Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – August 11, 2025

The Pueblo City Council convened on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included public forum, council commentary, public hearings, consent and regular agenda items, ordinances, quasi-judicial proceedings, and an ethics complaint. Key decisions included approval of the CSU Pueblo Metropolitan Districts 1‑3, several board appointments, and referrals of ballot measures to voters. The meeting extended late into the night, with the ethics complaint dismissed and adjournment after 2:00 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of July 28, 2025 (7‑0).
• Resolutions M1 (Riverwalk Building remodel, $922,579 contract plus $100,000 contingency), M2 (East Apron North Rehabilitation, $548,691.25), M3 (Concrete Improvements, $13,647.50 plus $3,000 contingency), M4 (Revocable permit for HARP Foundation Riverfest), M5 (Revocable permit for Pueblo Community College’s Welcome Back Celebration), M7 (Liz Chapman reappointment to Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority Board, five‑year term expiring 2027), M8 (Robert Esser and Zach Pittman to Honor Farm Enterprise Citizens Advisory Board, four‑year terms expiring 2029), M9 (Setting hearing date for abatement objections: September 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM).
• Ordinances N1 (Ice Arena Roof Retrofit, $734,884 contract with B & M Roofing), N2 (Sky Corral Runway Relocation IGA with Pueblo County, $100,000 total), N3 (Deed of Dedication for Bandera Parkway property), N4 (Occupancy Agreement with Saab, Inc.), N5 (Subdivision Participation and Release in National Opioids Settlement with Purdue Pharma/Sackler family), N6 (Charter amendment requiring binding interest arbitration for classified employees, ballot item), N7 (Removing general policy on summons for municipal violations), N8 (Public safety regulations on Arkansas River), N9 (Dillon Drive Urban Renewal Plan). Public hearings set for August 25, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Historical Preservation (Pueblo 5 & 6): Dave Dicenzo urged the council to maintain the historical designation, noting the site’s role in the 1921 flood and proposing a battery manufacturing plant. Brett Verno (Friends of City Park) advocated leaving the designation in place, citing environmental remediation costs and repurposing opportunities.
• City Beautification: Barbara Vidmar (former council member) reported 64 hanging baskets and over 20 planters, a public‑private volunteer effort, and highlighted the importance of caring for the city.
• Billboards: Marty proposed billboards to attract visitors, noting low cost and collaboration with Parks and Recreation.
• Squatter Issues: Vicky Gatlin described ongoing theft and threats from squatters, claiming police told her not to call 911. Councilor Latino said he experienced similar non‑response.
• City Park Buildings: Brett Verno provided technical details on ADA compliance and bathroom facilities at the park, and defended the historical designation of Pueblo 5 & 6.
• Economic Development: John Farley spoke about the sale of Evraz/Orion Steel and asked for local representation on the board.
• Half‑Cent Sales Tax Referendum (R1): Multiple speakers supported extending the half‑cent tax with revised criteria for economic catalyst, leakage, and placemaking projects. Developers (Heath Herbert of Jellystone, Les Gruen of Wild Horse) cited infrastructure costs and need for flexibility. Others (Barclay Clark, Dorothy Butcher, Sally Carter McGuinness, Jeff Shaw, Bob Leach, Brett Verno) opposed the broadened criteria, urging preservation of primary‑job focus and warning voters would reject a complex measure.
• One‑Percent Sales Tax Increase (R2): Supporters (city employees, union representatives) emphasized funding for roads, public safety, and preventing cuts to park and pool operations. Opponents (Elvis Martinez, Dave Dicenzo, Larry Atencio) argued it’s a regressive tax, questioned the need given a $70 million fund balance, and demanded spending accountability.
• City Council Pay (R3): Elvis Martinez proposed amending to allow zero to $1,400 per month, but no motion was made.
• City Manager Form of Government (R4): Dave Dicenzo supported returning to appointed manager; Jimmy Quintana (police union) urged giving the strong‑mayor system more time.
• Property Destruction Ordinance (R10): Elvis Martinez spoke strongly in favor of mandatory minimum jail sentences for vandalism.
• Rezoning at Regency Boulevard (S2): Patricia Rivas, Deborah Babcock, Gary Struble, and John Buddy Rivas opposed converting a commercial parcel to eight small homes, citing traffic, safety, parking, and property value concerns. Developer Brian Robinson said the tiny homes would meet market demand and provide more parking than code requires.

Discussion Items

• Council Commentary: Councilor Latino criticized police response to crimes and announced a Guardian Angels initiative on the east side. Councilor Boston thanked police and advocated community‑wide solutions. Councilor Gomez reported HVAC failures and glycol leaks at police headquarters, leading to multiple evacuations and potential health risks. Councilor Meistry clarified the separation of powers between council and the mayor, questioned the lack of competitive bidding for HVAC repairs, and expressed concern about the eight‑year budget deficit. Councilor Martinez honored a fallen police officer and defended the police chief against criticism.
• CSU Pueblo Metropolitan Districts 1‑3 (J1): After a public hearing with testimony from Garrison Ortiz (CSU Pueblo) and a resident, council debated the impact of creating three metro districts on 116 acres. Councilor Flores worried about loss of sales tax and need for intergovernmental agreements. City attorney noted metro districts cannot levy sales tax inside city limits; future projects (URA, PEDCO) would address revenue sharing. Council approved 7‑0.
• M10 (Blight Study for Jellystone Annexation): Council pulled from consent. Councilor Gomez moved to postpone to August 25, which failed 5‑2. The resolution passed 6‑1 after developer Heath Herbert said delay would cost him money.
• M11 ($216,000 for Dog Track Demolition): Councilor Meistry opposed using taxpayer funds for demolition that the developer should bear. Staff clarified funds come from TIF within the Lake Minnequa district. Passed 4‑3.
• M12 (CDOT Improvement Incentives on Pueblo Boulevard): Similar division; passed 4‑3 as a priority for 2026 budget discussion.
• R1 (Half‑Cent Sales Tax Extension & Criteria Change): After extensive testimony and debate, Councilor Flores offered an amendment to cap new projects at 10% of uncommitted fund balance, but he withdrew it when accountants explained the cap would not carry over unused funds annually. The original question (extending the tax and broadening criteria) failed 4‑3. Councilor Boston’s motion to split the question was withdrawn.
• R2 (1% Sales Tax Increase): Passed 5‑2, sending to voters in November 2025. Councilor Meistry’s attempt to earmark $10 million/year for roads was ruled not legally feasible for a general tax.
• R4 (City Manager Form of Government): Passed 5‑2, placing the charter amendment on the ballot.
• S2 (Rezoning at Regency Boulevard): Following testimony from opponents, council discussed the zoning change that would allow eight small homes (700–1,000 sq. ft.) on a 0.76‑acre parcel. Councilor Meistry questioned the aesthetic fit; Councilor Martinez asked about emergency access and traffic studies. The transcript does not record a vote, but council moved to the next item.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • CSU Pueblo Metro Districts 1‑3 (7‑0).
  • Consent calendar (7‑0).
  • M6: Lisa Bailey to Planning & Zoning Commission (6‑1).
  • M10: Blight study for Jellystone annexation (6‑1).
  • M11: $216,000 for dog track demolition (4‑3).
  • M12: CDOT improvement incentives (4‑3).
  • Q1: Beritt Odom as Director of Planning (6‑1).
  • Q2–Q4: Sponsorships for Catholic Charities Community Christmas ($1,000), Parkview Starlight Gala ($1,500), and Pueblo Pride ($1,000) – all 7‑0.
  • R2: 1% sales tax increase ballot referral (5‑2).
  • R3: Council pay charter amendment ballot referral (6‑1).
  • R4: City manager form of government ballot referral (5‑2).
  • R5: Classified service employee ballot eligibility (6‑1).
  • R6–R14: Various ordinances approved (mostly 7‑0, R8 passed 6‑1, R10 passed 7‑0).
  • S1: Rezoning 711/715 Veta Avenue (voice vote, passed).
  • Ethics complaint against Councilor Martinez dismissed (6‑0).
• Failures:
  • R1 (Half‑cent sales tax extension with criteria change) failed 4‑3.
• Referrals to Voters (November 4, 2025): Ballot measures for 1% sales tax increase, council pay increases, city manager government, and classified service election rights.
• Next Steps: August 25 meeting will include public hearings on consent ordinances. Work session on urban renewal law scheduled in September.