Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting, February 27, 2023

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 7:02 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Kristen Castor Day, public comments on a range of topics, council member and mayor commentary, approval of a consent agenda with 22 items, and votes on 4 regular resolutions, 16 final-presentation ordinances, 2 emergency ordinances, and 2 items under Council Member Conflict of Interest. All votes were recorded; key decisions included funding allocations, zoning changes, and emergency measures for a lobbyist and a warming shelter.

Consent Calendar

• Approved, 7-0, the consent agenda comprising minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission (1/11/2023), resolutions M1–M9 (including a $754,349 construction contract for Troy Avenue asphalt improvements, an annexation resolution for the Pueblo County Detention Center, and appointments to the Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness), and first-presentation ordinances N1–N13 (covering transit grants, opioid settlement funds, ARPA grants, tree maintenance, and collective bargaining). Public hearings for N1–N13 were set for March 13, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Siavi Stevens and Deborah Martinez (representing a coalition) read from Lies My Teacher Told Me About Christopher Columbus and advocated for the removal of the Columbus statue, noting 30–40 protesters monthly for two years.
• Laura Hall detailed multiple complaints against Pueblo Police Department and other city entities, alleging civil rights violations, false reports, and harassment. She requested an applied constitutional law course for city employees and a change in police culture.
• Mr. Freeman proposed redirecting the half-percent sales and use tax to fund community recreation centers, police substations, fire station renovations, infill housing, park improvements, and bridge repairs, with direct citizen input on project priorities.
• Mr. Vallejos criticized the increased illegal dumping fine as a political stunt and argued for free or low-cost trash disposal, citing lack of enforcement and rising crime.
• Dave Decenzo announced the Pueblo Film Fest (October 14, 2023, at Sangre de Cristo), raised questions about housing authority occupancy and demographics, and noted a crosswalk painting issue after petitioning.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Gradisar reported DICE team statistics for January–February 2023: 1,004 contacts, 164 arrests, 170 citations, 291 trespass notices, 7 firearms recovered, and $22,847 in stolen merchandise recovered. He also cancelled a community connection event due to COVID-19 outbreak.
• Councilor Martinez Ortega promoted a river cleanup on March 4, 2023.
• Councilor Martinez responded to public comments, noting three fire stations being replaced/added, a vacant property list, and opportunities for citizen involvement. She also mentioned a town hall heavily focused on crime, a community garden at Sunset Park, and the upcoming opening of the Fuel and Iron building (28 affordable housing units, food court).
• Councilor Atencio recognized three Pueblo wrestlers qualifying for the Division II national tournament.
• Councilor Flores clarified that the zoo is city-owned and its ARPA funding supports security cameras and fiber optic infrastructure.
• Councilor Meistry questioned the Financial Empowerment Center program, its distinction from existing programs, and accountability measures.
• Councilor Winner expressed concerns about police retention (48 vacancies), compensation (officers paying for uniforms), and called for a larger, more permanent homeless shelter beyond $150,000 in annual funding.
• Staff reports were provided for each agenda item, with detailed explanations of grants, contracts, zoning changes, and code amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Q1 (Southern Colorado Equality Alliance sponsorship): Approved 7-0 after amendment increasing from $280 to $560.
• Q2 (Pueblo Friends of the Arkansas River): Approved 7-0 for $300.
• Q3 (Pueblo Food Project Ag Summit): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed).
• Q4 (Boys and Girls Club Block Party): Approved 7-0 for $1,000.
• R1 (Zoo ARPA funding for security): Approved 7-0 after public comment by Mr. Freeman opposing ARPA use for the zoo.
• R2 (CAFFE grant for fines/fees equity): Approved 7-0. Discussion included data collection on demographics and employment status of municipal court defendants.
• R3 (Arkansas River Trail Phase 4, Black Hills Energy undergrounding): Approved 7-0. Funds of $50,507.64 will underground power lines, benefiting the adjacent Blocks project.
• R4 (Financial Empowerment Center implementation grant): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed). $150,000 grant plus $150,000 match (city, county, United Way). Mr. Freeman questioned implementation capacity and matching requirements.
• R5 (USGS gauging station at 8th Street Bridge): Approved 7-0. Five-year agreement, no cost to city.
• R6 (St. Paul First African Methodist Church historic landmark): Approved 7-0.
• R7 (Rezone 612 E 2nd Street to RCN): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed). Allows reduced lot sizes and potential duplex development.
• R8 (Rezone 618 E 2nd Street to RCN): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed). Same rationale as R7.
• R9 (Vacation of Sumo Court right-of-way): Approved 7-0. Facilitates a travel center development.
• R10 (Regency Park 5th Filing subdivision amendment): Approved 7-0. Divides lot for Dutch Brothers Coffee and existing bank.
• R11 (Temporary addition of two firefighter positions): Approved 7-0. Allows over-hires to maintain 100% staffing during promotions.
• R12 (Ambulance service agreement with AMR): Approved 7-0. 60-month contract, $610,783 annual benefit to city. Councilor Winner requested a presentation on Narcan effects from EMTs.
• R13 (DEA cooperative agreement): Approved 7-0. Assigns Pueblo police officers to regional drug task force. Chief confirmed FBI Safe Streets Task Force presence.
• R14 (Dr. Tatiana Bailey economic dashboard amendment): Approved 7-0. Extends contract to end of 2023, adds narrative analysis, assigns to nonprofit. Councilor Flores noted plan to transfer to PETCO next year.
• R15 (Mandatory $1,000 fine for illegal dumping): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Atencio opposed). Councilor Meistry questioned enforcement and alternative resolutions by trash task force. Judge may still allow community service in lieu.
• R16 (Excavation permit amendments): Approved 7-0. Limits excavation to one block and reduces backfill time from 14 to 7 days for potholes.
• S1 (Emergency ordinance for lobbyist Gilbert Romero): Approved 6-1 (Councilor Winner opposed). $12,000 for March–May 2023 legislative session. Mr. Freeman argued it was not a genuine emergency. Council agreed to invite Romero to the weekend retreat and set future RFP process.
• S2 (Emergency ordinance for Crazy Faith Street Ministry additional $50,400): Approved 7-0. Supports 21 more nights of warming shelter. Councilor Winner reiterated need for permanent shelter solution.
• T1 (Marisa Lopez appointment to Pueblo Conservancy District): Approved 6-0 (Councilor Atencio excused due to conflict of interest).
• T2 (Sangre de Cristo Arts Center ARPA sub-recipient agreement): Approved 6-0. $50,000 for dance program enrollment of low-income students. Andrew Sanchez and Nan Wright spoke in favor.