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2026-09-21 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes (Legistar status Revised, treated here as approved; the status was not independently confirmed). A closed executive session followed the same day, see 2026-09-21 - City Council.

  • President Crow-Iverson called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. Eight members present; Kimberly Gold excused. Adjourned at 11:17 AM.
  • No changes to the agenda and no regular meeting comments. The September 8 work session minutes were approved by consensus.
  • Chamber and EDC gave the mid-year Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax contract update (the Chamber and EDC receives 750,000 dollars; 55 placements, 213.8 million unique visitors reached).
  • Quarterly financial report: 2026 year-end estimate above budget, revenue pulled into 2027 estimates; discussion of 911 Authority funding (2.275 million dollars), 60 to 70 percent workforce turnover figures and the new health plan provider.
  • Introduced an ordinance using 330,800 dollars of excess general fund revenue to eliminate the November 25, 2026 furlough day.
  • Reviewed the net metering electric rate and Utilities Rules and Regulations resolutions (81-26 and 82-26), the Civil Service Commission rules, a City Auditorium rent abatement extension to April 1, 2027, and the First Tee community benefit resolution (84-26).
  • No votes were taken; no items under study.

LART Tourism Contract Update

  • Dani Barger presented; Donelson asked about negative stories, Pikes Peak Ascent coverage and the 750,000 dollar amount.

2027 City Budget Planning

  • Charae McDaniel presented the Quarterly Financial Report. Year-end estimate higher than budget; the 911 Authority request was left out of the budget because it came in at a very different amount. Pro Tem Risley noted a 60 percent shift in total city workforce (70 percent with non-sworn). Henjum stated support for removing furlough days, pay increases, retail marijuana tax funding for police and fire equipment, and restored park restroom funding.

Furlough Day Elimination

  • Wayne Williams presented the ordinance amending Ordinance 25-95 to eliminate the November 25 furlough day using 330,800 dollars. Employees may use vacation, sick or unpaid time if they had planned the day off. Leinweber suggested giving the day off with pay; Donelson supported the administration's proposal instead.

Net Metering Rate Case

  • Chris Bidlack presented the electric rates resolution (7.B) and the URR resolution (7.C, see comments for 7.B). Average bill impact: 33 dollars on a 2025 basis, 38 dollars on a 2027 basis (Scott Shirola). Tristan Gearhart said a battery demand-side management program is intended to be announced as of April 1.

Civil Service Commission Rules Revision

  • Danielle Delgado presented the rules effective September 8, 2026; Police and Fire were consulted. Rainey asked about termination language.

City Auditorium Lease Rent Abatement

  • Kim King presented the amendment extending rent abatement for AVA Presents, LLC to April 1, 2027. If the date is missed, the rent calculation starts. Donelson supported the project.

Valley Hi Golf Course First Tee Lease

  • King and Kellie Billingsley presented the community benefit resolution (Signed Resolution 84-26); program ages 3 to 18; funding already secured.

Councilmember reports

  • Rainey reported on the Downtown Breakfast, a lunch with the UCCS chancellor, Air Force ROTC at UCCS and the International Association of Firefighters memorial ceremony.
  • Donelson honored World War II veteran and prisoner of war Ed Beck on his passing, mentioned the Blodgett Open Space ribbon cutting and Saluting Branches event, said he missed the Fallen Firefighters Memorial because he was running the Pikes Peak Ascent, and asked that the Project Taurus Data Center hearing date be moved to later in the month of April or before the election.
  • Henjum described flying over the city in a Douglas C-47 during airshow media day and attending the Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Saluting Branches ceremony.

Sources