OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - April 22, 2024

City Council — Monday, April 22, 2024
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 22, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:12:43

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Okay, get ready because we're gonna go old school just like we're in the barn.

0:35

It's a beautiful night in Pueblo, and welcome to the regular city council meeting.

0:40

Today is Monday, April 22nd, 2024.

0:44

The time is 706, and I call this meeting to order.

0:48

Uh we're going to start off this evening with the invocation from Pastor Rob Reyes of Pueblo Praise, and then we'll stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:58

If you want to stand for the invocation, please do.

1:03

Pastor.

1:05

Thank you all.

1:07

Thank you all.

1:09

If you guys all want to bow your head with me.

1:13

Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we just thank you so much for today.

1:18

We thank you for this opportunity.

1:20

And God as tensions mount across the world, across the nation, and here in our own city, we pray God for our leaders.

1:29

Lord, we pray for our city.

1:32

And God, we just ask for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

1:36

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespassed against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

1:48

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

1:52

Amen.

2:18

Mark A.

2:18

Left.

2:19

Here.

2:19

Dennis Flores.

2:20

Here.

2:21

Roger Gomez.

2:22

Charles Fernandez.

2:23

Joe Latino.

2:24

Here.

2:24

Regina Maestri.

2:25

Here.

2:26

Sarah Martinez.

2:29

We're all good.

2:31

We're going to have special recognitions now, and we're gonna we're gonna mess up the order.

2:36

I'm gonna go first because we have two mayor proclamations that'll come after me.

2:43

And Parkinson's Awareness Month, Nick Herrera.

2:48

Hey, Dick, come on down in front of you.

3:14

So this is a proclamation for Parkinson's Awareness Month, April 2024.

3:20

Whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, affecting almost one million people in the United States, with one person being being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every nine minutes.

3:41

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is expected to rise to 1.2 million individuals by 2030.

3:48

And whereas Parkinson's disease and related health issues are the 14th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3:59

And whereas it is estimated that the total national economic burden of Parkinson's is approximately $52 billion each year.

4:08

This includes the direct medical costs such as treatment, Social Security payments, and lost income of $25.4 billion and indirect costs to patients and family members of $26.5 billion per year in the United States.

4:24

And whereas research suggests the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown.

4:36

And whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson's disease, and there is no cure or medication to slow or halt the progression of the disease.

4:46

And whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to person and can include tremors, slowness of movement, and rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, cognitive impairment, and dementia, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, skin problems, and sleep difficulties.

5:08

And whereas researchers, caregivers, and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson's disease and their families through the research, education, and community support services necessary in finding more effective treatments and to providing access to quality care to those living with the disease today.

5:30

Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Parkinson's Awareness Month, and urge our community to promote awareness to fight Parkinson's disease, thereby improving the quality of human life for those living with Parkinson's disease.

5:54

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this 22nd day of April 2024, and signed by me, Mark A.

6:07

President of City Council.

6:08

So here's so Kathy here, she's an inspiration to all of us.

6:22

She's had Parkinson's for over 20 years.

6:25

Um I got involved to to facilitate the Parkinson support group.

6:30

Um I just fell in love with all of them.

6:32

I myself don't suffer from Parkinson's, but I do uh help with all of their stuff and you know help them out in proclamation signed.

6:41

I do want to say June 22nd, we'll be having our Parkinson's walk.

6:46

Um it's a 5K walk.

6:48

She does it with her walker, so we all until she's so this is gonna be our second walk.

7:02

Um last year we raised over $7,000, and this year we're almost past that already, and then we got till June.

7:08

So I'm just gonna can I leave these here?

7:11

I mean we could look for participation or just donations, just scan the CR code up front, and anybody that wants them can grab them.

7:21

Give them some okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████27%
Public Health Awareness███████████11%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Procurement███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Personnel Matters████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - April 22, 2024

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7:06 PM, with all seven members present. The meeting included proclamations, public forum, council commentary, and action on multiple resolutions and ordinances. Key votes involved funding for the HARP channel extension, roundabout projects, a new police community engagement manager, a law department position conversion, and an emergency sheltering ordinance amendment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (7-0), including 19 resolutions (M1-M19) covering construction contracts, street improvements, revocable permits, annexation petitions, and other routine items. Ordinances N1 (syringe exchange prohibition) was pulled for discussion; N2-N8 were set for public hearing on May 13, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gus Garcia expressed concerns about the police chief's motives in reassigning the public information officer (PIO) and alleged lack of exit interviews for departing officers. He also criticized delayed information during the Everest fire, urging council to access a withheld report.
  • Thomas Elliott opposed shutting down needle exchange programs, arguing they reduce needle litter and provide safe disposal. He shared a personal sharps container and urged expanded services.
  • Roxanne Pignonelli supported needle exchange as a pro-life health service, describing it as a first step for those in crisis. She advocated for more mental health resources.
  • Unnamed speaker (George Samaras?) sang a song for Earth Day and proposed a new video for Pueblo's theme song, urging community self-esteem.
  • Kathy Jacobs supported continuing needle exchange, noting she saw few needles during her walk and that a parking lot cleaner reported finding an average of five needles per Monday. She asked council to work with existing programs.

Discussion Items

  • Syringe Exchange Prohibition (N1): Councilor Martinez moved to continue the item to May 13 to allow a work session with Access Point. After debate, the motion failed (3-4? The transcript says "it fails for three" – likely 3 in favor, 4 against, so not continued). The item will proceed to public hearing on May 13.
  • HARP Channel Extension and Boathouse (R1, R2, R3): Three ordinances approved funding from Pueblo County ($9 million from 1A funds), a $1 million DOLA grant, and a cooperation agreement with HARP. Passed 6-1, 6-1, and 7-0 respectively.
  • Roundabout Projects (R4, R5): Approved intergovernmental agreements for roundabouts at Lake/Jones ($1.5M, $1.35M from CDOT) and Grand/13th ($1.65M, $1.485M from CDOT). Both passed 7-0.
  • Affordable Housing Study (R7): Approved a participation agreement with CHFA for a feasibility study at the old Park Hill Health Center site. No matching funds required. Passed 7-0.
  • Manufactured Home Definition (R8): Amended code to remove minimum size restrictions (previously 864 sq ft), allowing smaller manufactured homes. Passed 7-0.
  • Police Community Engagement Manager (R9, R10): Created a civilian position to replace the sworn PIO, freeing a sergeant for patrol. Approved 6-1 (R9) and 6-1 (R10).
  • Law Department Position (R11): Converted an open assistant city attorney I position to a deputy city attorney to attract experienced candidates. Passed 5-2.
  • Emergency Shelter Ordinance (S1): Amended ordinance to allow the mayor to declare temporary housing emergencies year-round (not just Nov–Mar) for disasters like fire, heat, or flood. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion to continue syringe exchange prohibition to May 13 failed (3-4?); item remains on May 13 agenda.
  • HARP funding ordinances: R1 passed 6-1, R2 passed 6-1, R3 passed 7-0.
  • Roundabout ordinances: R4 passed 7-0, R5 passed 7-0.
  • Affordable housing study ordinance (R7) passed 7-0.
  • Manufactured home definition ordinance (R8) passed 7-0.
  • Police community engagement manager ordinances (R9, R10) each passed 6-1.
  • Law department position conversion (R11) passed 5-2.
  • Emergency sheltering amendment (S1) passed 7-0.
  • Consent agenda approved 7-0.
  • The meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, get ready because we're gonna go old school just like we're in the barn. It's a beautiful night in Pueblo, and welcome to the regular city council meeting. Today is Monday, April 22nd, 2024. The time is 706, and I call this meeting to order. Uh we're going to start off this evening with the invocation from Pastor Rob Reyes of Pueblo Praise, and then we'll stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. If you want to stand for the invocation, please do. Pastor. Thank you all. Thank you all. If you guys all want to bow your head with me. Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we just thank you so much for today. We thank you for this opportunity. And God as tensions mount across the world, across the nation, and here in our own city, we pray God for our leaders. Lord, we pray for our city. And God, we just ask for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespassed against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Mark A. Left. Here. Dennis Flores. Here. Roger Gomez. Charles Fernandez. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Maestri. Here. Sarah Martinez. We're all good. We're going to have special recognitions now, and we're gonna we're gonna mess up the order. I'm gonna go first because we have two mayor proclamations that'll come after me. And Parkinson's Awareness Month, Nick Herrera. Hey, Dick, come on down in front of you. So this is a proclamation for Parkinson's Awareness Month, April 2024. Whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, affecting almost one million people in the United States, with one person being being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every nine minutes. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is expected to rise to 1.2 million individuals by 2030. And whereas Parkinson's disease and related health issues are the 14th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And whereas it is estimated that the total national economic burden of Parkinson's is approximately $52 billion each year. This includes the direct medical costs such as treatment, Social Security payments, and lost income of $25.4 billion and indirect costs to patients and family members of $26.5 billion per year in the United States. And whereas research suggests the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown. And whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson's disease, and there is no cure or medication to slow or halt the progression of the disease. And whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to person and can include tremors, slowness of movement, and rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, cognitive impairment, and dementia, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, skin problems, and sleep difficulties. And whereas researchers, caregivers, and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson's disease and their families through the research, education, and community support services necessary in finding more effective treatments and to providing access to quality care to those living with the disease today. Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Parkinson's Awareness Month, and urge our community to promote awareness to fight Parkinson's disease, thereby improving the quality of human life for those living with Parkinson's disease. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this 22nd day of April 2024, and signed by me, Mark A. President of City Council. So here's so Kathy here, she's an inspiration to all of us. She's had Parkinson's for over 20 years.

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