Hello,
I have questions about the Conservation Easement for the land swap.
We were told that the Conservation Easement would take one year from the date of approval of the land swap. The City Council approved the land swap on May 24th 2016. Then the City suddenly announced that the deal had closed on December 30th of that year.
I would like to know what happened to shorten the amount of time needed to complete the Conservation Easement.
Did Palmer Land Trust suddenly contact the City and announce that the Conservation Easement was ready early?
What is involved in the process to complete a Conservation Easement?
I must state again that President Skorman made incorrect statements during the City Council meeting on September 10th when he told me that my questions about the land swap have already been answered.
The trail on the land we acquired from the Cog Railway is in terrible condition.
The steep hillside has severe erosion damage because the trail was built before drainage issues were understood. The drainage must be improved and the first step is to hire a firm to conduct a study.
How much will a study of the drainage issues cost?
How much do we estimate the actual drainage modifications will cost?
The fence on our land should have been replaced many years ago. It is a terrible eyesore, is missing pieces, and is rotting.
How much will it cost to build a new fence and remove the old one?
How much more money needs to be spent on stabilization work on the trail?
How much can an appraisal be off before it is considered to be invalid? What percentage?
How much money has the City of Manitou Springs spent on the trail since we acquired the land?
My sources are still telling me that this section of the trail would normally be closed because it is nearly impossible to get the drainage right on this type of trail. A new trail would be shorter and steeper and the Pikes Peak Marathon would not have the necessary mileage. A new trail might not connect to the Manitou Incline as well.
Is it true that this trail requires at least $500,000 of improvments, and may require as much as $1,000,000 in work?
Please answer my questions now.
Thank you, Carl Strow