Verbal thrashings punctuate a smorgasbord of topics hot in Colorado Springs. Bring your fire extinguisher. City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murrary are on a roll in this episode. There’s a lot of Heat and they’re taking “No Prisoners.” PlanCOS; Camping Ordinance; metropolitan districts; economic sustainability; public safety. Your comments are welcome below. (Episode 88,…
Learn about a proposed ordinance to regulate short-term rentals in Colorado Springs. The Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO) hosted this informational meeting on August 7, 2018. City of Colorado Springs Assistant Director of Planning, Meggan Herington provided an update on the current draft of the ordinance. (Recorded 8/7/18)
Is Colorado Springs’ proposed updated comprehensive plan (PlanCOS) a “Nothing Burger,” as intimated by John Hazlehurst’s recent column in the Colorado Springs Business Journal? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand debate. Is this plan, like all the others, in “sand?” What are the rising expectations of the community? What constitutes a “vibrant” community? Does…
A controversial ordinance prohibiting camping within 100 feet of Colorado Springs creeks is the topic of this June 14, 2018 public town hall. It included a brief presentation, followed by citizen comments, along with some limited dialogue with city councilors, regarding the proposed Creekside Camping Ordinance. At the time of this town hall, the first…
El Paso county is doing drug busts. Is it all for show? Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand wonder if these busts are being staged. Why? Plus: The homeless population in the Springs is increasing. And panhandlers are getting younger by the day. Where are they coming from? Not Colorado Springs. Not…
Will Tom Strand run for a second term on city council? The firefighters want collective bargaining and a seat at the table. Is that a reasonable request, and who should decide? Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand tee it up and talk it down the fairway. Share your thoughts with a comment…
Is Colorado Springs City Council working in secret too often? Councilor Bill Murray thinks so. What are the true legal requirements placed on executive sessions? What subjects really should be discussed behind closed doors? City Councilor Tom Strand has a different take than Murray on the subject. (Episode 78, recorded 5/18/18)
Amending the Banning Lewis Ranch annexation agreement was just the first step. According to Colorado Springs City Councilor Bill Murray, “The Heavy Lifting” is yet to be done. This includes road construction, fire and police stations. Bill Murray and Tom Strand also discuss Arbor Day and the teachers protests (locally and in Denver). (Episode 74,…
Gary and Dee discuss politics and current events. Lyn is on vacation this week. We discuss questions asked of people running for Congress who want endorsements from the current Republican Administration. There are questions to offend everyone. We discuss the brilliant decision by the city council to bankrupt the city of Colorado Springs. The geniuses…
Will a “Riparian Ordinance” protect streams from contamination by homeless campers? Will the ACLU have a problem with it? Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand explore what can be done about homeless camps. ALSO: the average annual wage in town is $46K. Is that a living wage? (episode 73, recorded 2018 04…
Ruth Obee, award-winning poet and author, and husband Kent Obee – both prominent, long-time open space advocates in Colorado Springs, share their significant concerns about the proposed North Cheyenne Cañon Master Plan. This plan is scheduled for a vote by the Parks Advisory Board on May 10. They also provide an update and perspective on…
Can Colorado Springs afford to water its parks? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss ways of addressing that financial challenge. Also: Surplus city revenue? Bill thinks the town will be hitting an economic downturn very soon. Doug Lamborn’s spot in the primary heads to the Colorado Supreme Court. Hickenlooper for president 2020? (Episode…
Too many campers and too few cops? Over half the boost of officers from each new police academy graduating class is lost through retirements and attrition throughout the force. Should police and fire have bargaining rights with the city? Plus: Should we find a way to allow camping along Colorado Springs’ waterways. How should Colorado…
Could Colorado Springs be one of the smartest cities in the country? Find out all about the SmartCOS project from Ryan Trujillo, Innovation & Sustainability Manager, and Jay Anderson, Open Data and Citizen Engagement Administrator, both for the City of Colorado Springs. The city is partnering with Panasonic’s CityNOW consulting team to chart a path…
Do you have Traffic Issues? Does Colorado Springs? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss traffic and pedestrian issues facing Colorado College and the Old North End. What will be the downstream impact of Colorado Springs road dieting and changes? Plus: Is there such a thing a affordable housing? Bill Murray has your answer.…
Who will lead the billion-dollar Colorado Springs Utilities into the future? CEO Jerry Forte is retiring. Council members Tom Strand and Bill Murray discuss the process to find a new CEO, plus the challenges he or she will face. It could be a wild ride, considering the various factions in the community who will have…
Does Colorado Springs attract an inordinate share of homelessness? What exacerbates the problem, what do the homeless need, and how is our city doing on this? Homelessness, always an important issue, is frequently front page news these days in Colorado Springs. In this episode we get detail about the issue and what’s being done to…
“I’ve got a secret” isn’t exactly the motto you want those running your city to adopt. Springs City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray discuss the city attorney’s role in executive sessions. Should the city attorney be elected instead of appointed by the mayor? How does the city attorney set the (mayor’s?) agenda for council?…
Can we solve homelessness in Colorado Springs? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss this issue that has been plaguing Colorado Springs for years. Solutions are presented but will the council and mayor accept them? Are managed camps the way to go? Can a military solution relieve the city of this issue? A fear…
Is Public Safety given the proper priority by the city of Colorado Springs? Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand along with their guest, Bob Acker, discuss the subject. Included in the topic is: Threat, Hazard, Identification, and Risk Assessment (THIRA). Let’s add Engagement, Vigilance, Realize, Awareness training. Soft targets. Detect, deter, assist…
Gary, Lyn and Dee discuss current events. We have a special guest this week, John Hawk who discusses the Banning Lewis Ranch annexation story. We discuss the NRA and the carousel of White House appointments among other topics. DISCLAIMER: While discussing Banning Lewis Ranch, we posit that there will be 17 houses per acre. This was…
Is Colorado Springs prepared for the next wildfire or flood? City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray discuss with mitigation expert Bob Acker, of Ackcellent Consulting. What can the city do to be better prepared? The National Response Framework, the National Infrastructure Recovery Process, and NIMS (National Incident Management system) all impact us in Colorado…
Infrastructure is the hot topic, as consultant Bob Acker joins City Councilor Tom Strand (Bill Murray is globe-trotting). Roads, bridges, security, and infrastructure protections all get some attention. It’s all intertwined with our daily lives and must be supported and maintained. You’ll find out that the cost of prevention is a lot cheaper than repairing…
Bicycles, Pedestrians, and Cars: Will putting a square peg (bicycles) into a round hole (automobiles) work for Colorado Springs’ existing road infrastructure? Is there a workable solution for the pedestrian concerns at Colorado College? Are reduced crosswalks and signals the solution? The third in a series of public meetings to discuss how to address transportation…
A soccer stadium at Antlers Park? Perry Sanders and a few business associates are suggesting this idea. Will this stadium fill the requirements for the City for Champions? Time’s running out to obtain the C4C funding help from the state of Colorado. What’s the “reverting clause?” Does the city maintain its parks adequately? The Switchbacks…
The dynamic duo is back from holiday break and they don’t miss a beat. Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss the closing of the belching behemoth known as Martin Drake. Then they switch gears to converse about the blue frame, Colorado Municipal League, gas taxes, the strong mayor and – in…
Sexual harassment in the confines of the city and utilities of Colorado Springs is the hot topic taken up in this episode by Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand. Strand participated in sexual harassment cases as a lawyer (aka JAG) in the Air Force, giving him an interesting, informed perspective. Also: Austin, TX…
Colorado Springs Utilities Board hears from the public about potentially closing the Martin Drake Power Plant earlier than currently planned. This public meeting was held on December 5, 2017. Thanks to the City of Colorado Springs for sharing this audio.
More hot topics this week with Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand. Strawberry Fields is back on the agenda: questions surrounding the property appraisal. Martin Drake power plant, that belching behemoth in the center of Colorado Springs, is another hot topic: To close or not to close? That is the question. What…
Discussions of tourism kick off today’s program. The USOC Olympic Museum is first and Bill Murray and Tom Strand take different positions. They also disagree on a proposed stadium (that refuses to die). City for Champions, tax increment financing, Lodging Auto Rental Tax, Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce and Economic…
Talk about getting down in the weeds on the ballot issues that just passed in Colorado Springs, Bill Murray and Tom Strand take you through the jungle exposing what was really voted on. Will the widened I-25 be a toll road? Yep! They talk about it. Additional costs over and above what has been touted?…
Did you know Colorado Springs is one of the great bicycling locations in the world? Senior Bike Planner Kate Brady joins City Councilor Jill Gaebler for a lively discussion of bicycling issues. The city’s newly proposed Bike Plan is now out for public review and comment. See the plan and learn about public meetings at…
Council member Bill Murray was confronted about homelessness at a recent meeting. Surprise! Surprise! There is a problem when an urban renewal project starts and all the current inhabitants (homeless) are moved out of their current domiciles. Thefts, sleeping on porches, opioid issues, neighbors wanting a police presence (only to find out there are not…
Why do some people go to the polls while others don’t bother to exercise their right to vote? Ballot issues, stormwater, toll roads, money, and voter engagement are all teed up by Colorado Springs city councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand in this episode. Listen to Bill get on a rant about 2/3 of the…
Bill & Tom are holding a Town hall meeting 10/26 6:00 pm at city hall. The two astute city councilors discuss the recent Hillside community meeting with subjects that included public safety, code enforcement, and marijuana use on the public streets. “Is there an ordinance against that?” asked several members of the audience. Does the…
Bill Murray and Tom Strand are serious in this episode. Why? They’re working on the 2018 budget of Colorado Springs. Are the mayor’s revenue projections too rosy? Also: funding for vehicle maintenance, parks. stormwater, police and fire. Plus:What will move the public to vote? Should school boards be required to have senior participants to bring…
Jill Gaebler’s reelection campaign for Colorado Springs City Council in April required her to take a break from podcasting, but she is back! Jill and Jan reminisce about the 2017 city election, they discuss a lot of good news in the Mayor’s proposed 2018 city budget, and the upcoming vote on the proposed stormwater fee.…
If you thought the last episode of Council Matters had adrenalin pumping, wait till you catch this one. Recreational Marijuana, using the funds for the homeless, 2019 ballot, and consumption clubs (no, it’s not like getting Consumption – you know, the progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis). Listen to find out…
Council members Bill Murray and Tom Strand turn up the heat in this episode discussing the “should we, shouldn’t we” on stormwater and roads. Tom’s Energy Vision for Colorado Springs Utilities is discussed, and how real world downsizing and outsourcing affected Colorado Springs. (Recorded 9/22/17) Post a comment below and let us know what you…
Bill Murray and Tom Strand get into a heated and somewhat testy conversation about Stormwater. The mayor is bandied about with a certain irreverence and as Bill says, “Get ready for a ride.” Do they solve the problem? No! They’re only scratching the surface. Fees, water volume, Pueblo, EPA development polling and Costa Rica (?)…
Colorado Springs City Council members at large Bill Murray and Tom Strand want to get back to civility. But things happening like Charlottesville, VA, Barcelona, homelessness, the issue of marijuana, and pundits pontification all over the place, how can these two get their bearings and concentrate on civility? Listen to see if they accomplish the…
This may be the first time urinalysis has been discussed on Council Matters. Medical Marijuana is the burning topic today as Bill Murray tries to persuade Tom Strand that Colorado Springs should legalize it. The city is leaving $16 to $24 million a year in tax revenue on the table by not allowing recreational marijuana…
Bill and Tom discuss the stormwater ordinance Mayor Suthers has asked City Council to put on the November ballot, creating a new fee to cover the costs of maintaining and improving stormwater infrastructure. Shouldn’t the fee be based on amount of impervious surface? Should Colorado Springs Utilities handle the billilng? Why is the Mayor popular?…
They’re at it again – discussing things you won’t hear at council meetings. Tom & Bill discuss Red Light cameras (being considered by Chief Carey). Plus: Should council put recreational marijuana to a vote? There’s a lot crammed into this 40 minute segment with Colorado Springs city councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand. (recorded 7/28/17)
Our two astute council members, Bill Murray and Tom Strand, plod through the swamp of funding and the problems of Public Safety. Why are citizens reluctant to adequately fund Public Safety? Don’t they want that 911 call to be answered? Or that emergency vehicle to respond in a timely manner. Get your answers in this…
Gary, Dee, and Joe discuss Rank Choice Voting. Rank choice voting is a better way to vote. It gives everyone a voice. It eliminates negative advertising. It stops fringe candidates from winning. It has the side effect of a more involved electorate. In US cities where it is used, there is a higher voter turn…
Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand are at it again, discussing Colorado Springs issues with wit, charm and daring. No holds barred when discussing Stormwater issues that face the city – including EPA lawsuit, Pueblo lawsuit, and the difficulty of financing Stormwater infrastructure. Does the City have the leadership to make Stormwater happen? Listen and…
Council members Bill Murray and Tom Strand are at it again taking on the subject of renewables in Colorado Springs. The citizen owned utility needs to get out of the coal generating business. Both agree. Looking at battery storage is one of Bill’s suggestions. It’s being done in other locales. Why not here in Colorado…
Our venerable two senior council members, Bill Murray & Tom Strand, take on the happenings at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. Plus other issues that are facing the senior community like sports, insurance, driving, aging, disabilities and transit. Ever hear of the Sustainability and Support Services in Colorado Springs? Neither have they. Silver Sneakers support…
Newly elected council members, EPA lawsuit, a transit center 20 years in the making and no structure in sight, infrastructure, stormwater and a related fee to come before the voters (when?). Students think the nightlife is boring in Colorado Springs. Could they be right? Will Richard Skorman be a change agent? Time will tell!
Wild Bill Murray and ever so polite Tom Strand are at it again discussing the Drake Power Plant. Will widening I-25 really benefit the driving public or just add more congestion to the problem? Bill takes the position Dynamic Leadership and Static Leadership positions are needed to make an organization run smoothly. As usual, no…
Bill & Tom discuss the April 4, 2017 election, the jockeying for political advantage, plus: Did council make a move to the “Dark side” as expressed by the daily newspaper?
Meet the City Council Candidates: Colorado Springs City Council candidate forum March 16, 2017, hosted by the Green Cities Coalition. The subject: utilities. Candidates present: Don Knight, David Geislinger, Richard Skorman, Melanie Bernhardt, Andy Pico, Janak Joshi. Thanks to the Energy Working Group of the Green Cities Coalition
In the last podcast Bill & Tom talked about promises. Today they discuss their vows in a very forward-looking conversation.
Starting with the completion of 2 years on council and promises made during their campaigns, Bill & Tom go off the rails from there with discussions on storm water fees, park and recreation funding, 911 response times, priorities, and de-TABORing.
Local citizen/activists Gary Casimir and Dave Gardner review the candidates for Colorado Springs City Council in the April 2017 election and offer their recommendations. Included is analysis of what the endorsements and financial support of the candidates should tell us – particularly with regard to Colorado Springs Forward and the Housing & Building Association of…
Short Term Rentals-should they pay taxes? Vetting Uber, Lyft, Air B&B. Is speaking to city council a last resort? Lack of enforcement of existing ordinances and laws. Accountability of city government from the mayor’s office on down.
Gary and Dee discuss the upcoming Colorado Springs Elections. City Council seats and Ballot issues are discussed. One of the ballot issues we are concerned with is the future of high speed internet in Colorado Springs. Our main topic this week is Civil Asset Forfeiture. We cover the Fourth Amendment protections against illegal seizures. What…
Leadership: different approaches and lack thereof.
Is there honesty, trust, truth coming from the Executive branch of city government? Bill and Tom discuss.
What are the priorities for the City of Colorado Springs? Are the candidates for city council trustworthy? Collaboration between council and the mayor.
You’ve read or heard bits and pieces. Now get the full story from local clean air advocate Jim Riggins and resident Laura Van Der Pol. Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) refused to release publicly funded air quality models that show dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide. A concerned mother (Leslie Weise) took them to court. Now CSU…
Does the Olympic Museum have local support? Is the financing coming up short? Will private funding come to the rescue?
Bob and co-host Kevin discuss a recent study regarding the economic benefit of city parks, attempts to raise more money for parks, stormwater issues, and Kevin’s big plans for 2018
Technology libraries in all schools, Colorado Springs Utilities governance, responsibility to electorate, Issue 300, Payment in Lieu of Taxes, doing away with city council, and more. Not the place to nap!
Bill Murray is back in full swing with co-host Tom Strand. On the agenda: Colorado Springs council candidates, community connections, dialog-concerns-issues, 3 minute comments at council meetings, and more.
Bob talks with Colorado Springs Parks Director Karen Palus about the departments accomplishments in 2016 and plans for 2017. Lots of great information.
Wants for 2017: Council election in 2017, Utilities governance, focus on Broadband build out, Separate Parks & Rec with own funding source, Shook’s Run project (25 years?) Public transport, low income housing, jobs. Your comments (below) are welcome! Let us know what you think, and what you’d like to hear about on future episodes.
Reflecting on 2016. The relationship with the mayor, environment, collaboration & cooperation, broadband, and the Code Scrub Group.
Walter Lawson’s comments to Colorado Springs City Council about a proposed amendment to add significant limits to citizens’ ability to appeal land use decisions by the City Planning Commission. Council is expected to vote on this December 13, 2016.
City Councilor Andy Pico fills in for Bill Murray for this discussion of the 54 volunteer committees, boards, and commissions that make up the city of Colorado Springs support organizations.
20 Years Into The Future: Fellow councilor Andy Pico joins host Tom Strand. Today’s discussion includes Colorado Springs in 20 years. Transportation, Cyber employment, housing, utilities.
Thanksgiving plans. Why is the EPA suing Colorado Springs over stormwater? Has the city been too developer-friendly? Upcoming city election, status of ballot measure to kill the Strawberry Fields land swap with The Broadmoor, TABOR refund or not, and 6 district council seats up for grabs.
Tom Strand and guest-co-host Dave Gardner discuss the recent national election and the upcoming local election. Included: what will happen to the Clean Power Plan? Will burning coal to generate electricity return to favor in Colorado Springs?
Did Jan smoke pot in her youth? Reefer Madness in Colorado Springs: Jill Gaebler and Jan Martin discuss the medical marijuana moratorium. Is that being “business friendly?” Is the Gazette editorializing about this in its news coverage? Should city council be listening to “the voices of the people or the voices of the powerful?” The…
The 2017 city budget for Colorado Springs is the topic as Tom Strand fills in Dave Gardner, who is sitting in for vacationing Bill Murray. Merit raises for city employees and across-the-board raises in public safety are on the agenda. What about police foot patrols downtown and in Old Colorado City? Therapeutic recreation?
Jan’s continuing Comcast adventures and a vote for Trump? Companies that care about customer service. Springs has highest water rates in the state. Will council refer a Strawberry Fields charter amendment? 2017 city budget update. It’s hard to keep police officers. Threat to city’s therapeutic recreation program.
Local transportation is the topic as local anti-growth (sustainability) activist Dave Gardner guests with Tom Strand while Bill Murray is traveling. On tap: street maintenance and potholes, bus service, and the controversial bike lane demonstration project on Research Parkway.
The cable guy and Jill’s cat ate a hamburger. Trump and women’s rights. Jan Doran Day. The homeless camp disbanded by the city. Does the city have a long-term vision for the homeless challenge? The recently passed cottage food ordinance. Public Improvement Fees – a tax. The downside of term limits.
Heartburn over parking rates doubling at the Manitou Incline, Jan’s pet peeve, the Utilities budget and water for city parks, medians and historic trees. A new apartment building for the homeless. QuikCycle coming to town.
“Press Conference:” Tom and Bill welcome Gazette reporter Billie Stanton Anleu as a special guest in this episode. The Smart Cities Council. Challenge faced by the Coronado High School homecoming parade. City funding challenges. Will the stormwater fee return? Norwood steps up to build apartments for the homeless.
How do Jill and Jan pack this all into a half-hour? Denver traffic and philanthropy. Recent police department cuts. The Mayor’s interest in restoring a stormwater fee. Doug Bruce is on the loose! 2017 city budget coming soon. Jill needs to get a handle on her sighing at council meetings. What’s going on with the…
A River Doesn’t Run Through It: Tom Strand takes a shower, and vibrating toilet seats caused by fracking. The Colorado Springs Utilities water tour, water rights and water wars. John Wayne. RX drugs in the water? Colorado Springs’ “pure and spectacular” water. Contaminated water in Security/Widefield. Bill Believes “we in Colorado Springs rise to the…
The Colorado Springs comprehensive plan is now being revised. The city wants to hear from you. #planCOS is the hashtag the city is watching. Jill is now hosting “office hours” out in the community, the first and third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 pm. Council redistricting update. Should we have a “primer” on the…
Collaboration, infrastructure and jobs. The Mayor’s State of the City address, “Good to Great.” Was it an endorsement of current city councilors? Shouldn’t the Mayor also give us the bad news? Stormwater, police staffing and response times. 2017 city budget process underway, SDS, Banning-Lewis Ranch, and the comprehensive plan update. Should we be boosting tourism…
Reefer Madness: The city’s special marijuana working group. Bill takes exception to the idea of limiting the number of dispensaries. Protestors outside City Hall on August 24 – disrespectful to city councilors? Each week Colorado City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand analyze current issues in Colorado Springs local government.
This week Bill and Tom discuss Gazette newspaper ownership (Philip Anschutz), how do you feel about the future of newspapers? Whistleblower at Memorial Hospital terminated, Robert Redford and Jane Fonda coming to town, “Council Meeting Gets Lively” headline and the land use appeal controversy behind it. Large marijuana grows in town creating a fire hazard,…