Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on March 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public forum on several community issues, approval of consent and regular agenda items, and a final vote on a controversial ordinance amending the criteria for the half-cent sales tax fund. The ordinance passed 5-2 after a failed motion to postpone.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution M1: Ratified an emergency construction contract ($31,941) and change order ($12,291) for storm sewer repair at City Park.
- Resolution M3: Approved compensation for a Legal Services Agreement with Fairfield & Woods, P.C.
- Ordinances N1-N6: First reading ordinances were passed and set for public hearing on March 9, 2026, including: publication notice on city website, quit claim deeds to CDOT and Goodnight Barn Historic Preservation, conversion of three EMO positions to fire engineer positions, MOU with Pueblo Community Health Center for homeless shelter health services, and extension of collective bargaining agreement with Pueblo Association of Government Employees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Daryl Vihill (representing Bessemer residents and business owners) opposed the construction of an 8-foot perimeter fence at Rey Aguilera Park, arguing it sends a negative message, creates safety hazards during events, and that an anti-crime tower was effective alternative. He asked council to revisit the resolution.
- Kendall Curtis (commercial real estate broker) spoke in favor of Project Falcon, citing potential for ~300 jobs averaging $80,000+ benefits, a $1 billion capital expenditure, and positive ripple effects. He urged council to support the project.
- Christine Gladney (fire captain, Station 10) opposed the reclassification of EMO positions at Station 10, stating that 37% of medical calls require ALS, response times are critical, and removing the EMO would compromise airport crash response due to loss of ARF-certified personnel.
- Elvis Martinez (public speaker) echoed opposition to the fence, called for transparency on council member conflicts of interest, requested a forensic audit of the mayor's office, and asked for Luann Martinez's resignation.
- Eleonora Bartoli spoke in favor of the household hazardous waste program (S4).
- Multiple speakers on the half-cent sales tax criteria ordinance (S6):
- In favor: Les Gruin (urban strategist, representing Wild Horse development), Warren Dean (developer), Gina Ryder (realtor), Jonathan Overton (PEDCO contributor). They argued for flexibility to attract growth, create shovel-ready sites, and allow council to use funds for broader economic development.
- Opposed: Dave Desenzell, Barbara Vidmar (former council member and PEDCO chair), Marv Stein (PEDCO founding member), Bob Leach (PEDCO chair), and others. They argued the change is a 'bait and switch' after voters extended the tax for primary jobs, that it risks Tabor litigation, and that retail jobs do not bring new money like primary jobs. They urged council to vote no or postpone.
Discussion Items
- M2 – Pueblo City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan: Pulled from consent by Councilor Dante. Approved 7-0 after discussion about trail connectivity to Goodnight Barn.
- Q1 – Appointment of Bella Trujillo as Director of Human Resources: Approved 7-0 after staff report highlighting her 30 years of city service and HR experience.
- Q2 – Sponsorship for Pueblo Child Advocacy Center Blue Tie Gala: Approved 7-0 for $2,000 from council contingencies.
- R1 – St. Charles Industrial Park Filing No. 4 Subdivision: Approved 7-0.
- S1 – Health services IGA with Pueblo County ($654,370): Approved 7-0.
- S2 – Benedict Park Lighting Project grant ($91,000): Approved 7-0.
- S3 – USGS hydrologic data collection agreement ($11,919): Approved 7-0.
- S4 – Household hazardous waste program SEP amendment: Approved 7-0.
- S5 – Animal services contract with Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region (3-year, ~$2 million city share): Approved 7-0.
- S6 – Half-cent sales tax criteria ordinance (amending Title 14, Chapter 4): Extensive debate. City attorney clarified council has authority to set criteria under voter-approved ordinance. Mayor argued the change allows for economic catalysts, leakage prevention, and placemaking while retaining primary job focus. Councilors Dante, Hernandez, Boston, and President Aliff supported, citing need for flexibility and new tools. Councilors Gomez and Latino opposed, arguing it undermines voter intent, risks Tabor litigation, and could harm PEDCO's work. A motion to postpone for 30 days failed 5-2. The ordinance then passed 5-2.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda and all regular agenda items (M2, Q1, Q2, R1, S1-S5) were approved unanimously (7-0).
- Ordinance S6 (half-cent sales tax criteria amendment) passed 5-2, with Councilors Gomez and Latino voting no. The ordinance adds three new categories (economic catalyst project, economic leakage, placemaking) to the criteria for allocating the half-cent sales tax fund, effective immediately.
- Vote to postpone S6 for 30 days failed 5-2.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Thank you all for coming. It's another beautiful evening in Pueblo, Colorado. I call to order the regular City Council meeting. Today is Monday, February 23rd, 2026. First up on our agenda is the invocation. I invite up Pastor Jim Urey of Pueblo Praise. Please stand with us if you choose to do the invocation, and then we'll immediately following we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Lord, as we gather together, not as strangers, but but community, Heavenly Father. Lord, we pray that you'd bring a blessing on Pueblo Colorado. And in this session in the chamber, God pray that all that the decisions made, God, would be done with wisdom. And Heavenly Father lead us and guide us. Bless all the leaders in our community. Bless our community friends and neighbors in Jesus' name and everybody said. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to Europe, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor. Mr. Clerk, we now move to roll call. Mark Aileff here. Brett Bosco. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Ted Hernandez. Diane Dante. Here. Selena Ruiz Gomez. Here. Everyone's here and accounted for. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We now move into special recognitions. We have a proclamation presentation this evening for American Red Cross Month. March of 2026. Phil Martinez, the executive director of the Red Cross, come on down in front here. So a proclamation American Red Cross Month, March 2026. Whereas in March, we celebrate American Red Cross Month by honoring our neighbors who make its humanitarian mission possible in Pueblo, Colorado. Every day, their acts of kindness change lives, bringing relief, comfort, and hope when help can't wait. This compassionate spirit runs deep in our community, just as it has for 145 years through the American Red Cross. And whereas today, those who serve with the Red Cross team light the way during emergencies, whether it's delivering shelter, food, and comfort after disasters, providing a safe, life-saving blood supply for patients facing conditions like cancer treatments, childbirth complications, and traumatic injuries, assisting military members, veterans, and their families with 24-7 global support, or empowering individuals with skills like first aid and CPR that save lives. And whereas these collective efforts are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to one another. As we mark Red Cross Month, let's celebrate our local heroes and resolve to continue lifting each other up so no one faces an emergency alone. Now, therefore, we, the mayor and the city council of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, by the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as American Red Cross Month in the city of Pueblo, Colorado, and encourage all citizens of Pueblo to reach out and support its humanitarian mission. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, to be a fixed this 23rd day of February 2026, signed Heather Graham, mayor of the City of Pueblo, and Mark Aileff, President of the City Council. It's our pleasure to present this to you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you so much, Mayor.
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