This is my contribution to Citizen's Discussion at Tuesday's City Council meeting:

Good morning,

The section of the Barr Trail that the city acquired from the Broadmoor Hotel in the land swap is in such bad shape that some people are recommending that it be closed and a reroute be constructed. 

I was aware of the condition of the trail during the public comment process, and I asked the city to disclose to us the total cost of all needed repairs on that land.

I spoke at public meetings, I sent emails to the Mayor and City Council, and I spoke before the City Council.

All of this is documented on my COS Land Swap page on Facebook.

The city refused to answer my questions.

The fact that the trail was in such bad shape had to be disclosed to the public before the land swap was approved.

If the city was not aware of the severity of the problem that proves gross negligence. Negligence of that magnitude invalidates the public comment process.

I asked the specific question many times.

Why did the city refuse to investigate the issue and answer my question?

The public comment process is flawed because of this.

The city failed to disclose to the public that the trail on the land owned by the cog railway needed a huge amount of work.

I estimate that it needs at least one million dollars in repairs.

The land was appraised at one million, three hundred thousand dollars.

I will ask you again now:

What is the estimated cost of all needed repairs to the section of the Barr Trail that we acquired in the land swap?

The city has to provide this information.

My questions have not already been answered and saying that the trail needs $40,000 in annual maintenance is an incomplete answer.

The city has admitted that the trail needs $40,000 a year in maintenance and that proves that something is very wrong with the trail, that fact had to be disclosed to the public before the land swap was approved.

The land that we acquired is a "Lemon" and the city may not legally approve the land swap without telling the public about its actual condition.

Strawberry Fields must be returned to the city, and the first two miles of the Barr Trail must be returned to the cog railway.

The public cannot be left in the dark.

The trail on the land that we acquired is in such bad condition that it may have to be closed.

The city failed to inform the public of the liabilities that come with that land before approving the land swap.

Thank you, Carl Strow