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Archive for the 'panhandling' Tag

City schedules closed-door session to discuss no-panhandling zone lawsuit, ethics complaints

January 4th, 2013, 11:24 am by

The City Council is scheduled to meet behind closed doors Monday to discuss a lawsuit over a no-solicitation zone downtown.

Monday’s informal agenda included a closed executive session for “legal advice and consultation” with City Attorney Chris Melcher regarding the status of a complaint filed against the city by the ACLU, which says the zone violates the First Amendment.

After the closed session, the council is scheduled to reconvene in open session and have a “general discussion” about the status of the case, according to the agenda.

The lawsuit over the no-panhandling zone isn’t the only item scheduled to be discussed in closed legal session.

The council also is scheduled to receive “legal advice and consultation … regarding the processes and procedures for ethics allegations against councilmembers.”

That item may be tied to an ethics complaint filed against City Councilman Tim Leigh by David Neumann, who claims Leigh “has committed numerous wrongful acts potentially in violation of his  fiduciary and other duties as a member of the Board of Directors of Utilities.”

Neumann has a $73.5 million contract with Colorado Springs Utilities for scrubbers at the Martin Drake Power Plant downtown. The contract and the scrubbers themselves are the subject of intense debate among city officials.

 

Posted in: City Council • Meetings • Transparency • Utilities • • • • • • • | 1 Comment »

Quote of the Day

October 10th, 2012, 3:10 pm by

Mayor Steve Bach was the keynote speaker at the Downtown Partnership’s 15 annual Mayor’s Breakfast.

The event was standing-room-only and filled up the big ballroom at The Mining Exchange hotel downtown with 213 guests. About 30 people were turned away.

When Bach delivered his speech, he drew applause at least three times.

He also got a few chuckles.

“Panhandling is typically not done by homeless people, I’m told by our police department. They’re professionals. They get more money than I do, which I’ve been thinking about it.”

As mayor, Bach is paid about $96,000 a year.

 

Posted in: City Administration • Civic Participation • People • • • • • | 3 Comments »

Schedule for proposed ‘no solicitation zone’

September 10th, 2012, 10:40 am by

Photo by Daniel J. Chacon

Here’s the schedule for the proposed no solicitation zone to fight panhandling downtown, according to a news release from the City Council:

Over the next two months, the “No Solicitation Zone” Ordinance schedule is as follows:

Monday, Sept. 10 – Informal City Council meeting. City Attorney to answer questions from Council and receive direction. Public is welcome; public comment not permitted.

Monday, Sept. 24 – Informal City Council meeting. City Attorney to present draft ordinance. Additional changes may be made to ordinance. Public is welcome; public comment not permitted.

Tuesday, Oct. 9 – Formal City Council meeting. First reading of ordinance. Public welcome; public comment permitted.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 – Formal City Council meeting. Possible second reading of ordinance. Public welcome; public comment permitted.

All meetings will begin at 1 p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers located on the third floor of City Hall at 107 N. Nevada Avenue.

This schedule is tentative and could change based on Council direction or decision.

Posted in: City Council • Civic Participation • Meetings • Transparency • • • • • • | 6 Comments »