Pueblo takes temporary control of Rescue Mission operations; council weighs RFP, $55,000 monthly run rate and pallet-shelter grant

The Pueblo City Council on Dec. 23 heard a detailed staff presentation on the city—s recent assumption of operations at the Rescue Mission campus and the council—s options for short- and long-term shelter management.

Mayor Graham and city staff described actions taken since Dec. 1, when the city began paying utilities and stabilizing operations as the nonprofit Rescue Mission prepares to dissolve and transfer assets. "Since December 1, we've taken over all the utilities," Melissa, a city housing official, told the council. Staff reported nightly emergency-shelter counts of roughly 30–40 people and residential-program populations of about 20–40.

Finances and short-term funding: staff said the emergency ordinance the council approved earlier this fall for $200,000 has only spent $4,888 because the rescue mission drew down emergency grants first. The Rescue Mission board expects to transfer about $30,000 to SafeSide, the local nonprofit acting as a bridge, once the board—s liabilities are settled. City staff estimated the bare-minimum ongoing cost of maintaining the two buildings, paying utilities and basic operations at roughly $55,000 per month; a separate baseline for utilities was estimated at about $5,200 per month.

Capacity and services: staff said the emergency shelter—an hold 49 people and that the residential area could accommodate up to about 90 people in a pinch. City crews have cleaned and repaired the buildings, run multiple bed-bug treatments, hooked up an industrial washer/dryer and fixed kitchen plumbing. Donations have helped limit food costs; staff said about $600 per month currently covers food purchases, with the soup kitchen and community donations supplementing meals.

RFP and funding options: staff presented three options: (1) issue an RFP to find a qualified nonprofit operator (staff cautioned that few shelter operators are available in Colorado and that a new operator would face an 18-month funding gap before state ESG or DOLA dollars arrive); (2) keep operations in-house as a city department, absorbing employees and benefits; or (3) continue with SafeSide as the short-term fiduciary while preparing a long-term plan. "If there is no financial assistance at all, I do think it'll be very difficult to have anybody respond," Melissa said regarding the RFP.

Capital and program ideas: the city was awarded a CDBG grant to fund movable "pallet" shelters between the two buildings; staff estimated that award at about $350,000 and said the money would support transitional units after the shelter program—s intake.

Council reaction and requests: Councilors praised staff for stabilizing operations and asked numerous operational questions about donations (United Way is handling monetary donations), grant continuity, staffing, meal service and oversight. Several councilors urged a side-by-side cost comparison of city-run operations versus outsourcing to a nonprofit, including fringe and benefits costs if employees are absorbed into city payroll. Staff agreed to return in mid-January with a scenario comparison, a draft RFP and clarity on potential funding sources and timelines.

Safety note: staff reported the police have an active arrest warrant in a theft case involving residents— funds; the suspect was hospitalized and released Dec. 21 and remains at large.

Provenance: This article is based on the Rescue Mission presentation and the council—s discussion beginning at 00:15:47 and continuing through 01:14:27 in the transcript.