Council Matters Studio 809 Radio

Political ads, term limits, and special interests are in the mix as co-hosts (and city councilors) Tom Strand and Bill Murray interpret election results. Plus: a look into the future. This is Bill and Tom’s 100th episode. Cheers! (Episode 100, Recorded 11/16/18) The post Council Matters: Your Fortune Told Here (Post-Election) – Nov 19 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

From city growth and traffic congestion to bike lanes and sustainability, everything’s on the table as Amy Sweet, editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal drops in for a chat. Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand co-host, as always. (Episode 99, recorded 11/2/18) The post Council Matters: Amy Sweet of Colorado Springs Business Journal – Nov 12 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Poll numbers surprise co-host and city councilor Bill Murray. The voters are interested in conservation, healthcare, and making Colorado better. Money, ballot issues, and an unpopular judge are also discussed, with co-host and also city councilor Tom Strand. (Episode 98, recorded 11/2/18) The post Council Matters: Election Poll Numbers – Nov 05 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Do we have too many deer, bicycles and short term rentals? These controversies are revisited by co-hosts and city councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray. (Episode 97, recorded 10/12/18) The post Council Matters: Bikes, Deer & Short Term Rentals, Oh My – Oct 29 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

All about how your tax dollars will be spent. City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand turn the mayor’s proposed 2019 city budget upside down and shake it to see what comes out. Public safety gets significant attention in this episode. Let the number crunching begin. (Episode 96, recorded 10/12/18) The post Council Matters: Taking the City Budget Apart – Oct 22 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Two controversial ballot measures are under the microscope in this episode. Colorado Springs City Councilors and co-hosts Bill Murray and Tom Strand stake their positions on Amendment 74 & and Proposition 112. 74 would require state and local governments to reimburse property owners for any loss of value due to new regulations. 112 would increase […] The post Council Matters: Ballot Measures 74 & 112 – Oct 15 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

How is the City of Colorado Springs going to spend our tax dollars in 2019? Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss the beginning of the 2019 budget process. Should health & safety, broadband internet service, IT infrastructure, and the homeless have a piece of the budget pie? (Episode 94, Recorded 9/13/18) The post Council Matters: City Budget Preview – Oct 8 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

In this “No Holds Barred” town hall, Colorado Springs City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand hear from an energetic crowd. Citizens voiced concerns about homelessness, Colorado College, vacation rentals, and more. No pitchforks or torches, but a robust discussion. Can Tom and Bill deliver? (Episode 94, recorded 9/27/18) The post Council Matters: City Councilors Town Hall – Oct 1 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Should Short Term Rentals collect the LART (Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax)? A follow up to episode 90 about regulating VRBO and Airbnb in the Springs. Should we care about the Municipal Administrative Budget? Why should I read the city charter? What is the city’s Strategic Plan? Does it have useful metrics? (Episode 92, Recorded […] The post Council Matters: Strategic Plan Plus Short Term Rentals Update – Sept 24 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Energy flows as Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand gear up for the Mayor’s State of the City address. Collaboration, addressing specific issues, and the future economic climate are on Bill’s mind. Let’s not forget storm water, legal issues, and economic sustainability. Tom’s heartburn: “Are we, as a city, gaining on having a robust public […] The post Council Matters: State of the City – Sept 17 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Are VRBO and Airbnb a plus or a problem for Colorado Springs? Vacation rentals are squeezing Amsterdam and Spain housing markets making housing unaffordable for people living there. Could that happen here? Should a city permit be required to ensure these entrepreneurs pay the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART)? Should there be other regulations? […] The post Council Matters: Should We Regulate Vacation Rentals? Sept 10 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Who are the 3 finalists vying for the highest-paying public sector job in Colorado Springs? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand update us and dig deeper into the hiring of a new Colorado Springs Utilities CEO. Will they be offering a $700K salary? Will CSU hit its stated goal of 150KW of renewable energy […] The post Council Matters: Utilities CEO Hiring Update – Sept 4 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Verbal thrashings punctuate a smorgasbord of topics hot in Colorado Springs. Bring your fire extinguisher. City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murrary are on a roll in this episode. There’s a lot of Heat and they’re taking “No Prisoners.” PlanCOS; Camping Ordinance; metropolitan districts; economic sustainability; public safety. Your comments are welcome below. (Episode 88, […] The post Council Matters: On A Roll – Aug 27 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

What are the criteria and other factors influencing the hiring of a new Colorado Springs Utilities CEO? Co-hosts and City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray dig into the process underway to replace recently retired CEO Jerry Forte. On the table: vision, leadership, politics, renewables vs. fossil fuels, and more. (Episode 87, Recorded 7/27/18) The post Council Matters: Hiring a New Utilities CEO – Aug 13 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Is Colorado Springs’ proposed updated comprehensive plan (PlanCOS) a “Nothing Burger,” as intimated by John Hazlehurst’s recent column in the Colorado Springs Business Journal? City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand debate. Is this plan, like all the others, in “sand?” What are the rising expectations of the community? What constitutes a “vibrant” community? Does […] The post Council Matters: Comprehensive Plan – Que Será, Será? appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

A downtown stadium and arena are in the works for Colorado Springs. Is this cause for celebration or for concern? City councilors (and Council Matters co-hosts) Tom Strand and Bill Murray explore the ins and outs of these recently announced City for Champions (C4C) projects. They examine the financing plans, the role of the taxpayer, […] The post Council Matters: City for Champions Funding – July 30 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Burglaries are up 22% in Colorado Springs. City Councilors Tom Strand and Bill Murray tackle the problem, discussing potential solutions and offering tips for residents of the city. (Episode 84, Recorded 6/29/18) The post Council Matters: What’s Up? Burglaries! appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Can the affordable housing shortage be solved? If so, how? Private sector, Habitat for Humanity, tiny houses, government subsidies or requirements? Colorado Springs city councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand give it their best shot in this episode. (Episode 83, recorded 6/29/18) The post Council Matters: Affordable Housing Solutions – July 09 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

Can Colorado Springs’ homeless issues really be solved? It’s still a HOT topic in Colorado Springs. Tom Strand just returned from Harvard, where he learned a thing or two about Colorado Springs’ efforts to combat homelessness. Apparently New Zealand, Australia, San Diego and Salt Lake City have fixed the problem.  Learn all about it in […] The post Council Matters: Homelessness Solved – July 02 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.

“Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle, I want to ride my Bicycle.” Some motorists don’t want to share the road with bicyclists. Some resent their presence, and both motorists and bicyclists have some legitimate gripes about etiquette and ignorance – or even outright flouting – of traffic laws. City Councilors Bill Murray and Tom Strand discuss the controversies […] The post Council Matters: Bicycles – Blessing or Nuisance? – June 25 2018 appeared first on Studio 809 Radio.