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Public forum spotlights criticism of PEDCO and renewed push on homelessness work
Summary
During public comment, residents criticized PEDCO’s performance and funding; faith and housing leaders urged the council to clarify the status of the Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness and to continue work on shelters, pallet shelters and designated camping/parking sites.
Several residents used the Jan. 27 public‑comment period to press the council on economic development and homelessness policy.
Economic development and PEDCO: Resident Ted Freeman urged the council to terminate the city’s economic development contract with PEDCO (PEDCO/PEDCO spelled variably in public comments) and to stop using the half‑cent sales-tax fund that supports the agency. He recounted a long list of past recruitment efforts he described as failures and said the contract (entered Jan. 1, 2008) lacks a sunset provision and has allowed PEDCO to be paid despite not performing, in his view. Councilor Flores replied later during commentary that he serves on the PEDCO board as the city’s representative and stated explicitly that PEDCO does not own or control “Everest Steel” (a steel mill referenced in public questions) and that PEDCO does not have the funds to buy large industrial properties.
Housing and homelessness: Patrick Hurley (Faith Leaders in Action and Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness) and Jimmy Duffner (Faith Leaders in Action) described outreach, site visits to other cities, and proposals such as designated camping and parking sites and pallet shelters. Hurley said the commission had been told to pause for 90 days and asked whether it should continue its work; staff and council members said they would respond in council comment and at planned meetings. Councilor Boston said the commission’s future and repurposing would be discussed at the upcoming council retreat and recommended the commission continue informal work even if a quorum prevents formal action. Duffner said the group is coordinating a housing forum in February and is pursuing a contract with Pueblo Community College for a homelessness-focused course.
Pallet shelters and background checks: A caller, Elvis Martinez, said he supported pallet shelters but urged background checks for occupants, citing concerns about violent or sexual offenders being placed where vulnerable people may be present. He also urged a forum on the proposed grocery tax and offered to moderate.
Council response and next steps: Councilors said homelessness and the commission’s work will be topics at the February retreat and that staff and council leadership will meet with commission leaders. Councilor Martinez said she had arranged a meeting between staff, the council president and commission facilitators and expected retreat discussion. Councilor Boston urged the commission to continue gathering ideas and expects more concrete direction after the retreat.
No formal council actions were taken during public comment, but councilors described follow-up steps (retreat discussion, staff meetings, and public forums) to address homelessness proposals and PEDCO concerns.
