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
You are here: Home / Mayor Bach News / Mayor’s Letter to City Council Re: Colorado Springs Utilities / Governance

Mayor’s Letter to City Council Re: Colorado Springs Utilities / Governance

June 6, 2012 By

Date:     June 5, 2012

Dear Members of City Council:

Council in the CSU Board Meetings has discussed a possible future change in the governance of CSU.  Council has indicated that you intend to begin a Board review at the next CSU Board Meeting this month to consider possible options for the future governance of CSU.  As Mayor, I hope that any review of CSU governance be done in two separate stages.

First, Council acting as the Board of CSU, please consider what changes, if any, make sense for CSU and might be in the best interests of CSU as a utility.  Second, Council will need to remove your Board “hats” and conduct a second and separate review of CSU governance acting as the City Council and considering what is truly in the best interests of our entire community as a whole, not just what is in the best interest of CSU.  The second stage, by Council acting as Council, should consider all possible options – including consideration of leasing or selling the electric and gas power generation units of CSU, as well as creating a new Board of CSU with Mayor and Council appointment and removal authority.  The Council review should include a full opportunity for careful and vigorous public participation.

When the review of CSU governance comes to Council acting as Council, a Community Task Force should be appointed to independently review all recommendations and options, including lease or sale of power generation units as well as new models of governance.  This is the approach used for the Memorial Task Force that successfully considered and recommended the proposed Lease of Memorial to UCH.  The open-minded consideration of all options for our enterprises, and the use of a Task Force, has served our community well.  A review of CSU governance, and the future of CSU as an enterprise, obviously raises very complex issues that are of great importance to the community.

The CSU Board will begin that long and careful process this month, but I recommend that Council’s review of CSU governance, and the possible appointment of a CSU Task Force, not begin until after the community has completed the efforts with regard to Memorial and the potential transition to UCH is complete.  It is unlikely that any objective or thoughtful review could study these issues, involve public participation, develop recommendations, and then be ready to bring them forward to the community until early 2013.  Again, I pledge that the City Executive Branch will provide our support for the CSU Board and the Council’s review of the future of CSU in any way appropriate.

 

cc:  Council Administrator Aimee Cox and Mayor Bach’s Executive Team (Fire Chief Rich Brown, Police Chief Pete Carey, Chief Economic Vitality & Innovation Steve Cox, City Attorney Chris Melcher, Chief of Staff and Chief Administrative Officer Laura Neumann)

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