On Wednesday, October 31st, Mayor Steve Bach met with Council Members Merv Bennett, Angela Dougan, Tim Leigh and Brandy Williams for the monthly Mayor’s Counsel meeting. Agenda topics included: Transit, the 2013 Budget and Joint Legislative Priorities.
Opening the meeting was a presentation by Transit Services Manager Craig Blewitt on the recommendations of the Transit Solutions Team. They made many suggestions, including more specialized routes and efficient vehicles. Evening bus service and a downtown summer shuttle service in Manitou Springs will begin in 2013. Also, the possibility of a taxi ride voucher program is being investigated. Future transit zones and the importance of fixed routes were also discussed. During the presentation and discussion that followed, the Mayor indicated that the priority for transit should be, “better service, not less service.”
The Mayor and Councilors next emphasized the need to work closely with the City’s State Representatives and Senators in the next Legislative Session so that the priorities of Colorado Springs are championed by a single, unified voice. Two of the big focus points of legislative unity will be on transportation infrastructure and pension reform issues. The Mayor also proposed a quarterly Executive Team/City Council update meeting be instituted in 2013.
The next Mayor’s Counsel meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th at the Police Operations Center at 705 South Nevada Avenue.
