OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - November 24, 2025: Budget Amendments, Airport Annexation Defeated, and Ethics Complaint Dismissed

City Council — Monday, November 24, 2025
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:03:48

Transcript — Verbatim
0:33

All right, thank you all for coming, and it's another beautiful evening in Pueblo, Colorado, and happy Thanksgiving week.

0:40

I now call to order the regular City Council meeting.

0:44

Today is Monday, November 24th, 2025.

0:49

And the first order of business is our invocation.

0:52

I invite up Pastor Steve Chavez from Pueblo Praise.

0:57

Stand with us if you choose for the invocation, and then we will follow with the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:04

Pastor.

1:05

Thank you.

1:05

Can we pray together?

1:08

Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, that name that's above all names.

1:13

And O Lord, today, we ask you to help us in this meeting.

1:18

I thank you, O God, for every leader.

1:21

Father for these folks that have been voted in to serve.

1:24

I pray, O Jesus, that you would bless them, and God, that you would give them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

1:32

And I pray, O Jesus, that the cross of Christ would stand strong in this city.

1:37

And O God, you would help our young people to grow up, O Lord, and to know the legacy of this great town.

1:44

Father, I pray in Jesus' name that you would bless everyone that is here.

1:49

God, we come tonight in peace, never division.

1:53

But God, we come to stand on the shoulders of those that have led so well in the city.

1:59

And today, O Father, would you anchor us down?

2:02

Let us be good people, let us make right choices, and let us always lead, O God, in a manner that is worthy of the gospel.

2:12

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

2:15

Amen.

2:18

I call the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:25

One more nation under God to liberty and justice for all.

2:33

Thank you, Pastor Chavez.

2:36

Mr.

2:36

Clerk, I now move to roll call.

2:38

Mark Aileff here.

2:40

Brett Boston.

2:41

Dennis Flores?

2:42

Here.

2:42

Roger Gomez.

2:43

Joe Latino.

2:44

Here.

2:44

Regina Maestri.

2:46

Here.

2:46

Sarah Martinez.

2:49

All right, everybody's here and accounted for.

2:51

We now move into special recognition.

2:54

We have a proclamation presentation for SNAP and EBT Business Vendor Day, November 24th, 2025.

3:02

We have Dwayne Nava, the president and CEO of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.

3:07

Noah Comerford, uh, the President and CEO of the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce, and uh Dominique Chavez, Community Resource Hub Coordinator for United Way of Pueblo County.

3:22

Come on down.

3:36

Hey, all right.

3:37

Thanks for coming.

3:41

Okay, come on up here.

3:45

What is it though?

3:46

Price is right.

3:50

Proclamation, SNAP and EBT Business Vendor Day, November 24th, 2025.

3:58

Whereas more than 100 businesses and organizations accept SNAP and EBT within the city of Pueblo, ranging from grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets, and eateries.

4:12

And whereas the businesses that accept SNAP and EBT are employers, neighbors, and resources that serve thousands of people each week.

4:22

And whereas more than twenty-five partners have come together to brainstorm solutions, share community resources, advocate for additional support, and highlight the businesses that accept SNAP and EBT.

4:37

And whereas, even in the face of their own struggles, many nonprofits and local businesses are still finding time to give back to the community.

4:46

And whereas Pueblo Snap EBT vendors are essential partners in building a more inclusive local economy.

4:55

This holiday season, we urge residents to support these businesses and recognize their commitment to serving diverse needs.

5:04

We also encourage other businesses to explore becoming SNAP or EBT vendors and help broaden access across our city.

5:14

Now, therefore, we, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim November 24th, 2025 as SNAP and EBT Business Vendor Day in the City of Pueblo, Colorado.

5:31

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Pueblo, Colorado to be a fixed this 24th day of November, 2025.

5:42

Thank you guys.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health Awareness█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████14%
Economic Development████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Urban Renewal████4%
Public Safety███3%
Ethics And Conduct███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Meeting - November 24, 2025: Budget Amendments, Airport Annexation Defeated, and Ethics Complaint Dismissed

The Pueblo City Council met on November 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a proclamation for SNAP & EBT Business Vendor Day, a special recognition of a $30,000 donation for food assistance, public comments on squatter issues and council decorum, and a lengthy discussion on the FY2026 budget. Key outcomes included adoption of the budget with several amendments, defeat of a proposed airport annexation, and dismissal of an ethics complaint against Councilor Sarah Martinez.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved all resolutions M1-M8 and ordinances N1-N6 (first reading) as a block, setting public hearings for December 8, 2025. (Vote 7-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Richard Beckerman described difficulty removing squatters from his rental property, requesting council assistance. Councilor Boston and Latino offered sympathy and promised follow-up.
  • Elvis Martinez criticized council decorum during public speakers, called for a citizen ethics board, and argued against the marijuana narrative, focusing on alcohol and pharmaceuticals as the real gateway drugs.
  • On item R2 (budget), Elvis Martinez spoke against the budget, suggesting cuts to professional services, travel, homeless shelter funding, and a pay freeze.
  • On item R5 (airport annexation), Jeff Shaw (PEDCO) and Brett Verna opposed annexation, arguing it would reduce competitiveness for attracting businesses and risk a $30 million expansion project adding 126 jobs.
  • On item R6 (Cooperative Care), Elizabeth Riffle presented statistics: 2,914 households served, 5,949 members, 1,002 first-time clients, and 600 turkeys distributed.
  • On item R9 (Boone IGA), Mark Guerrero and Drew Macaluso (Pueblo Regional Building Department) supported the agreement, emphasizing staff experience and readiness.
  • On item R11 (healthy beverages), supporters Jessica Alpataka and Gabby Stapleton cited health statistics and local restaurant testimonials; opponents Sandra Scherr and Alvis Martinez argued government overreach and burden on businesses.
  • On item R12 (meeting time change), Andrew Song, Ready Verna, and Diane Dante spoke in favor; Alvis Martinez spoke against, citing impact on new council members and working citizens.

Discussion Items

  • Special Recognitions: Mayor and Council presented a proclamation declaring November 24, 2025 as SNAP & EBT Business Vendor Day. Additionally, Councilor Flores honored Perla Ramirez Groothuse and Elevate Healthcare for donating $30,000 in grocery gift cards to three elementary schools (Baca, Minnequa, Bessemer) to assist 300 families affected by the federal shutdown and SNAP discontinuation.
  • Agenda Amendment: Removed item Q1 (Bolton & Menk engineering contract) from the agenda by a 7-0 vote.
  • Consent Agenda Items: Approved all listed resolutions (M1-M8) and ordinances (N1-N6) without separate discussion.
  • Regular Agenda Resolutions:
    • Q2: $1,400 to Boys & Girls Clubs for Santa’s Helper Program approved 7-0.
    • Q3: $1,000 to Southern Colorado Harm Reduction for Thanksgiving meal amended to $1,500 and approved 7-0.
  • Ordinances – Final Presentation:
    • R1: Property tax mill levy (15.633 mills, estimated $21.28 million) approved 7-0.
    • R2: FY2026 Budget ($117.9 million revenue, 6% increase) – Extensive debate. Mayor’s budget included 15% operations cuts, 2.6 million reduction in fund balance use, and freezing 24 positions. Council amendments individually considered: (1) Decrease overall expenditures by $2,650,681 (passed 7-0). (2) Pueblo Zoo operations increased by $176,344 to total $944,000 (passed 6-1). (3) Boys & Girls Clubs contractual agreement for $50,000 (passed 5-2). (4) Sky Corral capital improvement line item $200,000 (passed 5-2). (5) Workforce development $35,000 from economic development tax fund (passed 6-1). Then budget as amended was approved 6-1 (Regina Maestri opposed).
    • R3 & R4: Bandera Boulevard and Southpointe Special Improvement Maintenance District mill levies (5 mills each) approved 7-0.
    • R5: Annexation of 168.2 acres at Pueblo Memorial Airport – Opponents argued it would harm economic development. Vote failed 4-3 (aye: Aliff, Boston, Martinez; no: Flores, Gomez, Latino, Maestri).
    • R6: $50,000 from ARPA interest to Pueblo Cooperative Care Center for food assistance approved 7-0.
    • R7: Amendment to Bridgers & Paxton engineering contract for PMJC chiller/boiler design ($40,550) passed 4-3 (aye: Aliff, Boston, Flores, Martinez; no: Gomez, Latino, Maestri).
    • R8: Lease amendment for Southern Colorado Flight Professionals hangar approved 7-0.
    • R9 & R10: Creating Southern Colorado Building Department with Town of Boone – Both ordinances approved 7-0.
    • R11: Healthy beverages as default in children’s meals – Defeated 4-3 (aye: Boston, Flores, Martinez; no: Aliff, Gomez, Latino, Maestri).
    • R12: Changing council meeting start time from 7:00 PM to 5:30 PM – Defeated 5-2 (aye: Boston, Martinez; no: Aliff, Flores, Gomez, Latino, Maestri).
    • R13: PREA MOU tabled to December 8, 2025 by unanimous consent.
  • Ethics Complaint: T1 – Citizen complaint against Councilor Sarah Martinez regarding a vote on Crossover Health. City Attorney recommended dismissal for lack of evidence. Council voted unanimously (6-0, Martinez excused) to dismiss.

Key Outcomes

  • FY2026 Budget Adopted with amendments including increased zoo funding ($944,000), new Boys & Girls Clubs contract ($50,000), Sky Corral capital ($200,000), and workforce development ($35,000). Final vote 6-1.
  • Airport Annexation Defeated (R5) – 4-3 vote against.
  • Healthy Beverage Ordinance Defeated (R11) – 4-3 vote against.
  • Meeting Time Change Defeated (R12) – 5-2 vote against.
  • Ethics Complaint Dismissed (T1) – 6-0 vote.
  • Consent Agenda and Other Ordinances Approved as listed.
  • Next Steps: Item R13 tabled to December 8, 2025. New council to consider meeting time change in January.

Meeting Transcript

All right, thank you all for coming, and it's another beautiful evening in Pueblo, Colorado, and happy Thanksgiving week. I now call to order the regular City Council meeting. Today is Monday, November 24th, 2025. And the first order of business is our invocation. I invite up Pastor Steve Chavez from Pueblo Praise. Stand with us if you choose for the invocation, and then we will follow with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor. Thank you. Can we pray together? Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, that name that's above all names. And O Lord, today, we ask you to help us in this meeting. I thank you, O God, for every leader. Father for these folks that have been voted in to serve. I pray, O Jesus, that you would bless them, and God, that you would give them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. And I pray, O Jesus, that the cross of Christ would stand strong in this city. And O God, you would help our young people to grow up, O Lord, and to know the legacy of this great town. Father, I pray in Jesus' name that you would bless everyone that is here. God, we come tonight in peace, never division. But God, we come to stand on the shoulders of those that have led so well in the city. And today, O Father, would you anchor us down? Let us be good people, let us make right choices, and let us always lead, O God, in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. I call the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One more nation under God to liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor Chavez. Mr. Clerk, I now move to roll call. Mark Aileff here. Brett Boston. Dennis Flores? Here. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Regina Maestri. Here. Sarah Martinez. All right, everybody's here and accounted for. We now move into special recognition. We have a proclamation presentation for SNAP and EBT Business Vendor Day, November 24th, 2025. We have Dwayne Nava, the president and CEO of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. Noah Comerford, uh, the President and CEO of the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce, and uh Dominique Chavez, Community Resource Hub Coordinator for United Way of Pueblo County. Come on down. Hey, all right. Thanks for coming. Okay, come on up here. What is it though? Price is right. Proclamation, SNAP and EBT Business Vendor Day, November 24th, 2025.

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