacg.org.

Jared Verner, policy and communications legislative advocate, explained that PPACG continues to promote local control and opposes state-directed unfunded mandates. The Legislative Affairs Committee tracks and reviews legislative bills and proposals. For 2024’s 120-day legislative session, over 560 bills have been introduced. HOA members are welcome to the committee meetings www.ppacg.org/committees.

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NEPCO meets every other month on the second Saturday. The next meeting is scheduled for May 11, 10-noon at the Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. The topic will be "Recent Colorado State Legislative Impacts on HOAs" with attorney Lenard Rioth and District 20 State Rep. Don Wilson, former Monument mayor. For more information, go to www.nepco.org.

On March 21, the Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) Board of Directors held its bi-monthly meeting, which was the second meeting since the all-volunteer GCA board hired Warren Management Group (WMG) to assist with administration of the associated Gleneagle community. The GCA board members in attendance were President Gordon Streich, Vice President Shawna Uehling, Glen Leimbach, Mark Connell, and Glen Gutnayer. There were eight community members in attendance along with WMG representatives Joshua Gregory and Holly Finney. The meeting began at 5:30 p.m.

In February, WMG emailed a document to GCA members and posted it to the GCA portal on the WMG website (www.portal.warrenmgmt.com). The document outlined WMG duties and services provided to the GCA board and community. These duties include certain homeowners’ communications; management services such as advising the Board of Directors who retain decision-making responsibility and serving as a liaison with legal counsel when legal action occurs; in-house accounting services such as tracking homeowners’ account balances and delinquencies, tracking insurance status, renewals, and claims, preparing meeting agendas and recording minutes, and tracking Architectural Control Committee submissions and approved modifications.

According to the document, WMG does not currently perform event attendance, governance inspection, violation letters, or management of the Rae Berg Open Space. In general, WMG can perform most duties except for those related to governance compliance, though part of the meeting discussed reviewing this option in the future.

The board reviewed and approved the 2023 year-end financials and reviewed the income and expense reports for January and February. Streich reported the GCA came in under budget for 2023.

WMG has an hourly based contract for the transition period and beginning of the relationship with GCA as requested by the GCA board. Streich stated the costs are within the GCA operational budget. He said the initial startup costs of the relationship were understandably high but had become more in line with what was expected as the relationship has become more defined.

Gregory suggested that the board withhold public discussion regarding specific residents who are delinquent in their assessment payments until the executive session following this meeting. During the Manager’s Report, Gregory stated 117 homeowners had not paid their assessment. This includes 74 that had not paid for 2023 and 49 who had not paid for multiple years. This equates to over $8,000 in uncollected assessments.

Gregory also requested an inventory of association assets, current contract information with Fast Track Construction, and term expirations for present GCA board members. He also said the transition to the WMG portal has been completed. Gregory said three new homeowners joined the association since December 2023.

When a home sale occurs, WMG is usually contacted by the prospective buyer through the title company who requests a Homeowners Association (HOA) status letter and occasionally an HOA compliance inspection and letter. The status letter provides information on the administrative history of the home and its standing within the association, such as whether HOA assessments had been paid and whether there were outstanding HOA violations. The compliance inspection requires a WMG representative to perform an inspection of the home to determine if it complies with the GCA governing documents. WMG is paid by the buyer, usually through the closing costs of the home sale, for providing the status letter and compliance inspection and subsequent letter. At this time, WMG cannot perform any governance (inspections and notifications) as outlined in the GCA governing documents. Funds received through GCA assessments cannot be used for governance inspections unless the GCA governing documents are changed, requiring a two-thirds vote from the membership to change it.

During the Roads, Signs and Ditches Committee report, Connell stated that the street sign on Pauma Valley that was damaged during the recent snowstorm is being repaired. He has spoken with a homeowner on Rangely Drive about removing vegetation that is obstructing a street sign. A request has been made to the El Paso County Department of Public Works to install crossing markers with possibly flashing signs where trails from the Rae Berg Open Space cross over streets including Gleneagle Drive, Pauma Valley Drive, and Doral Way.

A discussion about the submission process occurred during the Architectural Control Committee portion of the meeting. Submissions are currently performed through the GCA website and two GCA board members review the request, providing a decision to the homeowner. It was discussed what the process might be if WMG assumed this role and the possible associated fee for WMG to conduct the inspection and subsequent documentation. This was tabled for future discussion.

During the Covenant Control Committee portion, it was stated that WMG cannot provide governance enforcement given the present stipulation in the governing documents that assessment payments cannot be used to pay for governance enforcement. Presently, it requires a GCA board member to identify a violation and the GCA board to then send out the first notice by certified mail as required by Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA) and House Bill 1137. There was a discussion about having WMG perform the administration of sending the non-compliance notice(s) to the homeowner but that was tabled given the need for legal review of the governing documents to determine if this is allowable.

Connell suggested a one-year pilot program to use non-assessment funds from a land sale that totaled $60,000 to have WMG perform the entire convenance review process, from performing neighborhood inspections to sending out the notices and seeking compliance. A question was raised about whether those funds could be used depending on whether assessment payments were used in the original purchase of the land. Streich stated his concern that the relationship between WMG and GCA is still in its early stages and wants to ensure the original intent is being met before making changes to the relationship. This was tabled for future discussion.

The annual GCA garage sale was approved for June 7 and 8.

The board unanimously approved the renewal of the Owners Insurance that provides umbrella insurance including liability coverage. There was an 8% increase. Worker’s compensation insurance is provided by Pinnacol Insurance. Streich said the GCA is fortunate to have insurance as it has become more difficult for HOAs to acquire and retain it.

A discussion occurred regarding renewing the contract with Fast Track Construction that presently provides mowing and weeding of the common areas and islands. The board tabled approving a renewal of the contract until information regarding the company’s insurance coverage was obtained and discussed with the company.

Gregory provided a draft of the assessment notice letter. A statement balance letter will accompany the notice. The board approved a change in payment date to April 30 and no credit card option due to the excessive fee.

Members raised the following items during the GCA member comment portion of the meeting:

The general meeting ended at 7:37 p.m. The board then went into executive session.

The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on Feb. 28 after the deadline for the March edition of OCN. At that meeting, the board heard about plans to increase safety at Toboggan Hill along with other director reports.

At the March 27 WIA board meeting, representatives from the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) gave an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the board. The board also heard concerns from a resident on the placement of a shed on a neighboring property.

Carol Costakis, Jan McKinley, and Sue Leggiero from the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club told about their organization which has existed for over 50 years with a mission to do community service, grant making, and provide educational opportunities for its members and the community. TLWC has given out over $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and public service agencies. Most recently they have hosted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes. This was motivated by a personal experience where a member’s 37-year-old daughter-in-law collapsed and because of the fast work of people who knew CPR and had access to an AED saved her life.

TLWC decided it would offer classes and have trained over 75 members and their spouses in conjunction with Monument Fire District and UC Health. Costakis, McKinley and Leggiero noticed that The Barn did not have an AED and McKinley suggested that TLWC offer one to WIA, which approved the donation. TLWC does a lot of events at The Barn and feels it would be a great way to say thank you to WIA for having them and to give as a gift to the community.

Board President Brian Bush and Woodmoor Public Safety Chief Kevin Nielsen accepted the AED and its case, thanking the TLWC, noting that there are many events at The Barn that would benefit from this donation. McKinley suggested WIA notify the Monument Fire Department so that The Barn is listed as a location with an AED.

Noting that Toboggan Hill is a popular recreational sledding hill used by residents and others, Bush said the board decided to take some measures to increase safety. Caution signs have been placed on the hill, trees have been removed and orange fencing has been placed to block certain areas. The goal, he said, is to help sleds avoid contact with solid objects.

Resident Jennifer Davis brought up two items that have been addressed by the Architectural Control Committee, but she wanted to make sure were brought to the attention of the board. First, she noted that a neighbor had been approved to build a shed, but Davis felt it was placed in an existing easement and wanted to have it addressed so it would not create a precedent. Davis also said that a neighbor had been doing a major house remodel for over a year and it was causing parking problems and tearing up a common area. She noted that the neighbor had been granted waivers to allow construction equipment on a trail without notification to nearby residents, and with extensions to their timeline.

Bush said the suggestion to notify affected neighbors when WIA grants a variance was very reasonable. He also noted that WIA has a restoration agreement that any damage will be rectified. He suggested Davis or her neighbors could call WPS for help with parking issues. As to the shed being in an easement, Bush said he isn’t certain that she is correct, but that he also didn’t think it was reasonable to ask someone to move a shed that had been approved for over a year by WIA. Bush said he would confirm the situation and let her know the result and what steps the board decides to take.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on April 24.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/wia-calendar/. WIA board meeting minutes can be found at www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes/once approved and posted.

Caption: Monument Cemetery entrance at 800 Beacon Lite Rd. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

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