City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Mayor Bach: Wednesday Was “Once In 100-Year Storm” – News Story – KRDO Colorado Springs

June 9, 2012 By

Mayor Bach with Red Cross Director meeting neighbors hit by hailstorm June 2012

Mayor Steve Bach toured the neighborhood at Chelton and Santa Rosa on Thursday.  This section of town was hit hardest by the most recent hail  storm and the Mayor felt it was important to talk with the people who live near the Citadel about what they went through and the cleanup process.  With nearly four inches of rain and intense hail, the storm did plenty of damage. 

 Below is a link to video courtesy, KRDO.

Mayor Bach: Wednesday Was “Once In 100-Year Storm” – News Story – KRDO Colorado Springs.

Mayor talking with neighbors about damage from hailstorm June 2012

Mayor and City Street Crew member looking at storm damage

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Filed Under: Governance, Mayor Bach News

Colorado Springs welcomes new City Clerk

June 4, 2012 By

Mayor Bach And City Clerk Sarah Ball JohnsonColorado Springs has a new City Clerk. Mayor Steve Bach administered the oath of office for Sarah Ball Johnson on Friday, June 1, and then welcomed her to the City. Sarah comes to Colorado Springs from Kentucky.

Sarah Ball Johnson brings18 years of elections experience with state government.  She was selected after a comprehensive two-month recruitment and interview process with over 97 applicants.

“We are excited to have Sarah join our team.  She has an excellent background in government elections as well as superior credentials, I have great confidence in what Sarah will do for our city,” said Mayor Steve Bach.

The City Clerk is the official record keeper and custodian of the Corporate Seal of the City. The City Clerk’s Office also records all ordinances, agreements and other legal matters; publishes all ordinances and notices as required by law; attests all resolutions, ordinances, agreements, contracts and other legal documents of the City; prepares the City Council agendas and minutes; prepares the Liquor and Beer Licensing Board agendas and minutes; and conducts Municipal Elections.Sarah Ball Johnson Swearing In

The brief ceremony, held in the City Administration Building, was attended by City Council President Scott Hente and several City staff members, including Chief of Staff Laura Neumann and Chief of Economic Vitality Steve Cox. Sarah’s proud husband and parents were also there, having driven all the way from Kentucky to attend the swearing in ceremony.

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Filed Under: Colorado Springs City Council, Governance, Leadership

Mayors Want Fair Share for Pikes Peak Region

May 24, 2012 By

Pikes Peak Region Mayors Caucus

Mayor Steve Bach and the Pikes Peak Region Mayors Caucus, sent a letter to Don Hunt, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, reminding CDOT to give Colorado Springs and other cities in the Pike’s Peak region all the funding we’ve been promised.

Every year, our region is assigned about 9.5% of CDOT’s $1.2 billion annual budget, funding for rebuilding roads and developing our transportation systems. (And actually this year, we’ve been assigned 10.3% of the CDOT budget.) But over the last six years we’ve always received less than what we were promised, averaging per year only 7.6% of the annual budget, which has withheld from us about $135 million in all.

Mayor Bach’s letter does not ask to have the $135 million given to us, but does request that we be given our full 10.3% this year, which would be about $22 million more than what we normally receive. “With our long list of needed projects, this funding is crucial,” the letter says.

The letter was also signed by Calhan’s Mayor Blair Bartling, Cripple Creek’s Mayor Bruce Brown, Monument’s Mayor Travis Easton, Victor’s Mayor Buck Hakes, Fountain’s Mayor Jeri Howells, Woodland Park’s Mayor Dave Turley, Manitou Springs’ Mayor Marc Snyder, Green Mountain Falls’ Mayor Lorrie Worthey, Teller County’s Commission Chair Jim Ignatius, and El Paso County’s Commission Chair Amy Lathen.

Here is the entire letter from Mayor Bach and the Pikes Peak Region Mayors Caucus to Don Hunt:

Mr. Don Hunt

Colorado Department of Transportation

4201 East Arkansas Avenue, Room 262

Denver, Colorado 80222

 

Dear Mr. Hunt:

 

The members of the Pikes Peak Region Mayors Caucus have reviewed the information contained in your May 14, 2012 email to Mayor Steve Bach, regarding funding percentages for the Pikes Peak region (see attached).  We are in agreement with the facts contained in the email and believe the email supports our conclusions that the Pikes Peak region has not received its fair share of funding.

The calculations in the email are based on a $935 Million budget for CDOT.  The actual CDOT budget is approximately $1.2 Billion, but CDOT assumes a reduced budget to determine MOU amounts.  We are willing to accept this methodology as long as we have access to calculations so that we can verify conclusions.

Within that $935 Million budget, the Pikes Peak Region will receive $96 Million in 2012 (10.27% of the budget).  This includes the $30 Million provided for the I-25 widening.  This exceeds our MOU agreement of 9.48% and we have no argument with the funding allocation in 2012.  Our disagreement is in our historic and possible future funding.

Over the last six years (2006 to 2011) our portion of the statewide funding (according to CDOT calculations and confirmed during an April 12th meeting with CDOT staff) has been 7.06%.  During that same time period CDOT was able to meet the DRCOG MOU funding amount.  If our six year average had been 9.48% there would have been over $135 Million in additional funding available to the Pikes Peak Region.  For that amount of funding we could have reconstructed both the Cimarron Interchange and the Fillmore Interchange on I-25, or other critically needed projects in the region, during the last six years.

The 2013 Budget (with the additions recently recommended by STAC and the Transportation Commission) demonstrates that in 2013 DRCOG will receive 39% funding while PPACG will only receive 6% of funding.  That means DRCOG will be receiving 97.5% of their anticipated amount will PPACG will only receive 63% of our agreed upon funding.

As the elected officials within the Pikes Peak Region, we feel it is important for CDOT to commit to funding the region at the 9.48% that was agreed upon.  This would provide an additional $22 Million every year to the region.  With our long list of needed projects, this funding is crucial.

 

Regards,

 

Steve Bach                  Blair Bartling          Bruce Brown         Travis Easton         

Colorado Springs           Calhan                     Cripple Creek         Monument               

 

Buck Hakes                 

Victor

 

Jeri Howells                 Jim Ignatius            Amy Lathen

Fountain                        Teller County            El Paso County                                     

 

Marc Snyder                      

Manitou Springs

 

Dave Turley                 Lorrie Worthey

Woodland Park             Green Mountain Falls

 

CC:       John Hickenlooper, Governor, State of Colorado

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20745073/colorado-springs-claims-cdot-consistently-underfunds-citys-road

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Filed Under: Governance, Leadership, Mayor Bach News

Pictures from Mayor Steve Bach’s Second Town Hall Meeting

May 4, 2012 By
Mayor Steve Bach’s second Town Hall Meeting was held at the Southeast Family Center/Armed Services YMCA on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Southeast area residents, business owners and people from all over Colorado Springs attended. The room filled quickly and following emcee Richard Randall’s welcome, all stood to recite the Pledge of Alliegance.

Mayor Steve Bach opened by saying, ” I’m so glad you’re all here. This is an evening to share information with one another and listen to the good news about southeast Colorado Springs.”

Then he presented a Spirit of the Springs Award to Alicia Johnson who received 35 out of 36 on her ACT’s. The national average is 21. 

Mayor Bach said, “This is a great example of perseverance and we’re so proud of your excellence in academics. God Bless You!”

The Mayor is also working to help Colorado Springs achieve excellence through sound fiscal policies which requires an innovative approach. He said, “We need to move to priorities based budgeting and I need your input. I need to know what’s on your minds.”

Next up was Chief of Innovation and Economic Vitality, Steve Cox. He gave an update on transit and the “Rapid Response” initiative to cut red tape and create an environment to stimulate jobs. He listed businesses that will build in the southeast area and said, “Mayor Bach knows everyone and he wants people to get involved. He wants to make it easier for people to do business.”

The Mayor added, “Donna Nelson and I have met with the Black and Latino Coalition. We must have jobs in southeast Colorado Springs. We’re going to become the most business and citizen friendly city in the country. If we can succeed at that, we can do better. Landowners can give land to the City in exchange for a gift letter. Then we can offer the land to companies for free.” The Mayor referenced successes including giving land to Peterson AFB so they could expand and Frontier Airlines providing direct flights from Colorado Springs to Washington D.C.

 

Periodically, Richard Randall read questions from audience members in the room and questions that came in via the Mayor’s Twitter feed and Facebook page.

Donna Nelson, Economic Vitality Specialist, described the “Ticket to Success” Program as part of the Spirit of the Springs initiative where middle school students sit with the Mayor, City Counsel and other city leaders. 

Students will have four visits to the City and work on projects. This program and student scholarships will be funded by the Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament and art part of the long term plan to “grow our own” future City government leaders.

 

Fire Chief, Rich Brown, announced an innovative program where fire stations will now provide blood pressure checks and clinics to the public. Since diabetes and high blood pressure are big health risks, he said, “Your fire station will serve you 100 mph towards that end.” 

He was very enthused about Fort Carsons “Adopt a School” program where soldiers volunteer at 20 Colorado Springs schools. He asked himself, “Why can’t we be part of that?” He’d like to see every student be CPR certified before graduation. When it comes to public safety, Chief Brown believes, “W’re in it to win!” 

 Volunteers are a huge help when it comes to expanding public safety resources. Jean Krause of the Community Advancing Public Safety (CAPS) said, “I’m amazed at the lengths citizens of this town will go to in order to help.”

CAPS has seen an increase of 25% in their volunteer force up to 450 volunteers. They provide administrative help, assist with fire station programs and have even solved cold cases. Jean said, “If you’re involved in neighborhood watch, then you’re a part of this program! We have 800 block captains. Dennis Moore, Volunteer of the Year, Dennis Moore, is in the room. Our Advocates for Victims Rights program has 30 volunteers enrolled in a 10 week program.” 

Dave Munger and Valorie Jordan talked about StreetsScapes and Deerfield Hills Revitalization and made recommendations to the Mayor on gems within the community like UCCS, the Broadmoor and the entrance and exit to the City.

Valorie Jordan said there are five areas in the city that are strategy areas where we need to find partners and get the entire community involved. The Deerfield Hills Revitalization is set for May 12th where we’ll get the entire community involved. Booze Allen Hamilton, Sears, the City, etc. will each have one house to renovate. We have approximately $128,000 as the value of donations. Volunteers for May 12th can go to SpringsGov.com. We hope to replicate this effort in other areas.

“Everyone wants Colorad Springs to be successful. We need good people to run all across the City. We need to support City Council and everyone must vote. We’ve brought back 275 acres of parks, but need to look at how we run our parks. Those down here (in southeast Colorado Springs) deserve to be just as well maintained as any other,” said Mayor Bach

Mayor Bach closed the meeting with these inspirational words, “Thank you all for being here tonight. I hope you’ll find ways to get involved. We’re on the threshold of an amazing future!”

 

 QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE TOWN HALL MEETING:

“We want to create an environment which is business friendly and where retail can flourish.” –Steve Cox

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Diplomacy is not my long suit and I apprecate your patience.” –Mayor Bach

“The military is essential our community. Did you know William Jackson Palmer who founded our City was a Medal of Honor winner? God bless the military for all they mean to us!”

“I tried to stay at home but after one day of retirement, Suzi said it wouldn’t work!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Governance, Videos

Mayor Bach’s Town Hall Meeting Streaming Live

April 30, 2012 By

                                                  FOR MORE INFORMATION

Laura Benjamin

Communications Specialist

 (719) 385-5484

 NEWS RELEASE

April 30, 2012                                                                         

Mayor Steve Bach’s second town hall Meeting on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 will be streaming live from the Southeast YMCA beginning at 6:30 pm. You can see the live stream on www.bachsoffice.com.  Questions will be submitted on cards during the meeting.  Citizens can also submit questions before or during the meeting via email to: PublicComm@SpringsGov.com or via social media sites including https://twitter.com/mayorstevebach and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stephengbach .

Topics of discussion will be priorities for the Southeast section of Colorado Springs including:

  • Job Creation
  • Recruiting City Leaders
  • Citizens Advancing Public Safety Program or CAPS
  • Deerfield Hills Streetscapes
  • Citizen Input on Priorities

The Southeast Family Center/Armed Services YMCA is located at 2190 Jetwing Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80916. For directions, please visit http://southeast.ppymca.org/locations. All questions about the meeting can be directed to the City Communications Office at 719-385-5906.

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Filed Under: Budget, Community Relations, Governance Tagged With: , ,
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