Regular City Council Meeting – September 23, 2024: Veto Override Fails, Consent Agenda Approved, Municipal Utility Feasibility Study Passes
Regular City Council Meeting – September 23, 2024
The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation by Pastor Dr. Carl Wright, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call confirming all seven council members present. Special recognitions included proclamations for "Pueblo Latino Veterans Legacies of Courage Day" (September 28, 2024) and "Creek Week 2024" (September 28–October 6, 2024), as well as recognition of the Colorado State Fair Parade Float Committee for winning first place in the civic community category and most fitting parade theme and most creative at the Fiesta Day Parade.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting for August 14, 2024, were received and filed.
- Resolutions M1–M22 and M25 (covering ARPA fund reobligation, green house renovation, ADA curb ramps, trail replacement, emergency repairs, vehicle purchase transfer, water control gates, overhead utility relocation, sanitary sewer repair, hangar lease, revocable permits for events, POST grant, JAG grant, election official appointment, board appointments, annexation petitions, and EV charging station fees) were approved unanimously (7-0).
- Ordinances N1–N8 (first presentation) were passed, setting public hearings for October 15, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jan Schraner urged city council to overturn the mayor's veto of the bathhouse historic landmark designation, stating the building qualifies and that preservation grants up to $500,000 are available. He argued the city could save money by not demolishing the building.
- Christy Bynum shared personal stories of three abortions, describing them as necessary for her health and quality of life. She opposed any abortion ban, calling abortion health care, and urged the council to consider the real-world consequences of restrictions.
- Tanya Hughes spoke about her experience with a D&C procedure that was medically termed an abortion, and argued that restricting abortion supplies also restricts health care for other procedures. She cited an NIH study showing abortion is 14 times safer than childbirth and opposed the forced-birth movement, stating it is not a Christian nation.
- Nick Donaldson criticized the city's handling of homeless resources, alleging mismanagement and lack of data. He referenced issues with the YWCA, Goodwill, and other agencies, and called for audits and accountability. He also expressed support for the mayor on some issues.
- Gary Trujillo, a preservation architect with 50 years of experience, supported landmark status for the City Park Bath House, arguing the structure can be reused and that the new tennis facility and preservation are not mutually exclusive. He cited past successful preservation projects in Pueblo.
- Marty Harvey raised concerns about street sweeping effectiveness (cars not moved, only sweeping center of street) and dead trees between sidewalks and curbs, especially near bus stops. He also urged the city not to destroy historic buildings like the bathhouse.
Discussion Items
- M23 – Feasibility Study for Municipal Electric Utility: Council debated a resolution to transfer $185,525.16 from existing projects to fund a feasibility study for municipalizing the electric utility. Councilor Flores opposed, citing previous studies costing $300,000 that concluded no city of Pueblo's size had successfully municipalized, and that voters rejected it 76% to 24% three years ago. President Aliff and others argued that high energy costs hurt Pueblo's economy and that a new study is needed due to a changed administration and the upcoming August 2025 deadline for action. The resolution passed 5-2.
- R9 – Concealed Carry in City Hall: An ordinance to opt out of state law SB24-131 and allow concealed carry of firearms in City Hall (including council chambers) was debated. Chief of Police indicated that during council meetings, weapons would not be allowed in chambers, but the ordinance would allow concealed carry during regular business hours. Councilor Flores expressed concern about vulnerability in council chambers, while others noted the opt-out is allowed by statute. The ordinance passed 5-2.
- T1 – Veto Override of Bathhouse Historic Landmark: Council considered overriding the mayor's veto of Ordinance No. 10778 designating the City Park Bath House as a local historic landmark. The mayor argued the project has been in development since 2011, $133,000 already spent, and a new tennis facility is needed. Councilors split: some supported preservation, citing a potential $100,000 contribution from the Consilia family and 800 signatures; others cited cost overruns and delays. The vote to override failed 3-4, thus the veto stands.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
- M23 (Municipal Electric Utility Feasibility Study) approved 5-2.
- R9 (Concealed Carry in City Hall) approved 5-2.
- T1 (Veto Override for Bathhouse Landmark) failed 3-4, upholding the mayor's veto.
- R1–R10 (Ordinances Final Presentation) all passed (R1–R8, R10: 7-0; R9: 5-2).
- S1–S9 (Quasi-Judicial Ordinances) all passed (S1–S6: 7-0; S7, S8, S9: 6-1).
- U1 (Ethics Complaint against Councilor Gomez) dismissed 6-0 per legal department recommendation that no prima facie claim was stated.
- The council also set a work session for October 7, 2024, with the Public Utilities Commission regarding Black Hills Energy rate increases, and noted PUC hearings in Pueblo on October 29–30, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
Well, it's a beautiful fall evening in Pueblo tonight. My name is Mark A. Leff. We're I'm going to call to order the regular city council meeting. Today is Monday, September 23rd, 2024. The first item on the agenda after the call to order is the invocation. We have Pastor Dr. Carl Wright. Come on down. It's going to lead us in the invocation, then we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. Stand with us if you want. Come on down, Pastor. I forgot. Okay. Oh, okay. Okay. Gotcha. Thank you very much. Father God, we come together at this place, Father God, for which we want unity among members, Father God, we ask you, Father God, that you will come in us and for us, Father God, that you will do those things that we cannot do for ourselves that you have promised to do. We want to serve each other with wisdom and love, Father God. And we want, Father God, whatever we do, be received by those that we are serving. Which one is greater? The servant of the person being served. Father God, we want to ask you right now, Father God, that your strengths is greater than our strength, so we want you to be there for us, Father God, because we cannot do it on ourselves, but you, Father God, can do all things but fail. We are asking you, Father God, to just be there that we'll be the watchman on the wall so we know what's going on. We don't want to be deceived by people with uh out of words, try to distract from what we are trying to do, Father God, because there are so many trying to do that. So we want you, Father God, to be there for us and be on the wall looking and making sure that we are going in the right direction. And Father God, we want to just bless each person here, Father God, with our responsibilities, Father God, that they will be able to carry them out in such a way that would encourage somebody else. Let us recognize constituents that are looking at us, and we want to do our best to serve them. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Wright. Madam Clerk, we now need to have roll call. Mark Ailet. Here. Brett Boston. Here. Dennis Flores. Here. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Maestree. Here. Sarah Martinez. We have a full council. We now move into special recognition. First up is a proclamation presentation of the Pueblo Latino Veterans Legacies of Courage Day. September 28th, 2024, Gloria Guterres of the Pueblo Latino Veterans Legacy Encourage Committee and Councilor Flores is going to present.
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