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 Asks for Special Council Session on McEvoy Severance

April 30, 2012 By
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, Mayor Steve Bach sent the following email to City Council President Scott Hente.
 
Scott,

This is to respectfully ask that you contact James Moore immediately to request a hold on executing the McEvoy severance agreement. Also, this is to respectfully ask that you hold a special session of City Council early next week to vote on giving the MHS Board current direction on this matter.

The planned 18-months …severance for Dr. McEvoy is not consistent with the 6 months specified in his employment agreement nor is it consistent with Council’s longstanding policy limiting severance for senior managers for the general municipal government to not more than 6 months.

In the event the MHS Board does not promptly comply with Council’s directive after your vote, then I respectfully suggest that Council terminate the entire Board, substitute Council as the Board and reduce the severance to no more than 6 months.

It is essential to the success of our City that Council and I do everything possible to rebuild citizens’ trust in our municipal government. Council’s swift, resolute action on this matter is important toward that end. While I understand that MHS reports through it’s Board to Council, not to the Mayor, my thanks to your colleagues and you for considering my counsel.

Steve Bach
Mayor

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Filed Under: Colorado Springs City Council, Leadership, Memorial Hospital Tagged With: , ,

Mayor Bach Weighs In On Memorial Health System

January 27, 2012 By

Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach has sent Colorado Springs City Council a letter sharing his thoughts on the future potential operating lease of Memorial Health Systems (MHS).

Last August, Mayor Bach suggested to City Council that they conduct an RFP (Request for Proposal) process in order to explore all options for consideration. The Memorial Health Systems Task Force was formed and through a thorough RFP process, a wide variety of bids were submitted and examined. The Council, having accepted and approved the recommendation of the Memorial Health Systems Task Force, now enters into exclusive negotiations with the University of Colorado Health System, on such a lease.

Mayor Bach is now asking City Council to consider the following as the negotiations proceed:

  • Solicitation and consideration of the Mayor’s advice in the negotiations, and incorporation of identified key terms and conditions in the final agreement.
  • Use of qualified, outside legal counsel to assist Chris Melcher, City Attorney and the City’s negotiator on the Lease, in the negotiations.  MHS should advance all City negotiation costs and be reimbursed by the Lessee.
  • A time limit for negotiations of 6 months or less, and a submission of the final lease to the voters in a timely manner thereafter.  MHS should advance any City pre-election public information expenses and election costs and be reimbursed by the Lessee.  
  • A concrete solution on all PERA issues, including any City obligations, with a specific monetary guarantee from the Lessee to address and resolve any City liabilities.
  • A Council affirmation in advance of Lease execution, and a commitment in the Lease, that all financial payments from Lessee, including upfront payments, annual lease payments, and surplus revenue sharing payments, are all transferred directly into a segregated account at the City or an escrow account under the City’s ownership and control, and not into the General Fund.
  • Memorial management and board members should not participate in the actual negotiations, but should provide timely information and suggestions to the City Attorney when requested.
  • The ballot initiative should include language establishing a Colorado Springs Healthcare Foundation with a stated mission, governance structure, and policy guidelines to be determined by the Mayor and Council jointly.
  • Enhance local control, input, and management of MHS during the Lease to the maximum extent possible.
    • A commitment on the disposition and use of the monies currently held by MHS in their cash and operating accounts. 
    • A commitment to develop a Level 1 Trauma Center at MHS.
    • A commitment to maintain Tricare, Medicare and indigent care.
    • A commitment that the Lessee will pursue a Branch Campus Medical School at UCCS, with a written timeline, stated deadlines for progress, and a firm guarantee for at least $3 million per year towards such effort.
    • A commitment to continue the Sexual Assault Nurse Evaluators (SANE) program.
    • A financial guarantee, and proof of sufficient financial resources, commensurate with the financial commitments of the Lessee over the full term of the Lease.
    • Stated and measurable performance outcomes that ensure the community is receiving the appropriate level of care and performance from MHS, with clear reporting obligations, performance guarantees, and penalty provisions as appropriate.
    • Clear and well structured termination provisions in the event the Lessee is unable to satisfy the obligations of the Lease, even after notice and a cure period.
    • Clear and firm financial guarantees from Lessee on the additional funds that would be provided to the City if (1) the PERA issues are resolved for less than the stated amount necessary in the RFP process, and (2) an appropriate share of future MHS surplus revenues or profits based on improved operations.
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Filed Under: Mayor Bach News, Press Releases Tagged With: , , ,

Mayor Bach Meets with Colorado Springs Media Revised

January 13, 2012 By

(Post revised to include City Charter source)

Thanks to those who attended our first media conference of 2012. These conferences are created to provide access, deliver updates on key issues and answer questions from local media.

During my early months in office, I initiated one-on-one and one-on-two informal discussions with council members – still some felt that they were not in the overall conversation.  Taking a page from Denver Mayor Hancock’s handbook, I have invited all members of council to join me for an informal collaboration, in a workshop setting, to build dialogue and generate ideas. This is working really well in Denver. All ten elected officials will be in the room at the same time. The first of these meetings will be Wednesday, January 18th, from 10-11:30am. This session is open to the public, but there will be no public comments heard.

There are a few key issues you should know, but first, I would like to thank City Council regarding their efforts on Memorial Hospital, the City’s second biggest asset. When I made the recommendation last August to explore all options for MHS, I knew it would require work and commitment.  It’s been a tough road and they’ve accomplished a lot.

Did you know Colorado Springs Utilities has a $125 Million line of credit? I was recently asked to sign a document to renew that line of credit, on short notice without a briefing or discussion on the terms and conditions. But since it’s never wise to sign a document without knowing what you’re agreeing to, Steve Cox and Chris Melcher, our City Attorney, did some research for me and here’s what we’ve learned:

Colorado Springs Utilities has had a line of credit in place the past four years that’s never been used. It costs about $140,000/year in fees. So we’ve paid approximately $540,000 in fees to a bank for something that’s never been used.

Also, it obligates and encumbers the “full faith and credit” of the City of Colorado Springs. Why is this? I believe it’s prudent for the Mayor to delve into something like this to get answers. While it’s standard practice for financial institutions to ask for a guarantee on a line of credit, is it right for us to provide this kind of guarantee? It’s fiscally responsible to evaluate these types of commitments rather than do what we’ve always done.

We’re at a critical step right now regarding Memorial Hospital. It’s time for the rubber to meet the road and the details are critical. Memorial reports to City Council, but the Mayor is required to see that all contracts are faithfully performed. While I have no legal authority over Memorial, the public does expect me to weigh in. We need to look at the key terms and conditions and have a community conversation about how we spend the proceeds. It’s important for me to be involved in that conversation, so I’ll send a letter to Council to reiterate key points, but won’t get into the weeds.

It’s also time to look at the Big Picture. El Paso County has asked us to provide comments on their Strategic Plan. The City Charter, Article 3-10 (C) states that Council shall maintain a strategic plan which prioritizes goals for the City Council and establish measurable outcomes. Likewise, the City Charter also states, Article 4-40 (b) (1) the Mayor shall maintain and submit to the citizens a strategic plan that prioritizes goals for the City and establishes measurable outcomes.  The strategic plan shall include the comprehensive and a five year capitol improvement plan for municipal needs.  The plan process shall consider public input. The plan and goals shall be used in the development of the municipal administrative budget. The Mayor shall provide for an annual “State of the City” report to the citizens on progress in meeting the strategic plan.  

Regarding questions on the status of a few pending cases, the Terri Velasquez case is a legal matter and our City Attorney’s office is trying to bring it to a close. As you may know, I brought in outside Counsel and there were 25 people interviewed which took 100 hours or more. I expect it to conclude in a matter of weeks. With the VNI case, Interim Police Chief Pete Carey, Sheriff Terry Maketa and I have asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to lead an independent investigation. The report is due in a few weeks, so we’re getting close.

And you should know how delighted I am with the performance of Interim Police Chief, Pete Carey. He’s been in this position for three months and has the support of the force and great respect in the community. I’ll be making a decision within the next few weeks whether we should begin a nationwide search or ask Chief Carey to fill the position.

Lastly, I made a commitment when I ran for the Mayor’s office to rebuild trust, harness the power of great ideas and create cutting-edge solutions.  Working hard, using all communication vehicles we can, we will continue to work at connecting with the community and will launch the first of our town hall meetings on February 1st.

I want to be available. We’re making progress. We’ll continue to get better!

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Filed Under: Mayor Bach News Tagged With: , , , ,

City Council Decision on Memorial Health System

August 24, 2011 By

City Council Decision on Memorial Health System Summarized

Yesterday’s Council decision regarding Memorial Health System was preceded by complex and wide-ranging presentations.  Please see the summary below which clarifies yesterday’s actions.

 What did Council decide to do?  In a 7 – 2 vote, Council members decided to add an item to the November ballot that would allow voters to repeal a 1949 ordinance that requires City Council to implement a tax to pay for any operating deficit of Memorial Health System.  Council also voted to seek “RFP’s” or Requests for Proposals, from interested groups to lease and operate Memorial Health System, to be completed by the end of 2011.

Why is the Council considering the operations of Memorial Health System?  The current operating model, which features City Council oversight, will not provide sufficient flexibility for future success.  Local advisory groups have suggested business models to ensure the long-term success of Memorial Health System.  Memorial executives have lobbied for a model that would set up a locally controlled non-profit to run the organization. Council considered this item as a step toward a new business model for Memorial.

What was the mayor’s position?  “Memorial Hospital is the second largest asset the City owns.  This is a big decision and all options should be considered.  Only one proposal has been investigated. A fair, open and comprehensive process, allowing all qualified parties to propose, must take place,” Bach said.  “Furthermore, all future financial risk and liability must be eliminated for the taxpayers.  PERA must be the sole responsibility of the future health system operator not the taxpayer.  A fair return on investment must be provided to the citizens/owners. Voters should make the decision about the future of Memorial Hospital.”

What will happen next?  The referred item will appear on the Nov. 1 ballot for voter consideration.  The City will also begin a Request for Proposal process to encourage interested organizations to submit proposals for leasing and operating Memorial Health System.  Accepted bids will be considered by a Council task force, the Mayor’s office and representatives of the Regional Leadership Forum.  Any winning bid would be presented for voter approval.

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: , , ,