Pueblo City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025
Pueblo City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025
The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a proclamation for Creek Week 2025, public comments on a range of community issues, and council action on several resolutions and ordinances. Notable outcomes included the postponement of two roofing contracts due to concerns about the bidding process, approval of requests for qualifications for marketing and economic development services, and approval of a major economic development agreement with Trussworks Operations, LLC.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the August 25, 2025, meeting.
- Approved all resolutions and ordinances on the consent agenda, including street resurfacing contracts, revocable permits for events, appointments to the Pueblo Homeless Commission and Community Services Advisory Commission, and several other routine items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Hayden alleged a breach of contract by the city regarding a property at Mesa and School Street, claiming required improvements were never completed over ten years. He requested a report and action.
- Ed Perry, representing the Broadway Theater League, requested $2,500 in sponsorship from the city (matching a county contribution) to fund student tickets for Broadway productions. He emphasized the high cost of tickets for students.
- An East Side resident (name not given) expressed frustration with rising property taxes, vagrancy, crime, and vacant properties. He praised the police and code enforcement but called for more action on the east side, including fencing on city-owned vacant land and more police presence.
- John Farley raised environmental concerns about potential dumping in Pueblo, asking for open oversight, hauling standards, and community involvement in tracking waste. He referenced a biblical theme of building with integrity.
- Kendante spoke against keeping the Comanche coal plant open, advocating for solar and battery energy. He criticized the cost and pollution of fossil fuels and called for more public debate on energy choices.
- Kelly Arguel (42-year resident) highlighted the lack of youth rehab facilities for substance abuse (noting 115 adult rehabs but none for under 18). He also suggested a collaboration between homeless shelters and thrift stores for job-appropriate clothing, requested more bike racks and bike lanes (especially in Pueblo West), and noted trash along Highway 50.
Discussion Items
- Creek Week 2025 Proclamation: Susan Finzel and Meghan Wilbar of the Fountain Creek Watershed District accepted the proclamation for the 12th annual Creek Week cleanup (September 27–October 5). They reported that the event grew from 600 volunteers in 2014 to 2,000 participants, and thanked city departments for support.
- Q1 – Wastewater Roofing Contract (Monument Roofing): Staff recommended awarding a $617,492 contract for roof replacement at the wastewater reclamation facility. Several council members expressed concerns about the bidding process, alleging that the specification favored a single vendor (Garland) and that the process lacked transparency. After debate, a motion to postpone to October 14, 2025, passed 5–2. Councilor Flores requested time to review documents and for staff to have a third-party engineer review the specification.
- Q2–Q4 – Community Sponsorships: Council approved three $1,000 or $750 sponsorships for Servicios de La Raza, Pueblo County Historical Society, and Garcia Foundation, all by 7–0 votes.
- Q5 – RFQ for Marketing Activities: A resolution to issue a Request for Qualifications for tourism, investment, and relocation marketing passed 6–1. Councilor Meistry explained it would open competition for the city’s marketing contract, allowing the public to see the city is doing due diligence. Councilor Flores expressed concern about undermining the Chamber of Commerce but noted it could demonstrate the need for more funding.
- Q6 – RFQ for Economic Development: A similar resolution for economic development activities passed 5–2. Councilor Flores strongly opposed, arguing it would send a message of no confidence in PEDCO (Pueblo Economic Development Corporation) and could jeopardize the upcoming half-cent sales tax renewal ballot measure. Councilor Meistry countered that it would show the city is seeking the best value for taxpayer dollars.
- R1 – Private Activity Bond Carryover: Council approved carrying over $7,334,977 in private activity bonds to preserve the city’s allocation for potential affordable housing development (Tava Square Apartments). The vote was 7–0. Staff clarified the city incurs no liability and the bonds are a pass-through.
- R2 – Trussworks Operations Agreement: Council approved a $1.462 million economic development agreement with Trussworks Operations, LLC, a Texas-based roof truss manufacturer, to purchase a property at the Airport Industrial Park. The company will invest at least $6 million and create 65 full-time jobs by August 2028 with an average salary of $54,300 plus benefits. The vote was 7–0. Council noted the need to relocate police impound vehicles from the site, estimated at $135,000 annually in lease costs.
- R3 – Ice Arena Roof Repair: Council debated a $734,884 roof repair contract for the Ice Arena, funded by insurance proceeds. Similar concerns about the bidding process led to a motion to postpone to October 14, which passed 4–3.
- R4–R8 – Grants and Staffing: Council approved grants for police towing relief ($165,759 from DOLA), Lake Minnequa restoration feasibility study ($112,500 from CWCB), HIDTA program ($24,300), a temporary lab supervisor position, and an MOU with Pueblo Community College for fire inspections. All passed with majority votes.
- S1 – Emergency Airport Grant: Council approved an emergency ordinance accepting $2,492,390 from the FAA for hangar construction and taxi lane rehabilitation at Pueblo Memorial Airport. The vote was 7–0.
Key Outcomes
- Postponed: Q1 (Wastewater Roofing) and R3 (Ice Arena Roof) postponed to the October 14, 2025, council meeting. The wastewater roof will be reviewed by a third-party engineer.
- Approved RFQs: Resolutions to issue RFQs for marketing (Q5) and economic development (Q6) services passed, with councilors authorized to participate in the process.
- Approved Economic Development Agreement: Trussworks Operations, LLC agreement approved (R2), creating 65 jobs.
- Approved Grants: Multiple grants accepted for police, environmental, and airport projects.
- Consent Agenda: All routine items approved without discussion.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, it's another beautiful evening in Pueblo, Colorado. Sorry for the late start. I'm now calling to order the regular city council meeting. Today is Monday, September 8th, 2025. First order of business is our invocation. I'm going to invite up Pastor Tony Amaya from the Pueblo Christian Center to lead us in the invocation. Please stand if you want, and then we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance immediately following. Let's bow our heads to pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the city that we get to call home. Father, we ask that tonight over this meeting, would you bring wisdom to our city council management to our mayor as they make decisions, Lord, we ask that you would give them wisdom to do what is right. God, we ask that you would bless our first responders, God asks that you would uh protect them and keep them safe, and Lord, we ask for peace and prosperity to come to Pueblo. We ask that your kingdom come, your will be done in Pueblo as it would be in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Amaya. Uh Madam Clerk, roll call. President A. Here. Des Flores. Here. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Meistry. Here. Sarah Martinez? We're all here and accounted for. We now move into special recognition item E1, a proclamation presentation for Creek Week 2025. Susan Fenzel of Pueblo Outreach Coordinator for Fountain Creek Watershed Watershed District and Megan Wilbar, Administrative Assistant for the Fountain Creek Watershed District. Come on out in front. I just have a few words. Okay, great. Thank you. So this is a proclamation for Creek Week 2025, September 27th through October 5th, 2025. Whereas the city and county of Pueblo is fortunate to have extensive and diverse natural resources such as forests, grasslands, riparian lakes, creeks, and a wide variety of open spaces. And whereas the Fountain Creek watershed, including Fountain Creek, related wetlands, existing trails, and recreational facilities is a unique and valuable resource and asset to the residents and visitors to Pueblo and Southern Colorado. And whereas the Fountain Creek Watershed District is partnering with the City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, and the neighboring communities of Fountain, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, and Green Mountain Falls, along with numerous organizations and businesses to coordinate the 12th annual Creek Week cleanup, which will encourage the protection, restoration, and maintenance of the Fountain Creek watershed. And whereas this nine-day litter cleanup effort kicks off in Pueblo at Runyon Lake on September 27th and runs through October 5th, 2025. All around the watershed. And whereas we, the elected governing bodies, want to support Creek Week programs and activities designed to raise awareness about the littering issue within our watershed. And ask residents to volunteer to make Fountain Creek and the watershed cleaner and safer. And whereas we acknowledge that litter removal activities such as Creek Week will reduce pollution in our creeks and clogs in our waterways, provide for a safer drinking water supply, enhance wildlife habitat, and maintain property values. And whereas we encourage Pueblo businesses, churches, schools, nonprofits, neighborhood associations, youth groups, service clubs, and families to form a creek crew to clean up a designated site along Fountain Creek. Now, therefore, we, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Pueblo, Colorado, and the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us to hereby proclaim the week of September 27th through October 5th, 2025 as the 12th annual Creek Week in the city and county of Pueblo, and ask everyone to get involved and support this worthwhile endeavor. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and cause the seals of the city and county of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this eighth day of September, 2025. Signed by Mark Aylef, President of City Council and Zach Swaringen, Chairman, the Board of County Commissioners. Well, we're just gonna throw the photo. I didn't know if we were talking or posing first. Hold the banner up a little bit.
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