Pueblo City Council Meeting – April 14, 2025: Black Hills Resolution, Shelter Funding, and Ethics Complaints
Pueblo City Council Meeting – April 14, 2025
On Monday, April 14, 2025, the Pueblo City Council convened at 7:00 PM in City Hall Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, public forum, council commentary, a consent agenda, regular agenda resolutions, final ordinance presentations, a quasi-judicial proceeding, and three ethics complaints. Key actions included approval of a resolution encouraging a "yes" vote on Ballot Item 2A (to terminate the franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy) by a 4–2 vote, approval of a $464,847.70 transfer to fund homeless shelter operations (6–0), and dismissal of three ethics complaints.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting (2/12/2025).
- Approved 15 resolutions and 13 first‑presentation ordinances en bloc, including:
- M1: Agreement with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. ($189,200) for selenium/sulfate treatment feasibility report.
- M2‑M5, M6‑M7: Various construction contracts (Grove Neighborhood concrete improvements, City Park Pool heater replacement, Mitchell Park Pool sand filtration system, and concrete improvements at Crystal Place and North Peakview Drive).
- M8: Colorado Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Grant ($20,000).
- M9‑M10: Emergency sanitary sewer point repairs ($9,526.90 and $6,116.49).
- M11: Crediting sewer fees of $861.74 to Prigmore’s Alignment Services.
- M12: Revocable permit for CSU‑Pueblo graduation ceremony street closures (May 17, 2025).
- M13: Appointment of Councilor Mark Aliff to the Fountain Creek Watershed Governing Board.
- M14: Legal services agreement with Wilson Williams LLP.
- M15: Rescinding a construction contract for asphalt improvements on Court Street.
- N1‑N13: First‑presentation ordinances (DOLA Peace Officers Mental Health grant, three rezoning requests, warranty deed, natural medicine code amendment, El Pomar grant, Dillon North Subdivision, Langoni Sports Complex lease amendment, Maverik QOZB deposit agreement, Eastside Pedestrian/Parking/Streetscape IGA ($810,145), EPA Brownfields grant amendment ($250,000), and an option to purchase with Pueblo Economic Development Corporation).
- Public hearings for the ordinances were set for April 28, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Elvis Martinez reported two instances of vandalism to his vehicle (tires slashed in March 2024 and windshield broken on March 22, 2025). He alleged harassment by an elected official and requested that the Amford team item be moved from the consent agenda or removed entirely, questioning the $300/hour outside counsel cost.
- Ted Freeman presented on “Power Players” (City of Pueblo, Black Hills Energy, and GDS Associates). He stated that GDS’s study concluded it is not feasible for the city to create its own electric distribution utility, and he encouraged renegotiating the franchise agreement.
- Eric Eisenberg reported repeated vandalism (skylights broken, tools stolen, windows smashed) at his son’s restored building in Central Plaza (City Center and Main Street) and asked the city to improve lighting and security in the area.
- Dustin (no last name given) described rebuilding two burned homes in the Bessemer neighborhood. He reported three burglaries and ongoing drug‑related issues from a nearby house, expressing frustration with police and code enforcement response.
- Dave Dicenza suggested the city purchase Comanche 2 (perhaps via eminent domain) to enable bulk power for the steel mill, waterworks, and new industries, and proposed working toward nuclear power.
- Amanda Montoya (during the R1 discussion) spoke in favor of the shelter funding, praising the new management and staff.
- Sarah Money (during R1) detailed her experience as manager of recovery services at SafeSide Recovery and noted that trust in the shelter is being rebuilt. She stated that they moved 16 residents into stable housing and helped 15 obtain gainful employment since January.
- Jacqueline Montanus (during R1) spoke in favor of the shelter funding, emphasizing the importance of dignity and human connection.
- Elvis Martinez (during R1) spoke against the shelter funding, requesting background checks for registered sex offenders and arguing for separate, private accommodations for veterans with PTSD.
Discussion Items
- Q1 – Resolution encouraging a “YES” vote on Ballot Item 2A (May 6, 2025 special election): The resolution asks voters if it is feasible to terminate the franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy and acquire its generation, transmission, and distribution assets. The GDS Associates study—commissioned for $189,200—was expected within 7–10 days but had not been released at the time of the meeting. Councilors debated the cost, feasibility, and timing. Supporters (President Aliff, Councilors Boston, Gomez, Martinez) argued that Black Hills’ rates are among the highest in the state, stifle economic development, and that the ballot measure merely initiates an investigation. Opponents (Councilors Flores, Maestri) cited the 2020 voter rejection (76–24), the lack of a completed feasibility study, potential condemnation costs (estimated $1 billion), and the loss of $13 million annually in franchise fees. Councilor Flores noted that the same consultant (GDS) had no successful municipalization track record. Resolution passed 4–2.
- Q2‑Q6 – Contingency funding approvals: All passed 6–0.
- Q2: $2,000 to Pueblo Zoo for Zoofari (June 20, 2025).
- Q3: $1,000 to Latino Chamber of Commerce for 40 Under 40 awards (June 14, 2025).
- Q4: $1,900 for Memorial Hall rental for Pueblo Has Talent (May 18, 2025).
- Q5: $2,000 to El Movimiento Sigue for Cinco de Mayo event (May 5, 2025).
- Q6: $2,000 to Pueblo Library District for Summer Reading Program and Book Lovers Ball (October 24, 2025).
- R1 – Ordinance transferring $464,847.70 to Homeless Shelter Operations: The funds were reassembled from eight previously unspent capital improvement projects to continue operations at the Pueblo Rescue Mission after the dissolution of the former board. Staff reported that the shelter served 2,917 men and 728 women overnight in the 710 building over the last 90 days, and provided 2,326 meals in‑house. The RFP for a permanent operator is pending; this funding covers the remainder of fiscal year 2025. Passed 6–0.
- R2 – Ordinance approving appropriation agreement with Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment: $769,847 for non‑departmental 2025 funding. President Aliff raised concern over the city lacking a voting seat on the health board; City Attorney stated they would explore the matter. Passed 5–1 (Councilor Gomez voted no, citing the conflict of interest concern).
- R3 – Ordinance amending subrecipient agreement with Pueblo School District 60: Adds $50,000 to fund a second Botvin coordinator (life skills curriculum) at middle schools through 2026. Passed 6–0.
- S1 – Ordinance vacating 200‑square‑foot portion of Abriendo Avenue right‑of‑way: The vacation is needed to rectify the location of a new electronic message sign at Dutch Clark Stadium. No public opposition; property will transfer to Pueblo City Schools. Passed 6–0.
Key Outcomes
- Ballot Item 2A Resolution: Approved 4–2 (President Aliff and Councilors Boston, Gomez, Martinez in favor; Councilors Flores and Maestri opposed). The resolution encourages a “yes” vote on the May 6, 2025 special election to terminate the Black Hills Energy franchise and explore alternatives.
- Homeless Shelter Funding (R1): Approved 6–0. $464,847.70 transferred from eight capital improvement accounts to Project HS2480 to fund shelter operations through the end of fiscal year 2025.
- Health Department Appropriation (R2): Approved 5–1. The $769,847 agreement with PDPHE was adopted, with Councilor Gomez voting against.
- School District 60 Botvin Program (R3): Approved 6–0. Additional $50,000 for a second coordinator.
- Abriendo Avenue Right‑of‑Way Vacation (S1): Approved 6–0.
- Ethics Complaints (U1, U2, U3): All three complaints were dismissed.
- U1 (Elvis Martinez vs. Mayor Graham, filed Jan. 30, 2025): Dismissed 6‑0 on grounds that the alleged campaign sign violation occurred before the mayor took office, the sign is on private property, and the cited code is a county code.
- U2 (Jason Ford vs. Mayor Graham, filed Mar. 31, 2025): Dismissed 5‑1 (one councilor voted to investigate) because the town hall meeting at Graham’s Grill involved no official action; the mayor neither voted nor used discretionary authority.
- U3 (Elvis Martinez vs. Councilor Maestri): Dismissed 4‑1 (Councilor Maestri excused herself due to conflict) after City Attorney opined that the alleged incident occurred during a personal shopping trip and involved no official city action.
- Charter Amendment Proposal: Councilor Gomez requested that the City Attorney prepare a resolution to amend Section 4 of the city charter to revert to a city manager form of government. President Aliff directed that the matter be addressed in a future work session.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after the ethics complaint votes.
Council Comment Highlights
- Councilor Gomez proposed a “public‑private” safety program for parks and called for a pilot at Aguilera or Bessemer Park.
- Councilor Flores reflected on the procession for injured officers and the impact on their families.
- Councilor Martinez reminded the community of a free Easter egg hunt at Rocky Mountain Sayers on Friday, April 18.
- President Aliff encouraged adopting pets from local shelters and spaying/neutering.
Meeting Transcript
Reporting in progress. Well, it's another glorious day in Pueblo, Colorado, and I call to order the regular City Council meeting. Today is Monday, April 14th, 2025. So we're going to have a good crowd tonight. Madam Clerk called the order. I mean, the uh we need the invocation. I got myself all jacked up. Pastor Ken Wood of the Avenue Church will lead us in the invocation. If you choose to stand with us while we have the invocation, then we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege and the right in our great country to gather together to govern ourselves to uh support these who we've elected to lead our city. And God, we just come to you tonight asking for wisdom and discernment as the the questions before them uh are important and waiting. So we pray that they would uh have ears to hear all of the information and to make the very best decisions for everyone in our community. God, we especially want to ask and uh uh and thank you for the protection that you give to our local law enforcement. We we pray for the continued healing of our officers recently injured in the line of duty, and we pray that you would go uh with them as they go out every day, patrolling the streets, keeping us safe, enforcing just and right laws. And God, we want to lift up all of our first responders, our fire department, uh, our EMTs, and God, uh, we thank you for each one who steps up to the role of public servant, and God, we just pray that we would come alongside them and support them in the best way we can as a community. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. And to public for which to stand one nation under God and invisible with liberty and justice for all thank you, Pastor Wood. Uh Madam Clerk, roll call. Mark A. Left. Here. Brett Boston. Here. Dennis Flores. Here. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. For the record, uh, Joe Latino has been excused from this uh meeting. Regina Meistry. Here. Sarah Martinez. And six of us are here, so good deal. We now move to uh special recognition. And we're gonna start off with uh Pueblo Transit Operator, Paul Trajillo. Come on down. This is a certificate of recognition presented to Pueblo Transit Operator Paul Trujillo in recognition of your service to the City of Pueblo and its citizens, dated April 14th, 2025. With great admiration, the mayor and city council of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, hereby officially acknowledge and commend your quick thinking and ability to maintain calm while acting under pressure to help put out a residential fire. As a transit operator, you are vital for a healthy, sustainable, and equitable society, and your dedication to your profession improves our community every day. Your outstanding efforts on behalf of the city of Pueblo and your personal contributions at a time when our citizenry needed them most are hereby acknowledged, and you are commended for your outstanding performance. Signed by Mayor Heather Graham and myself, President of the City Council. Thank you so much. Oh, sorry. I think we should let Paul tell the story. I don't know if everybody knows, but to pay honor. Come on, you can do it. Give us the snapshot.
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