Regular City Council Meeting – October 16, 2024
Regular City Council Meeting – October 16, 2024
The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on October 16, 2024 (as recorded, despite agenda listing October 15). The meeting covered a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, public comments on the historic bathhouse and abortion, debate and a vote on an ordinance to restrict abortion access, approval of several resolutions for community sponsorships and infrastructure projects, and emergency ordinances to fund homeless shelter operations.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (7-0) the consent agenda, which included 17 resolutions (M1–M17) for construction contracts, engineering services, appointments, and revocable permits, as well as 14 ordinances (N1–N17) on marijuana, alcohol, zoning, and other routine matters. Public hearings for the ordinances were set for October 28, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
- George Concilia (representing a preservation group): Urged the council to reconsider demolishing the historic bathhouse, presenting a new engineering analysis showing $300,000 in savings by choosing an alternate location. He offered private commitments of $250,000 and proposed a third-party lease to relieve the city of operating costs.
- Renee Smith (member of the Abolitionist Society of Pueblo): Argued against abortion, asserting that life begins at conception and calling for its complete abolition.
- Jacqueline Montanez: Opposed Ordinance N18, warning that the ACLU and Colorado Attorney General would sue the city, citing a recent CORA request showing a potential cost of $29,694.13 for outside counsel from one lawsuit.
- Rebecca Wolf (registered nurse): Presented statistics on negative psychological and physical effects of abortion, including a 155% increased suicide risk and 138% higher risk of mental health problems.
- James Harvey: Shared a personal story about an abortion without his knowledge, expressed forgiveness, but remained opposed to abortion and Amendment 79.
- Jennifer Horn (Pueblo Human Relations Commission): Read a letter urging the council to vote no on N18, stating it violates state law (Reproductive Health Equity Act) and would harm human rights, expose the city to lawsuits, and deepen societal divisions.
Discussion Items
- Bathhouse Preservation: Councilor Flores noted that the ARPA administrator indicated the deadline could be extended and that an alternate location might save $300,000. He encouraged the mayor to reconsider the demolition plan. No formal action was taken.
- Abortion Ordinance (N18): The council debated a motion to move the ordinance to second reading. City Attorney advised that the ordinance likely violates state law and could lead to lawsuits. Councilors expressed split views: Councilors Flores, Martinez, and Gomez opposed moving forward, citing legal and fiscal concerns; Councilors Aliff, Boston, Latino, and Meister supported advancing to allow public testimony. The motion to set a public hearing failed 4–3.
- Homeless Shelter Emergency Funding (S1 & S2): The city received notice that the Pueblo Rescue Mission would cease operations. The council passed two emergency ordinances: S1 transferred $200,000 from the Home Match account to shelter operations; S2 approved a subrecipient agreement and accepted transfer of two properties (710 and 728 W. 4th St.) to the city. Discussion included concerns about oversight, building conditions, and the city’s long‑term role. Both passed 7–0. Councilor Aliff expressed intent to propose creating a new city department to manage homeless services.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda and Routine Items: All consent items (M1–M17, N1–N17) approved 7–0. Budget public hearing set for October 28, 2024.
- Abortion Ordinance (N18): The motion to advance to second reading failed 4–3, effectively killing the ordinance.
- Council Contingency Sponsorships (Q1–Q5):
- Q1 ($1,000 for Festival of Trees) – passed 7–0.
- Q2 ($750 for NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet) – passed 7–0.
- Q3 ($1,750 for Booklovers Ball) – passed 5–2.
- Q4 ($1,250 for Parade of Lights) – passed 7–0.
- Q5 ($15,000 for PAWS for Life emergency repairs) – amended to split $7,500 from council contingency and $7,500 from mayor’s office; passed 7–0.
- Final Ordinances (R1–R8): All passed 7–0, including funding for PMJC chiller/boiler design, airport hangar rent adjustments, engineering services for apron and taxi lane projects, a revocable license for air quality monitors (R4 passed 5–2), vanpool services, liquor fee updates, a use permit for a cleanup event, and hangar construction design.
- Emergency Ordinances (S1 & S2): Both passed 7–0, providing $200,000 for shelter operations and authorizing property transfers to ensure continued shelter through the winter.
Meeting Transcript
It's another beautiful day in Pueblo, Colorado, and I call to order the regular city council meeting. Today is Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. The time is now 713. First order of business, we're going to do our invocation. Pastor Tim Meessler from Calvary Church of Pueblo is going to lead us. If you choose, you can stand with us and join in. Then we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you for having me this evening. And if you'd like, please join along with me in prayer. Almighty God, creator and sustainer of life, I come before you tonight in gratitude, acknowledging your infinite wisdom, power, and goodness. You are the foundation of all that is true, holy, and just. Thank you for gathering together these dedicated men and women who serve as stewards of our community. And I am humbled by the responsibility they bear. And I ask that you would bless them with wisdom and discernment as they deliberate on matters that affect the lives of everyone that they serve. Give them courage to address the challenges before us with resolve and kindness, and let them also celebrate the successes and blessings within our community, inspiring hope and positive change. In your holy and precious name I pray. Amen. One nation. Thank you, Pastor. Madam Clerk, roll call. Mark Gaelith. Here. Brett Boston. Mr. Clerk, I apologize. That's okay. Thank you. Dennis Flores. Here. Roger Gomez. Here. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Meistry. Here. Sarah Martinez. We have a full house. We now move on to special recognition. We have a proclamation presentation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 2024. Sandy Morrison, the Director of Development and Operations of Mariposa Center for Safety. Here come on up. So I'm going to read this proclamation. Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October, 2024. Whereas Mariposa Center for Safety, as well as community partners, recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And whereas, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, victims, advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence. Celebrate the progress that has been made to end this epidemic and connect with others working to create change. And whereas community members are encouraged to wear purple and/or a purple ribbon and or use purple lighting to show solidarity with victims of domestic violence. And whereas Mariposa Center for Safety works to empower survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and family abuse through increasing self-sufficiency and self-worth, education, prevention, victim advocacy, and by offering emergency services, provisions, and shelter when needed. Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us to hereby proclaim October 2024 as domestic violence awareness month in the city of Pueblo, Colorado, and encourage the citizens of Pueblo to join us in recognizing the organizations like Mariposa Center for Safety for their services. And in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado to be affixed this 15th day of October, 2024.
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