Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - January 14, 2025

The regular meeting of the Pueblo City Council was held on January 14, 2025, in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included the election of 2025 officers (President Mark Aliff, Vice President Brett Boston, Work Session Chair Roger Gomez), a proclamation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, public testimony on multiple community issues, and votes on several resolutions and ordinances, including the fate of two city commissions and an animal holding period change.

Election of 2025 Officers

• President Mark Aliff was elected unanimously.
• Vice President Brett Boston was elected with a 5-2 vote over Sarah Martinez.
• Work Session Chair Roger Gomez was appointed by the President.

Consent Calendar

• Received and filed minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission (11/13/2024).
• Approved M1 (revocable permit for bridge use by BIF IV Intrepid Opco LLC).
• Approved M2 (property conveyance agreement with Neighborworks of Southern Colorado).
• Approved M4 (designation of public notice places for City Council 2025).
• Approved M5 (designation of public notice places for all boards/commissions 2025).
• Approved M6 (appointment of Thomas Luchin to Human Relations Commission).
• Approved M7 (adoption of 2025 Three-Mile Annexation Plan).
• Approved M8 ($10,500 electrical services contract for 29th Street Pump Station evaluation).
• Approved M9 (legal services compensation agreement with Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP).
• Passed first-presentation ordinances N1 (eviction prevention assistance, $100,000), N2 (natural medicine code amendments), N3 (EPA Brownfields grant, $750,000), N4 (firefighter position conversions), N5 (tuition reimbursement program), N6 (79.80-acre annexation – Recreation Resort Filing No. 1), N7 (219.76-acre annexation – Recration Resort Filing No. 2).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlie Fetty expressed strong opposition to PEDCO, alleging the steel mill is being stolen from Russian owners to support Ukraine, calling PEDCO “slave traders” and urging the city to end PEDCO and buy the mill.
• Elvis Martinez criticized the city’s CORA fee structure (free 1 hour vs. other cities’ 2 hours), asked about the cost of cleaning up the “jungle” homeless encampment, noted a fire at the old Span School, opposed a proposed grocery tax, questioned the $18,000 payment to La Henta, and alleged voter fraud regarding a registered address.
• Rodney Sanders spoke in strong support of the rehire program run by Crystal Archuleta and Catholic Charities, stating it saved his life and helped him become employed at the Pueblo Rescue Mission; he praised Mayor Graham and the program.
• David Cockrell expressed deep disappointment and opposition to the December 23 rescission of the 2017 100% renewable energy resolution, citing community engagement, economic benefits, and national recognition; he urged reconsideration.
• Jimmy Duffner opposed the dissolution of the Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness, emphasizing the severe housing crisis, the commission’s work on housing assessments and designated camping sites, and called for continued collaboration.
• Kathy Nichols criticized the city for denying bus passes to a resource fair for unhoused individuals organized by CSU Pueblo students; she praised the students’ efforts and urged the city to stop its “war on the homeless.”

Discussion Items

M3 – Resolution to Rescind Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness

Mayor Graham presented the resolution, citing low participation (13 of 22 members in good standing, average 14 attendees per meeting) and noting the city now has year-round shelter; Pueblo County has its own Homeless Advisory Commission. Public speakers (Kathy Nichols, Patrick Hurley, Jimmy Duffner) opposed rescission, detailing the commission's work on housing assessments, shelter projects, and narrative change. Councilor Sarah Martinez, the council liaison, enumerated the commission’s 2024 accomplishments (housing needs assessment, year of homelessness proposal, UDC updates, non-congregate shelter recommendations). Councilor Flores advocated reconfiguring the commission to 7-9 members. President Mark Aliff suggested suspending rather than dissolving and working on amendments within 90 days. The motion to approve the resolution failed 6-1, leaving the commission intact.

Q1 – Boys & Girls Club Sponsorship ($2,000)

A resolution to pay $2,000 from Council Contingencies for a table at the Champions of Youth Dinner. Public comment from Elvis Martinez questioned the increasing amount and suggested cutting it in half. The resolution passed 7-0.

R7 – Ordinance Amending the Pueblo Commission on Energy

This ordinance changes the Energy Advisory Commission back to the earlier Pueblo Commission on Energy, removing the 100% renewable energy goal and focusing on energy conservation and emergency planning. Public testimony from Ken Dante, Tom Corlett, Jody Hendershot, Edgy Walrath, and Mike Wakefield opposed the change, citing the commission’s success in securing grants (over $15 million), strategic planning, and expertise; they urged tabling or voting no. Councilor Brett Boston moved to postpone to February 10, but after clarification that the commission would not be disbanded, the motion to approve the ordinance passed 5-2.

R8 – Ordinance Amending Animal Holding Periods

Proposed to reduce holding time for unidentified animals from 5 days to 3 days (matching state statute). Councilor Sarah Martinez expressed concern about owners losing pets while on vacation and questioned the cost rationale. Councilor Roger Gomez noted the high cost to retrieve dogs. The ordinance failed 5-2.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Mark Aliff as President, Brett Boston as Vice President, and appointed Roger Gomez as Work Session Chair for 2025.
• Approved consent agenda items and first-presentation ordinances (set for public hearings January 27, 2025).
• Approved $2,000 sponsorship for Boys & Girls Club (Q1) 7-0.
• Defeated (6-1) resolution to rescind the Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness (M3); the commission continues.
• Approved (5-2) ordinance amending the Energy Commission to the previous Pueblo Commission on Energy (R7).
• Defeated (5-2) ordinance reducing animal holding periods (R8).
• Approved all other final-presentation ordinances (R1-R6) 7-0, including grants for real-time crime center, crisis intervention, Byrne JAG, Benedict Park improvements ($545,457 from Colorado Health Foundation), telecommunications license with Falcon Broadband, and firefighter sick leave MOU.