High Country Advocate Staff Report
Canon City’s Special City Council meeting on November 18, 2025, centered on accessibility concerns, community recreation, and routine city business. Residents raised issues about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while officials and community leaders highlighted ongoing efforts to improve local amenities and infrastructure.
The meeting opened with an invocation delivered by Alicia from the Royal Gorge Vineyard Church, who offered prayers for wisdom and community strength as council members began their work.
ADA Concerns and Public Safety
A resident addressed council about persistent accessibility challenges, describing difficulties with sidewalks, malfunctioning entry systems at City Hall, and unsafe traffic conditions. He emphasized that these barriers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and urged the city to take stronger action.
City staff responded by noting that ADA compliance is an ongoing priority, with a budget line item dedicated to improvements. Officials explained that coordinators in engineering and human resources oversee compliance, and that projects are prioritized based on complaints and identified needs. Residents were encouraged to contact ADA coordinator Ted Dell to ensure specific concerns are documented and addressed.
The speaker also raised broader public safety concerns, citing crime rates and personal experiences with unsafe conditions downtown. Council members acknowledged the frustration and reiterated that the city is working to address infrastructure and safety issues.
Recreation District Collaboration
Kyle Horn, executive director of the recreation district, spoke about the community’s efforts following the closure of the Ikebun Pool more than two years ago. He emphasized that the recreation district was never alone in addressing the challenge, pointing to collaboration among the city, schools, and the district itself.
Horn praised city staff, including Ryan Stevens and Adam Hartman, for their professionalism and commitment to community engagement. He noted that the process drew unusually high levels of public participation, with consultants remarking on the scale of involvement compared to larger communities.
While acknowledging the financial realities of public pool construction and operations—typically funded through tax dollars—Horn stressed that the effort remains focused on improving quality of life for residents. He thanked council members and partner boards for their continued support and collaboration.
Council Announcements
Council members provided updates on several initiatives:
- Lincoln Park Cotter Superfund Site: The community advisory group will meet on November 19 at 3 p.m. at the PCC campus and via Zoom. The group will not meet in December, with the next session scheduled for January.
- Red Canyon Park: Officials announced that Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has recommended approval of the city’s grant application to formalize campgrounds, improve road access, and establish a campground host program. Final determination is expected in March 2026.
- Vision Committee Reminder: Council noted that the Vision Committee will meet Wednesday at 5 p.m. at City Hall.
Employee Recognition
Human Resources Director Butch Batchelder recognized two employees for five years of service:
- Sue Dame, deputy municipal court clerk, hired November 17, 2020.
- Chief John Schick, police chief, hired November 30, 2020.
City Administrator Ryan Stevens commended Chief Schick for his leadership, highlighting initiatives such as “Shop with a Cop” and “Coffee with a Cop” that have strengthened community engagement. Council members joined in expressing appreciation for his service and leadership.
Consent Agenda and Budget Discussion
The council reviewed and approved a series of routine items, ranging from infrastructure contracts to technology upgrades and community funding allocations. These included bridge rehabilitation, water system improvements, park stabilization, and IT renewals — all part of the city’s ongoing investment in core services.
Councilmember Amy Schmisseur raised concerns about the city’s cost allocation plan, questioning whether employee counts (FTEs) are an equitable basis for distributing expenses across departments such as water and stormwater. Staff explained that the methodology follows federal and state standards and is widely used across municipalities, though acknowledged that alternative approaches could be considered.
The discussion underscored the balance between administrative efficiency and equitable distribution of costs, with council members seeking greater clarity on how resources are allocated.
The November 18 special meeting reflected Canon City’s ongoing challenges and priorities: ensuring accessibility for residents with disabilities, fostering collaboration on recreation amenities, recognizing dedicated public employees, and scrutinizing financial practices. While routine approvals moved forward, the meeting highlighted the city’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness to community concerns.
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