Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2025

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 6:45 PM (local time) for a regular meeting. President Mark Aliff presided. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Javier of Living Faith Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call showed all seven council members present: Mike Aliff, Dennis Flores, Roger Gomez, Joe Latino, Regina Maestri, Sarah Martinez, and Brett Boston. Mayor Heather Graham was also present. The meeting included a special recognition, public forum, council commentary, and several legislative items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from April 14, 2025 (7-0).
• Approval of all resolutions (M1-M11) and ordinances (N1-N11) on the consent agenda, including:
  • M1: Asphalt improvements on Bompart Boulevard ($839,373 contract to Car of O Construction Inc.).
  • M2: Partial fee waiver ($250,000) for Compass Point Affordable Housing Project.
  • M3: Asphalt improvements on Monument Avenue ($133,076 contract to Cornejo Materials).
  • M5: Amendment to concrete improvements on West 29th Street ($52,299 to New Naz Construction).
  • M6-M8: Revocable permits for fiber conduit and car show event.
  • M9: Appointment of Fallon Miller to Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority Board.
  • M10: Annexation of 20.17-acre Quartz Road area (tabled for 180 days, referred to Planning & Zoning).
  • M11: Study for CSU Pueblo area as blighted/slum area.
  • N1-N11: Various ordinances including energy office grants, license agreement, rezoning, street name changes, and fire department MOU.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marty Harvey proposed updating the city emblem to include local landmarks and suggested a street-sweeping ordinance to ticket non-functional cars parked on streets, arguing it would save the city money on zigzag sweeping.
• Allie Phillips advocated for a Housing First model in Pueblo, citing Finland's 38% reduction in long-term homelessness (2008-2019) and Houston's success in housing 25,000 people. She argued it is cost-effective and compassionate.
• Dave DeSenzo raised concerns about raising the tobacco age from 18 to 21, potentially costing 130 jobs. He also commented on the Spain/Portugal blackout as a warning against over-reliance on renewables, and suggested raising the franchise fee on electricity (from 3% to 5%) as a more equitable way to raise revenue.
• Ken Dante urged a "yes" vote on Ballot Issue 2A (related to Black Hills Energy), arguing that a no vote does nothing. He discussed energy alternatives, noting that the PUC hearing on the just transition was "overwhelmingly anti-nuclear" and that nuclear is not a near-term solution due to waste and timeline (small modular reactors not available until 2040). He supported exploring clean storage technologies.

Discussion Items

• Council and Mayor Commentary:

  • Councilor Latino expressed strong opposition to Black Hills Energy, accusing them of disrespecting Pueblo and its mayor. He urged a "yes" vote on 2A to explore alternatives.
  • Councilor Boston encouraged residents to vote in local elections.
  • Councilor Gomez discussed the need for grant writing support, noting that billions in federal grants go unapplied for each year (up to 30% of discretionary grants receive few applications). He suggested hiring grant writers funded through grants.
  • Councilor Maestri emphasized beautification and code enforcement for broken cars. She expressed skepticism about the 2A feasibility study, noting that the city's study found a takeover not feasible and that ratepayers/taxpayers would bear costs. She urged voters to exercise their choice.
  • Councilor Flores condemned a recent police shooting (fourth in 60 days) and called for community support for officers.
  • Councilor Martinez corrected the impression that the city lacks grant applications, stating the city has received over $100 million in grants in recent years.
  • Mayor Graham announced a final town hall on April 30 to discuss 2A. She reported meeting with Canyon City about their franchise agreement experience, noting they chose not to collect the franchise fee, saving residents 3%. She also condemned the recent police shootings and urged the community to not normalize such tragedies.
  • President Aliff gave a passionate speech about Pueblo's resilience (1921 flood, 1970s unemployment) and argued that a "yes" vote on 2A is necessary to seek better energy rates, while a "no" vote guarantees continued rate increases.

• Item M4 – Converge Site Redevelopment: A resolution to consolidate $900,000 from various prior accounts for redevelopment of the former Converge call center in Bessemer (including demolition and affordable housing). Councilor Maestri and Councilor Gomez raised concerns about prioritizing this over existing demolition of dangerous buildings and the lack of a finalized development agreement. The resolution failed 4-3.

• Item Q1 – Sponsor Summer Musical: Approved $1,000 to Pueblo School District 60 for the 65th Annual Pueblo Summer Musical (7-0).

• Item Q2 – Sponsor Summer Hip Hop Festival: After amendments to reduce the amount from $2,500 to $2,000 and then to $1,500 (both failed), the original $2,500 passed 6-1.

• Item R1 – Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (No Sit/Lay): This ordinance would prohibit sitting or lying on sidewalks in certain business areas from 7 AM to 10 PM. Public comments were mixed: Devin Flores (sarcastic support) and Jimmy Duffner (opposed, citing need for housing solutions). Councilor Martinez and others argued it criminalizes poverty and is unnecessary given existing loitering laws. Councilor Latino defended it as a safety measure. After debate, Councilor Maestri proposed an amendment for 24-hour enforcement, but withdrew it. The original ordinance failed 5-2.

• Item R2 – Mental Health Grant for Police: Approved a $100,000 DOLA grant for mental health support for officers involved in critical incidents (7-0).

• Item R3 – El Pomar Grant for Wildland PPE: Approved an $11,000 grant for wildland fire protective equipment (7-0).

• Item R4 – Warranty Deed from Neighborhood Services: Approved acceptance of a sliver parcel adjacent to Chinook Lane (7-0).

• Item R5 – Langoni Sports Complex Lease Amendment: Approved removal of 20 acres from the lease for the state to install solar panels (7-0).

• Item R6 – Maverick Gas Station Deposit Agreement: Approved a deposit agreement for public improvements at Spaulding and Parker (7-0).

• Item R7 – East Side Pavilion Streetscape: Approved an IGA with Pueblo County for $810,145 in 1A capital improvement funds for streetscape improvements (7-0).

• Item R8 – EPA Brownfield Grant: Approved an additional $250,000 for environmental assessments and cleanup (7-0).

• Item R9 – PEDCO Option to Purchase: Approved an option contract for PEDCO to purchase 300 acres in the St. Charles Industrial Park for $10 (7-0). Public comments opposed the lack of transparency and past PEDCO failures.

• Item S1 – Rezone 4580 Dillon Drive (Whataburger): Approved rezoning from PUD to B3 to allow a Whataburger restaurant (7-0).

• Item S5 – Rezone 21.848 acres north of Highway 47: Approved rezoning from I2 to B3 for commercial development (7-0).

• Item S2 – Dillon North Subdivision: Approved subdivision of 33.85 acres into commercial lots (7-0).

• Item S3 – Rezone 430 Colorado Avenue: Approved rezoning for a veterinary clinic (7-0).

• Item S4 – Natural Medicine Text Amendment: Approved an ordinance setting guidelines for natural medicine operations (1500-foot buffer from schools/daycares; healing centers only in B3/B4; grow/processing/testing only in industrial zones). The ordinance passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
• Item M4 (Converge Site): Failed 4-3.
• Item Q1 (Summer Musical): Approved 7-0.
• Item Q2 (Summer Hip Hop Festival): Approved 6-1 ($2,500).
• Item R1 (Pedestrian Safety): Failed 5-2.
• Items R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9: All approved 7-0.
• Items S1, S5, S2, S3, S4: All approved 7-0.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for May 12, 2025.