Regular City Council Meeting - January 27, 2025

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public forum, approval of two major annexations (totaling 299.56 acres for the Pueblo Recreation Resort), and final action on several ordinances. Notable outcomes included the postponement of natural medicine zoning regulations and approval of an enhanced tuition reimbursement program. Council also set a special municipal election for May 6, 2025, to consider a municipalization question.

Special Recognitions

• Proclamation: Jesse Sena of the Pueblo Mentoring Collaborative presented a proclamation declaring January 30, 2025, as "Pueblo Mentoring Celebration Day." The collaborative, organized in 2013, includes numerous local agencies and hosts a free dinner event at Rawlings Library from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Freeman: Criticized PEDCO (Pueblo Economic Development Corporation) for receiving $350,000 from the city and $50,000 from the county in 2024 without delivering new projects. He described the contract as having no sunset and allowing automatic renewal, and expressed concern over the use of half-cent sales tax funds.
• Patrick Hurley (Faith Leaders in Action / Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness): Asked whether council wants the commission to continue or pause its work during a 90-day pause. He noted the commission had visited other cities and worked on new bylaws but had never had a quorum to take action.
• Elvis Martinez: Requested the mayor hold a town hall on the proposed grocery tax; expressed opposition to how it is proposed (1,000% against). Suggested selling underused parks for development to generate tax revenue. Supported pallet shelters but advocated for background checks. Also mentioned various tax ideas (ride-share, tobacco, entertainment) and asked Councilor Gomez to invite SafeSide for a work session.
• Charlie Fetty: Raised questions about PEDCO's role, including whether it owns the steel mill or acts on behalf of other entities. Expressed frustration that his emails and questions have not been answered.
• Jimmy Duffner: Represented Faith Leaders in Action and the housing commission. Mentioned an upcoming housing forum in February, a contract with Federal Community College, a CSUP conference, and a proposal for designated camping/parking sites that has not received a response. Expressed willingness to help the mayor with pallet shelters.
• Sally Sharp (Sierra Club Ready for 100 Campaign): Expressed dismay over council's vote to rescind Ordinance 13613, which committed Pueblo to 100% renewable energy by 2035. She noted the 2017 decision received positive national attention and helped attract grants. She urged council to reconsider the vote, citing high electricity rates from Black Hills Energy and the need for renewable investment.

Discussion Items

• Council Member Commentary:

  • Mayor Heather Graham had no comments.
  • Councilor Vicente Latino expressed desire to have Black Hills Energy leave Pueblo, stating they have "milked this city long enough."
  • Councilor Brett Boston addressed the housing commission, saying the council retreat in February will discuss repurposing the commission; in the meantime, he encouraged continued work. On renewable energy, he stated the city will work on a new, more achievable goal and that the Environmental Advisory Commission has been renamed, not dissolved.
  • Councilor Roger Gomez expressed concern about disrespect and decorum in the chamber, suggesting those who cannot behave should participate via Zoom.
  • Councilor Regina Maestri spoke about misinformation on social media and the need for decorum. She explained that council only places tax questions on the ballot; citizens vote. She noted that off-ramping from Black Hills could cost the city $4 million in franchise fees and that municipalization requires PUC approval. She also mentioned that CORA requests can be costly.
  • Councilor Dennis Flores responded to public questions about PEDCO, stating PEDCO does not own the steel mill and cannot buy it. He spoke at length about immigration, expressing frustration with federal enforcement, noting children are not attending school and parents are afraid. He called the situation a "war on brown people and black people and LGBTQ" and highlighted the economic contributions of immigrants. He requested that the deputy city attorney explain police cooperation with ICE and probable cause requirements.
  • Councilor Sarah Martinez addressed the housing commission, stating she requested a meeting with staff and the facilitator to discuss next steps, with further discussion at the retreat. On immigration, she stated Colorado law protects immigrants: local law enforcement cannot contract with ICE, cannot detain based solely on immigration status, and impersonating an officer is illegal. She provided the Colorado Rapid Response Network hotline (1-844-864-8341) and addressed the community in Spanish, emphasizing support.
  • Councilor Mark Aliff clarified that PEDCO is not trying to start World War II and commented on immigration, noting legal vs. illegal immigration and that the Pueblo County Sheriff has stated local law enforcement is not conducting raids in schools or businesses.

• Agenda Amendment: Council voted 7-0 to move Ordinance N5 (special election) to the regular agenda.

• Public Hearings (Annexations J1 & J2): Staff testimony by Scott Hobson, Acting Planning Director, confirmed that both annexation petitions (79.80 acres and 219.76 acres for Pueblo Recreation Resort Filing 1 and 2) meet statutory requirements: 100% owner consent, contiguous boundaries, no detachment from school districts, and no conflict with other municipalities. No public testimony was given except by owner Heath Herbert for Filing 2, who expressed a desire to be part of the city.

• Consent Agenda (L1, M1–M8, N1–N4, N6–N8): Approved 7-0. Included acceptance of Planning and Zoning minutes, fund transfers, professional service agreements (Pinyon Environmental $289,234, Stantec EPA Brownfields study), board appointments, support for SB25-004 (child care fees), annexation findings, CDOT trail signage grant ($128,000), property sale to Urban Renewal Authority ($2,000), amendment to community services agreement, MOU with Air Pollution Control Division, and three zoning reclassifications.

• Regular Agenda – Ordinance N5 (Special Election): Staff reported this ordinance calls a special municipal election on May 6, 2025, coordinated with the county to reduce costs. The primary ballot question would be municipalization, pending a consultant study expected at the end of January. Council has until April 11 to withdraw. The cost to include the city in the county election is approximately $100,000. Approved 7-0.

• Resolutions Q1 & Q2:

  • Q1: $1,000 to Pueblo Chamber of Commerce for a table at the Annual Gala & Citizen of the Year Presentation on January 31, 2025. Introduced by Councilor Flores. Approved 7-0.
  • Q2: $2,000 to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center for a table at the Salute to Heroes event on January 9, 2025. Introduced by Councilor Maestri. Approved 7-0.

• Ordinances – Final Presentation (R1–R5):

  • R1 (Eviction Prevention Assistance): $100,000 sub-recipient agreement with Pueblo County for eviction diversion, funded by CDBG-CV. Approved 7-0.
  • R2 (Natural Medicine Zoning): Proposed text amendment to regulate natural medicine businesses (cultivation, manufacturing, healing centers) as allowed by state law. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. After discussion on distance requirements (1,000 feet from schools and child care facilities) and zoning (healing centers allowed in commercial/office districts, industrial for production), the ordinance initially failed 5-2 (Councilors Maestri and Aliff voted no). Council then voted 6-1 (Aliff opposed) to reconsider and then 6-1 to postpone to the February 10 meeting for further information.
  • R3 (EPA Brownfields Grant): $750,000 cooperation agreement for environmental assessments and cleanup, including at least one cleanup at El Centro del Quinto Sol Recreation Center. Approved 7-0.
  • R4 (Firefighter Position Conversion): Converts three vacant firefighter positions to support staffing for Fire Station 11, with no additional cost due to salary savings. Approved 7-0.
  • R5 (Enhanced Tuition Reimbursement): Extends a program for three years, offering up to $2,000 per employee per year for job-related continuing education, with a repayment provision if the employee leaves. Over the previous three years, 13 employees from six departments used $18,293. Some councilors expressed concern about cost during a budget deficit, but others noted it is a retention tool. Approved 6-1 (Councilor Gomez opposed).

• Quasi-Judicial Proceedings (S1 & S2):

  • S1 (Annexation Filing 1): 79.80 acres, to be initially zoned A-1 Agricultural Holding. The property will require future master planning and subdivision. The city has no obligation to extend services. Approved 7-0.
  • S2 (Annexation Filing 2): 219.76 acres, with plans for recreational RV resort, commercial, and residential uses. The petitioner will seek a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning. No municipal service obligation. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Special Election Called: Ordinance N5 approved 7-0, setting a special municipal election for May 6, 2025, for a potential municipalization question.
• Natural Medicine Regulations Postponed: Ordinance R2 initially failed 5-2, then was reconsidered and postponed to the February 10 meeting for further discussion (vote 6-1).
• Tuition Reimbursement Extended: Ordinance R5 approved 6-1, continuing the enhanced program for three more years.
• Eviction Prevention, EPA Brownfields, and Fire Staffing: All approved 7-0.
• Two Annexations Approved: Both Pueblo Recreation Resort Filing 1 (79.80 acres) and Filing 2 (219.76 acres) were approved 7-0, bringing 299.56 acres into city limits.
• Sponsorships Approved: $1,000 for Chamber of Commerce gala and $2,000 for Mt. Carmel Veterans Salute to Heroes, both 7-0.