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’s Solutions Teams Want Public Feedback

May 11, 2012 By

Mayor Steve Bach’s Solution Teams, led by experienced community leaders, are working with City staff to reinvent how quality services can be delivered to citizens within current budgets and resources.  Citizen feedback, ideas and suggestions are an important part of this ongoing conversation.

The Mayor’s Solutions Teams are looking for input and suggestions in the following four areas: downtown, streetscapes, transit and parks.  Please read about each of the four Solutions Teams and send your input to the email addresses provided.

DOWNTOWN SOLUTIONS TEAM

The Downtown Solutions Team is headed by Chuck Murphy, a general contractor in Colorado Springs. The team is charged with exploring ways to make downtown a more welcoming environment for both citizens and visitors, achieving a renaissance for the heart of our City.

To share ideas or get involved in the Downtown Renaissance Solutions Team, contact Mr. Murphy at 719-475-1634 or email DowntownSolutionsTeam@SpringsGov.com.

 

STREETSCAPES SOLUTIONS TEAM

The Streetscapes Solutions Team is headed by Dave Munger, a neighborhoods advocate. The team is charged with exploring options for beautifying neighborhoods without increased tax funding.

To share ideas or get involved with the Streetscapes Solutions Team, contact Mr. Munger at 719-337-5838 or StreetscapesSolutionsTeam@SpringsGov.com.

 

TRANSIT SOLUTIONS TEAM

The Transit Solutions Team is headed by Robert Shonkwiler, a retired business man with a comprehensive understanding of reinvention of customary practices. The team is charged with rethinking our transit system to achieve optimum customer service efficiently. The team members will look at ideas such as creating a transit zone within the City and the feasibility of using smaller buses, van pools, cab vouchers and other options.

The Transit Solutions team worked with the Transit Services Division of the City of Colorado Springs, administrator of Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) on a test project. The standard 36 or 39-seat buses were replaced with smaller 20-seat buses on several routes within the system. The test concluded in mid-February and recommendations were released on April 18, 2012. You can download the reports and presentations below:

Transit Solutions Team Recommendations 

Transit Solutions Team Report – Small Bus Field Test

Transit Solutions Team Specialized Transportation Analysis

TST – FREX Summary

TST Presentation 2011-11-07

To share ideas or get involved with the Transit Solutions Team, email TransitSolutionsTeam@SpringsGov.com.

PARKS SOLUTIONS TEAM

The Parks Solutions Team is headed by Richard Skorman, a downtown retailer and former Vice-mayor for the City. The team is charged with looking at ways to balance opportunities for our citizens with fiscal sustainability based on current resources. Community partnerships will be explored as part of the solution.

Parks Solutions Team Summary and Recommendations report

To share ideas or get involved with the Parks Solutions Team, contact Mr. Skorman at 719-578-5513 or email ParksSolutionsTeam@SpringsGov.com.

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Leadership, Mayor Bach News, Parks, Public Safety, Transit Tagged With: , , , ,

Mayor and Suzi Bach Join Volunteers at Park Cleanup

April 23, 2012 By

Volunteerism is alive and well in Colorado Springs! On Saturday, April 21, 2012, hundreds of volunteers joined Mayor and Suzi Bach for another Spirit of the Springs Park Clean-up Event.

It was also National Volunteer Week and the 11th Comcast Cares Day - a single day of service for more than 67,000 volunteers across the country and 4000 in Colorado. Comcast sponsored the event and hosted a catered lunch by Jason’s Deli for volunteers.

Volunteers picked up about 150 bags of trash. Supporters included Bill Kurtz who launched the Park Cleanup concept, 110 high school students from Civa Charter School, GE Johnson, Chief Petroleum, Diane Allen-Philips CEO of the Urban League, Friends of the Junior League, Catholic Charities, Charis Bible College and many others. Waste Management contributed a vital resource – the trash bags!

 

Mayor Bach said, “It was a glorious way to end the week. It’s heart-warming to see so many enthusiastic volunteers and people who love Colorado Springs come out and pitch in. Suzi and I are thankful to all those who made this possible – our sponsors and our volunteers.”

For those who wish to schedule their favorite park for a Spirit of the Springs Park Cleanup, contact Donna Nelson, the City’s Economic Development Specialist at dznelson@springsgov.com.

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Parks, Spirit of the Springs Tagged With: , ,

Parks Solutions Team Announces Final Recommendations

April 20, 2012 By

                                                 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Julie Smith

Communications Specialist

(719) 385-5256

 

NEWS RELEASE

April 20, 2012                                                                         

Parks Solutions Team Announces Final Recommendations

The City of Colorado Springs announces the final recommendations of the Parks Solutions Team (PST).  The PST, formed by Mayor Bach, was charged with recommending options to maximize the overall quality of life and economic development value of the City park assets now, and in the future, without assuming a tax increase would occur.  The final report will be given to City Council at the Informal Meeting on Monday, April 23.

The PST, headed by Richard Skorman, began meeting in December 2011 and spent many hours evaluating how to balance opportunities for citizens with fiscal sustainability based on current resources, as well as exploring community partnerships as part of the solution.  Following is a summary of the most significant recommendations; more details are available in the Parks Solutions Team Summary and Recommendations report.

1. Modify TOPS – Modify TOPS by way of a City referred measure placed on the November 2012 ballot to allow for the six percent maintenance allocation to be used on all properties, not just TOPS properties, and amend the 20 percent parks allocation to allow use for either new park development or park maintenance and renovation on all park sites, not just TOPS properties. 

2. Address Water and Partnerships with Colorado Springs Utilities – Extend the current 80 percent Conservation Rate for potable water through at least 2020, support changing current bond covenants that limit water rate flexibility, create a seasonal park donation line item on utility bills, encourage continued support of irrigation retrofits, and support a reduced tap fee for community or urban gardens.

3. Park Land Dedication Ordinance – Eliminate the current PLDO and replace it with a new park land dedication, capital improvement and long-term maintenance ordinance.

4. Re-purpose Park Land – Convert 10 percent of the present irrigated acreage to other uses by the end of 2013 (82 out of 820 acres), convert bluegrass in low-use parks to low-water turf, identify underutilized parks and explore repurposing opportunities and partnerships for each site, and pursue partnerships to include sports clubs, HOAs, etc. 

5. Plan for New Park Ongoing Maintenance – Determine the long-term maintenance costs prior to erecting new parks and trails, purchasing open space, and entering into new partnerships; and consider placing long-term maintenance costs in the capital financing for new parks based on an amortization schedule to be paid for with set aside funding or through partnerships

6. Water Sales Allocation – CSU sells water to outside users and 50% of proceeds generated from outside water sales are currently being paid to the City – recommend these proceeds from those sales should be used to offset water costs. 

To arrange an interview with Richard Skorman or Scott Smith from the Parks Solutions Team, please contact Julie Smith at 385-5256. 

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Filed Under: Parks, Press Releases Tagged With: ,

Mayor and Suzi Bach Join Comcast in Park Cleanup

April 20, 2012 By

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Laura Benjamin

Communications Specialist

(719)385-5484

 

NEWS RELEASE

April 20, 2012                                                                         

Mayor and Suzi Bach Join Comcast for Park Cleanup

 

On Saturday, April 21, 2012 Mayor and Suzi Bach will join community and Comcast Cares Day volunteers for another Park Clean-up Event as a Spirit of the Springs initiative. Volunteers will meet at 9:45 am in the parking lot near Mesa and Glen Avenue near Colorado College.

Comcast has dedicated Comcast Cares Day as an annual single-day of service with more than 67,000 volunteers participating across the country and more than 4,000 volunteers participating in the state of Colorado.

“We know citizens love their city. We hope park cleanups will provide an organized way to make a difference,” said Donna Nelson, event organizer and the City’s Economic Vitality and Innovation Specialist.

“We’re so honored to partner with Mayor and Suzi Bach on the Spirit of the Springs project and with all of the Colorado nonprofits in southern Colorado to improve our great state during the 11th Comcast Cares Day,” said Mike Valentin, Area Vice President for Comcast in Southern Colorado. “I’m grateful to the hundreds of community and Comcast volunteers who will be donating their time to help beautify parks in Colorado Springs.”

Last month at the XFINITY Store opening in Colorado Springs, Donna Nelson accepted a $2,500 donation from Comcast on behalf of the City. The donation contributed to the purchase of supplies and further park enhancements for the Spirit of the Springs service day project and Comcast Cares Day, when Comcast volunteers work alongside community volunteers to beautify parks in Colorado Springs.

For more information, please visit http://mayorstevebach.com/spirit-of-the-springs/parks-cleanup/

 

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Parks, Press Releases Tagged With: ,

Mayor Bach Announces Director Pending Council Confirmation

April 17, 2012 By

                                                                   

CONTACT:

Cindy Aubrey

Chief Communications Officer

(719) 385-5254

NEWS RELEASE

April 17, 2012

                                                                                               

Mayor Announces Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Mayor Steve Bach announced this morning the appointment of a new Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, pending confirmation by City Council on Tuesday, April 24.  After a comprehensive two-month recruitment and interview process with over 120 nationwide applicants, Karen Palus was selected by the Mayor and will begin her position with the City of Colorado Springs on Monday, June 18, 2012.  Ms. Palus will earn a salary of $128,000 per year.

“Karen’s extensive experience in park and recreation, as well as her leadership at the local, state and national levels will be a great asset to Colorado Springs.” said Mayor Bach.

Karen brings over 20 years of parks and recreational experience with both city and county government.  Most recently she served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Tampa where she worked for seven years.  During that time, Karen successfully attained National Accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation (CAPRA) for the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department.  Ms. Palus developed a park in the downtown core of the City of Tampa, after which time the park received numerous awards and was named one of the top ten new parks in the country for 2011.  She was the recipient of the Fellow Award, Achievement  Award, Outstanding Service Award and  Agency Excellence Award from the Florida Recreation and Park Association.

Ms. Palus began her career in Recreation for Brevard County Government in Florida.  She also worked in recreation for Martin County and Orange County.  Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Masters in Public Administration. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional as well as a Certified Youth Sports Administrator. She served as the Florida Recreation and Park Association President in 2004 and has been on their board of directors since 1997. She currently serves as the Head Faculty and Chairwoman for the Joe Abrahams Leadership Academy and is a trustee of the Florida Recreation and Park Association Foundation. 

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