Obtober 2025 Observer Corps Highlights
By
Marjorie Kramer
Posted: 2025-11-05T18:36:03Z
Colorado Citizen Observers
Nov 5
Observer: Lisa Love Blankenship
- Two Schools Flagged For Lower Performance
- The board was told that the state evaluated 30 schools in the district. The schools scored high enough to maintain the district’s accredited status, while a number of schools were recognized as “Accredited with Distinction.” However, two schools received a status labeled, “Turnaround”, indicating lower performance. The schools, Laurene Edmondson and Peakview Academy, are requesting reconsideration from the state.
- TSD’s Outlines its Instructional Vision for the Future
- Staff members Sara Rasmussen and Carrie Bartmann told the board that three areas have been identified for future goals:
- Meeting the needs of multilingual learners and students with disabilities
- Ensuring consistent growth at all levels in English Language Arts and Math
- Fostering a sense of belonging in students
Observer: Linda Love Blankenship
- Climate and Culture Survey Open Through Nov. 14, 2025
- Families and community members are encouraged to provide feedback via this survey on the TSD website.
- Cost Increases for ADA Assessment of Monroe Elementary School
- Assistant Superintendent Todd Piccone said the ADA assessment would cost more than previously projected, and therefore the board needed to approve spending the extra money. The board approved spending the extra money on the assessment 5-1, with board member Nancy Rumfelt the only dissenting vote.
Observer: Shannon Murphy
- Natural Medicine Zoned to General Commercial and Heavy Industrial areas
- Healing centers are permitted in “General Commercial” zones, while medicine businesses are permitted in “Heavy Industrial” zones.
- A 1,000 foot buffer around schools and childcare facilities must be maintained.
- Operating hours are limited to 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
- E-Scooters and Other Vehicles Regulated
- Police Commander Richard Zeigler presented proposed updates regulating e-scooters, off-highway vehicles, and golf carts within town limits. The ordinance was to have a second reading later in October.
Observer: Linda Burrous
- Mayor Bets the Town’s Rep
- Mayor Robert Axmacher made a public announcement, stating “Wellington is better.” Axmacher noted he made the announcement as payment on a bet he lost when Timnath lost to Wellington in a football game in September.
- Amber Street Lights Are Attractive
- During citizen comment, John Garvey complimented the staff on retrofitting streetlights on Main Street with amber colored lights. He hopes the city will continue to use amber colored lights when replacements are needed.
- State Representative Garcia Sander Makes an Appearance
- Laurie Garcia Sander, State House Representative for District 65, introduced herself at the meeting. She said she was attending to see what issues were discussed so she could better understand her district.
- Timnath Aligns Land Use to Comply with State Plans
- The council discussed ordinances which will bring the city into compliance with state legislation and will better align the ordinances with best practices. Items discussed included the prohibition of gated communities, building color, and the definition and use of compact parking spaces in long-term parking lots.
Observer: Linda Burrous
- Timnath Parkway Concerns
- Mayor Robert Axemacher reported that citizens at his Council Chat had comments about the lack of visibility of vehicles turning south on Timnath Parkway from 2nd and 4th Avenues. Some feel there has been a loss of patronage to Old Town Timnath since the parkway was completed.
- Accounting Manager and GID Debt Insurance Needed
- Town Finance Director, Lisa Gagliardi, said the search for an accounting manager continues. The town continues to work with UMB Bank for the Timnath Landing General Improvement District (GID) debt insurance.
Observer: Nanci Wendland
- Board Denies Grant to Combat News Desert
- Jenny Fischer, instructor in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication at Colorado State University, presented a grant request of $4,647 to develop a business plan to create a local media outlet. As Wellington currently has no print or broadcast news outlet specific to the town, it is considered a news desert. Fischer’s program would’ve worked in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Student Media Group. During the board discussion, Trustee Ed Cannon said that since the departure of North Forty News from Wellington, there is no local, unbiased news source, and people are turning to social media to get their news. However, Mayor Calar Chaussee said he would not support the grant. Trustee Shirell Tietz agreed with the mayor, saying journalism should be kept separate from the government. The grant request failed by a vote of 4-2.
- Attorney Sapienza Resigns
- Town Attorney Dan Sapienza said he will resign effective October 29, 2025. The town is seeking his replacement.
- 2026 Home Rule and Batting Cage Cost Cuts Discussed
- Town Administrator Patti Garcia told the board that an additional $300,000 must be cut to balance the 2026 budget. She asked if the board would consider postponing moving forward with Home Rule Status, which will cost approximately $125,000. After discussion, the mayor and trustees said they want to continue pursuing Home Rule. Garcia then suggested closing the batting cages at Wellington Community Park, which would save approximately $22,000. All of the trustees and the mayor agreed the town needs to keep the batting cages open for youth. Parks and Recreation Manager Bill Cooksey said he would explore ways to automate the cages in order to bring their operating costs down.
Observer: Nanci Wendland
Observer’s note: The first 18 minutes of the meeting were not accessible to the public watching via Zoom. The town clerk eventually produced a new Zoom link, allowing the Zoom participants, including this observer, to join the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
- Law Firm Appointed for Interim
- The board unanimously approved the law firm of Bell, Gould, Linder & Scott, PC, as interim town attorneys.
- Housing Authority Represented
- Trustee Rebekka Daily was unanimously appointed by the board to serve on the Wellington Housing Authority.
- $492,000 Budget Cuts for 2026 Reviewed
- Town Administrator Patti Garcia proposed a series of revisions that would result in a savings of $492,000.
- This included a hiring freeze, no additional law enforcement from the sheriff’s office, and water, sewer and park funds reduced. The Trustees supported the cuts.
- The board voted unanimously to keep batting cages at the community park open at a cost of $11,000.
- The trustees unanimously agreed to keep the Hardship Utility Grant (HUG) which supports residents in need, with a budget of $25,000.
- The trustees also agreed to keep the budget for seeking Home Rule status, but will seek public feedback. The first budget approval is scheduled for November 18, 2025.
Report Generated by AI and Reviewed by Observer Sonia Koetting to insure accuracy, neutrality, and fidelity to the original record.
- Council Revisits Goal of 100% Renewable Electricity by 2030
- Brian Tholl, Energy Services Director, opened the session by reviewing the city’s pathway towards the 100% renewable goal.
- Tholl said Fort Collins measures success by how much renewable power it purchases or produces, regardless of the energy sources that make up the broader Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) portfolio.
- What Is 100% Renewable Energy?
- Mayor pro-tem Emily Francis asked if the city could meaningfully claim that the energy is 100% renewable while PRPA operates natural gas plants. Tholl clarified that the city uses renewables, as well as renewable-energy credits, to offset total energy use. He added that Fort Collins participation in the Southwest Power Pool will strengthen regional reliability while allowing PRPA to sell renewable surplus to other markets.
- Councilmember Tricia Canonico requested a plain language explanation to help residents compare the city’s metric with PRPA’s generation mix. Staff agreed to release a public summary with the next Our Climate Future (OCF) annual update.
- Solar Energy Adoption Deemed a Success
- Tholl reported that rooftop and community solar installations now provide 3.4% of total generation. That amount is projected to reach 5% by 2030. Councilmember Kelly Ohlson noted that the city’s progress is significantly higher than adoption in neighboring communities. He said he credits success to early investment in the Energize Fort Collins Program.
- The council concluded the discussion with calls for more consistent messaging to residents about what “100% renewable” means in practice, especially as PRPA’s power generation mix evolves, and as regional grid participation complicates accounting.
- Sustainability Team Rolls Out Strategic Funding Plan
- Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer, was joined by other staff to introduce Phase 1 of the Strategic Funding Plan. The plan will coordinate funds from 2050 Community Capital and Sustainability Tax, utility ratepayer programs, and state or federal grants.The council supported the model, but emphasized the importance of public accountability. Mayor Jeni Arndt asked if residents could track climate spending in real time. Castillo said a public dashboard will launch in 2026, alongside Phase 2. The council unanimously agreed to proceed to Phase 2 in 2026.
- Transfort Shifts To Prioritize Frequency
- Staff presented a plan to improve reliability and financial stability, saying costs have risen nearly 50% since 2019, while ridership has shifted toward core routes. The plan is focused on a frequency-first model, which public feedback has strongly favored.
- The Dial-A-Ride boundary will shift to within three quarters of a mile of fixed routes. Approximately 39 existing clients living outside the zone will retain service through a voucher program.
- Consultant Jason Miller told the council that an optimized grid is expected to reduce system-wide travel time by 15% and boost annual ridership from 2.6 million to 3.3 million trips. Implementation is expected to begin in 2027, pending budget finalization in 2026.
- Building Performance Standards Advance
- The council discussed whether to create mandatory regulations for large buildings regarding energy goals. Castillo outlined a proposed ordinance that would require commercial and multifamily buildings to meet energy-intensity or emissions targets by 2032.
- The Economic Advisory Board recommended a flexible schedule for compliance. However, the Air Quality Advisory Board urged quick adoption to meet the city’s climate goals.
- Timing of Election and City Priorities May Affect Climate Goals
- Council members said they recognized that climate actions now intersect every department. They voiced concerns over timing and administrative capacity because multiple major initiatives scheduled to begin in 2026-2028 will stretch city staff resources. The City Manager promised to examine priorities. The council also voiced concern about governance continuity as their ideas on the climate goals may not be consistent with the next elected council.