Phil Lund was sworn in as Cañon City’s mayor January 5 and immediately restructured city government, establishing three new committees that could involve up to 21 residents in ongoing policy discussions.
The new structure dissolves the committee-of-the-whole format in place since 2016. It creates three standing committees: Finance, Budget and Public Works; Public Safety and Quality of Life; and Economic Development.
Each committee will have three council members, with one serving as chair, and up to seven citizen members who will participate in policy discussions but not vote. At least four citizen members must be Cañon City residents, while three positions could be filled by residents from surrounding areas including North Cañon and Lincoln Park.
Lund said the change puts “citizen input on the front end” rather than limiting public participation to three-minute comments after decisions are made. The structure could involve up to 21 community members in ongoing policy work through approximately two committee meetings per month.
The restructuring passed unanimously following extensive discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Amy Schmisseur questioned whether some committee responsibilities might conflict with city charter provisions requiring certain matters come directly to full council. City Attorney Kathryn Sellars confirmed committee recommendations would still require full council consideration and vote.
Council Member Tim Dennehy asked about the timeline for citizen appointments. Lund said committees could begin meeting while recruiting citizens, but he hoped to review applications within weeks rather than months. Council Member Jeremy Reeves asked about the application process. Lund said citizens would apply through the city website and clerk’s office.
Lund made immediate appointments: Fred Toney will chair Finance, Budget and Public Works, joined by Jerry Meloni and Schmisseur. Schmisseur will chair Public Safety and Quality of Life, joined by Pamela Simmons and Dennehy. Lund will chair Economic Development “to give emphasis to the importance of economic development in our town and city,” joined by Kathy Worthington and Reeves.
The committees hold their first meetings January 8.
Lund took office alongside three new council members: Reeves (District 1), Simmons (District 3), and Toney (At-Large). They replaced Andrea Stein, John Hamrick, Emily Tracy, and outgoing Mayor Preston Troutman. Schmisseur was elected Mayor Pro Tem.
Redhawk Landing Plat Vacation
Council gave first reading approval to Ordinance 01, Series 2026, vacating the Redhawk Landing plat at 1721, 1725, and 1729 Mariposa Road. The property is zoned General Commercial.
A representative from Fremont Economic Development Corporation said the property owner originally platted the land for a business concept that did not materialize. The owner now wants to vacate the plat to explore different development possibilities.
The EDC representative said the owner has “tons of ideas” but none ready for public release. He called the vacation an opportunity to “reset the deck” given the property’s location near Dawson Ranch Stables in an area with commercial, industrial, and multi-family zoning.
Schmisseur asked whether the city had received public comment. The representative confirmed no comments had been received. She asked if the owner had concrete plans. He said they did not yet have plans to share publicly.
No citizens spoke during public comment. Dennehy moved to pass the ordinance on first reading. Worthington seconded. The motion passed 7-0.
Routine Business
Council adopted two routine resolutions: Resolution 1, Series 2026 designates the city website at canoncity.gov as the official place for posting meeting notices. Resolution 2, Series 2026 authorizes Mayor Lund, City Administrator Ryan Stevens, and Finance Director Tammy Nordyke as signers on city accounts. Both passed unanimously.
The consent agenda passed without discussion. Council reappointed Stevens as City Administrator, Hoffmann, Parker, Wilson & Carberry, P.C. as City Attorneys, and Larry Allen as Municipal Judge. Council extended bids for septic and sewer pumping with Portable Restroom Solutions and for chlorine to PVS DX.
Council awarded contracts totaling up to $380,000: water stock to Core & Main and Ferguson ($200,000), aluminum sulfate to Chemtrade ($100,000), and instrumentation services-water to Combee Automation and Integration ($80,000).
Lund noted the Ethics Committee needs two citizen members. City Attorney Sellars said her office will bring forward a code amendment to remove the city attorney position from that committee.
Farewell Remarks
Outgoing council members shared farewell remarks before the transition. John Hamrick, completing eight years on council, highlighted accomplishments including clarifying stormwater policy, changing how the city approaches homelessness, leading council to declare Cañon City a Second Amendment sanctuary city, and revising code enforcement for trailer parks. He advised incoming members to thoroughly understand city procedures before attempting changes.
Emily Tracy urged members to “attack ideas but not people and to really try to make the best decisions you can collectively for this community.” Worthington, Meloni, Stein, and Troutman thanked fellow council members and expressed confidence in incoming leadership.
The next regular council meeting is January 20. The Urban Renewal Authority meets at 5 p.m. January 8, prior to a special council meeting at 6 p.m.
Lund encouraged attendance at Cañon City Forward Talks at the Steeple Event Center. The first session is January 15 at 7 p.m. featuring “Entrepreneurship & Innovation” presented by Ben Kwitek and co-sponsored by the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:35 p.m.
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