OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - June 26, 2023: Police Retention, ARPA Funding, and Infrastructure Approvals

City Council — Monday, June 26, 2023
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 26, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:51:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:12

Recording in progress.

0:34

Good evening, everybody.

0:35

Today is Monday, June 26th.

0:38

The time is 7 p.m.

0:39

on the dot.

0:40

And if everybody would stand and please stay standing, we're gonna have Pastor Rob Reyes from Praise Assembly give us an invocation and then the Pledge of Allegiance to follow.

0:52

Good evening, everybody.

0:55

Why don't we invite the Lord into this place today?

0:58

Would you all please bear bow your heads?

1:01

Dear gracious Heavenly Father.

1:07

God, we thank you for your grace, your mercy, your love.

1:11

And God, we pray your will tonight.

1:13

We pray that Lord, your wisdom would reign supreme in this place tonight.

1:18

And God, we pray for wisdom over our leaders to be able to lead with discernment.

1:24

Um, to know the difference between right and wrong, and God to do what you do, and that's to love on people.

1:31

We love you, God, and we thank you in Jesus' name.

1:34

Amen.

1:43

And super important for which discussions, one nation, under God, and the missile.

2:01

Roll call.

2:02

Larry Atencio?

2:03

Dennis Flores.

2:05

Heather Graham.

2:06

Here.

2:07

Regina Meistry.

2:08

Here.

2:09

Sarah Martinez.

2:10

Here.

2:10

Vicente Martinez Ortega?

2:12

Here.

2:12

Lori Winner.

2:14

And tonight we have one proclamation presentation, and this is to our Parks and Rec.

2:19

Um, it's Parks and Rec month.

2:21

And if we can have Tamara Moore and Steven Meyer up to the front, okay, Parks and Recreation Month, July 2023.

2:43

Whereas parks and recreation are integral part of communities throughout this country, including Pueblo, Colorado.

2:49

And whereas parks and recreation promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks.

2:55

And whereas parks and recreation promote time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance, well-being, alleviing illnesses such as depression, attention deficient disorders, and Alzheimer's.

3:09

And whereas parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools, and many other outdoor activities designed to promote active lifestyles.

3:21

And whereas parks and recreation are fundamental to the environment, well-being of our community, and whereas parks and recreation programming and education activities such as out of out-of-school time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development.

3:38

And whereas parks and recreation increase a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction.

3:51

And whereas the city and county of Pueblo recognize the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources.

3:58

Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, and the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby officially proclaim that July is recognized as park and recreation month in the city and county of Pueblo.

4:14

And witness wherefore we have here on set our hands and cause the seals of the city and county of Pueblo County to be affixed on this 26th day of June 2023.

4:25

Congratulations.

5:06

You want to add and we'll have a coloring contest for July.

5:10

So look for it on our website.

5:13

Thanks, everyone.

5:20

Sorry.

5:22

Okay, and starting us off in public forum, we're gonna have Lonnie Ketz speaking about ARPA funds.

5:41

Good evening, City Council.

5:44

Thank you for letting me speak.

5:47

Um today I want to speak on um March back in March.

5:55

We came and gave uh update of the warming center that we um did over the winter, the emergency warming center.

6:03

And I gave I gave the updates of how we did it and um who we worked with.

6:11

We worked with Parkview, St.

6:13

Mary Corn, Sheriff's Department, Highway Patrol, and PD.

6:18

And we worked with all the community.

6:21

Whoever uh needed help, they'd call us and we'd help them out.

6:26

Well, when I gave up gave that update back in March, City Council um asked me if we're gonna lose our building.

6:35

Yes, we are going to lose our building.

6:37

Um a person's already bought it, they are um are needing us out here in the next few months.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████████████35%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Works█████████9%
Homelessness██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Economic Development████4%
Nonprofit Funding████4%
Procurement████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - June 26, 2023

The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, public comments on ARPA funding and police conduct, and several key votes on police retention bonuses, a quartermaster system, and pay scale adjustments. The council also approved multiple infrastructure contracts and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

  • Contracts and Resolutions (M1-M13): Approved unanimously, including:
    • M1: $264,942 construction contract for Concrete Improvements on Northern Avenue Phase 2.
    • M2: Ratification of emergency sewer repair contracts totaling $210,840.27.
    • M3: $104,718 asphalt improvements on South Prairie Avenue.
    • M4: $102,755.34 for Elmwood Golf Course Cart Path Phase 4.
    • M5: $47,946 for bleachers at Stauter Field (ARPA funds).
    • M6: $45,000 for skateboard park improvements (ARPA funds).
    • M7: $15,000 transfer to Sunny Side Neighborhood Improvements.
    • M8: $25,294.50 for AECOM stormwater engineering services.
    • M9-M12: Revocable permits for festivals and events.
    • M13: Appointment of Jennifer Thornton to ADA Advisory Committee.
  • Ordinances – First Presentation (N1-N9): Passed and set for public hearing on July 10, 2023, including:
    • N1: $975,000 subrecipient agreement with Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (ARPA).
    • N2: $852,000 for Safe Streets & Roads for All program.
    • N3: $245,025 for Bessemer Commerce Revitalization Project.
    • N4: $150,000 for Pretreatment Building Project.
    • N5: $120,000 for Law Department professional services.
    • N6: $53,625 grant from Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger for Pueblo Food Project.
    • N7: $20,000 grant from Colorado Centennial Fund for Pueblo Food Project.
    • N8: Assignment of Private Activity Bond Allocation.
    • N9: Agreement with City of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lonnie Ketz (Crazy Faith Ministries): Expressed frustration that the city refused to consider their ARPA-funded proposal to purchase a building for homeless services, citing church-state separation. Noted that other faith-based organizations (Catholic Charities, Care & Share, Cooperative Care) have received funds. Requested a fair opportunity to present to council.
  • Malia Johnston (Concerned Citizen): Supported Crazy Faith Ministries, stating that homelessness is a multifaceted crisis requiring trauma-informed care. Estimated 500–1,000 chronically homeless in Pueblo. Urged council to use ARPA funds for crisis intervention.
  • Brian Hund (Resident): Alleged that on June 11, 2023, Officer King of the Pueblo Police Department permitted his daughter's ex-boyfriend to steal from his home while on scene, and that he and his daughter were arrested without being read Miranda rights. Called for an investigation.
  • Ted Freeman (Resident): Criticized the mayor's office and PEDCO for poor decision-making and loss of millions. Suggested using $47 million in uncommitted capital improvement funds for neighborhood community centers and childcare.
  • Tammy Kines (Director, Crazy Faith Ministries): Noted their rental building is being sold and they need a new facility. Argued that the city's faith-based funding criteria are selectively applied, citing Cooperative Care's shower program (which received $40,000) as faith-based. Submitted paperwork showing Cooperative Care identifies as faith-based. Requested equal treatment.
  • Police Officers and Union Representatives: Multiple speakers (Jimmy Quintana, Brian Gowan, Lee Medvet, Stephen Jessic, Julie Kinzana, and a detective) spoke in favor of the retention bonus, quartermaster system, and pay scale adjustments. Emphasized low morale, high turnover, and the need for competitive pay to retain officers. Cited statistics: 150% increase in homicides from 2019-2022, current officer count at 187 (down from 227 in 2019).

Discussion Items

  • Police Retention Bonus (S1): Chief Nola presented a $1,831,620 ARPA-funded resolution for a one-time $10,000 retention bonus for 178 sworn line staff. Legal counsel noted state statute prohibits requiring repayment if officers leave. Council expressed support, with Councilor Maestri clarifying that questions about the budget do not reflect opposition to police. The resolution passed 5-0.
  • Quartermaster System and Collective Bargaining Amendment (S2): Chief Nola explained the system will provide $800 per officer annually (prorated $400 for 2023) for uniforms and equipment, with a competitive RFP process. Local business owner Michael Blackford expressed initial concern but noted the $450 annual uniform allowance remains spendable locally. The amendment also includes the retention bonus and pay scale changes. Passed 5-0.
  • Pay Scale Adjustment for Police Patrol Officers (S3): Eliminates the first two steps of the salary schedule, raising starting pay from $58,137.84 to $67,874.16 per year, effective July 1, 2023. This makes Pueblo's starting pay higher than Colorado Springs ($62,496). Passed 5-0.
  • Other Ordinances: R1 (Secondary Clarifiers Project), R2 (Runway Rehabilitation), R3 (Landfill Operation Alternatives), R4 (Fire Station #6 Land Procurement), R6 (Wastewater Rate Review), R7 (Ice Arena Renovations), R8 (Citywide Cleanup Event), R9 (2022 Budget Amendments), R10 (Target Distribution Center Truck Parking Rezoning), R11 (County Detention Center Annexation Rezoning), R12 (Hilltop Securities Agreement), and R13 (November 2023 Election Coordination) all passed 5-0 or unanimously.
  • R5 (Pueblo Food Project Subgrant): Continued to July 10, 2023, due to lack of staff to answer questions about the $55,000 subgrant from One Colorado Education Fund. Passed 4-1 (Councilor Winner opposed the continuance).

Key Outcomes

  • Police Retention Bonus (S1): Approved 5-0. $1,831,620 from ARPA funds for one-time $10,000 bonuses to sworn line staff.
  • Collective Bargaining Amendment (S2): Approved 5-0. Establishes quartermaster system ($400 credit for 2023, $800 annually thereafter), retention bonus, and pay scale changes.
  • Pay Scale Adjustment (S3): Approved 5-0. Eliminates first two steps, raising starting pay to $67,874.16.
  • Infrastructure Contracts and Resolutions: All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
  • R5 Continued: The Pueblo Food Project subgrant discussion postponed to July 10, 2023.
  • Council Direction: Council expressed intent to request staff bring forward Crazy Faith Ministries' ARPA proposal for review. Council also discussed hiring a council attorney and an administrative position to improve information flow.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good evening, everybody. Today is Monday, June 26th. The time is 7 p.m. on the dot. And if everybody would stand and please stay standing, we're gonna have Pastor Rob Reyes from Praise Assembly give us an invocation and then the Pledge of Allegiance to follow. Good evening, everybody. Why don't we invite the Lord into this place today? Would you all please bear bow your heads? Dear gracious Heavenly Father. God, we thank you for your grace, your mercy, your love. And God, we pray your will tonight. We pray that Lord, your wisdom would reign supreme in this place tonight. And God, we pray for wisdom over our leaders to be able to lead with discernment. Um, to know the difference between right and wrong, and God to do what you do, and that's to love on people. We love you, God, and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. And super important for which discussions, one nation, under God, and the missile. Roll call. Larry Atencio? Dennis Flores. Heather Graham. Here. Regina Meistry. Here. Sarah Martinez. Here. Vicente Martinez Ortega? Here. Lori Winner. And tonight we have one proclamation presentation, and this is to our Parks and Rec. Um, it's Parks and Rec month. And if we can have Tamara Moore and Steven Meyer up to the front, okay, Parks and Recreation Month, July 2023. Whereas parks and recreation are integral part of communities throughout this country, including Pueblo, Colorado. And whereas parks and recreation promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks. And whereas parks and recreation promote time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance, well-being, alleviing illnesses such as depression, attention deficient disorders, and Alzheimer's. And whereas parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools, and many other outdoor activities designed to promote active lifestyles. And whereas parks and recreation are fundamental to the environment, well-being of our community, and whereas parks and recreation programming and education activities such as out of out-of-school time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development. And whereas parks and recreation increase a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction. And whereas the city and county of Pueblo recognize the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources. Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, and the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby officially proclaim that July is recognized as park and recreation month in the city and county of Pueblo. And witness wherefore we have here on set our hands and cause the seals of the city and county of Pueblo County to be affixed on this 26th day of June 2023. Congratulations. You want to add and we'll have a coloring contest for July. So look for it on our website. Thanks, everyone. Sorry. Okay, and starting us off in public forum, we're gonna have Lonnie Ketz speaking about ARPA funds. Good evening, City Council. Thank you for letting me speak.

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