Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority Board Meeting Minutes Final
Wednesday, March 12, 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
Vice Chair Gary Feffer called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. In attendance at the meeting were Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Sam Friesema, Cecilia Harry, Randy Helms, Parth Melpakam, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong. Chair John Olson was excused for the first half of the meeting. Commissioner Maureen Juran 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.
Item 3 – Approval of the CSURA Claims as of February 28, 2025
Carrie Bartow, CLA reviewed the cash report and claims as of February 28, 2025, as provided in the agenda packet.
A motion was made by Commissioner Anthony Perez, seconded by Commissioner Bob Riefstahl, to approve the claims as of February 28, 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
Item 4 – Citizen Discussion
None
Item 5 – Gold Hill Mesa Update
Stephanie Edwards, Executive Vice President, CMO from Gold Hill Mesa gave a PowerPoint presentation and update on the Gold Hill filings 11, and 12. Filing 13 is the commercial portion of Gold Hill. The name Gold Hill Mesa has now been changed to Gold Hill.
Commissioner John Olson entered the meeting.
Item 7 was presented before Item 6.
Item 7 – Finance Options for Ivywild Phase 2
Jariah Walker introduced Troy Bernberg. Mr. Bernberg had previously worked with the board on the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum financing. The application was sent out to a mix of local and regional banks. The two proposals before the board are from Bank of San Juan and Bank of Colorado. Bank of San Juan gave three different options and call provisions. They also offer lock through closing meaning the interest rate would be locked in. The Bank of Colorado did not have that. The recommendation would be to go with the Bank of San Juan.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bob Riefstahl, seconded by Commissioner Anthony Perez to give the Executive Director permission in moving forward with the financing options with the Bank of San Juan. The motion passed 12 – 0 by Commissioners: Mike DeGrant, Gary Feffer, Sam Friesema, Cecilia Harry, Randy Helms, Parth Melpakam, John Olson, Wynne Palermo, Anthony Perez, Bob Riefstahl, Mark Tremmel, and Bill Wysong.
Item 6 – Strategic Plan Update – EPS
The Strategic Plan Workshop #8 update was given by Sarah Dunmire, Senior Associate, and Andrew Knudtsen, Managing Principal from (EPS) Economic & Planning Systems.
Item 8 – Executive Director Report
Jariah Walker presented the March Executive Director report as presented in the agenda packet.
Item 9 – Non-Agenda Item
Item 10 – Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
The next regular CSURA board meeting is scheduled for April 23, 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