Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers at City Hall. President Mark Aliff called the meeting to order. The meeting included a public forum, approval of the consent agenda, discussion on multiple resolutions and ordinances, and consideration of an ethics complaint against Councilor Joe Latino.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the October 14, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).
• Agenda was amended to move items M1 and M2 to the regular agenda, then approved (7-0).
• All items on the consent agenda (resolutions M3 through M12, ordinances N1-N4, and minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission) were approved with a single motion, passing 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bo Burnett and Laura Hall testified about an incident at a "No Kings" protest on October 18, where their petition clipboard was stolen by an "angry mob." They alleged police inaction, a wrongful arrest, and Brady violations. They stated a federal civil lawsuit and a state lawsuit are being filed, and a Brady complaint has been made to the Colorado Attorney General.
• Aubrey Adams expressed disappointment in the city's condition due to drug use, homelessness, and crime, and criticized Mayor Heather Graham's press conference. She proposed a three-part plan focusing on education about drug policies, local policy changes, and state-level advocacy. She noted her nonprofit, Every Brain Matters, helped ban all cannabis vapes in Texas.
• Susie Jade, representing a coalition, presented an open letter opposing ICE activity at Pueblo Memorial Airport. She referenced an email from the Director of Aviation, Greg Pradoza, to Walsenburg officials offering airport services for ICE deportation flights. She urged the city to make the airport inconvenient for ICE.
• Heather Barton also spoke against ICE, calling it "state-sanctioned harm" and urged the city not to allow the airport to be a partner in cruelty.
• Renee Wallin (Director of Education, Pueblo Zoo) spoke in support of the zoo's budget, emphasizing educational and community value.
• Ken Dante supported zoo funding and expressed concern about rising membership costs.
• Aubrey Adams spoke again on the budget, urging a balanced approach and addressing drug-related problems.
• Susan Bartoli urged support for the Humane Society and zoo.
• Randy Thurston criticized the city's structural deficit spending, misuse of one-time funds, and personnel cost increases (quoting $60 million in personnel costs in 2017). He highlighted long-term liabilities from new buildings.
• Kyle Labor (President, Pueblo Zoological Society) requested $944,000 for the zoo, noting it is less than 0.001% of the city's budget.
• Albus Martinez (via Zoom) proposed budget cuts to professional services, travel, and shelter funding to help fund the zoo and reduce the deficit.
• Sandra Sherrer called for a balanced budget from one mayor to the next.
• Brett Verna highlighted reserve fund decline from $31.9 million in 2018 to a projected $25.1 million, a 21% drop, and urged careful budget review. He noted personnel costs increased over 40% from 2018 to 2026.

Discussion Items

• M1 - Upkeep and Maintenance of Job-Creating Capital Projects Buildings: Authorized transfer of $400,000 from the Sales and Use Tax Capital Improvements Fund for building maintenance. Councilor Meistry questioned the balance and expenses. Passed 7-0.
• M2 - Ray Aguilera Park Perimeter Fencing: Transferred $400,000 from Eagleridge Park construction to Ray Aguilera Park perimeter fencing project, awarding a $380,883.35 contract to Acorn Construction. Councilors Meistry and Latino expressed concerns about diverting funds from Eagleridge Park and questioned the effectiveness of fencing versus addressing root causes like homelessness. Passed 6-1 (Meistry voted no).
• Q1 - Pueblo Choral Society Sponsorship: Authorized $1,000 from council contingencies for Old Fashioned Christmas. Passed 7-0.
• Q2 - Pueblo Parade of Lights Sponsorship: Authorized $1,500 for the event. Passed 7-0.
• Q3 - Pope Block Building Maintenance: Authorized $750,000 transfer for upkeep of the Pope Block building. Councilor Martinez urged selling the building. Passed 6-1 (Meistry voted no).
• Q4 - Greyhound Park Blight Removal: Established project CI2521 with $500,000 from ARPA interest for demolition. Councilors Meistry and Latino voted no, citing lack of concrete development plans. Councilor Boston requested a development agreement before funds are spent. Passed 5-2.
• R1-R3 - Quasi-Judicial Proceedings: Three ordinances (rezoning, subdivision extensions) passed unanimously.
• S1-S9 - Final Presentation Ordinances: All passed unanimously (7-0), including:
  • S1: $100,000 eviction prevention assistance agreement with Pueblo County.
  • S2: $50,000 small business window repair mini-grant program.
  • S3: $36,000 CDOT speed enforcement grant.
  • S4: Amendment to RAISE grant for West Side Connector (timeline extension).
  • S5: Certification of abatement assessment roll ($180,000, $1.1 million collected since 2015).
  • S6: $8 million for St. Charles Industrial Park infrastructure (design and planning).
  • S7: Acceptance of quitclaim deed for fire-damaged property.
  • S8: License agreement with Trussworks Operations for rail access.
  • S9: Sublease agreement with Pueblo Depot Activity Development Authority for impound vehicle storage.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0 with all items as listed.
• M1: Passed 7-0.
• M2: Passed 6-1 (Meistry dissenting).
• Q1, Q2, Q3: All passed 7-0.
• Q4: Passed 5-2 (Latino and Meistry dissenting). A development agreement will be presented before any funds are spent.
• R1, R2, R3: All passed 7-0.
• S1 through S9: All passed 7-0.
• U1 - Ethics Complaint against Councilor Joe Latino: The council voted 5-1 to dismiss the complaint, with Martinez dissenting. The complaint, filed by the PAGE Union president on behalf of two employees, was deemed by the city attorney to not state a claim under the ethics code. Councilors discussed the need to revise the ethics code and the role of the president in screening complaints.