Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – May 12, 2025

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 2:30 PM. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation for ALS Awareness Month, public forum, council member commentary, and consideration of numerous resolutions, ordinances, and quasi-judicial items. Votes were taken on several contentious matters including a rezoning in the West Side and a lease amendment for the Honor Farm racetrack.

Proclamation

• ALS Awareness Month – Council presented a proclamation to Kathy Nichols (via Zoom) and Mark Gardner (absent). Nichols shared a personal story about her brother Michael, who died from ALS in February 2025, and emphasized the need for awareness and funding for research.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diane Dante (Chair, Bring Power Home) thanked supporters of Ballot Question 2A, which sought to explore municipalizing the electric utility, but noted the measure failed.
• Elvis Martinez criticized council for violating its own rules on debate time and open meetings, proposed resign-to-run and term-limit charter amendments, and called the 2A election a waste of $400,000. He urged council to respect voters and vote against an off-ramp in August.
• Sandra opposed 2A because the ballot language included condemnation; she suggested separating the franchise fee elimination from acquisition. She urged council to eliminate the franchise fee by 2030 and explore other options.
• Unnamed male speaker expressed support for 2A, argued that Black Hills has high rates and that community choice energy could lower costs. He noted an upcoming state legislative proposal and a thermal battery technology.
• Kathy Nichols (Zoom) shared the story of her nephew Sean, who died of a fentanyl overdose after being released from jail without services. She criticized the lack of drug enforcement in Pueblo and urged council to address root causes.
• George Consilia invited the public to a Colorado Preservation Inc. event, then criticized the city’s rejection of his group’s proposal to renovate the historic City Park bathhouse. He outlined four reasons for rejection and argued each was addressed in the proposal, urging council to engage further.

Council Member & Mayor Commentary

• Mayor Graham made no comment.
• Councilor Meistry raised concerns about overgrown planters, removal of trash cans and pet stations, city staff picking up food truck trash, and missing picnic tables/trash cans at the new river pool. She expressed condolences to Nichols and noted that the 77% failure of 2A reflected community distrust. She discussed community choice energy pros and cons.
• Councilor Gomez questioned the purchase of the PVR and Dittmer buildings, citing ongoing maintenance costs. He reiterated his push for a vehicle noise-activated camera system and called for a work session on proportionality of development costs.
• Councilor Flores expressed disappointment over the bathhouse RFP process, arguing the city should partner with the citizens’ group. He stated he would pursue an ordinance to address the situation.
• Councilor Boston offered condolences to Nichols and agreed on targeting drug distribution. He noted that police seized thousands of fentanyl pills last year. On 2A, he said the goal was not necessarily a municipal utility but cheaper rates; the ballot language may have caused failure. He urged moving past the bathhouse debate and supported the PVR building acquisition.
• Councilor Martinez directed Nichols to the county’s substance use data dashboard and clarified that overdose data is available monthly.
• Councilor Latino stated his continuing opposition to Black Hills and support for exploring community choice energy. He defended the history of the bathhouse and highlighted the greenhouse delay at Mineral Palace Park.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved 7-0.
• Minutes of April 28, 2025 approved 7-0.
• Consent Agenda (Resolutions M1–M7 and Ordinances N1–N7) approved 7-0, with public hearings on ordinances set for May 27, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Q1 – Sewer Rehabilitation Amendment – Approved contract amendment for additional storm-related work on Court Street. Approved 7-0.
• Q2 – School District 60 Cornhole Event – $1,000 sponsorship for June 6 event at Dutch Clark Stadium. Approved 7-0.
• Q3 – Colorado Preservation Inc. On the Road 2025 – $1,000 sponsorship. Approved 7-0.
• Q4 – National Association of Letter Carriers Golf Tournament – $1,000 sponsorship for Boys & Girls Club. Councilor Martinez moved to reduce to $500; motion failed. Original motion approved 6-1.
• R1 – Energy Coordinator Grant – Ordinance accepting $120,000 grant ($6,799 city match) for a contract energy coordinator position. Public hearing: Kathy Nichols opposed due to future funding obligation. After discussion on contract vs. FTE, approved 5-2.
• R2 – Electric Bike Share Grant – Ordinance accepting $90,800 grant ($26,780 match) for 25 e-bikes for low-income city employees. Questions on liability answered. Approved 6-1.
• R3 – Spectrum License Agreement – Approval for Spectrum to run lines in city rights-of-way. Approved 7-0.
• R4 – Honor Farm Racetrack Lease Amendment – 25-year lease with zero rent first five years, then $25,000 annually (allowable as in-kind improvements). Public hearing: Dan Williams (owner) and John Brando (manager) spoke in favor, noting $100,000 investment and increased visits from 3,000 to 20,000. Councilor Meistry moved to postpone two weeks for a written plan; motion failed 5-2. Original ordinance approved 6-1.
• R5 – MOU with State Fair for Fire Inspections – Approved 7-0.
• R6 – DOLA Grant for Shelter Capital Improvement Plan – $25,000 grant, no city match. Approved 7-0.
• S1 – Rezone 1501 E Evans (B4 to RCN) – To allow single-family and duplex housing. Approved 7-0.
• S2 – Rezone 2403 Thatcher (B1 to B3) – To allow auto repair shop. Applicant Luke Wooddock testified. Approved 7-0.
• S3 – Rezone 31.81 acres north of W 11th (R2 to R5) – To allow multifamily development. Extensive public hearing with opponents (Nina McCloskey, Beth Team, Jocelyn Martinez, Jolene Thomas, Elvis Martinez) citing neighborhood character, infrastructure, crime, and lack of amenities. Applicant’s representative Randy Thurston argued the subdivision process would address concerns and bring investment. After council debate, approved 5-2.
• S4 – Street Name Change Castor Drive to Merlin Drive – Approved 7-0.
• S5 – Street Name Change Cedarweed Blvd to Black Hawk Drive – Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Council adopted the ALS Awareness Month proclamation.
• Consent agenda and most routine items passed unanimously or with minimal dissent.
• The energy coordinator grant (R1) and e-bike grant (R2) passed with majority support despite opposition.
• The racetrack lease amendment (R4) passed after a failed motion to postpone; the final vote was 6-1.
• The West Side rezoning (S3) passed 5-2, over strong neighborhood opposition.
• Council voted to enter executive session to discuss property negotiations related to a PEDCO prospect.