Mayor Bach Initiates Inspection Of Urban Renewal Authority
Mayor Steve Bach announced Wednesday that he has directed Chief of Staff, Laura Neumann, to conduct an inspection on his behalf of Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority (CSURA) financial accounts, records and operating files.
In a letter sent to Mr. Michael Collins, Chairman of CSURA, Bach requested CSURA’s cooperation with this inspection.
According to Colorado Springs Chief Communications Officer, Cindy Aubrey, the inspection has to do with a line of credit the Urban Renewal Authority Board asked for last fall. Aubrey says CSURA wanted a loan to cover general expenses for the Ivywild development project. The city understood that CSURA was seeking an excessive amount of money and the Mayor intervened. CSURA then said it defaulted on money they borrowed for the North Nevada redevelopment project. The Major now says it is appropriate to take a look at the Urban Renewal Authority.
The authority for this inspection is found in the Colorado Springs Municipal Code. Section 1.2.308 provides in relevant part that the Mayor “shall have charge and supervision over all accounts and records of the City, and all boards or groups required to keep or make accounts?and may inspect or cause to be inspected all records or accounts required to be kept in any of the offices or departments of the City, and cause proper accounts and records to be kept and proper reports to be made.” See also, Section 1.2.302 (“ACT AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: The Mayor shall have and exercise the power and authority to perform the duties of the director or manager of any department, division, office, agency or municipal enterprise given or prescribed by this Code or by any ordinance, resolution or contract of the City.” (quoted in relevant part)).
CSURA was established by the City of Colorado Springs City Council in 1970 through the approval of Ordinance No. 3995, and consists of a board appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council Members. As such, its accounts and records fall under the mayor’s purview under Section 1.2.308.
