Canyon City will gather information on moving building inspections and permitting to the Southern Colorado Building Department. Council passed the measure on a 4-2 vote. A survey presented to council showed 20 contractors opposed the shift. One resident said the existing state system once cost him more than $80,000.
Patrick Martin delivered the independent survey as a private citizen. Contractors reported avoiding jurisdictions that use the Southern Colorado Building Department. Martin submitted emails that documented repeated problems and asked council to end all talks. Mayor Phil Lund emphasized the work would only compare codes, licensing and fees.
Council members called for a consultant review of the full development process before any changes. Such reviews typically take four to six months. City Administrator Ryan Stevens had already reached four consultants and received two proposals. Council Member Amy Schmisseur urged a complete external diagnosis first.
The approved motion formed a small committee strictly for information gathering. Administrator Ryan Stevens and Council Member Jerry will lead the effort with Council Member Jeremy as alternate. The measure barred any negotiations that could bind the city. Council Members Kathy Worthington and Tim Dennehy cast the no votes.
Council Member Toney earlier questioned the future of the voter-approved pool project. Voters authorized the project at $24 million. Estimates have since climbed to $28 million. Another $4 million could accumulate within two years.
The recreation district sent a letter that blocks further pool decisions until operational funding is secured. Toney cited fiduciary duty and Tabor requirements. He requested the tax situation return to the next regular meeting. Council discussed interpretations of the letter and the value of a joint session with the district.
City Administrator Ryan Stevens noted the past practice of holding separate meetings because of the volume of material. Council Member Amy Schmisseur supported scheduling a special board-to-board session. Stevens agreed to coordinate possible dates for that session.
The meeting opened with roll call confirming all members present. Officials passed on the invocation after the scheduled speaker failed to appear. Council and the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Finance Director Tammy Nordyke explained three 2025 budget amendments during a public hearing. The Conservation Trust Fund rose by $4,100 to cover a capital item delivered in January. The Street Improvement District 2014-01 grew by $41 from penalties and a larger closing transfer. Higher medical claims lifted the Self-Insurance Fund to $3,636,500 after an accounting shift that now records stop-loss reimbursements as revenue.
No one spoke at the hearing. Council approved the ordinance on first reading. Members then passed the companion resolution that authorized transfers above the $5,000 threshold. Smaller transfers appeared for information only.
Council passed three ordinances by majority vote. One amendment to Title 17 permits scoreboards in parks and plazas while adding parks to central business district uses. A first reading of Title 9 changes gave the city administrator control over hours and permitted activities in city parking areas to curb loitering and disorderly conduct after dark. The third ordinance revised ethics commission membership by removing the city attorney as a voting member and adding a third seat.
The consent agenda cleared by majority vote. It contained ten items that included a sodium chloride bid extension capped at $32,000. Adobe software renewal cost $14,419. The Civic Plus website renewal totaled $9,223.
Civic Plus permit software renewal ran $37,623. The agenda also accepted corrected April 6 minutes. A Pine Street water service agreement and water meter change order cleared. The February budget summary and cash disbursements appeared for information.
Police Chief John Schick and co-response clinician Shelby Barnett delivered the co-response program update. The program recorded 378 city contacts during 2025. De-escalation occurred in 54 percent of those contacts. Successful client engagement reached 84 percent.
Four arrests involved new charges. Half of all contacts produced referrals to community services. Partners in the effort include Solvista Health, NAMI, Family Crisis Services and St. Thomas More Hospital. Schick credited Barnett for carrying the program nearly alone since 2023.
Council issued multiple proclamations and posed for photographs after each presentation. The National Leadership Week proclamation covered April 20 through 24. Student council members and advisors came forward to accept it. The Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation recognized April 2026.
Stephanie Moses of Family Crisis Services presented local data that showed the agency supplied 1,477 nights of safe housing last year. Moses reported 1,211 crisis phone calls. She provided assistance to 347 new survivors. She thanked Kathy Herron and highlighted the locally answered crisis line.
The Arbor Day proclamation affirmed Canyon City’s Tree City USA standing for another year. Leo Evans described the 1 p.m. ceremonial tree planting at Rudd Park. Library Director Kendra McFall accepted the National Library Week proclamation that runs April 19-25 under the theme “Find Your Joy.” Mayor Phil Lund and Council Member Tim Dennehy praised staff efforts.
Human Resources Director Butch Betchelder recognized Teresa DeOrio for 15 years of city service. Olivia Landry, Heather Thomas and Olivia Brady outlined 2026 Blossom Festival plans during public comment. The April 24 Blossom Ball offers a fundraiser and silent auction. The April 26 bowling tournament includes a 50-50 drawing.
The Main Street parade begins at 1 p.m. It features roughly 100 entries. The “Stars over the Rockies” theme marks Colorado’s 150th anniversary. It also marks the U.S. 250th.
Blossom in the Park craft show starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Fort Carson 4th Infantry Army Band. Kathy Herron reminded council of the 17th annual Take Back the Night event set for 5 p.m. Thursday in Veterans Park. The program includes survivor speakers, demonstrations and remarks by Police Chief John Schick followed by a march down Main Street. Charlene Hansen represented the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care.
The organization raised $750,000 to fund a feasibility study through the Colorado School of Public Health. A 2019 study projected $1 billion in annual savings. Current data show 7.9 percent of state residents uninsured. Hansen invited the public to a town hall on April 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Steeple Event Center.
Martin Welch announced the sixth annual river cleanup scheduled for Sunday and described the new River Ready youth program. Welch invited council to the 3 p.m. dedication of the Royal Gorge RIO Ashton Welch Memorial Sculpture at Centennial Park. Council Member Toney reported on water department efforts to prepare citizens for irrigation season. Council Member Amy Schmisseur summarized Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee work that includes North Ninth Street construction, pedestrian safety improvements, a motorless morning event, natural playground concepts and a fifth-grade field trip partnership.
Mayor Lund announced the April 25 community cleanup starting at 8 a.m. at Centennial Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Partners will supply vests, a 30-yard dumpster and follow-up mowing before the Blossom Festival. Lund summarized the Economic Development Committee’s three priorities that focus on updating business ordinances, examining AI impacts and improving communication among regional partners. Council Member Tim Dennehy highlighted the Colorado 50 Artists exhibit opening around April 25.
Dennehy criticized anonymous online attacks on city departments and staff without prior direct contact. Police contacts with homeless individuals fell from 237 to 78. An exchange between Dennehy and Mayor Phil Lund addressed the line between policy criticism and personal attacks. Council Member Kathy Worthington noted Earth Day events planned for April 25 at the bridge with water department staff available for questions.
City Administrator Ryan Stevens delivered his report. The municipal judge contract expires in June. Council directed a performance review in executive session at a May meeting with the judge present per past practice. E-bikes have surfaced as a growing enforcement issue on trails and streets.
City staff are coordinating with the recreation district on joint policies because property crosses county lines. A recent incident involving a young person on an e-bike occurred at 12th and Harrison. Stevens reminded council of the special meeting set for April 21 at 5:30 p.m. to appoint a new member from three candidates. Conditional use permits follow an administrative track that sends complete applications to neighbors within a 300-foot radius.
The Four Mile Ranch ground-floor office application on Main Street remains pending. The council’s votes directed parallel reviews of building processes and pool funding gaps while completing routine fiscal and code updates.
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