September 7, 2000
Scot Hume
Austin Bluffs Conservation Association
4523 Bella Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 598-6106
hume@compuserve.com
Mr. Bill Guman
City Council
City of Colorado Springs
30 S. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Dear Bill,
This is a quick heads up letter on what is happening on our project. I think we could use a little bit of your help in the next couple weeks on the Union Meadow project. In June, Steve and I met with Councilman Skorman and Mayor Makepeace at her 10 Minutes With The Mayor program. Ron Romero was asked to get with us. So we met on August 17th and had a friendly meeting. Unfortunately, Public Works isn't going to be much help on our open space project. In the meeting, they stated that they didn't know that they owned the land, do not have any plans for it, but can not put a conservation easement or formally allow people to be walking on the land. However, they would be interested in talking more if Parks and Recreation was interested. Apparently, Public Works had sent Parks and Recreation an offer for trading the land with three different options. They had a two page letter from Parks and Recreation on why that wouldn't work. So there is kind of an impasse while the departments negotiate from their own parochial viewpoint.
Both Steve and I have worked through the corporate system. So we both realize how important department budgets and resources are to a department. However, the basic fact is that the city owns the land regardless of which department it is in and the solution is always easier if the boss says fix it. With that in mind, we had a very nice meeting with Paul Butcher in Parks and Recreation. He indicated and he would get with Mr. Zelenock to see about getting the land transferred. My understanding from that meeting is that sending a letter to two Group Support Managers and the City Manager triggers a rule requiring action within five days. We copied you on the letter that we sent to the city staff for your information We sure could use your support to make sure that since Public Works does not have a use for the land, it is transferred to Parks and Recreation.
We have raised enough money to create and endowment for the maintenance. We also have volunteers ready to work through the Adopt A Park program. So Austin Bluffs Conservation Association is ready to help stuard the land. We would also like to invite you out for a hike on the property during the beautiful summer. It really shows well right now. Scott Flora from TOSC and Kent Obee from TOPS have recently been out with us. We showed them areas of the park that they hadn't seen before and they were very impressed. Terry Putman and Chris Lieber are coming out in the next couple of days. With your help, I'm sure that we can create a wonderful park.
Sincerely,
Scot Hume
ABCA