Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – September 26, 2022

The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 26, 2022, beginning at 7:00 p.m. and concluding at 10:15 p.m. Five council members were present (Larry Tencio, Dennis Flores, Heather Graham, Regina Maestri, Vicente Martinez Ortega), with two excused (Sarah Martinez, Lori Winter). The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by four proclamations, public forum, mayor and council commentary, and a lengthy consent and regular agenda. All votes were 5–0 unless otherwise noted.

Proclamations

• Scott A. Richards Day (September 26, 2022): Presented by Councilor Flores, the proclamation honored the late Scott Richards for decades of service as a television producer and mentor. The broadcast room was later named after him (Item Q1).
• Health Solutions 60th Anniversary (September 21, 2022): Presented by Councilor Martinez Ortega, recognizing the integrated healthcare provider's legacy.
• Pueblo Latino Veterans Profile and Courage Day (October 1, 2022): Presented by Councilor Flores, honoring the committee and veterans during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Italian Heritage Month (October 2022): Presented by Councilor Atencio, recognizing Italian contributions to Pueblo.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elvis Martinez: Criticized the city's response to homeless encampments near King Soopers, called for police enforcement, health department cleanup, and defunding PEDCO. Opposed a no-sit/no-lie ordinance and plastic bag bans. Challenged council member residency statements.
• Denver Martinez Martinez, Deborah Espinoza, Rachel Donnie Dupler: Read excerpts from James W. Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me About Christopher Columbus," arguing that textbooks distort history and Native American contributions.
• Dave DeCenzo: Announced the founding of a Pueblo Film Festival in 2023 and a meetup event on October 21, 2022, at Blowback Gallery.
• Ted Freeman: Criticized the proposed aquatic center plans as too expensive and overstated in usage statistics. Argued ARPA funds should go to disaster victims rather than local organizations like Southern Colorado Youth Development. Also opposed the $294,000 ARPA grant to Fuel and Iron Commercial and the $800,000 training payment to Evraz, and questioned the necessity of emergency ordinances.
• Winslow: Proposed locating the new aquatic center at City Park Pool to save costs, citing existing infrastructure and potential CDOT funds from I-25 realignment.

Mayor's Commentary

• Mayor Nicholas A. Gradishar reported: Signs at intersections warning against occupying the intersection have been installed. Skip Harold, President of Evraz North America, will present at a work session on October 3, 2022. The Pueblo County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved amendments to the 2022 Regional Comprehensive Plan consistent with city council's changes.
• Korea Trip: The mayor, Councilor Flores, and others visited CS Wind headquarters in Seoul. CS Wind plans a major expansion in Pueblo: increasing wind tower section production capacity from 2,500 sections per year to 9,000, requiring investment of $300 million and growing employment from current levels to 1,300 employees by the final phase. The company has already raised wages and received support from Governor Polis to expedite an air quality permit through CDPHE.

Council Member Commentary

• Councilor Vicente Martinez Ortega: Congratulated the Chile & Frijoles Festival, announced the Fourth Annual Multicultural Festival (October 8 at Mineral Palace Park), and raised concerns about Evraz selling property across from the Mill Stop to Black Hills Energy for a substation, which he said would be counterproductive to the proposed TIF district. He also announced a protest on October 5 against the new Pueblo County detention facility.
• Councilor Larry Atencio: Delivered an impassioned speech urging the council to "think bigger" and invest in quality-of-life amenities like pickleball courts, softball complexes, and an aquatics center, stating that Pueblo deserves "fancy" facilities to provide recreation and reduce crime.
• Councilor Dennis Flores: Thanked President Graham for allowing him to attend the Korea trip. Praised CS Wind Chairman Gim for his commitment to Pueblo and his focus on employee welfare.
• Councilor Heather Graham: Promoted a public safety tax initiative (November ballot) and sign requests. Announced two creek cleanups (October 1 at Runyan Lake and October 8 requiring registration). Expressed concern about the homeless encampment near the North Side King Soopers, stating it has grown since a May 24 cleanup. Urged a coordinated multi-agency response (code enforcement, police, sheriff, health solutions, Posada) to identify individuals, address warrants, and clear city property before winter. Also called for a follow-through on the mayor's ARPA-funded trash cleanup plan, noting that previous requests had not been acted upon.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5–0): Resolutions M1–M6, M8 (various emergency sewer repairs, street rehabilitation fund transfers, ARPA-funded mowers, revocable permit for Pueblo Bulls hockey club) and ordinances N1 and N10 (grant to Pueblo Heritage Museum, parking lot agreement with Pueblo Community College, and tax abatement certification). Public hearings on N1 and N10 set for October 11, 2022.

Discussion Items

• M7 – Gravel Locos Bicycle Race Permit: Pulled by Councilor Graham to question police escort usage. Public Works Director Hayes stated 8–10 officers would be needed for the start/finish. Councilor Graham expressed concern about diverting police from crime fighting. The event organizers will provide their own sag vehicles and lead van. Motion to approve passed 5–0.
• Q1–Q6 – Council Contingency Donations: All approved 5–0. Topics: naming the broadcast room after Scott Richards ($0 cost), $2,000 to PCC for Scott Richards Scholarship, $1,000 to Historic Pueblo Inc. for Damon Days, $700 to NAACP for Freedom Fund Banquet, $1,000 to Pueblo Downtown Association for Parade of Lights, $2,832.88 for downtown holiday light pole decorations.
• Q7 – Confirmation of Finance Director: The mayor nominated Alexandra Romero, a CPA with experience at the Pueblo City-County Library District and a national firm. She was confirmed 5–0 after discussion about the interview process (committee interviewed three candidates, mayor interviewed the finalist).
• Ordinances – Final Presentation: All passed 5–0 unless noted.
  • R1, R2: $10,000 ARPA grants to Rosemount Museum and Steel Works Center of the West.
  • R3: $40,200 ARPA grant to Southern Colorado Youth Development (d/b/a SoCal Racing) for mentor/bike program. Passed after public comment (Freeman opposed, city attorney defended vetting process).
  • R4: $294,121.51 ARPA grant to Fuel and Iron Commercial LLC for restaurant equipment in a food hall at 400 S. Union Avenue. Passed 4–1 (Councilor Maestri opposed). Freeman spoke against, citing lack of business history.
  • R5: $150,000 contract with Brown & Caldwell for wastewater engineering services.
  • R6: $20,000 Trailhead Institute grant for Pueblo Food Project winter pantry restocking.
  • R7: Rezoning 14.1 acres near Oakshire Lane for 132-unit Compass Point Apartments.
  • R8: Rezoning 215 E. Ormond Avenue (Keating School) to commercial and residential districts for 75 market-rate apartments and nine triplex units.
  • R9, R10: Rezoning for new Fire Station 6 and vacating a utility easement for that site.
  • R11: Approval of North Vista Highlands Filing No. 5 (101 single-family lots, two multifamily, two commercial, plus drainage/pedestrian parcels).
  • R12, R13: Reorganizing stormwater under Public Works, creating a Stormwater Engineering Manager position (former director must reapply). Approved after discussion about the change.
  • R14: Opting out of Colorado's Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. City will assist employees who choose to enroll individually. All three affected unions supported opting out. Approved 5–0.
  • R15: License agreement with Blue Peak Fiber to deploy fiber-optic internet citywide (estimated $48 million investment). Company offered 1 Gbps for $50/month.
  • R16: Fire Department grant for air compressor (90% federal, 10% city match).
  • R17: Non-disclosure agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities for emergency preparedness regarding potential Rampart Dam failure.
  • R18: MOU with InhabX LLC for dedicated trailhead access to a future pedestrian bridge over the Arkansas River.
  • R19: $800,000 transfer from half-cent fund to PCC for Evraz employee training, fulfilling a 2018 employment agreement. Approved 5–0 after Freeman opposed.
  • R20, R21: Extension of Lockheed Martin hangar lease (through July 2024) and construction management agreement with Pueblo Development Foundation (PDF) for installing a concrete floor (cost not to exceed $70,000). Approved 5–0 after Freeman questioned lack of competitive bidding.
  • S1 – Emergency Ordinance: Accepted a Colorado Firefighter Safety Grant ($17,111.52) for technical rescue equipment and hazmat physicals, with an October 31 spending deadline. Approved 5–0.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 5–0 except Item R4 (Fuel and Iron Commercial ARPA grant) which passed 4–1 (Councilor Maestri opposed).
• The council approved the appointment of Alexandra Romero as Finance Director.
• The council approved a total of $297,000 in council contingency donations for community organizations and events.
• The council authorized the mayor to execute numerous contracts, grants, leases, and land-use actions as outlined above.
• The council opted out of the state FAMLI program while agreeing to facilitate employee opt-ins.
• The council received extensive updates on CS Wind's expansion plans, homeless encampment conditions, and ongoing quality-of-life infrastructure projects.