OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting Summary – December 9, 2024

City Council — Monday, December 9, 2024
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:19:46

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Recording in progress.

0:37

Welcome.

0:38

It's another beautiful Christmasy day in Pueblo, Colorado today.

0:43

I'm calling to order the regular city council meeting.

0:46

Today is Monday, December 9th, 2024.

0:50

And the time is right on 7 p.m.

0:53

Uh we're gonna move right into our invocation.

0:56

Is Minister Gary Aragon here?

1:04

Well, if you'll stand with me for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, if you wish.

1:12

Thank you, God, for the blessings you have bestowed upon us.

1:16

Only you are worthy of our praise and worship, and we thank you for bringing us together tonight safely.

1:22

Please, God, bless this city council with discernment and wisdom to make God-honoring decisions that will bless our community and honor your kingdom to come.

1:33

Forgive us, God, for our trespasses and cover us with your wings of forgiveness in our repentance.

1:39

We ask this in the name of your only son, Jesus Christ.

1:43

Amen.

1:46

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all.

2:02

Madam Clerk Rocol.

2:04

Mark A.

2:05

Leff.

2:05

Here.

2:05

Brett Boston.

2:06

Dennis Flores.

2:07

Roger Gomez.

2:08

Joe Latino.

2:09

Here.

2:09

Regina Maestri.

2:11

Chair.

2:11

Sarah Martinez.

2:13

Here.

2:16

And we are all here and accounted for.

2:18

We now move into special recognition.

2:21

Uh Councilor Flores is going to read a proclamation presentation to the human for human relations day, which is December 10th, 2024.

2:31

Don Tripsena.

2:34

The chair of the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, come on down.

2:43

Oh, I didn't get to see it.

2:51

We also have some other commissioners here.

2:53

Oh, I have a community.

2:56

God, I love being surrounded by women.

3:04

Proclamation, Human Relations Day, December 10th, 2024, whereas December 10th marks International Human Rights Day, a day observed worldwide to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948, which set forth the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled.

3:29

And whereas the City of Pueblo recognizes the vital importance of fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, equality, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that may divide us.

3:49

And whereas Human Relations Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward more inclusive society while acknowledging the ongoing work needed to address issues of inequality, discrimination, and injustice at both the local and global levels.

4:06

And whereas the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, in partnership with local organizations, educators, and community leaders, continue to advocate for policies and practices that perform that promote fairness, understanding, and respect in all aspects of civic life.

4:24

And whereas Human Relations Day encourages all residents to engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from one another's experiences, and work collectively to build a community where every individual is valued and heard.

4:39

Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim December 10th, 2024 as Human Relations Day in the City of Pueblo, and call upon all citizens to observe this day by promoting the principles of equality, inclusivity, and human dignity in our community.

5:00

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this ninth day of December 2024, signed by Mark A.

5:12

Liff, President of the City Council.

5:14

Congratulations.

5:15

Thank you.

5:16

Could you mind introducing?

5:20

So I am Don Trips and I am the chair of the uh human relations commission.

5:25

We have Acacia Kerr here, she's a commissioner.

5:29

Alicia Bellamy, who is new, so tomorrow will be her first um official meeting.

5:34

And then we have Blake Smith, who is our coordinator.

5:38

And I'd like to thank the City Council for recognizing uh human rights day.

5:43

It is our mission as the Human Relations Commission to advocate, educate, and stand up for the rights of all marginalized people.

5:53

Thank you.

5:55

Thank you.

5:56

We're going to take a picture.

6:06

Thank you.

6:14

Okay, we now move into public forum.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Energy Management███████████████████19%
Procedural████████████████16%
Education██████████10%
Child Care Services█████████9%
Public Health Awareness██████6%
Public Transportation█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Public Works████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – December 9, 2024

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM and concluding after a brief recess around 9:42 PM. The 7-member council addressed a full agenda including special recognitions, public comments, resolutions, and ordinances. Key actions included rejecting a resolution to rescind the city's 100% renewable energy goal, rejecting a companion ordinance to change the energy commission, approving major ARPA-funded projects for police vehicles and park surveillance, approving the suspension of street repair utility fees for 2025, and passing numerous consent items. A controversial proposal to fund a site plan for a city-county childcare center failed.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved a Proclamation declaring December 10, 2024 as Human Relations Day (unanimous).
  • Approved minutes of the November 25, 2024 meeting (7-0).
  • Approved consent agenda including:
    • L1: Planning and Zoning Commission minutes for 10/09/2024.
    • M1: Emergency storm sewer repair contract ($101,978 to Parker Excavating Inc.) and change order ($151,425.47).
    • M2: Transfer of $281,773.60 for storm sewer point repair.
    • M3: Professional services agreement with FCS Group ($107,480) for wastewater financial evaluation.
    • M4: Concrete improvements contract ($14,116.50 to Lucky Dog Contracting).
    • M5-M9: Appointments to boards (Honor Farm, Streetscape, Human Relations, Energy, Historic Preservation).
    • M10: Loan agreement officer changes.
    • M11: Easement acceptance for Portland Lift Station.
    • M13: Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority vendor fee budget for 2025.
    • M14: Reappointment of Jeffrey DeHerrera to Library District Board of Trustees.
    • M15: $825,882.57 for 9 police interceptor units and 5 administrative vehicles using ARPA funds.
    • N3-N18: First reading ordinances for transportation planning, data use agreements, hangar leases, homeless shelter operations, energy commission updates, and fire mitigation. (All passed 7-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ken Dante (Chair, Pueblo Energy Commission): Opposed Resolutions M12 and N9, arguing they would abandon the 100% renewable energy goal. Stated that renewables are cheap, backed by battery storage innovation (e.g., Form Iron Air Battery), and that the goal is aspirational.
  • Alvis Martinez (public): Opposed any potential city sales tax increase for roads, reminding Councilor Aliff of a “no new taxes” pledge. Raised concerns about underground infrastructure costs and called for a prioritized road list. Also spoke in favor of suspending the street repair fee (R4) to avoid passing costs to renters and small businesses.
  • Ted Freeman (public): Listed 2024 accomplishments (public safety tech, trash cleanup, rescue mission ownership, boathouse, fire stations, roads). Urged council to repurpose half-cent sales tax funds for major projects like airport, community centers, and childcare. Opposed the childcare center IGA (R1), calling it inadequate and poorly located.
  • Devin Flores (public): Read from “A Christmas Carol” to call for charity and decried city actions against homeless (displacement, confiscation, arrests). Urged council to remember those in need when voting.
  • Diane Dante (online, public): Opposed M12, arguing rescinding the 100% renewable goal would allow Black Hills to build expensive nuclear or carbon capture plants, harming ratepayers. Suggested revising the goal to align with state SB 23-198.

Discussion Items

  • M12 – Resolution to rescind 100% renewable energy goal (2017): Staff reported it would rescind Resolution 13612. Councilor Flores expressed perplexity, noting the goal is 11 years away and the city has made progress (solar steel mill, net-zero fire stations). Mayor argued the goal is cost-prohibitive, citing expensive EVs and net-zero construction. Councilor Martinez feared removing the goal was a step backward. Councilor Boston suggested tabling for more input from the Energy Advisory Commission. Vote: 3-4 (yes: Aliff, Boston, Maestri; no: Flores, Gomez, Latino, Martinez) — failed.
  • N9 – Ordinance to amend energy commission (replace with Pueblo Commission on Energy): Companion to M12. Since M12 failed, some councilors saw this as unnecessary. Staff noted it would return to pre-2021 focus (general energy planning). Councilor Flores argued it would weaken the commission. Vote: 3-4 (yes: Aliff, Maestri, Martinez; no: Boston, Flores, Gomez, Latino) — failed.
  • R1 – IGA with county for childcare center site plan ($100,000 ARPA): Public testimony raised questions about location, SVP proximity, operator selection, costs, and county commitment. Council debated heavily. Councilor Martinez (sponsor) argued it would support workforce retention/recruitment and fill a critical childcare gap. Councilor Maestri cited past failed projects (Mariposa) and lack of county certainty. Councilor Flores supported it as investment in children. Councilor Latino wanted school district involvement. Councilor Gomez suggested using funds for Bessemer Park fencing instead. An attempt to postpone was not formalized. Vote: 3-4 (yes: Flores, Boston, Martinez; no: Aliff, Gomez, Latino, Maestri) — failed.
  • R4 – Suspension of street repair utility fees for 2025: Similar to prior years. Approved 7-0.
  • R7 – Authorized personnel positions for 2025: Reduced to 848 full-time positions, abolishing 5 funded and 13 unfunded positions. Added 6 positions for Fire Station 11 and one accountant for economic development. Approved 7-0.
  • R8 – Classification and pay plan for 2025: Includes 2.8% increase for management and 2.7% increase to minimum wage. Approved 7-0.
  • R12 – School Resource Officer agreement with District 60: 9% increase ($13,000) paid by district. Approved 7-0.
  • R13 – Building permit amendment: Requires permit seekers to clear all city debts and hold a business license. Approved 7-0.
  • R14 – Lease amendment for SafeSide Recovery: Suspends rent until April 2025; city pays $50,000/month plus admin fee for shelter operations. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • M12 (rescind renewable goal): Failed 3-4. Goal remains.
  • N9 (energy commission amendment): Failed 3-4. Current Pueblo Energy Advisory Commission stays.
  • R1 (childcare site plan): Failed 3-4. ARPA $100,000 not allocated.
  • Consent and remaining regular agenda items: All passed unanimously (7-0), including:
    • Q1: $900 to Mountain Park Environmental Association for Winter Solstice Celebration.
    • Q2: $1,000,000 in ARPA funds for video surveillance in 5 parks (City Park, Minopalos, Reglair, Lake Minnequa, Mitchell).
    • R2: $130,399 multimodal grant for 60 solar lights at bus stops.
    • R3: $62,213 Colorado Energy Office grant for “Kids Ride Free” through October 2025.
    • R5: MOU with Biobot Analytics for wastewater substance testing (no cost to city).
    • R6: Joint funding agreement with USGS for hydrologic data collection.
    • R9: MOU with Colorado DOC for fire safety inspections.
    • R10: $75,000 from Pueblo Conservancy District for City Park and Arkansas River corridor master plan.
    • R11: $190,532 GOCO grant for “Generation Wild” outdoor youth program.
    • R12: School Resource Officer agreement with District 60.
    • R13: Building permit amendment to require payment of city debts.
    • R14: Lease amendment suspending SafeSide Recovery rent through March 2025.
  • Next steps: A work session on the shelter RFP is scheduled for December 23, 2024. The council also discussed future agenda placement and work session timing.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Welcome. It's another beautiful Christmasy day in Pueblo, Colorado today. I'm calling to order the regular city council meeting. Today is Monday, December 9th, 2024. And the time is right on 7 p.m. Uh we're gonna move right into our invocation. Is Minister Gary Aragon here? Well, if you'll stand with me for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, if you wish. Thank you, God, for the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Only you are worthy of our praise and worship, and we thank you for bringing us together tonight safely. Please, God, bless this city council with discernment and wisdom to make God-honoring decisions that will bless our community and honor your kingdom to come. Forgive us, God, for our trespasses and cover us with your wings of forgiveness in our repentance. We ask this in the name of your only son, Jesus Christ. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and individual liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk Rocol. Mark A. Leff. Here. Brett Boston. Dennis Flores. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Maestri. Chair. Sarah Martinez. Here. And we are all here and accounted for. We now move into special recognition. Uh Councilor Flores is going to read a proclamation presentation to the human for human relations day, which is December 10th, 2024. Don Tripsena. The chair of the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, come on down. Oh, I didn't get to see it. We also have some other commissioners here. Oh, I have a community. God, I love being surrounded by women. Proclamation, Human Relations Day, December 10th, 2024, whereas December 10th marks International Human Rights Day, a day observed worldwide to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948, which set forth the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled. And whereas the City of Pueblo recognizes the vital importance of fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, equality, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that may divide us. And whereas Human Relations Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward more inclusive society while acknowledging the ongoing work needed to address issues of inequality, discrimination, and injustice at both the local and global levels. And whereas the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, in partnership with local organizations, educators, and community leaders, continue to advocate for policies and practices that perform that promote fairness, understanding, and respect in all aspects of civic life. And whereas Human Relations Day encourages all residents to engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from one another's experiences, and work collectively to build a community where every individual is valued and heard. Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim December 10th, 2024 as Human Relations Day in the City of Pueblo, and call upon all citizens to observe this day by promoting the principles of equality, inclusivity, and human dignity in our community. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this ninth day of December 2024, signed by Mark A. Liff, President of the City Council. Congratulations. Thank you. Could you mind introducing? So I am Don Trips and I am the chair of the uh human relations commission.

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