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: , , , ,

Fire Department Promotions

May 9, 2012 By

Mayor Steve Bach administered the Oath of Office to eleven employees of the Colorado Springs Fire Department at the Fire Department Complex on Printer’s Parkway. Those promoted included:

Russell Renck Battalion Chief

Gabe Blanco Captain

Jesse Kruckeberg Captain

Joshua Bartlett Lieutenant

Bruce Longton Lieutenant

Greg Iafeliece Lieutenant

Jeremy Kunze Driver Engineer

Jermaine Reed Driver Engineer

Brian Gardner Driver Engineer

Kenneth Anderson Driver Engineer

Jeffry Hanenberg to Fire Code Inspector II

 

The Colorado Springs Fire Department has provided high quality problem solving and emergency service to the Colorado Springs community since 1894. There are 20 fire stations to provide emergency response support that can reach an incident within 8 minutes from the time of the call 90% of the time. The Colorado Springs Fire Department provides fire, medical, public education, code enforcement and wilfire mitigation services.

 

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What Newly Promoted Officers Say about Serving Colorado Springs

May 8, 2012 By
While formal fanfare has died down a bit since Mayor Bach swore in eight from the CSPD, the pride they feel about helping people in the Colorado Springs community continues to grow.

In their own words, here are a few comments from some of those public safety leaders. If you support them, then please share this post and thank them for their service when you see them at work.

Q: Can you tell us how you feel about your work and the impact of your recent promotion?

“I am very excited to be afforded this opportunity. It is a real honor and I must give credit to the fine people that I work for, the people I work with, and those that work for me. They are the ones that helped me get here. I will be staying at the Gold Hill Division and I have already begun to establish strong working relationships with a variety of community members. There is a real passion about the quality of life in the neighborhoods that the Gold Hill Division services and I hope to be a part of making it an even better place to live by ensuring that public safety needs are met. I understand that the Colorado Springs Police Department is very reliant on the strong support we receive from the citizens in the community. I want to continue to build this support and trust. I am a native of Colorado Springs and I can’t imagine a better place to live!” –Commander Pat Rigdon

“I am extremely excited to serve in my new capacity as a lieutenant for the Colorado Springs Police Department.  Even though I have taken on a new rank one of my main goals is to remember I am a public servant first and foremost.  I received excellent advice in the past regarding leadership decisions:  Take care of your people but remember the needs of our community come before the needs of our department, the needs of our department come before the needs of our unit and the needs of our unit come before our individual needs.  I plan on following this advice to the best of my ability.”  –Lieutenant Hugh M. Velasquez

“As a Deputy Chief on the Colorado Springs Police Department, I look forward to serving our community as well as the men and women on our Department. I hope I can make thoughtful and informed decisions that will positively impact our employees.  I will continue to support our mission of providing police services with integrity and with the spirit of excellence, in partnership with our community, to promote the quality of life in Colorado Springs.  I will diligently work toward fulfilling our vision statement of ‘Safeguarding our Community as our Family.’  We all look forward to the bright future we have with Chief Carey and Mayor Bach.”  –Deputy Chief Vince Niski

“I am truly honored to be able to continue to serve our community in my new capacity. I look forward to learning the new responsibilities associated with my position while still being able to work with officers on the street. Having been fortunate to work for some truly great leaders on our department, I hope that I can come close to being able to lead as they have. We live in a great city and a great area and I hope to do my part to keep it as safe as possible.” –Sergeant Rick Bubacz

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Employee Relations, Leadership, Public Safety Tagged With: , ,

CAPS Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

April 30, 2012 By

Hundreds of public safety volunteers were honored for their public safety service, including the surprise announcement and presentation of our Community Advancing Public Safety {CAPS} Volunteer of the Year award.

CAPS - Community Advancing Public Safety“We need more people like you.  I thank you for all you do! God bless you,” said Mayor Bach.

“The workforce is extraordinary,” said Police Chief Pete Carey. Carey went on to explain how volunteer work in the Violent Crimes unit alone saved “$30,000 in non-compensated service.  There is nothing more satisfying than that.”

CAPS Administrator Jean Kraus said, “[This is a] dynamic year of new ideas.  You are the rock solid foundations CAPS is built on.”  CAPS Volunteers logged 49,000 total hours in 2011.  Using a national figure of $21.62 per hour, these volunteers had an impact of over $1,000,000 in volunteer service to the city.

But let’s talk IMPACT for a minute…what do those 49,000 hours mean for our community?

It means…

  • Protecting victims rights:  in 2011 volunteers assisted over 4,000 victims of crime, with nearly 3,000 of those within the first 72 hrs
  • Citizens getting involved:The PD Citizens Academy is:
    • volunteer-led under the supervision of Officer Rob Campbell
    • in its 6th session
    • with over 100 citizen alumni
    • and has a registration waiting list – sign up for fall!
  • A good quality of life:  The Fire Dept Medical division is offering free 1st Aid/CPR training exclusively to CAPS volunteers, so we have more neighbors helping neighbors in times of emergency.
  • Raising the bar on customer service:  The police dept’s Records & ID unit increased their volunteers by 50% (22), to improve service to the public for non-criminal fingerprinting needs.
  • Planning ahead:  Volunteers Mike and Jerry spearheaded a draft Debris Management Plan to be used in the event of a natural disaster. This complex plan coordinates city agencies, state and federal resources. An estimated contractor cost for this plan…near $100,000.

And the list goes on.  Thank you, thank you to each and every one of you.

Dennis Moore is Recognized as the CAPS Volunteer of the Year

CAPS Volunteer of the Year Dennis Moore

Congratulations to CAPS Volunteer of the Year, Dennis Moore. For leadership, impact and service going above and beyond, Dennis has demonstrated in his role of block captain (since 1991) that he is a most worthy recipient. Thanks to Mr. Moore for his dedicated service.

Visit the CAPS site if you would like to learn more about CAPS, or if you would like to volunteer, you may submit an online application.

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Mayor Bach News, Police, Public Safety Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mayor Bach and Commissioner Lathen Value Trauma Kits

April 27, 2012 By
When El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies and Colorado Springs Police Department officers head out on patrol, they’re often many miles and minutes away from medical help.

For that reason, Mayor Bach and El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen appreciated a donation of 700 medical trauma kits by the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, Christian Anschutz of the Anschutz Foundation and the El Paso County Emergency Services Agency. 

These trauma kits will enable law enforcement professionals to treat a traumatic injury until medical help arrives on the scene. “They can treat citizens, their partners or themselves when time is of the essence, medical service is unavailable or if the scene is unsafet for them to enter,” said Police Chief Pete Carey.

(Above: Officers Brett Iverson, Dan Carter, Brian Frahm with a trauma kit)

Mayor Bach saw this as a great example of the private sector recognizing a need and taking the initiative to provide materials or services for Colorado Springs citizens and officers alike.

“It’s great to see good people come together and help one another out, especially through private sector partnerships. It makes me proud to know our officers and citizens will be safer because of this very generous donation. You can’t put a price on peace of mind,” Mayor Bach said.

El Paso County Commissioner, Amy Lathen, recognized the difficult budget issues impacting all County agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office.

“El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies patrol more than 2,000 square miles. Having these kits available in each patrol vehicle could make a crucial difference to someone with a traumatic injury. These kits will benefit our deputies and the citizens they serve for many, many years to come.”

Kyle Hybl, PFCS chairman and president said, “The Police Foundation of Colorado Springs is honored to provide these trauma kits to law enforcement professionals serving and protecting Colorado Springs and El Paso County.”

Officers and deputies will complete training on the proper use of the kids before they are distributed.

The Police Foundation of Colorado Springs was formed to build effective partnerships that support the Colorado Springs Police Department and our local community.

The El Paso County Emergency Services Agency was established in 1995 to provide uniform ambulance service in El Paso County.

The Anschutz Foundation encourages endeavors that strengthen families and communities.

  

(Above: Sheriff Terry Maketa and CSPD Chief Pete Carey holding trauma kits)

 

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