Manitou Springs meetings: Council weighs railway lawsuit session, Ruxton Avenue contract on deck
City Council eyes railway lawsuit, professional services contracts
The Manitou Springs City Council met twice in the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published for either session, so no confirmed decisions can be reported.
On July 7, the council's agenda included a first reading of Ordinance No. 0626 concerning Automated Vehicle Identification Systems, two on-call professional services contracts — one with WSB LLC and one with Stantec — and the reappointment of Alan Delwiche to the Urban Renewal Authority Board. The council also scheduled an executive session for legal advice on the case Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company v. City of Manitou Springs.
On July 14, the council's agenda was limited to routine business — call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda — plus a potential executive session to confer with the city attorney regarding the same railway lawsuit, identified as Case No. 2025CV30766. No other substantive actions were listed.
Parks board reviews budget and court resurfacing
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met July 6 to discuss the 2026 budget and identify priorities for a draft 2027 budget. The agenda also included review of an HCM 30% schematic design proposal for Overlook Park/Higginbotham Flats, plus discussion of resurfacing projects for shuffleboard, pickleball, and tennis courts. Public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker. Minutes have not been published.
Planning Commission holds routine meeting
The City Planning Commission met July 8 with a standard agenda: approval of minutes, unfinished business, public comments on non-agenda items, new business, and updates. No specific projects, contracts, or ordinance proposals were listed. Minutes are not yet available.
Housing Advisory Board discusses zoning and ADU grants
The Housing Advisory Board met July 15 to hear a guest presentation on the DOLA ADU Grant Program and to discuss mixed-use zoning designations and affordable housing finance models previously identified. The agenda also included public comment on non-agenda items and reports from City Council and staff liaisons. No formal decisions were noted. Minutes have not been published.
Coming up
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for July 21 and carries the most consequential agenda of the cycle. Items slated for consideration include:
- Approval of Contract Amendment #5 with JR Engineering for the Ruxton Avenue Improvements Project
- Approval of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Manitou Springs and CRANE
- Consideration of appointing Sean Warner to the City Planning Commission
- Approval of audited 2025 financial statements
- Second reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 0626 on Automated Vehicle Identification Systems
Residents interested in the Ruxton Avenue project, city finances, or the automated vehicle identification ordinance may want to attend. All recent meeting minutes remain unpublished; this roundup reflects agendas only, and confirmed outcomes will depend on those minutes.