Regular City Council Meeting – May 11, 2026

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public forum, council member commentary, approval of a consent agenda, and action on several resolutions and ordinances. Council voted on funding requests, land transfers, and an employee health clinic, among other items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and minutes of the April 27, 2026 meeting (7-0).
• Approved all resolutions and ordinances on the consent agenda (7-0), including emergency sewer repair contracts (M1, M2, M5 totaling $422,733.17), an amendment for transportation planning ($38,000), a roundabout consulting amendment ($20,724), a sewer fee credit ($245.60), appointments to the Community Services Advisory Commission and Board of Elections, and eight first-presentation ordinances (including bikepath motor vehicle restrictions, CDOT grant for taxiway sealcoat, rezoning, subdivision approval, West Side Connector IGA and MOU, City Park Bath House renovation, BNSF overpass engineering, and Vinewood Skate Park donation). Public hearings for the ordinances were set for May 26, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Troy Davenport, former police chief, invited council to the Pueblo Fallen Officer Memorial Foundation ceremony on May 15, 2026, at 9 AM. He noted that 20 law enforcement officers from Pueblo County have been killed in the line of duty, 13 from the city. The memorial will be erected at the site of the former band shell. He requested council’s attendance.
• Elvis Martinez raised several issues: he urged council to bring forward ballot measures for campaign finance limits (suggesting $1,500–$2,500) and a resign-to-run rule; he disputed the mayor’s claim that every city department took a 15% operating cut; he criticized police response to his vandalism cases; he strongly opposed cutting the youth tennis program ($43,000) and proposed reducing the mayor’s salary to $90,000 to save $60,000. He also spoke against council contingency spending and the employee health clinic, calling it a waste of money.
• George Consilio spoke in favor of the Offender Labor Cooperative Agreement (R5), praising the use of inmate work crews for city maintenance.

Council Member and Mayor Commentary

• Councilor Hernandez reflected on the demolition of Ron Cauley Middle School, noting its history and the impact on South High School’s enrollment (down from ~1,500 to 671 students). He expressed hope that District 60 would offer arts and music programs to retain students.
• Councilor Latino expressed condolences to the Taravella family and announced he would approach the Pueblo City School Board about the four-day school week, which he found concerning.
• Councilor Dante thanked Pueblo County for providing tennis lessons this year, reported attending the MXB rail tour, the Concilia family celebration, and the county jail ribbon cutting, noting additional bed space.
• Councilor Gomez clarified he fully supports Project Falcon (contrary to rumors), requested a third-party financial audit retroactive to the last audit, and affirmed his support for PEDCO over the mayor’s Advanced Pueblo initiative. He stated, “the compromising that is going on is sick.”
• Councilor Ruiz Gomez reported on the Team Up to Clean Cleanup event (partnering with the mayor’s office and CNC Disposal), the Bits of Freedom Equine Derby (equine therapy for special needs and mental health), and the East Side Council’s voter registration project. She highlighted May as Mental Health Awareness Month, urging those in need to call Health Solutions at 545-2746. She thanked Commissioner Lucero and private donors for supporting the tennis program.
• Councilor Boston had no comments.
• President Aliff thanked colleagues and the community for support after the loss of his wife.

Discussion Items

• Resolution Q1 – Sponsorship of 4th Annual Hip Hop Festival ($2,500 to Mad Fresh Productions, July 18, 2026 at Mineral Palace Park). Councilor Gomez expressed concern about nonprofits’ full financial picture and suggested a $2,000 cap. The motion passed 6-1.
• Resolution Q2 – Sponsorship of “My Name Is” arts-based youth documentary ($3,000 to Creative Consortium of Pueblo, fiscal sponsor Friendly Harbor). Councilor Dante questioned nonprofit status; staff clarified Friendly Harbor is the fiscal sponsor. The motion failed 4-3.
• Resolution Q3 – Sponsorship of Summer Reading Program and Booklovers Ball ($2,000 to Pueblo Library Foundation). Staff reported $6,189 in pledges for summer reading and $15,975 for the ball; tickets range $100–$125, with a table of 10 for $950 early bird. Last year 290 guests attended. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution Q4 – Transfer of $500,000 from street resurfacing (HUAN01) to a new Sun Mountain Drainage project (HU2605) to fund stormwater improvements needed for the RAISE grant-funded Sun Mountain Boulevard project. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance R1 & R2 – Sale of two vacant lots in Oakshire Hills to Habitat for Humanity for $1 each to develop affordable housing. Staff explained the lots were originally acquired with federal funds requiring deed-restricted affordable housing. The city’s appraised land value counts as a match for HOME allocation (25% required; 2026 match was $174,194). Deed type changed from special warranty to quitclaim. R1 passed 6-1 (with a later correction recording Councilor Gomez as yes); R2 passed 7-0.
• Ordinance R3 – Quitclaim deed exchange with Padula Family Partnership to correct an error on Jerry Murphy Road regarding a culvert crossing. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance R4 – Appropriation of $520,000 from the Health Self-Insurance Fund unappropriated balance for implementation and operation of the employee health clinic (July–December 2026). Staff reported about 800 full-time employees are eligible, and the plan covers 1,800 members (including dependents). Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance R5 – Offender Labor Cooperative Agreement with Colorado Department of Corrections for inmate work crews (3–8 inmates) to assist the parks department. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Council approved a $2,500 sponsorship for the Hip Hop Festival (Q1, 6-1), a $2,000 sponsorship for the Library Foundation (Q3, 7-0), and a $500,000 transfer for Sun Mountain drainage improvements (Q4, 7-0).
• Council denied a $3,000 request for the Creative Consortium’s youth documentary (Q2, 4-3).
• Council approved the sale of two lots to Habitat for Humanity for $1 each (R1 6-1, R2 7-0) and the property exchange with Padula Family Partnership (R3 7-0).
• Council appropriated $520,000 for the employee health clinic (R4 7-0) and approved the inmate labor agreement (R5 7-0).
• Councilor Gomez requested a third-party financial audit; no formal motion was made, but he asked the city attorney to draft a request.
• Councilor Gomez announced continued support for PEDCO, opposing the mayor’s Advanced Pueblo initiative.
• Councilor Latino signaled future engagement with the school board regarding the four-day school week.