Colorado Springs city council elections are fast approaching. Will the incumbents do well or will one or two be knocked off by the up and coming challengers? Is city council being treated fairly by the executive branch or is it being abused? Learn the definition of a Metro District. It ain't what the city is practicing today. Learn what a couple of the top priorities are for the city. (You've got to be kidding me? The city is wasting time on these? Aren't there more important things to be discussing?)

Inflation is up. Check your grocery store and utilities. What should Colorado Springs do with the Federal stimulus funding coming its way? Send your suggestions to [email protected]. What's a "Joint Dispatch Agreement?" A trivial question: "How often are fire hydrants inspected?"

Councilman Bill Murray unloads because he can't get straight answers to his Covid-19 questions. Will the B.1.1.7 variant take over? What happens when the Federal stimulus ends? Does Colorado Springs really need the money? Bob Cutter has an answer to Bill's inquiry. Is it a one-shot deal? One-offs? What are the capital issues?

You've heard of the "Bridge to Nowhere?" Colorado Springs has it's "Bridge over Cow Poke." An expensive proposition to say the least. This highlights the concept of "Who Pays?" The Transit Center: 14 years in the making and will it take another 14 years to realization? Will the current Transit Plan fit the future needs of transit?

Should Tourism drive the Colorado Springs economy? Will the lack of international tourism dampen the local economy? Is Colorado Springs really prepared economically for the future?

How do we ensure the benefits of active multimodal transit are accessible to ALL citizens? It's key to economic and public health for growing cities. Tamika L. Butler is a national expert on issues related to the built environment, equity, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, and change management. Recently, Tamika was Toole Design's Director of Planning for California and the Director of Equity and Inclusion. She was formerly Executive Director of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, addressing social and racial equity in wellness by building parks and gardens in park-poor communities.

This presentation was moderated by Claire Swinford, Director of Urban Engagement at the Downtown Partnership, with Q&A assistance from Jolie NeSmith, Executive Director of PikeRide.

This is the second in the 2021 City Center Series hosted by the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs. It was presented live, virtually, on February 17, 2021. The next event in the City Center Series, How to Retain Your Community's Soul During Rapid Development, takes place March 17, 2021. See information and registration here. https://downtowncs.com/citycenter/

Sponsors:

Colorado Springs Business Journal https://www.csbj.com/

Colorado Springs Health Foundation https://cshf.net/

LINKS:

Video of this Presentation https://youtu.be/qTgfCQmhTXY

City Center Series – info and reservations https://downtowncs.com/citycenter/

Downtown Colorado Springs (Downtown Partnership) https://downtowncs.com/

Tamika L. Butler Consulting https://www.tamikabutler.com/

ConnectCOS – citywide visionary transportation study https://coloradosprings.gov/connectcos

PikeRide https://www.pikeride.org/

About Peak Town Square: Join us in the town square! Colorado Springs' movers and shakers take the mic to share what's happening in our city. Politics, art, culture, recreation, business, food and health – everything is on the table. These partner organizations contribute episodes:

Citizens Project

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

Colorado Springs Business Journal

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode:

Councilman Bill Murray says he shouldn't get on a Rant, but he did!

Whoever gets elected to the Colorado Springs City Council will really determine if Council Matters. Will the newly elected be up to the task of moving Colorado Springs Utilities into the future? Or will there be backsliding by the new city council? A surprise letter from the students at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) serves up some surprises.

Will campaign contributions influence council's vote on the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO)? What about affordable housing? Where's the money to pay for infrastructure, storm water, parks, maintenance? What's the next step? What are the ABC's? What happened to TOPS funding?

Learn how you can keep your business safe as scams, phishing attacks and other cyber crime grows more sophisticated. The Colorado Springs Business Journal convened a panel of experts to share their advice:

• Mike Crandall with Digital Beachhead
• Blake Schwank with Colorado Computer Support
• Rodney Gullatte with Firma IT and Services Key West

This session was moderated by Helen Robinson, Managing Editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

This is the fifth in a series of community conversations about managing the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on your business. The series is hosted by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. This conversation was recorded on February 3, 2021. These conversation series occur quarterly; if you have an idea you'd like the CSBJ to explore, send it to Amy Gillentine, Publisher and Executive Editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

Sponsors:

Digital Beachhead has the expertise to provide a range of Cyber Risk Management and other Professional Services with specifically tailored solutions at competitive prices. For more information visit: https://www.digitalbeachhead.com/home.html

Colorado Computer Support proactively manages their clients' technology to ensure they have maximum uptime and functionality, enabling them to aggressively manage and grow their businesses. You can turn to their team for solutions in: cost-efficiency, security, strategy, the cloud and mobility. Check out https://www.coloradosupport.com/ for more information.

Firma IT: Whether you're experiencing a cyberattack, want to protect your company's data, or need to set up remote workstations as you deal with COVID-19, Firma IT here to help. The secure future of your business is just a few clicks away! Firma IT is part of the Pikes Peak SBDC COVID-19 Core Team and is proud to help the small business community make it through this health crisis. Check them out at: https://www.firmaitss.com/

About Peak Town Square: Join us in the town square! Colorado Springs' movers and shakers take the mic to share what's happening in our city. Politics, art, culture, recreation, business, food and health – everything is on the table. These partner organizations contribute episodes:

Citizens Project

Colorado Springs Business Journal

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode:

An unvarnished and unedited Q&A with Councilman Bill Murray and Colorado Springs City Council candidate Mike Seeger about issues facing City Council District #1, Colorado Springs Utilities, and city council in general.

An unvarnished and unedited Q&A with Councilman Bill Murray and Colorado Springs City Council candidate Dave Donelson about issues facing City Council District #1, Colorado Springs Utilities, and city council in general.

Good News and Bad News throughout this podcast. Utility rates to go up. Can you guess why? Money pours into the local city council races. Who's "Hoovering" up the lion's share? Are the city fathers communicating with the people? What are you bringing to the table to make Colorado Springs a better city? Why does the executive branch control the processes?

How is Colorado Springs faring economically in comparison to other cities? First lair hasn't got a chance. If the stats are so good for Colorado Springs why aren't companies coming here? That's a question asked 15 years ago. Has Colorado Springs gone too far down the tourism road to where businesses are ignoring the city? Is there full disclosure on projects in the city? What's the level of Organizational Skills in city government? Are there visionaries in the city or status quo? Is Colorado Springs Utilities finally getting in the game? Does CSU need a board of directors?

What challenges face the local restaurant business – both before and during COVID? What are restaurants doing to stay safe during the pandemic? How do they operate with thin margins at a time when they can't be at full capacity? The Colorado Springs Business Journal hosted this conversation with five restaurateurs: Brother Luck of Four by Brother Luck and Lucky Dumpling, Greg Howard of the Pikes Peak Chapter - Colorado Restaurant Association, Luchal Lucas of Luchal's Gourmet Catering LLC, Emilio Ortiz of 503W and Colorado Springs Bartenders' Guild, and Todd Baldwin of Red Leg Brewing Company. The panel is moderated by Bryan Grossman, editor-in-chief of the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

This is the fourth in a series of community conversations about managing the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on your business. The series is hosted by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. This conversation was recorded on January 27, 2021. These conversation series occur quarterly; if you have an idea you'd like the CSBJ to explore, send it to Amy Gillentine, Publisher and Executive Editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

LINKS:

Colorado Springs Business Journal http://www.csbj.com

Four by Brother Luckhttps://www.facebook.com/fourbyluck/

Lucky Dumplinghttps://www.facebook.com/luckydumplingco/

Pikes Peak Chapter - Colorado Restaurant Associationhttps://www.facebook.com/pikespeakcra/

Luchal's Gourmet Catering LLChttps://www.facebook.com/luchalsgourmetcatering/

503Whttps://www.facebook.com/503W.co/

Colorado Springs Bartenders' Guildhttps://www.facebook.com/coloradospringsbartendersguild/

Red Leg Brewing Companyhttps://www.facebook.com/redlegbrewco/

About Peak Town Square: Join us in the town square! Colorado Springs' movers and shakers take the mic to share what's happening in our city. Politics, art, culture, recreation, business, food and health – everything is on the table. These partner organizations contribute episodes:

Citizens Project

Colorado Springs Business Journal

Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode:

Is the city budget that doesn't cover ALL the city's needs really a Balanced Budget? Are we getting an accurate picture of what is really needed to run the city? How will all the needed services be paid for? Will there be a financial day of reckoning in the city's future? What impact will the coming military budget cuts have on the local economy? The city fathers are still paying lip service to public transportation, right? Still struggling with Covid-19 issues.

The prospective city council candidates are discussed. Are their platitudes enough to get them elected? Are they in-tune with the citizens of Colorado Springs? Their district? We've made our best guess with the limited information available. We reserve the right to change our minds. Send us your thoughts and questions on what you expect from these candidates. We won't screen or filter your questions.