Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority Board Meeting Minutes Final
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
This meeting was a hybrid meeting held in person and through
a zoom teleconference.
Item 1 – Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair John Olson called the meeting to order at 11:07 a.m. In attendance at the meeting were Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry, Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong. Commissioner Sam Friesema was excused from the meeting.
Item 2 – Approval of February 26, 2025, Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Randy Helms, seconded by Commissioner Wynne Palermo to approve the CSURA meeting minutes of February 26, 2025. The motion passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Sam Friesema, Cecilia Harry, Randy Helms, Parth Melpakam, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Commissioner Sam Friesema was excused from the meeting.
Item 3 – Approval of the CSURA Financial Report and Claims as of March 31, 2025
Carrie Bartow, CLA reviewed the financial report and claims as of March 31, 2025, as provided in the agenda packet.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wynne Palermo, seconded by Commissioner Cecilia to accept the financial report and approve the claims as of March 31, 2025. The motion passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry, Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Item 4 – Citizen Discussion
None
Item 5 – Election of Officers
Jariah Walker stated that April is the month in which the board decides who will serve as Chair and Vice Chair of the CSURA board. Jariah stated he had emailed the board for any nominations. John Olson and Gary Feffer stated they would like to continue to serve as Chair and Vice Chair.
A motion was made by Commissioner Maureen Juran, seconded by Commissioner Parth Melpakam to reelect Commissioner John Olson as Chair and Commissioner Gary Feffer as the Vice Chair of the CSURA Board. The motion passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry, Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong
Commissioner John Olson entered the meeting.
Item 7 – Budget Amendments 2024
Carrie Bartow, CliftonLarsonAllen CPA discussed the five budget amendments for the CSURA 2024 Budget as presented in the agenda packet. The Public Hearing Notice was posted in the Gazette prior to the meeting.
Chair John Olson opened the Public Hearing regarding the 2024 Budget Amendments with a motion from Commissioner Mark Tremmel, seconded by Commissioner Anthony Perez. There was no public comment. The Public Hearing was then closed with a motion from Commissioner Bill Wysong, seconded by Commissioner Cecilia Harry.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bob Riefstahl, seconded by Wynne Palermo to approve Resolution No. 03-25:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING FIVE 2024 CSURA BUDGET AMENDMENTS ASPRESENTED TO AUTHORITY MEMBERS:
• IN THE DEBT SERVICE FUND – IVYWILD NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT AREA,
• IN THE DEBT SERVICE FUND – CANYON CREEK PROJECT AREA,
• IN THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND – CITY GATE 2.0 PROJECT AREA,
• IN THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND – TEJON AND COSTILLA PROJECT AREA,
• IN THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND – CITY FOR CHAMPIONS FUND (USAFA),
The motion passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry,
Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl,
Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Item 8 – CSURA 2024 Audit Report
Carrie Bartow, CLA reviewed the draft CSURA 2024 Audit Report.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wynne Palermo, seconded by Commissioner Anthony Perez to approve the CSURA 2024 Audit Report as of December 31, 2024. The motion passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry, Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Item 9 – Ivywild Development Agreement Amendments
Jariah Walker and David Neville presented the First Amendment to the Urban Renewal Agreement for the redevelopment of the Ivywild Urban Renewal Area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bob Riefstahl, seconded by Mark Tremmel to approve Resolution No. 04-25:
A RESOLUTION OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO URBAN RENEWAL AGREEMENT FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF IVYWILD URBAN RENEWAL AREA
The motion was passed 11 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Cecilia Harry,Maureen Juran, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl,Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Item 10 – Strategic Plan Update – EPS
The draft Strategic Plan update was given by Sarah Dunmire, Senior Associate, and Jay Renkens, AICP from (EPS) Economic & Planning Systems. May 2, 2025 is the due date for any comments from the board to be sent to EPS.
Item 11 – Executive Director Report
Jariah Walker presented the April Executive Director report as presented in the agenda packet.
Item 12 – Non-Agenda Item
Item 13 – Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
The next regular CSURA board meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2025. The board meeting will be held in the Pikes Peak Conference Room at City Hall at 107 N. Nevada Avenue. The board meeting will be a hybrid meeting held both in person and through Zoom teleconference. If you cannot attend in person, please use the Zoom link listed at the top of the agenda. Copies of the Board agendas, minutes and audio recordings are posted on the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority website: www.csura.org