City Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko, who represents downtown, is giving Mayor Steve Bach’s Downtown Solutions Team a piece of her mind.
Czelatdko sent the group the following email:
I wanted to thank those of you who give up your time, your money, your mornings, your weekends in order to improve upon downtown Colorado Springs.
I think that the intentional exclusion of the legislative body of this City, the absence in representation of a young professional, and poor output of communication, is extremely shortsighted on the part of the downtown solutions team.
I hear directly from citizens and business owners what they like and dislike about downtown. They want action and they want leaders who are willing to cooperate, recognize the existing value in this community, support projects that will enhance, and have the courage to implement changes. If you do not see that willingness then I ask you to use your influential voices and get them out of the city, out of leadership, and off boards.
The recent recommendation from the transit solutions team is to remove FREX. Where is our regional thinking? *Please see video below of Hickenlooper commenting on COS and how successful communities recognize the positive impacts a comprehensive transportation system has on a City. Their recommendation removes the only connection other than interstate between COS and Denver. It will put more drivers on the road putting an additional strain on an already compromised infrastructure. Professionals may have to move out. No options were discussed with the State for funding, nor County, or even discussed with the PPRTA board which actually provides the funding. Council heard at the presentation that with the extra funding “we can possibly improve local routes”. There is no guarantee to improve fixed routes locally because transit is not a priority for this administration. Last year, I was the Council member who advocated for additional money for streets and to increase the weekday transit so people could get home from their job shifts. It failed. Council was told publicly that for 2012, administration would look at additional sales tax revenues coming in and funding for improved transportation could be discussed. Those additional funds have supposably been spent already. Council could and should in my opinion, bring forward an appropriation for increased fixed routes. Unfortunately, it has been confirmed legally and reminded often, that appropriated funds can not direct City administration to implement any additional services. You are all very intelligent, dedicated people. Please tell me one thriving downtown or City, where transportation isn’t a key part of their success?
It is May 5, 2012. There has not been one discussion of 2013 budget or project priorities between City Council, Steve B, and this administration. Millions of dollars in appropriations are coming forward last minute under the guise of being “mission critical”, and are foolishly being approved by us on Council without any detailed conversation, involvement, or bigger picture plans. My questions for you are what is this mission for this City? for public safety? For infrastructure care? For downtown?
COS is the second largest City in the state and the largest County by population and area. With the willingness of our citizens and leaders to serve, there should be no reason to keep community solution building to a select few.
Listen especially from 10:00-11:15 minutes. Most of talk is cycling related but the idea of comprehensive transit options, branding, economic development, and commitment to projects all are mentioned and applicable to our City.
Sincerely,
Lisa Czelatdko (sa-lot-ko)
District 3 City Councilmember
City of Colorado Springs
I was, and am, a big Merrifield supporter.
I must admit that so far, I’ve been mostly impressed by Councilmember Czelatdko. I applaud her for proving to me that the local Republican party is not as myopic or dogmatic as I previously thought.
Thank you Lisa.
Dave Olsen
I agree, Dave. I have to say, I didn’t have a good impression of Councilmember Czelatdko initially, but I was wrong. She is absolutely right. I don’t at all understand this lack of leadership from our mayor. I don’t feel like he’s putting the good of the whole city above his own interests.
I agree with Lisa and support her views on public transportation,. For the record it’s “Supposedly” not “Supposably”
Bravo Lisa – you are 100% right on. Transportation is a key service to any thriving community.
“I think that the intentional exclusion of the legislative body of this City . . .” Sounds more like Councilwoman Czelatdko is upset that she wasn’t appointed to, invited to, or a part of the Downtown Solutions Team.
Gabriel:
sup·pos·a·ble (s-pz-bl)
adj.
That can be supposed or conjectured: a supposable outcome.
——————————————————————————–
sup·posa·bly adv.
Her usage was correct…
Janice, Lisa is correct. The team is not thinking about what is best for the city, but only about Bach’s agenda.
Thanks, Lisa for saying what needs to be said (and Brandy Williams and Jan Martin and Bernie Herpin, too). I, too, voted for Mike Merrifeld but not because I thought Ms. Czeladtko was a bad choice. I just preferred Mike. But I am pleased with many of her positions. It’s time to right the wrong that has been done by moving to a strong Mayor form of government – the effort to severely weaken our City Council. I have lived in other strong Mayor communities and the City Councils are also strong AND the two branches work together. I would put the onous on Mayor Bach to pull the two branches together to work more cooperatively but I doubt it will happen. Council actually representatives the varied citizenry here; Bach has shown time and time again in less than a year that he is supporting only certain interests and positions in the community. Thanks again, Lisa!
Billyboy – Data to support your statement please.
There are 4 Solutions Teams
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 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.
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.
The Streetscapes Solutions Team, as previously announced in late September, is headed by Dave Munger, a neighborhoods advocate. The team is charged with exploring options for beautifying neighborhoods without increased tax funding.
FREX ridership has decreased substantially and is subsidized at approximately $7000 per rider. http://www.springsgov.com/units/transit/TST%20-%20FREX%20Summary.pdf
Janis Heuberger, You’re nothing but a big bully.
What have you done to make this city a better place?
Ms. Czelatdko is absolutely right. Glad there is someone on the board that sees the whole picture.
Bach and all his minimes are bought and paid for. We are not going to get anywhere with this admin, other then what he is order to do.
Sorry Colorado Springs time to go cry a river.
lilithia
Janis, there is much data to support what I said. If you are too stupid to see the writing on the wall, then forget it. I need not provide data that is public knowledge. FREX is viable, although someone fined for breaking the rules is not. Choke on that, lady.
She calls them short sighted, I call them twits.
On average, approximately 150 riders use FREX each day of operation. Even though the current fares cover almost 45% of the direct costs, the annual taxpayer subsidy per rider is over $6,500 per year. This regional service is primarily paid out of local tax funds. The money saved (over $800,000) would be retained in our local transit budget to help maintain core services.
Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/very-137696-letters-minded.html#ixzz1uaqDBw8n
Here’s some other data – The Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study found that automobile user fees cover only 70% of total roadway costs.
All modes of transportation in this country and subsidized, driving cars included. So let’s step away from the tired argument that FREX is subsidized – no kidding, ALL transportation is subsidized. And the money saved by getting rid of FREX is not necessarily guaranteed to go to local transit service improvements; that was just a suggestion of the Solutions Team.
Another fact that is emerging – the use of transit, walking and bicycling (and the desire to use those modes of travel) is increasing, especially among 18 – 40 year olds, while auto use has flattened and is actually starting to decline. Transportation mode choice is shifting and will continue to as baby boomers move past their ability to drive and the rest of us of hit with higher auto operating costs and assert other priorities that are common among Gen X, Gen Y and Millennials. Our community needs to recognize these trends and stop focusing on auto capacity expansions and high cost/low value congestion mitigation for auto only travel. THere is where the REAL dollars are that can support FREX and local transit (as well as telecommuting, biking, walking, etc.).
I know this woman and she is definitely a little unstable and not a credible source of information.
Transit solutions team led by Robert Shonkweiler. On Planning Commission Board and appointed by Bach to Transit Solutions Team and the Urban Renewal Authority Board.
Downtown solutions team led by Chuck Murphy whos best suggestion to date is 200,000 security cameras and an upcoming no pandhandling zone.
Parks team led by Richard Skorman-great choice.
Streetscapes led by Dave Munger- weak mayor candidate who is President of CONO, heading the Street car project, heading the streetscapes project, sits on multiple boards, one of Bachs sheep.
Bach only looks for people he can push around and wont stand up to him. Open your eyes people.
SHONKWEILER IS THE NEWEST JESTER IN THE CITY. AFTER,WATCHING HIM DO THE PRESENTATION ON THE TRANSIT SOLUTION I WAS SHOCK , I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT I WAS.
BACK TO MY STORY OF THE PIG AND THE CHICKEN. HENNY PENNY.
LILITHIA
”Given the uncertain economic conditions for 2012, we should be conservative in estimating revenue on which to base program expenditures. We don’t want to put the taxpayers in the position of having to pay for anything new when we are not sure the money will be coming in.”
http://mayorstevebach.com/2011/12/13/colorado-springs-2012-budget-info/
New downtown cameras, new cars, new fire masks, new pool contract, new salaries, new departments, new skate ramp, new police and fire graduating classes, new roof, new streets. $$$$$$$
All you MaryJane users keep puffin away. We need the money.
I am talking above about Janis H. Her hx of complaining and filing complaints is notories.
MidwestRealist comments are worth repeating!
MidwestRealist says:
May 12, 2012 at 7:22 am
Here’s some other data – The Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study found that automobile user fees cover only 70% of total roadway costs.
All modes of transportation in this country and subsidized, driving cars included. So let’s step away from the tired argument that FREX is subsidized – no kidding, ALL transportation is subsidized. And the money saved by getting rid of FREX is not necessarily guaranteed to go to local transit service improvements; that was just a suggestion of the Solutions Team.
Another fact that is emerging – the use of transit, walking and bicycling (and the desire to use those modes of travel) is increasing, especially among 18 – 40 year olds, while auto use has flattened and is actually starting to decline. Transportation mode choice is shifting and will continue to as baby boomers move past their ability to drive and the rest of us of hit with higher auto operating costs and assert other priorities that are common among Gen X, Gen Y and Millennials. Our community needs to recognize these trends and stop focusing on auto capacity expansions and high cost/low value congestion mitigation for auto only travel. THere is where the REAL dollars are that can support FREX and local transit (as well as telecommuting, biking, walking, etc.).
In a perfect world, or at least one that approachs full employment with tax monies coming in, the FREX buses would be fine. But at this time with budgets so tight, the money now spent on FREX would be better spent on bus service within the core city area.
Whoever sits on the downtown committee – be bold, think big.
True, downtown will never be of interest to some folks. Some people just want to shop/ or be entertained in strip malls with acres of parking and other customers who all look like their cul de sac neighbors. Others will go downtown only if there are destinations worth the trip. That could be unique retail or entertainment venues. It might be a cool community space (stadiums, gardens, museums).
Ultimately though, it requires affordable and desirable housing so people can live in walking distance of downtown destinations. This does not mean blocks of $500,000 townhomes, or 20 story $350K condos, It does mean a variety of 2-10 story $700-$1200 month apartments and condos.
A committee that focuses on little issues will get commensurate results. The downtown cameras neither bother nor entice me. Parking is not an issue, very little of downtown is more than 2 blocks from street, city garage, or private lot parking – no further than my car is from mall destinations.
There is no downtown anywhere without panhandlers and weird people. Engage them or ignore them they won’t go away (well, unless be move all the services and shelters to say, Stetson Hills). Maybe we can manage the panhandling better, and maybe we can minimize people sleeping on benches. But these are people will always be part of the ‘downtown’ scene.
We don’t have to move utilities to kick start downtown. (Kicking Crissy Fowler and its jobs to the boonies didn’t help much, did it?) We do need to add homes people can afford, and desirable places for those urbanites to mingle, shop, eat, and, yes work would be nice as well.
Every Committee member, the mayor, council members, and key Colorado Springs City Staff all need to read this book “The Option of Urbanis, Investing in a New American Dream by Christopher B. Leinberger’.
Tim Fotinos makes some good points at paragraph 3 in his comments immediately above, when it comes to housing in the downtown area. I do believe the mix should include low, middle and high end–but housing in downtown as he suggest, and is very clear in Christopher Leinberger’s book, is where our society is headed and the Springs needs to be in the times!
It is “The Option of Urbanism” the m was left off of the title immediately above.
I’d personally like the Drake plant moved and a venue (not the Sky Sox) that generates interest downtown (some thoughts have been museums, gardens with spaces for performing arts, sports venues, convention center, etc.) However, as has been noted, none of that matters when we don’t address a key issue and that is our transportation. In walkability our city scores a low 45 out of 100.
http://www.walkscore.com/CO/Colorado_Springs
We have many trails around the city for walking and hiking but no tunnels or bridges so those who aren’t savvy cyclists or those of us who don’t want to take a chance they won’t get hit crossing a major street (esp. those with children) often just use their car to access hiking trails around the city. By simply ensuring that the area is as much walker/biker friendly as possible we take a step up not only in walkability but in a active healthy community. Add in a 16th street type mall, open air summer concerts and play venues, family friendly festivals, versus bars and more people will congregate downtown. Include buildings with street level shops and businesses, inexpensive apartments with courtyards with raised bed gardens and you attract those couples, families and individuals looking for a sustainable lifestyle. Many other cities have taken blighted areas (think South Academy) and made them into the new place to live (think areas in DC for instance). We live in a beautiful area but to attract businesses and young professionals we need to address transportation as a key aspect of growing and developing our urban center and connecting us to Denver and Pueblo.