A standoff over water and sewer connection fees for the new El Paso County detox facility ended Tuesday when the Colorado Springs City Council approved a quid pro quo deal with the county.The deal clears the way for construction of a controversial project that has encountered several hurdles.The first setback happened in April when city-owned Colorado Springs Utilities wanted to charge the county $234,150 to hook up water and sewer service to the facility and a second building Sheriff Terry Maketa is erecting to handle jail crowding. The new buildings are next to the Criminal Justice Center on East Las Vegas Street.The county balked at paying the fees, and for the past two months, officials have haggled over an agreement to trade services without cash changing hands.The agreement, which county commissioners are expected to approve Thursday, calls for the city to receive $234,150 worth of services associated with the city’s Southern Delivery System water pipeline, which will be built in the vicinity of Marksheffel Road and bring water from Pueblo Reservoir.County Administrator Jeff Greene said construction is expected to proceed quickly after a building permit was issued recently on the strength of the pending agreement.Maketa said the facility should open on Oct. 26, within the original timeline. Excavators will bring equipment onto the site Wednesday, he said.-Call the writer at 636-0238

John Clemente plays Tetris, perhaps the world’s most recognized video game. It is played by millions around the world on Facebook, iPhone, computers, gaming consoles, and in their heads when they close their eyes. Photo by AP