STILL SEEKING THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS

Here are my comments for the City Council Tuesday:

Good Morning,

On September 10th last year I was informed by the City that my questions about the land swap had already been answered. I am sorry but I still cannot find the answers to my questions in the communications I have received from the City.

The section of the Barr Trail that the City now owns is in desperate need of improvements. The City of Manitou is doing some repairs each year, but some of this work is being damaged because of the drainage problems.

A washout is formed on the trail when water is running down the trail, and then leaves the trail in a place where it is not supposed to. The water carves out the edge of the trail more and more. This is a symptom of extreme drainage problems. These problems are expected because the trail is made up of tight switchbacks, and was built nearly a hundred years ago, which was before drainage issues were understood.

The City of Manitou is paying RMFI to repair some of the washouts. They dig out the damaged edge of the trail and stack up beams, 4 by 4's or 4 by 6's. Then they backfill so the trail is restored. Because the drainage problems have not been fixed, in some places the water is carving out the trail again between the dirt and the support beams. In other places a new washout is being formed right next to the repair work.

I emailed a copy of the email I got last summer from our Parks Dept. to each of you Sunday. I cannot find the answers to my questions in that email. While I understand that you are not required to speak to me, I am asking that you answer my questions. Please tell me the estimated cost for the much needed drainage study and drainage work. The cost for a new fence. The cost for all needed stabilization work, and obstacle removal. Please also tell me how much has been spent on repairs on the trail since the land swap was approved.

I am alleging that the appraisal submitted by the Broadmoor is invalid, and that the public was misled about the value of the land. This was a multi million dollar transaction, it may not be flawed. The City must show us that my claims about the cost of the repairs are incorrect, or reverse the land swap.