Pueblo City Council Meeting - September 12, 2022: Proclamations, Public Comments, and Key Votes
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Pueblo City Council Meeting - September 12, 2022
The Pueblo City Council convened on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 7:04 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, discussion of city cleanliness and homelessness, and approval of numerous resolutions and ordinances, including a lease agreement for the Pueblo Ice Arena. Council members also debated mandatory trash service, plastic bag bans, and intersection solicitation ordinances.
Consent Calendar
- Resolutions M-1 through M-15 were approved, including:
- Ratification of emergency sewer repair contract ($14,344.40) with Parker Excavation for 31 MacArthur.
- Award of $166,186 contract to Tolin Mechanical for Ice Arena cooling tower replacement.
- Revocable permits for Gold Dust Saloon and SRDA for Chile and Frijoles Festival.
- Contract with Dibble Engineering for airport improvements.
- Fee schedule modification for city-owned electric vehicle charging stations via ChargePoint.
- Preliminary approval of the Dorcy Community Housing Annexation petition (10.74 acres), tabling final action for up to 180 days and referring to Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Adoption of Pueblo County’s Emergency Operations Plan (August 2022).
- Ratification of appointments to regional boards and commissions.
- Appointment of the City Clerk as election official for the November 8, 2022 special municipal election.
- Ordinances N-1 through N-21 were presented for first reading, including:
- ARPA grant agreements with Rosemount Museum, Bessemer Historical Society, Southern Colorado Youth Development, and Fuel and Iron Commercial, LLC.
- Zoning changes for properties on Oakshire Lane, East Orman Avenue, and along State Highway 96.
- Vacation of a 20-foot utility easement.
- Approval of North Vista Highlands Filing No. 5 subdivision.
- Addition of a Stormwater Engineering Manager position and establishment of pay scale.
- Opt-out of the state Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program.
- License agreement with Clarity Telecom (Bluepeak Fiber).
- Grant acceptance for an air compressor with a 10% city match.
- Non-disclosure agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities.
- Memorandum of Understanding with InhabX for trailhead access.
- Amendment to employment agreement with New CF&I Inc.
- Hangar lease amendment with Lockheed Martin.
- Construction management agreement with Pueblo Development Foundation. All ordinances set for public hearing on September 26, 2022.
- Motion to approve Consent Agenda passed 6-0, with Councilor Flores excused.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Karen Yescavage (Professor, CSU Pueblo) expressed full support for removing the Columbus statue, stating it causes psychological harm to indigenous people and is a symbol of colonization. She noted that statues were erected to bolster Italian-American pride in the 1950s but without consideration for the impact on Native Americans.
- Annie Drysdale argued the Columbus statue is a redundant issue due to lack of action by previous councils, and urged council to be "rivers of change" rather than complacent. She referenced the June 8th SB-22 passing and Deb Howland’s election as evidence of a social wave for change.
- Flawney COTS (speaker) requested city assistance for a warming shelter program ("Cold Blue Pueblo") he and his wife operated last winter, costing them about $20,000 total. They housed 25-30 homeless individuals on nights below 20°F, providing meals from 5-9 AM. He asked council to partner financially.
- Elvis Martinez advocated for ranked-choice voting for city elections (mayor and council), arguing it is fairer and a runoff would be a waste of money. He also asked each council member to state their biggest achievement this year and their goals for next year. He criticized a council member for walking with a "political group" containing a "hateful person" in a parade, and noted he wished all seven were present on the city float.
- Brian Rivera (Morningstar Creations) requested more skate parks and amenities along the Arkansas River Trail (like concrete chessboards, corn hole boards) for older youth and adults. He proposed a "concrete school" to teach trades and skateboard ramp building, and sought donors/grants for community enhancements.
- Steve Valejos complained about trash throughout Pueblo, especially on streets near the State Fair. He criticized code enforcement for saying residents are only responsible from corner to corner, and called on council and mayor to take responsibility for city cleanliness. He described the city as a "disgrace" and noted people are moving away.
Discussion Items
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Public Works and Budget
- Q-1: ARPA Funding for Fire Pumper and Trash Truck – Staff requested $363,537 from ARPA funds for additional $208,000 for a new fire pumper (total bid $708,537) and $155,000 for a new rear-loading trash truck for Parks and Recreation. The trash truck will be used for larger debris in park areas. Current two trucks are old; new truck expected in 9+ months.
- Q-2 and Q-3: Asphalt Paving Contracts – Two contracts awarded to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.: $1,540,988.36 for paving Abriendo Avenue (Dutch Clark to I-25) and $1,032,873.79 for Ridge Drive and a section of Allen Hamill Avenue. Work to begin fall 2022.
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Council Contingency Spending
- Q-4: $750 to Latino Chamber Development Corp for 15th annual Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony (event held on Sept. 9).
- Q-5: $2,500 to Pueblo Chamber for Chile Balloon Fiesta – Sponsor of a hot air balloon; Councilor Winner proposed donating 8 ride slots to first responders.
- Q-6: $3,000 to Song of Pueblo to offset costs for performances at the art center on September 21.
- Q-7: $1,000 to Pueblo District 60 Education Foundation for Cornhole at the Dutch fundraiser on October 1.
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Final Presentation Ordinances
- R-1: AECOM Engineering Services – Approved $158,846.98 for West 29th Street drainage improvements (Franklin to Adrian Avenue) to alleviate flooding. Part of a state revolving fund loan.
- R-2: Community Outreach Program – Approved $8,042 cooperation agreement with Pueblo Triple Aim for senior services through the dots program.
- R-3: Rural Transportation Planning – Approved $7,400 from CDOT for rural planning activities (Boone, Avondale, Beulah) and travel for PACOG representatives.
- R-4: Rezone 1221 East Abriendo – Rezoned from B-4 to CCN to allow a duplex. PZC voted 7-0 to recommend.
- R-5 and R-6: Villa Bella Easement Vacations and Street Name Change – Vacated two 20-foot utility/drainage easements and unimproved road portions; renamed eastern part of Napoli Way to Medici Way.
- R-7: Villa Bella Filing No. 2 Subdivision – Approved 48.24-acre subdivision into 375 residential lots (approximately 2,975 sq ft each, 35 ft width). Additional subdivisions planned for the area.
- R-8: Pueblo Bulls Hockey Club Lease and Management Agreement – Approved five-year lease with three five-year options. City pays $300,000 in Year 1, decreasing to $0 in Year 5; thereafter, Bulls pays $5,500/month. City will continue to employ two full-time staff at the arena. Bulls must maintain existing programs. Speaker David Nelson expressed gratitude on behalf of Jerry and Lori Wilhite, stating commitment to tourism and community involvement. Councilor Martinez Ortega supported as fiscally prudent and growth-oriented.
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General Council Discussion
- Council members addressed trash, homelessness, and crime, responding to public comments. Councilor Winner proposed mandatory trash service (especially for landlords), citing Boulder as a model. Councilor Atencio supported. City Attorney Kogosick noted enforcement difficulties but said it is legally possible; he will prepare an ordinance. Councilor Winner also suggested a ban on plastic bags (Denver, Aspen, Boulder have done it) and an ordinance against soliciting donations at intersections (impeding traffic). Kogosick will prepare both, warning that the intersection ordinance has been found unconstitutional by the 10th Circuit. He stated that a plastic bag ban is legal. Councilor Martinez Ortega opposed the intersection solicitation ordinance. Councilor Maestri and Atencio echoed the need for cleaner city, noting that council lacks executive power; they urged citizens to call the mayor’s office.
- Councilor Martinez noted the city is flush with funds and suggested spending on tangible improvements like east side skate parks. She also thanked public works for State Fair cleanliness and proposed allocating budget for annual fair cleanup.
- Councilor Winner mentioned that a no-sit/no-lay ordinance on city property was previously turned down, but she supports it.
- Councilor Graham called on all elected officials to address crime, trash, and homelessness, noting that council can be powerful if unified.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions on the consent agenda were approved 6-0.
- Q-1 (ARPA funding for fire pumper and trash truck) was approved 6-0.
- Q-2 and Q-3 (asphalt paving contracts) were approved 6-0.
- Q-4, Q-5, Q-6, Q-7 (council contingency payments) were each approved 6-0.
- R-1 through R-8 (ordinances on final presentation) were each approved 6-0, with public hearings held as required.
- Council directed City Attorney to prepare ordinances on:
- Mandatory trash service (starting with landlords).
- Ban on plastic bags.
- Prohibition of solicitation of donations at intersections (impeding traffic).
- Next Steps:
- Public hearings for ordinances on first presentation (N-1 through N-21) will be held September 26, 2022.
- City Attorney will bring draft ordinances for mandatory trash, plastic bag ban, and intersection solicitation to council for future consideration.
- Councilor Winner will contact the organizations regarding the Chile Balloon Fiesta ride donations to first responders.
- Budget discussions for FY2023 continue; council will consider allocating funds for State Fair cleanup as part of annual budget.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Today is Monday, September 12th. The time is 7 04, and I call this meeting to order. If everybody would stand and stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance after the invocation, and if we could have Pastor Micah Aragon from Public Christian Center. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this amazing city that we live in. God, I ask that you just bring peace, prosperity, and unity here in this amazing city, Lord. God, we just lift up our leadership to you, even the ones in this room today. We ask that you give them wisdom, God, in these times to lead our city. And God, would you keep them safe and protected? And we also lift up our first responders, God, as they respond to life-threatening situations, keep them safe. Lord, we pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. Roll call. Larry Atensio. Here. Dennis Flores, excused. Heather Graham, here. Regina Maestri. Here. Sarah Martinez. Here. Vicente Martinez Ortega? Here. Lori Winner. Here. Okay, moving on to special recognitions. We have a proclamation tonight for Deshenz Awareness Day, September 7th, 2020. And if we could have Miss Amy McCoy up to the front. Hi. Proclamation. DeShant's Awareness Day, September 7th, 2022. Whereas Duchenne muscular dysphory is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in every 5,000 live male births each year. And whereas the Duchen gene is found on the X chromosome, it primarily affects boys. However, it occurs all across all races and cultures. Whereas Dushan results is results in progressive loss of strength and is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for dystrophin. Because dristrophine is absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged. The progressive muscle weakness leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs. People with deshen typically live into their late 20s and whereas deshen can be passed on from parent to child, but approximately 35% of cases occur because of a random spontaneous mutation. In other words, it can affect anyone. Although there are medical treatments that may help slow this progression, there is currently no cure for Dechen. And whereas, because it is rare, it is a rare disease. One of our greatest tools in the fight to end deshens is raising awareness. And whereas on September 7th, 2022, the seventh world dechants awareness day will take place. Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado by the authority vested in us do hereby officially proclaim September 7th, 2022, Deshent Awareness Day and in the city of Pueblo, and encourage the residents of Pueblo to increase their understanding and awareness of DeShenz muscular dysphere. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, to be a fixed this seventh day of September 22. Heather Graham, President of City Council. Thank you. There you go. Okay, uh public forum. Start us off, we have Karen Yeskeavage wanting to speak about symbols that harm.
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