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Record of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - October 26, 2026

City Council — Monday, October 26, 2026
BodyPueblo, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 26, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:20:49

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:06

Recording in progress.

Unassigned speaker

0:32

Well,

Speaker 2

0:33

good evening, everyone, and thank you for coming tonight.

0:35

It's another glorious day today in Pueblo, Colorado, and I know that it's still nice out.

0:42

I now call to order the regular city council meeting.

0:45

Today is Monday, October 26th, 2026.

0:50

First up on our agenda is the invocation.

0:52

I'd like to invite up Pastor Steve Chavez of Praise Assembly to lead us in the prayer.

0:58

Please stand if you choose to, and then right afterwards, we will do the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:05

Pastor.

Speaker 3

1:06

Good evening, would you bow your head with me?

1:09

Father, today we thank you, O Lord, for the mighty power of your name.

1:14

Lord, in this council meeting this evening, God, I thank you for such beautiful leadership, and I thank you, Lord, for a city.

1:22

God, just a great city.

1:23

And God, I would pray five things, Lord, over this city tonight.

1:27

I pray for wisdom, O God.

1:29

Lord, you know we need it.

1:30

I pray for unity.

1:32

God, would you bind us together, O Lord, with cords that cannot be broken?

1:36

Thirdly, O God, I would ask for integrity, O God.

1:40

May real integrity line who we are as people.

1:43

Father, we pray over protection and God, even the prosperity of this beautiful city that we call home.

1:50

God, may we never become so focused on building a city that we forget the importance of building a better community.

1:58

God, we desire that, Lord, may we grow better kids.

2:02

God, may they grow up to honor you, to know your name.

2:05

Lord, I thank you for all of the churches and all of the leadership that takes place in the city.

2:10

And God, we just pray for a fresh anointing.

2:13

God, I ask you for revival, O God, over the city of Pueblo, Colorado, Lord, that you would just begin to reveal the greatness of your name.

2:21

God, we cover this meeting by the blood of Christ.

2:24

In the name of Jesus, we pray.

2:26

Amen.

Unassigned speaker

2:29

I

Speaker 2

2:30

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:34

And to the Republic with religious hands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for

Unassigned speaker

2:42

all.

Speaker 2

2:46

Thank you, Pastor.

2:48

Uh, Mr.

2:49

Clerk, roll

Speaker 4

2:50

call, Mark Ailiff.

2:51

Here, Brett Boston.

2:52

Here.

2:53

Roger Gomez.

2:54

Joe Latino.

2:55

Here.

2:55

Ted Hernandez.

2:56

Here.

2:56

Diane Dante.

Speaker 5

2:57

Here.

Speaker 4

2:58

Selena Ruiz Gomez.

Speaker 2

3:00

Here.

3:01

Everyone's here and accounted for.

3:03

We now move into special recognitions.

3:07

Pastor, we have a proclamation presentation to Praise Assembly of God's 70th Anniversary Day, November 8th, 2026.

3:17

Steve Chavez, the lead pastor.

3:20

Come on down up front.

3:29

I can see that.

3:30

Yeah, go on down.

3:31

The more the merrier.

3:32

Why didn't everybody just come down and we'll

Unassigned speaker

3:36

come in there?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Safety█████████9%
Public Works█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Youth Programs███████7%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, public comments, a public hearing on the proposed 2027 Annual Budget, approval of the consent agenda, and action on several resolutions and ordinances. Key decisions included awarding a construction contract for the Wildhorse Trail, sponsoring the Pueblo Parade of Lights, and passing ordinances on automated enforcement, public-private partnership signs, and economic development options. The Council also postponed three airport-related ordinances to December 14, 2026, and went into executive session for two negotiations.

Special Recognitions

  • Praise Assembly of God's 70th Anniversary Day: Council proclaimed November 8, 2026, as Praise Assembly of God's 70th Anniversary Day in Pueblo, recognizing the church's decades of community service, including disaster relief after the Aspen Acres Fire. Lead Pastor Steve Chavez accepted.
  • First Responders Day: Council proclaimed October 28, 2026, as First Responders Day, honoring all first responders and mutual aid agencies that responded to the Aspen Acres Fire. Fire Chief Barbara Huber, Deputy Police Chief Zach Ballas, and Dispatch Manager Kim Jeffries accepted.
  • Steve Nawrocki Day: Council proclaimed November 6, 2026, as Steve Nawrocki Day, recognizing his nearly four decades as Executive Director of the Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) and his prior service on City Council. Nawrocki is retiring on January 1, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Aubrey Adams (Every Brain Matters): Thanked Council for not renewing two marijuana licenses and urged continued opposition to drug legalization, citing personal experience of marijuana-induced psychosis in her family and national advocacy. She called for prevention-focused policies and recovery resources.
  • Elvis Martinez: Urged the city to retain Sarah Blackhurst as a consultant for Colorado PUC matters on Black Hills Energy rate cases. Requested annual Veterans Day and Fourth of July tributes at council meetings. Questioned Councilor Boston's absence, stating no CORA records existed for it, and alleged the mayor falsely claimed to have submitted a CORA request for hallway video footage.
  • Budget Hearing Testimony:
    • Elvis Martinez submitted a written proposal to reduce the 2027 budget deficit by cutting certain positions, reducing Boys & Girls Club funding from $50,000 to $20,000, cutting the shelter by 10%, and other measures.
    • Shay Ortman (age 16, Boys & Girls Club member): Asked Council to maintain funding for Fifth Day Fridays and summer programs, highlighting the club's safe environment and educational activities.
    • Alison Porterfield (mom and board member): Shared her son's story (adopted from foster care, prenatally exposed to drugs) and testified that the Boys & Girls Club provided crucial support, tutoring, and life skills. She requested continued $50,000 funding.
    • Herbert Conboy: Urged Council to prioritize maintenance of existing parks over new projects.
    • Adonis Gonzalez (age 16, Boys & Girls Club member): Emphasized the importance of Friday programming for safe socialization and career exploration (e.g., CPR training).
    • Fernando Stradigan (board member): Asked to maintain the $50,000 city contract for the Boys & Girls Club, separate from CSAC funding, noting it supports youth development.
    • Eleonora Bartoli: Requested budget allocation for highway and building signs for the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, criticizing Council's earlier vote against funding the museum.
    • Sandra Scherr: Questioned a proposed CSAC budget increase from $465,500 to $871,000, citing potential delays in county billing and urging verification before final approval.
    • Unnamed speaker (Executive Director of Pueblo New Pioneers): Criticized the mayor for cutting nonprofit funding and capping salaries while buying a $10 million building, and urged reallocation toward homeless solutions.

Discussion Items

  • Agenda Amendment: Councilor Joe Latino moved to postpone Ordinances R1, R2, and R3 (airport rules/rates) to December 14, 2026. Seconded by Councilor Hernandez. The motion passed 7-0.
  • Consent Agenda (M1-M5, N1-N13): Approved 7-0, including resolutions on building department fees, revocable permits, and a resolution opposing Black Hills Energy's rate increase; and ordinances on transportation grants, zoning changes, school resource officer agreement, fire code amendments, airport leases, traffic improvements, and a reimbursement agreement with Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority.
  • Q1 - Wildhorse Trail Construction Contract: Resolution awarding $639,929.75 to Doug Vaughn, LLC for construction of the Wildhorse Trail (Westside Trail) from 18th to 24th Street, funded by a state CDOT grant. Approved 7-0.
  • Q2 - Parade of Lights Sponsorship: Resolution authorizing $1,500 from the Council Contingencies Account to sponsor the 36th Annual Pueblo Parade of Lights. Councilor Martinez suggested reducing to $1,000, but no formal amendment was made. After discussion on accountability and self-sufficiency of nonprofits, the motion to approve passed 7-0. The remaining contingency balance after this would be $12,344.56 for the year.
  • R4 - Public-Private Partnership Sign Notice Procedures: Ordinance creating noticing requirements for planning and zoning commission hearings on public-private partnership signs, and cleaning up minor typos in the sign code. Approved 7-0.
  • R5 - Automated Enforcement Coordinator Position: Ordinance adding one full-time civilian position to the Police Department to manage red-light and speed cameras, with an estimated salary of $50,000 funded by citation revenue. Councilor Dante asked about using new recruits; Councilor Joe Latino supported the technology; Councilor Roger Gomez expressed opposition to mass surveillance and hiring during a freeze; Councilor Ruiz Gomez asked about legal authority. Passed 5-2.
  • R6 - Lamar Advertising Agreement: Ordinance approving a 25% revenue-share agreement with Lamar Advertising for construction of up to 8 digital billboard panels on city-owned property, with no RFP issued. Councilor Dante questioned the lack of an RFP and potential legal liability. Councilor Hernandez asked about conflict of interest and content control. Passed 4-3.
  • R7 - Project Falcon Option to Purchase: Ordinance approving an option agreement for an economic development prospect (Project Falcon) to purchase approximately 200-297 acres on Lime Road in St. Charles Mesa, at an appraised value to be determined. Councilor Martinez spoke in favor. Approved 7-0.
  • R8 - Mechanical Contractor License Classifications: Ordinance adding two mechanical contractor license classifications and modifying an existing one, as recommended by the Southern Colorado Building Commission. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes:
    • Agenda amendment to postpone R1, R2, R3: 7-0
    • Minutes approval: 7-0
    • Consent Agenda (resolutions and ordinances): 7-0
    • Q1 (Wildhorse Trail contract): 7-0
    • Q2 (Parade of Lights sponsorship): 7-0
    • R4 (Public-private partner sign notice): 7-0
    • R5 (Automated Enforcement Coordinator): 5-2
    • R6 (Lamar Advertising agreement): 4-3
    • R7 (Project Falcon option to purchase): 7-0
    • R8 (Mechanical contractor licenses): 7-0
  • Public Hearing on 2027 Budget: No action taken; testimony received for future consideration.
  • Executive Session: Council moved into executive session for negotiations on Project Tortuga (economic development) and lease agreements at 430 Skyway and 449 Skyway.
  • Other Notes: Councilor Gomez submitted a formal CORA request for litigation cost accounting from February 1, 2024, to October 22, 2026, seeking transparency on outside legal counsel expenditures. The request was entered into the public record.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Well, good evening, everyone, and thank you for coming tonight. It's another glorious day today in Pueblo, Colorado, and I know that it's still nice out. I now call to order the regular city council meeting. Today is Monday, October 26th, 2026. First up on our agenda is the invocation. I'd like to invite up Pastor Steve Chavez of Praise Assembly to lead us in the prayer. Please stand if you choose to, and then right afterwards, we will do the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor. Good evening, would you bow your head with me? Father, today we thank you, O Lord, for the mighty power of your name. Lord, in this council meeting this evening, God, I thank you for such beautiful leadership, and I thank you, Lord, for a city. God, just a great city. And God, I would pray five things, Lord, over this city tonight. I pray for wisdom, O God. Lord, you know we need it. I pray for unity. God, would you bind us together, O Lord, with cords that cannot be broken? Thirdly, O God, I would ask for integrity, O God. May real integrity line who we are as people. Father, we pray over protection and God, even the prosperity of this beautiful city that we call home. God, may we never become so focused on building a city that we forget the importance of building a better community. God, we desire that, Lord, may we grow better kids. God, may they grow up to honor you, to know your name. Lord, I thank you for all of the churches and all of the leadership that takes place in the city. And God, we just pray for a fresh anointing. God, I ask you for revival, O God, over the city of Pueblo, Colorado, Lord, that you would just begin to reveal the greatness of your name. God, we cover this meeting by the blood of Christ. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic with religious hands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Pastor. Uh, Mr. Clerk, roll call, Mark Ailiff. Here, Brett Boston. Here. Roger Gomez. Joe Latino. Here. Ted Hernandez. Here. Diane Dante. Here. Selena Ruiz Gomez. Here.

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