Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - January 22, 2024

The City Council convened at 7:00 PM on January 22, 2024, in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent agenda, discussion of several resolutions and ordinances, and a quasi-judicial hearing on a rezoning request. Key decisions included approval of funding for community events, a zoning change for the Ventana Estates area, and scheduling of a public hearing on an anti-camping ordinance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise Ullman spoke in opposition to the proposed no-camping ordinance, arguing it would harm the homeless population and that the city lacks adequate shelter space. She urged more thoughtful consideration.
• Michael Gonzalez requested additional trash receptacles and wagons for the homeless encampment at Benedict Park ("the jungle") to help with trash cleanup.
• Jeanette Garcia urged the Council to develop policies to ensure city boards and commissions reflect Pueblo’s demographics. She provided specific suggestions for outreach and recruitment to attract diverse applicants.
• Larry Fancher discussed groundwater, stormwater, and infrastructure issues in the downtown area, referencing Darcy’s Law and the impacts of upstream development. He called for monitoring and dewatering well studies.
• Caleb Buddington (CSU Pueblo men’s lacrosse team) testified that the university had abruptly demoted the team from NCAA varsity to club level. He asked the Council for assistance in reversing that decision. Several other team members attended.
• Sherry Palmer shared her personal experience as a formerly homeless person, noting the lack of resources for the homeless and the inadequacy of housing lists. She opposed the camping ban and asked for help with trash removal and job opportunities.

Council Member Commentary

• Councilor Latino expressed concern for young people and offered to help the lacrosse players. He also noted that other cities employ homeless individuals for work.
• Councilor Maestri thanked Jeanette Garcia for her comments and indicated the Council will address board diversity at an upcoming retreat.
• Councilor Gomez praised the lacrosse players for their self-fundraising efforts and called on the city to help them.
• Councilor Flores offered to facilitate a call with the CSU system chancellor to get a better explanation for the lacrosse team’s demotion,
• Councilor Martinez commended the speakers with lived experience on homelessness and noted that the final vote on the camping ban is scheduled for February 12, 2024. She also supported Garcia’s diversity suggestions.
• Councilor Aliff encouraged everyone to vote in the upcoming election.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved, by a 7-0 vote, the consent agenda as amended. Items included: M1 (roof replacement contract), M2 (audio-visual upgrade funding), M4 (stormwater rate consultant agreement), M5 (emergency sewer repair), M6 (well permit amendment), M7 (revocable permit for Winter Beer Festival), and first reading ordinances N1–N7, N9, N10 setting public hearings for February 12, 2024.
• Items M3 (demolition contract) and N8 (ARPA subrecipient agreement) were moved to the regular agenda for discussion. Items M8 and M9 (appointments) were postponed to February 12, 2024.

Discussion Items

• M3 – Demolition of 2907 2nd Ave: Councilor Maestri explained the high cost of demolition ($74,000) to educate the public on the expense of addressing abandoned properties. The resolution passed 7-0.
• N8 – ARPA Grant to Rocky Mountain SER: Staff presented a $200,000 subrecipient agreement for equipment and infrastructure improvements at the Empowerment Center to support a mobile food hunger relief project. Councilor Maestri moved to postpone first reading to February 26, 2024, for a work session for new council members. That motion failed 4-3. Council then approved a motion to publish the ordinance by title and set a public hearing for February 12, 2024, which passed 6-1 (Maestri opposed).
• P1 – Ventana Estates Rezoning (Quasi-Judicial): The applicant sought to rezone 71.75 acres from A-4 to R-1 and R-2 for 170 single-family homes and 96 townhomes west of the existing Ventana subdivision. Staff reported a gross density of 3.7 units per acre. Several Ventana residents spoke in favor of the R-1 zoning but expressed concerns about traffic safety, particularly the inability to turn left from Ventana Way onto Highway 78. They urged the Council to work with CDOT to modify the highway classification. Applicant Nathan Bell agreed to continue traffic discussions with CDOT during the subdivision phase. Councilor Flores, a Ventana resident, discussed the traffic issues and proposed seeking a waiver from CDOT. The Council voted 5-2 to approve the rezoning (Aliff, Flores, Graham, Latino, Meistri in favor; Gomez and Martinez opposed).
• Q1 – Funding for Food Project: A resolution to transfer $2,000 from Council Contingencies to the Pueblo Food Project to sponsor the Sun, Soil, Water Ag Summit on February 23-24, 2024. Passed 6-1.
• Q2 – Funding for Latino Chamber: A resolution to sponsor a table at the 45th Anniversary Dinner Dance for $1,100. Passed 7-0.
• Q3 – Funding for Boys & Girls Club: A resolution to sponsor a VIP table at the Champions of Youth Dinner for $1,800. Passed 6-1.
• R1 – Fire Station COP Fund: Ordinance establishing Fund 304 for the Series 2023 Certificates of Participation ($34,450,000) for three new fire stations. Passed 7-0.
• R2 – Safe Routes to School: Ordinance approving $482,977 for multimodal improvements along Monument Avenue. Passed 7-0.
• R3 – Landscape Performance Standards: Ordinance amending code to allow up to 1,000 square feet of accessory structures without triggering full landscaping compliance. Passed 7-0.
• R4 – Appeal Process for HARP: Ordinance reinstating an appeal process for certificate of compliance denials in historic districts. Passed 7-0.
• R5 – Sale of Liens: Ordinance authorizing the auction of 23 vacant property and abatement liens. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning Approval: Ventana Estates rezoning (P1) approved 5-2.
• Public Hearing Set: The no-camping ordinance (N9) and the ARPA grant for Rocky Mountain SER (N8) will have public hearings on February 12, 2024.
• Funding Approved: Council contingencies allocated for the Food Project ($2,000), Latino Chamber ($1,100), and Boys & Girls Club ($1,800).
• Ordinances Adopted: All final reading ordinances (R1–R5) passed unanimously.
• Appointments Delayed: Confirmation of members to the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority and Council appointments to boards/commissions (M8, M9) postponed to February 12.
• Next Steps: Staff directed to continue working with CDOT on the Ventana Way traffic issue and to provide Council with the total lien value for the upcoming auction.