OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - December 11, 2023

City Council — Monday, December 11, 2023
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 11, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:10:46

Transcript — Verbatim
0:34

Recording in progress.

0:40

Hey, welcome everybody.

0:41

Today is Monday, December 11th.

0:43

The time is seven oh four, and I call this meeting to order.

0:45

Um, we are going to have our invocation tonight by Laurel Homstrom Kais from the Pagan Community Ministry.

0:52

Um, if everybody will stand and still stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance after that.

1:17

If you want to talk to the microscope, it's really all right, just for the for the people at home.

1:22

Oh, I see.

1:22

I see.

1:24

Is this helping?

1:25

Okay.

1:26

So I invite you all to close your eyes and take a deep breath.

1:33

Let everything you had to do to be here today be done.

1:38

And bring yourself as much as you can into present time.

1:46

Athena, wise in all things, mistress of reason and understanding.

1:52

Apollo, lover of truth, who knows what will be, who grants the gift of foreknowledge to those who seek.

2:01

We ask it that you bless this meeting of the Pueblo City Council and bestow upon the members the wisdom to help Pueblo thrive and blossom.

2:13

I invite you all now to speak to the gods or goddesses of your own heart and ask for their blessing.

2:20

If you do not recognize deity, I invite you to allow peace into your heart.

2:35

Gracious Athena, shining Apollo, we thank you for your blessings.

2:40

May your wisdom guide us in all things.

2:43

May this holiday season be merry and happy for all.

2:46

Blessed.

3:11

Okay, roll call.

3:18

Larry Tuncio.

3:19

Here.

3:20

Dennis Flores.

3:20

Here.

3:21

Heather Graham.

3:22

Here.

3:22

Regina Maestri.

3:23

Here.

3:23

Sarah Martinez.

3:24

Vicente Martinez Ortega.

3:26

Here.

3:26

Lori Winner.

3:27

Okay, proclamation presentation tonight.

3:30

We have one.

3:30

It's the gateway to the Southwest Day, December 11th, 2023.

3:35

If we can't have Mr.

3:36

Bill Jwick and company up, um, and Councillor Martinez Ortega will be presenting this proclamation.

3:44

We get we get Bill and the Williams Studio.

3:48

Anyone from Houston Construction as well.

4:32

And whereas the historical significance of Pueblo, Colorado is an active settlement on banks of the Arkansas River, which was once the northern border of the Republic of Mexico.

4:43

The land included the present states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and the western portions of Colorado, as well as the lands of the Southwest or the South Arkansas River, where we now stand.

5:00

And whereas the visual demonstration of Pueblo's pride is represented through two sculptures towering nearly four stories above I-25 as the entrance to the city, presenting the significance and welcoming statement, what and welcoming statement and icon.

5:18

Nearly 20 million vehicles pass between the sculptures annually.

5:22

This monument reinforces Pueblo's identity as the important as an important place of commerce, culture, art, history, education, and economic development.

5:33

And whereas the gateway to the Southwest monumental sculptures were created by local artists at the Williams Studio with the symbols designed supporting Pueblo's blended cultures, including Native American pottery design, a wagon wheel to represent pioneers, steel mill and the wind energy to represent industry, barbed wire to represent ranching and sunshine, water and landscapes to represent the environment.

6:01

Whereas Pueblo is a community of proud people with strong generational working and family ethic.

6:10

Pueblo as southeastern Colorado, as Pueblo and all Southeastern Colorado are proud to of the creativity, energy, and opportunities are abundant that are abundant while still honoring our roots.

6:34

Now, therefore, we the City Council proclaim December 11th, 2023 as gateway to the Southwest Day.

6:46

Is there anything that you all would like to say, Bill?

6:50

Yes, thank you very much.

6:54

This Friday we're having a celebration at the convention center.

6:57

And at that point, we'd like to recognize all of the people and their generosity of donations, including the city of Pueblo County, Pueblo Urban Renewal, not to mention uh all of the different foundations in the city that have contributed to this project, uh totaling over a million dollars, about a million one hundred and seventy thousand dollars for the sculptures, for the programs, for the things that Gateway to the Southwest means.

7:22

Especially I'd like to recognize one of the donors that uh got this going.

7:26

We probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation.

7:35

Thank you, Bill.

7:36

Actually, Bill was the catalyst for this thing to happen.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████████15%
Urban Renewal███████████11%
Cannabis Regulation██████████10%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Works███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - December 11, 2023

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:04 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation by Laurel Homstrom Kais from the Pagan Community Ministry, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call (all seven council members present). A proclamation was presented declaring December 11, 2023 as Gateway to the Southwest Day.

Proclamation

  • Gateway to the Southwest Day: Councilor Martinez Ortega presented the proclamation to Bill Jwick and others. The project involved two sculptures near I-25, costing approximately $1.17 million funded by various donors including the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation. The proclamation highlighted Pueblo's historical and cultural significance as the gateway to the Southwest.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Augustine Garcia: Expressed concerns about the mayor's administration, alleging conflicts of interest in ARPA fund allocation (sewer line from YMCA to a development whose minority partner was a major campaign contributor), the towing rotation process excluding a Hispanic-owned business, and the withholding of a police chief misconduct report. He also mentioned the kidnapping of Mr. Atencio's relative by police. (Councilor Winter later responded by identifying Garcia as a registered sex offender.)
  • Frank Artiaga: Provided an update on the gun exchange program, noting close to 60-70 hours spent on the corner of Glendale and Fourth Street, and distributed a publication. He also asked council members about their pro-life/pro-choice stance.
  • Brian Hunt: Alleged police corruption by Corporal Burns and Officer King, claiming he was falsely arrested for felony menacing and that officers allowed a perpetrator to steal from his home. He stated he has video and audio evidence proving his claims.
  • Elvis Martinez: Questioned the cause of a recent fire at Lake Minnequa and the lack of brush maintenance on city and CDOT properties. He wished happy holidays to council members.
  • Amber Petrie: Expressed concern about youth safety and limited beds at Pueblo Youth Center (PYC). She noted the governor could declare an emergency for 13 beds only if the district attorney requests it, and described a case where a minor perpetrator was released with no mental health plan or school.
  • Brett Boston: Business owner on Highway 50 described ongoing issues: two shootings (including a double homicide) at the extended stay hotel behind his business, open drug use (fentanyl foils, needles), fires set next to his building, shopping carts filled with paraphernalia, and declining sales. He asked for a no camping ordinance, more police presence, and accountability for the hotel owner.

Council Responses

  • Councilor Winter: Defended against Garcia's accusations by disclosing Garcia's sex offender status; announced a no camping ban ordinance first reading on December 26 and an ordinance requiring buses to drop passengers only at PUC-licensed locations.
  • Councilor Maestri: Thanked Boston for offering solutions; noted the no camping ban is coming and that bus drop-off regulation is in progress.
  • Councilor Flores: Offered to connect Boston with PD's dice units; followed up on youth beds and towing list issues.
  • Councilor Martinez Ortega: Expressed support for Boston, mentioned upcoming PD camera system in the area, and announced he is working on a shopping cart ordinance targeting big box stores.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved minutes of December 13, 2023 and November 27, 2023 as distributed.
  • Consent Items: Moved M1 (demolition contract) and N7 (marijuana tax) to regular agenda; removed N3. Approved all other consent resolutions (M2-M9) and ordinances (N1, N2, N4, N5, N6, N8, N9) setting public hearings for December 26, 2023. Vote 7-0.

Discussion Items

  • M1 - Demolition of 125 East 7th Street (Albany): Awarded contract to Rockies Environmental and Demolition Services for $605,000 plus $100,000 contingency. Discussion on cost due to owner negligence and city's ability to place a lien or take property. Approved 7-0.
  • N7 - Retail Marijuana Excise Tax Reduction (First Reading): Proposed reduction from 8% to 0% for three years. Staff reported 2022 excise tax revenue of $159,000, declining from $797,000 in 2021. Debate on competitiveness, fairness, and revenue loss. Councilor Maestri opposed; vote 6-1 (Maestri dissenting). Public hearing set for December 26, 2023.
  • Q1 - Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority Vendor Fee Budget: Approved budget for convention center and Memorial Hall for 2024. Staff reported record gross revenue of $2.8 million in 2023 and projected $2.5 million for 2024. Approved 7-0.
  • Q2 & Q3 - Council Contingency Sponsorships: $2,000 to Temple Manual for a wheelchair ramp and $1,050 to Roselawn Foundation for wreaths across America. Both approved 7-0.
  • Ordinances R1-R12: All approved with votes as follows:
    • R1: Arcadis professional services for dewatering permit study ($183,710) - 7-0.
    • R2: USGS joint funding agreement for hydraulic data collection - 7-0.
    • R3: Brown & Caldwell engineering for SCADA system upgrade ($566,050) - 7-0.
    • R4: Amendment to aircraft museum management agreement - 7-0.
    • R5: FY2024 authorized personnel positions (855 FTEs, 19 new) - 7-0.
    • R6: FY2024 classification and pay plan (including state minimum wage increase to $14.42/hr) - 7-0.
    • R7: CDOT IGA amendment for Prairie Ave to Minnequa Lake Trail (remove insurance requirements) - 7-0.
    • R8: CDOT IGA amendment for Arkansas River Trail Phase 4 (remove insurance requirements) - 7-0.
    • R9: Service agreement with United Way for DOTS program ($14,017) - 7-0.
    • R10: Transfer of funds from Pueblo Triple A for DOTS program ($64,000) - 7-0.
    • R11: Second amendment for economic dashboard reports (extension to April 1, 2024, additional $17,500) - 7-0.
    • R12: School Resource Officer agreement with District 60 (10 officers, 1 sergeant, $802,547) - Approved 5-2 (Councilors Winter and Martinez Ortega opposed).
  • Rezoning (1725 W Pueblo Blvd): Rezoned from B3/A4 to B4 for commercial development (tire shop and drive-through coffee shop). Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamation declared December 11, 2023 as Gateway to the Southwest Day.
  • Demolition contract awarded for the Albany building.
  • First reading passed to reduce marijuana excise tax to 0% for three years; public hearing set for December 26.
  • SRO agreement with District 60 renewed for 2024.
  • All other resolutions and ordinances approved as noted.
  • The meeting adjourned at 9:14 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Hey, welcome everybody. Today is Monday, December 11th. The time is seven oh four, and I call this meeting to order. Um, we are going to have our invocation tonight by Laurel Homstrom Kais from the Pagan Community Ministry. Um, if everybody will stand and still stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance after that. If you want to talk to the microscope, it's really all right, just for the for the people at home. Oh, I see. I see. Is this helping? Okay. So I invite you all to close your eyes and take a deep breath. Let everything you had to do to be here today be done. And bring yourself as much as you can into present time. Athena, wise in all things, mistress of reason and understanding. Apollo, lover of truth, who knows what will be, who grants the gift of foreknowledge to those who seek. We ask it that you bless this meeting of the Pueblo City Council and bestow upon the members the wisdom to help Pueblo thrive and blossom. I invite you all now to speak to the gods or goddesses of your own heart and ask for their blessing. If you do not recognize deity, I invite you to allow peace into your heart. Gracious Athena, shining Apollo, we thank you for your blessings. May your wisdom guide us in all things. May this holiday season be merry and happy for all. Blessed. Okay, roll call. Larry Tuncio. Here. Dennis Flores. Here. Heather Graham. Here. Regina Maestri. Here. Sarah Martinez. Vicente Martinez Ortega. Here. Lori Winner. Okay, proclamation presentation tonight. We have one. It's the gateway to the Southwest Day, December 11th, 2023. If we can't have Mr. Bill Jwick and company up, um, and Councillor Martinez Ortega will be presenting this proclamation. We get we get Bill and the Williams Studio. Anyone from Houston Construction as well. And whereas the historical significance of Pueblo, Colorado is an active settlement on banks of the Arkansas River, which was once the northern border of the Republic of Mexico. The land included the present states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and the western portions of Colorado, as well as the lands of the Southwest or the South Arkansas River, where we now stand. And whereas the visual demonstration of Pueblo's pride is represented through two sculptures towering nearly four stories above I-25 as the entrance to the city, presenting the significance and welcoming statement, what and welcoming statement and icon. Nearly 20 million vehicles pass between the sculptures annually. This monument reinforces Pueblo's identity as the important as an important place of commerce, culture, art, history, education, and economic development. And whereas the gateway to the Southwest monumental sculptures were created by local artists at the Williams Studio with the symbols designed supporting Pueblo's blended cultures, including Native American pottery design, a wagon wheel to represent pioneers, steel mill and the wind energy to represent industry, barbed wire to represent ranching and sunshine, water and landscapes to represent the environment. Whereas Pueblo is a community of proud people with strong generational working and family ethic.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com