Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – September 11, 2023

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by two proclamations recognizing Colorado Youth Awareness Week (September 11–15) and Creek Week 2023 (September 30 – October 8). Public comment addressed property tax relief, a disputed town hall, allegations of corruption in economic development, council attendance, homelessness, ADA accessibility, and code enforcement. The council approved a consent agenda, discussed a transfer of bridge repair funds, and voted on several resolutions and ordinances, including grants and sponsorships.

Consent Calendar

• M1: Resolution preliminarily validating the Quartz Road Annexation petition, tabling final action for up to 180 days, and referring to Planning and Zoning Commission.
• M3–M11: Confirmations of appointments to various boards and commissions (Airport Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, El Centro del Quinto Sol Recreation Center Board, Human Relations Commission) and revocable permits for events (SRDA fundraiser, Vessel Brewing expansion, P.L.A.C.E. block party, groundwater monitoring wells, Solar Roast Coffee’s Pueblopalooza).
• N1–N12: Ordinances introduced for first presentation, including the annual employee health fair, subdivision improvements, the Dorcy Community Housing annexation, zoning changes, a drainage easement vacation, North Vista Highlands subdivision, a right-of-way vacation, two rezonings, a research agreement, and a settlement agreement. Public hearings were set for September 25, 2023.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Gray: Highlighted state Senate Bill 23-108, which allows local governments to reduce property taxes temporarily. She then objected to a September 8 town hall organized by Councilor Vicente Martinez Ortega in District 4, saying it was advertised as restricted to D4 residents and used $225 in taxpayer money from the mayor’s office, without a campaign disclaimer. She questioned the ethics of using city funds for a candidate’s event.
• Ted Freeman: Alleged corruption in the city’s dealings with PEDCO and the Pueblo Development Foundation (PDF) regarding a shell building at 200 Greenhorn Drive and Foam Corps. He claimed the city awarded contracts without competitive bidding, that PEDCO lacks authority to negotiate for the city, and that PDF holds over $22 million in property with no staff. He vowed to continue speaking until reforms are made.
• Elvis Martinez: Criticized a council member for calling four mayoral candidates “part-timers” while allegedly missing meetings and being an unregistered voter. He proposed paying council members only when they attend meetings and stay until adjournment. He asked each council member to name one accomplishment for the city and requested an update on Lake Shore Avenue repairs.
• Steve Valejas: Expressed concern about homelessness, affordable housing, and crime. He argued that cleaning creeks only displaces homeless people and that shelters seem more profit-driven than compassionate. He criticized council for not listening to Ted Freeman and said many decisions are self-interested rather than for the community.
• Marty: Requested an ADA-accessible curb ramp at the intersection of Acero Avenue and Arroyo Avenue, a sidewalk near the state fair VIP parking lot, enforcement of high‑weed ordinances, and better sidewalk maintenance. He also asked the council to restrict parking in the city hall lot during council meetings and to increase the budget for code enforcement.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Amendment: Councilor Vicente Martinez Ortega moved to move item M2 to the regular agenda for discussion; the motion passed 7–0.
• M2 – Transfer of Bridge Repair Funds: Staff explained that $40,106.72 was being moved from the Main Street/Union Avenue Bridge Overlay project to the Bridge Repairs account to pay for balustrade and concrete repairs completed over the Arkansas River Trail. Councilor Dennis Flores confirmed the repairs are separate from a future overlay and that the balustrades were replicated by Hatton Stone in Pueblo. The resolution passed 7–0.
• Q1 – Historic Pueblo Sponsorship: $1,000 from Council Contingencies to sponsor the Damon Days event on October 27, 2023, at the Union Depot. Passed 7–0.
• Q2 – Pueblo Choral Society Sponsorship: $6,000 from Council Contingencies to sponsor the Old Fashioned Christmas Concert on December 8, 2023, at Memorial Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. Passed 7–0.
• Q3 – Pueblo Film Fest Sponsorship: $1,000 from Council Contingencies to sponsor the Pueblo Film Fest in April 2024 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center. Passed 7–0.
• R1 – Federal Transit ARP Grant: Ordinance accepting $297,737 from the Federal Transit Administration for transit computer equipment and maintenance costs. Passed 7–0.
• R2 – Closing Bonus Pay Project: Ordinance transferring $25,506.80 from the 2022 bonus pay project to purchase a replacement maintenance vehicle (electric, ~$59,000). Passed 7–0.
• R3 – Pueblo Food Project MOU: Ordinance renewing a rental agreement with Rocky Mountain SER at $1,100/month (up $200 from previous year) for classroom space. After an initial unclear vote, a revote passed 7–0.
• R4 – DHS Grant for SCBA: Ordinance accepting $37,080 to purchase four self-contained breathing apparatuses for Fire Station 11’s pumper. Passed 7–0.
• R5 – CDOT Traffic Safety Grant: Ordinance accepting $75,000 for overtime enforcement targeting traffic fatalities, open to all sworn officers. Passed 7–0.
• S1 – Fire Station #5 Concrete Replacement: Resolution awarding a construction contract to Baha Construction Inc. for $87,650 (plus $17,530 contingency) to replace the truck bay floor. Councilor Regina Maestri recused herself due to a conflict of interest; the resolution passed 6–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved 7–0, with public hearings set for September 25, 2023.
• Agenda amended to move M2 to regular agenda (7–0).
• M2 (bridge fund transfer), Q1, Q2, Q3, R1, R2, R4, R5 all approved 7–0.
• R3 (Pueblo Food Project MOU) initially failed on a voice vote due to confusion, then approved 7–0 on a revote.
• S1 (Fire Station #5 contract) approved 6–0 (Maestri excused).
• Council member commentary addressed public concerns: Lori Winner noted that ethics complaints require a formal filing; Vicente Martinez Ortega defended his district‑specific town hall, stating his campaign paid for flyers and the mayor’s office contributed $225 for refreshments. He also committed to reviewing the ADA ramp issue raised by Marty.