Pueblo City Council Meeting - November 14, 2022
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Pueblo City Council Meeting - November 14, 2022
The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, November 14, 2022, starting at 7:13 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, public forum, council commentary, consent agenda, regular agenda items, and an emergency ordinance. Key topics included public safety tax renewal, an abortion clinic proposal, an ordinance to exempt period products and diapers from sales tax, a sit-stand ordinance for downtown sidewalks, and an emergency shelter extension.
Special Recognitions
- A proclamation was presented declaring November 14, 2022, as "Renee F. Dominguez Day" in honor of the late Renee Dominguez, a victim of domestic violence. A bench dedication was announced for November 18 at City Park.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alison and Chad Evans (Lala's Wigs, Lashes, and More) spoke about their third annual Hair Loss Awareness Fashion Show on December 10, requesting community support and sponsorship.
- Quinn Freiberg, Lena Pasternak (internal medicine physician), and Helen Banner spoke against the proposed abortion clinic by Dr. Leroy Carhartt, citing medical complications, legal risks, and moral objections. They urged the council to take action to block the clinic.
- Velma Campbell and Jordan Meck spoke in favor of removing the Christopher Columbus statue from public property, presenting historical context from the book Lies My Teacher Told Me.
Council Member and Mayor Commentary
- Mayor Nick Gradisar thanked voters for passing Ballot Issues 2A (broadband partnerships) and 2B (extension of police sales tax) with approximately 75% approval. He also provided an update on the Evraz rail manufacturing facility, a ~$800 million investment expected to come online in 18-24 months.
- Mayor Gradisar stated that the city has no regulatory authority to prevent the abortion clinic from opening, as it is properly zoned and legal under Colorado law.
- Councilor Regina Maestry suggested introducing an ordinance to regulate or ban abortion clinics, citing a similar effort in Hobbs, New Mexico. Councilor Lori Winner supported the idea and discussed potential ballot measures.
- Councilor Vicente Martinez Ortega announced District 4 town halls on November 30 to discuss small business development.
- Councilor Sarah Martinez thanked voters for 2B and expressed condolences to Renee Dominguez's family.
- Councilor Larry Atencio proposed a resolution for a $500 donation to the hair loss awareness fashion show from council contingencies.
- Councilor Dennis Flores reminded about the Pueblo Economic Outlook Forum on November 18 at Pueblo Community College.
- Councilor Winner discussed the emergency ordinance for warming shelters (S1) and the need to expand the starting date from December 1 to November 1.
Consent Calendar
- Approved all resolutions (M1-M18) and ordinances (N1-N23) as part of the consent agenda, with public hearings set for November 28, 2022. Items included various construction contracts, professional service agreements, easements, revocable permits, appointments, and budget-related ordinances.
Discussion Items
- Q1 (North Elizabeth sewer project): Resolution awarding $818,080 to K.R. Swerdfeger Construction for sewer upsizing. Approved 7-0.
- Q2 (Police vehicle purchase): Resolution authorizing transfer of $1,078,000 from public safety sales tax to purchase 13 marked police vehicles (including Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles for supervisors). Council discussed using ARPA funds instead; approved 7-0.
- Q3-Q7 (Council contingency payments): Approved payments for Festival of Trees ($1,025), Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen ($10,000 for kitchen equipment), Pueblo Economic Outlook Forum ($2,500), Wreaths Across America ($3,000), and Bessemer Neighborhood Holiday Lighting ($1,000). All passed 7-0.
- R1 (Sales tax exemption for period products, incontinence products, and diapers): Ordinance to exempt these items from city sales tax, estimated to reduce revenues by $250,000 annually (0.38% of sales tax revenue). Public hearing held; several speakers (including students) spoke in favor. Council voted 6-1 in favor (Councilor Winner dissenting).
- R7 (Sit-stand ordinance for downtown sidewalks): Ordinance to prohibit sitting or lying in public rights-of-way in the downtown business area from 7 AM to 10 PM. Extensive public testimony both for and against. Council debated enforcement, existing loitering laws, and concerns about criminalizing homelessness. Council President Heather Graham moved to postpone consideration to the November 28 meeting to allow a work session with public input. Motion passed, and R7 was postponed.
- R8 (Animal shelter vaccinations): Ordinance allowing animal shelter personnel to administer vaccinations under a licensed veterinarian, due to a state law change. Approved 7-0.
- R9 (Liquor license administrative approvals): Ordinance allowing the city clerk to administratively approve certain liquor license matters designated by the liquor board. Approved 7-0.
- S1 (Emergency ordinance for warming shelters): Ordinance expanding the mayor's authority to declare temporary housing and shelter emergencies from November 1 (rather than December 1) through March 31. Council discussed temperature thresholds; approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously (7-0) with public hearings set for November 28.
- Resolutions Q1-Q7 all approved 7-0.
- Ordinance R1 (tax exemption for period products, diapers, etc.) approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed).
- Ordinance R7 (sit-stand) postponed to November 28 agenda for further work session and public input.
- Ordinance R8, R9, and S1 approved 7-0.
- The meeting adjourned at 11:09 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna ask everybody to take a seat. We're gonna start this meeting. Yes, no. If everybody can please take their seat, we're gonna start this meeting. Thank you. Okay, today is Monday, November 14th. The time is seven thirteen. I call this meeting in order if we could have Pastor Jim Yuri from Praise Assembly of God to the front. We're gonna start with an invocation. If everybody will stand and stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this council and the community that's here tonight. We invite your presence, Lord, into this chamber, and we pray, Lord, for wisdom and guidance for our council as they make decisions, Heavenly Father, uh for our community. We also pray for the city of Pueblo, God, for all the residents here, Heavenly Father. We pray Lord that you would just bless them. Uh let them be prosperous, give them good health, Heavenly Father, and give them divine direction in Jesus' name. And everybody said Amen. Liberty and Justice. Larry Tencia. Here. Dennis Flores. Here. Heather Graham. Here. Regina Meistry. Here. Sarah Martinez? Here. Vicente Martinez Ortega. Lori Winner. Counselor Martinez is here. He's right behind you. Thank you. Okay, and we have one special recognition tonight. It's gonna be a proclamation for Renee Dominguez. So I'd like to welcome Renee's family up to the front. Renee F. Dominguez Day, November 14th, 2022. Where did mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend, Renee Francisca Dominguez, left this world unexpectedly at 38 years old on January 14th, 2022. Born in Germany Germany to Solomon and Texas, where she attended Central High School and graduated from IntelliTech College. Whereas Renee was a loving mother and daughter, the relationship that she had with her mom and son was like no other. She was an amazing mother. Her love for her son was unmeasurable. She was his provider, constant, and best friend. He was and always will be her world. She loved her family and friends and valued her relationship with each of them. She was a dedicated registered medical assistant and truly advocated for her patients. Renee loved the work she did. And whereas she loved dancing to Hispanic music and was a fisherman and a hunter. She cared for the well-being of all. Her family, friends, patients, and even a stranger.
openpublica.com