Pueblo City Council Meeting – November 10, 2025

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025, starting at approximately 2:30 p.m. UTC (evening local time). The meeting included a proclamation for Purple Heart Recipients Day, public comments on local and national issues, council member commentary on recent elections and veterans, and action on multiple resolutions and ordinances. Key votes included approval of an employee health clinic contract, adoption of a comprehensive safety action plan, and the rejection of a resolution affirming support for immigrants.

Proclamation

• Presented by Council President Mark Ayleff: A proclamation declaring November 11, 2025, as Purple Heart Recipients Day in Pueblo. Salvatore "Sal" Catt Jr. from Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center accepted the proclamation and thanked the council, noting over 13,000 veterans live in Pueblo.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 7–0. It included resolutions and ordinances for a local disaster agency designation (M1), a sanitary sewer rehabilitation contract (M2), an appointment to the Streetscape Advisory Committee (M3), a concrete improvements contract (M6), property tax levies for 2026 (M9–M12), annexation of airport land (M5 – removed from consent), and other items. Items M7 and M8 were moved to the regular agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laura Hull: Spoke about her false arrest 150 days prior, alleged civil rights violations, and difficulty obtaining body camera footage from the Pueblo Police Department. She stated she has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and criticized selective enforcement.
• John Farley: Described a vision of the city as a river of healing, calling on the city to establish public agreements with Orion Steel and Atlas Holdings for clean water discharge, carbon reporting, and workforce investment.
• Susie Jag: Voiced opposition to federal immigration enforcement and criticized disrespect toward veterans, stating she would engage in civil disobedience if necessary.
• Gary Weaver (Faith Leaders in Action): Expressed concerns about unauthorized federal teams entering the community and urged the city to take a stand protecting citizens from deportation without due process.
• Aubrey Adams (Every Brain Matters): Presented on the dangers of THC and cannabis, citing statistics that 47% of cannabis-induced psychosis may convert to chronic disorders. She announced passage of the Hemp ITHC bill in the U.S. Senate and praised bipartisan support.
• Elvis Martinez (online): Encouraged donations to the Pueblo Food Project, congratulated new council members, criticized council actions on a future park, and called for more accountability.

Council Member Commentary

• Mayor Graham: Congratulated new council members and thanked the community for supporting the mayoral form of government.
• Councilor Latino: Congratulated new members and thanked outgoing council members.
• Councilor Boston: Honored veterans and commended all candidates, urging open dialogue with constituents.
• Councilor Gomez: Raised concerns about the Bessemer neighborhood dump (two mountains of garbage for 2.5 years) and advocated for public-private security partnerships to address safety issues.
• Councilor Meistry: Honored veterans, particularly her grandfather, and promoted Wreaths Across America donations.
• Councilor Forrest: Praised voters for electing new council members and noted the failure of a one-cent sales tax measure, emphasizing the need for more jobs and tax revenue.
• Councilor Martinez: Recognized community efforts to address food insecurity during the SNAP shutdown and praised voter intelligence in the recent election.

Discussion Items

Employee Health Clinic (Resolution M7)

• Proposal: Approve a five-year service agreement with Crossover Health to provide primary and urgent care to city and transit employees (about 1,800 individuals). The clinic would be funded from a $6.5 million health insurance reserve built since 2019, with no new city funds. Estimated savings of $2.3 million over five years. Total annual cost ~$907,000 in year one (pro-rated for delayed start). Staff report noted unanimous union support.
• Councilor Meistry questioned additional costs (furniture, utilities) and noted that the county found such a clinic not cost-effective. Staff responded that the health fund covers all clinic costs; utilities would come from the city general fund but were not quantified.
• Vote: Approved 6–1.

Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (Resolution M8)

• Proposal: Adopt the Pueblo Area Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a transportation study analyzing 47 intersections and six corridors, recommending 69 specific projects (total cost ~$112 million) that would yield $532 million in benefits. The plan is required to apply for federal and state safety grants.
• Councilor Gomez said Pueblo has the highest fatal crash rate for its size in Colorado (200 deaths, 682 serious injuries from 2018–2023). He was concerned the plan was not brought to a full council work session.
• Vote: Approved 4–3.

Purchasing Director Appointment (Resolution Q1)

• Proposal: Confirm the mayor’s appointment of Theresa Burns as Director of Purchasing. Burns has over 20 years of municipal purchasing experience and relevant certifications.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

Sewer Project Amendment (Resolution Q2)

• Proposal: Transfer $606,959 to cover unexpected bedrock and upsizing costs for the Southern Colorado Clinic Sanitary Sewer Outfall Project.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

Converge Site Redevelopment Funding (Resolution Q3)

• Proposal: Transfer $600,000 from various accounts to a single project account for the Converge site redevelopment (1200 block of Orman). The city will provide funds to help demolish a blighted building, with Circle K acquiring most of the site and conveying 1.73 acres back to the city for attainable housing.
• Councilor Gomez expressed safety concerns about future low-income housing in a high-crime area.
• Councilor Meistry noted a possible cancellation of the Circle K–Converges contract based on a real estate listing.
• Staff responded that as of last week, Circle K confirmed the contract is still active.
• Vote: Approved 5–2.

Black Hills Electric Economic Development Rate (Resolution Q4)

• Proposal: Express support for Black Hills Colorado Electric’s tariff filing with the PUC to offer discounted rates for new or expanding electric loads between 3 and 40 megawatts. The tariff is intended to attract large industrial and manufacturing businesses.
• Councilor Martinez questioned impacts on small businesses and ratepayer protections. Black Hills representative explained the tariff is limited and does not affect existing rates.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

Salute to Heroes Sponsorship (Resolution Q5)

• Proposal: Authorize $1,500 from council contingency funds to sponsor Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center’s Salute to Heroes event on January 16, 2026.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

Food Pantry Sponsorship – Rocky Mountain SER (Resolution Q6)

• Proposal: Authorize $5,000 from council contingency funds to support Rocky Mountain SER’s food pantry at 330 Lake Avenue, addressing increased demand due to SNAP benefit disruptions.
• Councilor Martinez noted that RMSER served 488 households (1,547 people) in the first week of November alone.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

Immigration Support Resolution (Resolution Q7)

• Proposal: A resolution affirming the city’s support for immigrants, recognizing their contributions, and reiterating compliance with Colorado law regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The resolution was amended to remove a reference to a Senate bill.
• Public comment included strong support (Kathy Jacobs, Brianna Guerra) and opposition (Ed Perry, Sam Hernandez, Karim Younis). Speakers discussed constitutional issues, the airport, and moral obligations.
• Council discussion: Councilor Flores argued the resolution merely restates existing Colorado law and opposes potential cooperation with for-profit detention transport. Councilor Boston argued the issue was preemptive since no contract with ICE exists. Councilor Gomez struggled with the decision. A motion to table failed for lack of a second.
• Vote: Failed 5–2 (five opposed, two in favor). The resolution was not adopted.

Ordinances – Final Reading

R1 – Parking Minimums Update

• Amends city code to comply with House Bill 24-1304, removing minimum parking requirements for adaptive reuse and multifamily projects (3–19 units) within a quarter mile of frequent transit. Larger projects may require one space per unit. Approved by Planning & Zoning Commission 7–0.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

R2 – Off-Premise Signage

• Allows public-private partnership signs (billboards) on city-owned or government-zoned land, subject to Planning & Zoning Commission review and council-approved lease/license agreements. Approved by Planning & Zoning Commission 7–0.
• Councilor Flores noted that Lamar Advertising lost half their income from signs removed during the Belmont interchange project. Staff confirmed the ordinance opens new opportunities.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

R3 – Axon Interview Room System

• Approves a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprises ($138,924.60) for an interview room video system upgrade that integrates with existing body camera systems and evidence.com, reducing discovery burdens on staff.
• Vote: Approved 7–0.

R4 – Circle K Purchase Agreement

• Approves a purchase and development agreement with Circle K Store Inc. for a 1.73-acre parcel on the 1200 block of Orman. The city will provide $600,000 in funding (from resolution Q3) to demolish the existing Converge building; Circle K will convey the northern two-thirds to the city for attainable housing. The project is intended to spur redevelopment in the new urban renewal district.
• Councilor Gomez and Councilor Meistry raised concerns about crime in the area and the lack of a security plan. Elvis Martinez in public comments asked to postpone to review crime data.
• Staff responded that a future RFP for housing development would include community input.
• Vote: Approved 4–3.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7–0.
• M7 (Employee Health Clinic) approved 6–1.
• M8 (Safety Action Plan) approved 4–3.
• Q1 (Purchasing Director) approved 7–0.
• Q2 (Sewer Project Amendment) approved 7–0.
• Q3 (Converge Funding) approved 5–2.
• Q4 (Black Hills Rate) approved 7–0.
• Q5 (Salute to Heroes) approved 7–0.
• Q6 (Food Pantry Sponsorship) approved 7–0.
• Q7 (Immigration Resolution) failed 5–2.
• R1 (Parking Minimums) approved 7–0.
• R2 (Off-Premise Signage) approved 7–0.
• R3 (Axon System) approved 7–0.
• R4 (Circle K Agreement) approved 4–3.

Two members abstained from the vote on Q7? No, the vote was 5–2 with no abstentions. The meeting adjourned after R4.