City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting – Aurora City Council Monday, June 24, 2019 CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING Mayor LeGare convened the regular meeting of City Council at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESIDING: Mayor LeGare COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Twombly, Interim City Attorney Brotzman, City Clerk Ruger COUNCIL MEMBERS ARRIVING AFTER ROLL CALL: None City Clerk Ruger announced the proposed items for discussion at executive session. CONSIDERATION TO RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Watson, second by Berzins, to recess for executive session. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson Abstaining: None The executive session was recorded pursuant to the requirements of state law. 1. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 24, 2019 AND CALL TO ORDER Mayor LeGare reconvened the regular meeting of City Council at 7:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Stephen Ruger, City Clerk COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None 3. INVOCATION Pastor Phil EuBank, Eastern Hills Community Church 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG (all standing) 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 3, 2019 Motion by Roth, second by Bergan, to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 3, 2019, as presented. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson Abstaining: None  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 2 6. CEREMONY Proclamation declaring June 2019 Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month – Mayor LeGare Mayor LeGare invited Fire Chief Fernando Gray, Battalion Chief Jason Pendleton and Engineers Nick Fox, Station 8, Marcus Purcell, Station 8, Craig Stalowy, Station 8, and Willie Waibel, Truck 14, to come forward. Mayor LeGare read the proclamation declaring June 2019 Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month. Chief Gray expressed appreciation for the proclamation. 7. PUBLIC INVITED TO BE HEARD (non-agenda related issues only) Dana Miller; Kristen Hirsch; Clare Armstrong; Alison Coombs; Linnea Reed-Ellis; Kristin Mallory-Westerberg; Bryan Lindstrom; Emily DiTommaso; Leanne Wheeler; and Jessica Campbell-Swanson, discussed the suffering and horrific conditions taking place at the GEO Detention Center in Aurora and asked the City Council to take a position to help those being detained in the center. Ms. Miller asked those present in the audience that protested the conditions at the GEO Center and centers across the country to stand. Mayor LeGare recognized approximately 30 people standing. Hazel Gibson; Kathryn Smith; and Kristen Seidel, who spoke on behalf of Michal Rosenoer, Executive Director, Emerge Colorado, spoke in support of and discussed Emerge Colorado’s policies and purpose of training and mentoring Democratic women who wanted to run for office. Edith Henke, Traditions neighborhood, spoke in opposition to the massive Oil and Gas development recently approved by City Council. Sonia Skakich-Scrima discussed the problems with the City’s Oil & Gas policies and processes. Lea Steed and Marquia Young discussed problems in Aurora Public Schools and the need for City Council to be more involved and interested in education in Aurora. Stephanie Mason discussed problems in Aurora Public Schools, the need for City Council to be more involved and interested in education in Aurora and the lack of redevelopment in the area of Mexico and Buckley. Randee Webb discussed the need for transparency and accountability in government and how that was not addressed in the City’s Oil and Gas approval process. Council Member Bergan referenced the detention center discussion and stated she appreciated comments that were made for Council to be aware of what was going on. She pointed out as mentioned during the study session, the facility was a private facility that was under federal jurisdiction and not under the City, and however, she stated she heard that there were issues and violations that to her personally have not been proven. She stated she needed to get the information and that she was willing to meet with Council Member Hiltz to get that information. She stated what she really wanted to say, and noted she was trying to remain calm, was that her mother lived under Nazi occupation and endured hardship and starvation and she was appalled that a few of the speakers equated men being held in the detention center to what happened in Nazi Germany where six million Jews were exterminated. She stated the City was not putting people in a gas chamber. She stated the  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 3 City was not performing surgical operations on children and men and women. She stated to make that comparison truly trivialized the atrocities that happened and noted that while the speakers could make a case for Council to look at the issue, it was hyperbole to make the comparison. She stated she could not believe that a Social Studies teacher with a master’s in history would have the audacity to say something that trivialized what happened in the world, and the men and women in the armed services who went to fight for the liberty of Europe. She stated in closing that she was open-minded to hear about things but noted that hearing some of the discussions made a person not want to be a city council person or public servant because public servants worked their butts off – at least she did and that while she tried to listen to her constituents, she stated she did not need to hear that kind of crap. Council Member Johnston stated her understanding that Council Member Bergan was passionate about the issue. She noted it was unfair when council members had the last word so she shared her interpretation of what was stated by the speakers. She stated she heard the comparisons were made to the time before the concentration camps and that no one equated it to being exactly the same. She stated she felt it was important to state considering the speakers could not address Council Member Bergan’s comments. She addressed Ms. Mason’s comments related to the area of Mexico and Buckley and noted she shared those concerns. Council Member Hiltz expressed appreciation to all those who spoke about the detention center. She stated she has been meeting with different stakeholders to discuss local options provided to the City Council. She stated she took the situation very seriously and noted there was a lot of nuance to it. She stated she looked forward to meeting with City Council in that regard. Council Member Murillo referenced the comments that condemned the standards in the Geo Detention Center, noting the vision for Aurora did not include violating human rights and people’s ability to a safe and sanitary place to exist. She stated the statement related to ethical ways of existing and not policy. She pointed out there has not yet been any clarity on jurisdiction over the facility. She noted she looked forward to discussing what the City could do in terms of oversight and accountability. She agreed the City could and should be doing more to support the public school system and discussed local schools that were slated to close and other options in that regard. 8. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted as presented with items 10a & 10b postponed to July 15, 2019. 9. CONSENT CALENDAR - 9a-i General Business a. Consideration to APPROVE THE PURCHASE of 19 shares of the Western Mutual Ditch Company Stock and 44 acres of land, from Eckhardt Farms Inc, for $2,375,000.00, by the City of Aurora, acting by and through its Utility Enterprise. STAFF SOURCE: Dawn Jewell, South Platte Basin Supervisor, Aurora Water b. Consideration to AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Waste Management of Colorado, Incorporated, Englewood, Colorado in the not-to-exceed amount of $312,500.00 for landfill services at the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) through June 30, 2020. STAFF SOURCE: Steven Sciba, Deputy Director of Operations, Aurora Water c. Consideration to EXTEND A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT to Airgas USA, LLC Denver, Colorado in the not-to-exceed amount of $55,000.00 for the purchase of the  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 4 chemical Liquid Carbon Dioxide for use at the Binney Water Purification Facility. (B- 4431) STAFF SOURCE: Bobby Oligo, Manager of Water Treatment, Aurora Water d. Consideration to AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Environmental Systems Research Inc. (ESRI), Redlands, California in the amount of $93,605.96 for annual maintenance of the City’s geographical mapping software system through July 12, 2020. STAFF SOURCE: Aleta Jeffress, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Information Technology e. Consideration to AWARD A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT to BT Construction, Inc., Henderson, Colorado in the amount of $6,639,854.00 for the First Creek Interceptor, Project No. 5655A. STAFF SOURCE: Steven Fiori, Project Delivery Services Manager, Aurora Water f. Consideration to AWARD WORK PACKAGE NOS. 2 & 3 of the Fitzsimons Peoria Stormwater Outfall, Project No. R-5623A, to BT Construction, Inc., Henderson, Colorado in the amount of $5,586,654.23. STAFF SOURCE: Steven Fiori, Project Delivery Services Manager, Aurora Water g. Consideration to EXTEND A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT with Pavement Restoration, Inc., Tampa, Florida in the amount of $298,846.30 for the 2019 Reclamite® Program, Project Number. 18009ASTAFF SOURCE: Thomas McMinimee, Street Operations Manager, Public Works Motion by Watson, second by Roth, to approve items 9a – 9g. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson Final Ordinances  h. 2019-27 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, rezoning 20.41 acres more or less in the vicinity North of Colfax Avenue and East of Tollgate Creek from Mobile Home District (MH) and Residential- Agriculture District (RA) to Transit-Oriented Development District (TOD) and amending the zoning map accordingly. (POTOMAC VILLAGE REZONE) STAFF SOURCE: Stephen E. Rodriguez, Planning Supervisor, Planning & Development Services Mayor LeGare recognized Phil Ruschmeyer, representing the applicant, who was present to answer questions. Motion by Berzins, second by Richardson, to approve item 9h. Council Member Murillo spoke in opposition to the item. She reiterated the City Council has had many discussions related to capitalizing on opportunity zones and this was the only property in Aurora that was designated both opportunity zone and mobile home park. She pointed out having both of those designations provided the opportunity for naturally-occurring affordable housing. She stated it should not be rezoned because there was no guarantee the change would translate to affordable housing. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Richardson, Roth, Watson Voting Nay: Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo  i. 2019-28  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 5 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, to amend the Waterford Place General Development Plan to permit additional duplex units and remove assisted living from the use list (Waterford Place GDP Amendment) (2225 S IOLA ST). STAFF SOURCE: Dan Osoba, Planner, Planning & Development Services Motion by Gruber, second by Roth, to approve item 9i. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson 10. RESOLUTIONS  a. Public Hearing and Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, authorizing the execution of the Oil and Gas Operator Agreement between the City of Aurora, Colorado, and Elevation Midstream, LLC. (Staff Requests a Waiver of Reconsideration) STAFF SOURCE: Christine McKenney, Client Group Manager, City Attorney (Postponed until July 15th)  b. Public Hearing and Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, Authorizing the Execution of the Oil and Gas Operator Agreement between the City of Aurora, Colorado, and Axis Exploration, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Extraction Oil and Gas Inc. ("Extraction") (Staff Requests a Waiver of Reconsideration) STAFF SOURCE: Christine McKenney, Client Group Manager, City Attorney (Postponed until July 15th)  c. R2019-40 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the State of Colorado acting by and through the Department of labor and employment providing for the sharing of Department of Labor and Unemployment information to the Aurora Municipal Court for verification of financial information submitted to the Municipal Court. STAFF SOURCE: Dr. Zelda DeBoyes, Court Administrator/Detention, Court Administration Motion by Roth, second by Berzins, to approve item 10c. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson  d. R2019-41 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, Colorado, Acting by and through its Utility Enterprise, and the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority for funding of the Fitzsimons Peoria Stormwater Outfall Project Work Packages 2 and 3. STAFF SOURCE: Swirvine Nyirenda, Principal Engineer, Aurora Water Motion by Watson, second by Roth, to approve item 10d. Council Member Murillo acknowledged the many constituent complaints she has received related to traffic in the area and expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts in overcoming logistical challenges and improving infrastructure.  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 6 Council Member Watson expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts in installing signs notifying the public that the project was on its way. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson  e. R2019-42 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, for the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, Arapahoe County and the South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority (SARIA) Regarding Gun Club Road Improvements. STAFF SOURCE: Matthew Kozakowski, Acting Transportation Project Delivery Manager, Public Works Motion by Berzins, second by Roth, to approve item 10e. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson  f. R2019-43 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, Colorado, acting by and through its Utility Enterprise, and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, regarding final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of drainage and flood control improvements for Sand Creek – Baranmor Ditch at Zion Street and Billings Street. STAFF SOURCE: Sarah Young, Deputy Director Planning and Engineering, Aurora Water Motion by Roth, second by Berzins, to approve item 10f. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson 11. PUBLIC HEARING WITH RELATED ORDINANCE  a. 2019-29 Public Hearing and Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, rezoning .8554 acres more or less in the vicinity of Iliff Avenue and Oswego Street from Low Density Single-Family Residential District (R1) to Retail Business District (B1) and amending the zoning map accordingly (ILIFF AND OSWEGO REZONE) STAFF SOURCE: Brandon Cammarata, Senior Planner, Planning & Development Services Mayor LeGare opened the public hearing on the item. Brandon Cammarata, Senior Planner, Planning & Development Services, provided a brief summary of the item, noting it related to a rezone request for .8 acres of land from Low Density Single-Family Residential District (R1) to Retail Business District (B1). Sandy Toland spoke in opposition to the item. She discussed existing traffic at the intersection, noting the item would add to that concern. Randee Webb spoke in opposition to the item, noting adding a business to the area would decrease property values.  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 7 Council Member Johnston asked when traffic impact studies were generated in the process. Mr. Cammarata stated a site plan was contingent with the rezone and with that, a traffic analysis has been done and it was evaluated as satisfactory. Council Member Johnston asked if there was an anticipated revenue stream from the proposal. Mr. Cammarata stated he did not have that evaluation. Jason Batchelor, Deputy City Manager, stated the use was medical office which would generate some property tax but not any sales tax because medical services were not taxed. Council Member Johnston asked the location of the closest medical facility. Mr. Cammarata stated there was a medical building to the east but he was uncertain to what extent it was being used as such. Mayor LeGare closed the public hearing on the item. Motion by Richardson, second by Bergan, to introduce item 11a. Council Member Richardson discussed the history of the property and noted the property owner had the right to develop the property for a permitted use. He acknowledged the neighbors’ concerns but noted his support of the use at this location. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson Voting Nay: Johnston 12. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION  a. 2019-30 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, amending Section 2-148 of the City Code pertaining to preservation of records to include mandatory direction on processing requests under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). (Deferred for the June 10, 2019 Council Meeting) Sponsors: Council Members Lawson and Richardson Motion by Richardson, second by Lawson, to introduce item 12a. Dave Lathers, Senior Assistant City Attorney, provided a brief summary of the item, noting it was an attempt to codify Core 4 business practices. Council Member Lawson stated her support of the item because constituents have stated it was difficult to obtain information and was often provided at a high cost. Council Member Gruber asked staff to speak to what difference the item would make in how CORA was currently handled. Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, did so, noting major changes were not anticipated. Council Member Johnston stated she reached out to her constituent who was a self- professed CORA user and he related to her that staff was accessible and that they really worked to have him narrow down the information in order to reduce the fee amount. She stated she would not support the item because her constituents have stated staff has addressed the issue without a formalizing a policy. Council Member Richardson stated the item had provisions that would allow information to be provided to citizens with reduced fees. He stated this was a workable, viable provision for citizens and the media.  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 8 Council Member Gruber stated the City already did nearly everything in the ordinance and he did not think creating laws that were replicating what the City already did was good practice. Council Member Hiltz pointed out it was Council’s goal to make things better for their constituents so in that vein, they needed to be mindful to not call out constituents by name. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Lawson, Richardson, Roth Voting Nay: Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Murillo, Watson  b. 2019-31 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, Amending Section 54-105 of the City Code Related to Requirements for Filing Campaign Reports. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Sponsor: Council Member Johnston ORIGINAL MOTION Motion by Johnston, second by Lawson, to introduce item 12b. Council Member Johnston stated she proposed a simple addition to make information available to voters for the upcoming election. She discussed the existing policy and how the item would change how information was handled. Randee Webb; Dale Nichols; Alison Coombs; and Edith Henke, spoke in support of the item. MAYOR LEGARE CALLED FOR A 12-MINUTE BREAK Linnea Reed-Ellis; Juan Marcano; Bryan Lindstrom; Hassan Latif; and Leanne Wheeler, spoke in support of the item. Council Member Murillo suggested the ordinance could be more robust but noted her support of the item because she agreed with the premise of the ordinance and believed the additional reporting would not be difficult. Council Member Lawson stated her support of the item because it added transparency and expressed her hope that it would instill more confidence in public officials. Council Member Murillo stated her support of the item, noting it was an excellent time for City Council to show where their money came from and to be able to justify it to the public. Council Member Bergan stated there was an assertion that council members were beholden to contributors to vote a certain way and she pointed out that was not the case. She noted candidates received money from many different people and there were no strings attached. She stated the example that she received money from a developer and subsequently voted against most of his proposals. Council Member Berzins stated her support of the item. She pointed out the information was the same whether it was reported on the 40th or 60th day. Council Member Gruber pointed out the information was already reported and the change just determined when and how often it was reported. He related the discussion with staff at the recent Management & Finance committee (M&F) meeting where staff was asked directly if the changes could be executed right away and staff answered no. AMENDMENT I  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 9 Motion by Gruber, second by Watson, to amend item 12b to add an effective date of January 1, 2020. Council Member Johnston stated the answer to the question of whether staff was ready to implement any ordinance would always be no because it had not yet been implemented. She pointed out Council Member Gruber did not have a discussion with staff at the M&F meeting, but rather asked for only yes or no answers to his questions. She noted staff would do the will of the Council. She stated she was opposed to the amendment because the item had to be ready for the upcoming election. She concurred with Council Member Bergan’s comments related to strings not being attached to contributions but noted the public deserved to know what money was coming into candidate campaigns. Council Member Lawson agreed with Council Member Johnston’s assertion that Council Member Gruber was unprofessional in his approach to asking staff questions at the M&F meeting. She asked staff if the item could be accomplished. Mr. Ruger answered affirmatively, noting staff was not ready at the moment but the changes would be accommodated should the item pass. Council Member Gruber stated a senior leader asked hard questions, noting Mr. Ruger had stated at the M&F meeting that staff was not ready at this time and moving forward would be challenging. Council Member Murillo stated she was hard pressed to believe staff could not make this happen. Council Member Johnston reiterated it was inappropriate to have leading questions and not have staff feedback. She stated she met with staff and the Election Commission and the work could be done. She pointed out every ordinance required work. Council Member Watson stated he seconded the motion so there could be discussion, noting he agree with Council Members Bergan and Johnston’s comments related to how a council member voted and contributions not being connected. VOTE ON AMENDMENT I Voting Aye: Bergan, Gruber, Roth, Watson Voting Nay: Berzins, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth Voting Nay: Watson c. 2019-32 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, amending Chapters 6, 22, 86, 130 and 146 of the City Code related to the regulation and licensing of Retail Marijuana Establishments and Businesses related to the Cultivation and Manufacturing of Medical Marijuana. STAFF SOURCE: Robin Peterson, Manager of Marijuana Enforcement, Finance Motion by Roth, second by Berzins, to introduce item 12c. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 10 For purposes of considering the following item 12d, the City Council will be acting ex officio as the Board of Directors of the General Improvement District Aurora Conference Center 2-2011  d. 2019-07 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, acting ex-officio as the Board of Directors of the Aurora Conference Center General Improvement District, ratifying, confirming and authorizing the execution of an amendment to the GID Pledge Agreement between such general improvement district and Colorado International Center Metropolitan District No. 4. STAFF SOURCE: Terri Velasquez, Director, Finance Motion by Bergan, second by Watson, to introduce item 12d with a waiver of reconsideration. Terri Velasquez, Director, Finance, stated the item’s purpose was to clarify a funding issue in an agreement between the metropolitan district and the conference center. Jason Batchelor, Deputy City Manager, clarified it was an additional property tax the metro district has levied upon themselves to pay for the public improvements. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson 13. RECONSIDERATIONS AND CALL-UPS None 14. GENERAL BUSINESS a. Consideration to reappoint two (2) members to the Parks and Recreation Board. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Motion by Watson, second by Roth, to reappoint Shannon Crouthers and Bobbie McClure to the Parks and Recreation Board. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson b. Consideration to appoint one (1) member to the Human Relations Commission as an adult alternate. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Motion by Bergan, second by Roth, to appoint Mercy Ehizuelen to the Human Relations Commission as an adult alternate. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson c. Consideration to appoint one member to the Judicial Performance Commission. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Motion by Roth, second by Bergan, to appoint Brian Lewis to the Judicial Performance Commission.  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 11 Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson d. Consideration to appoint one (1) person to the Aurora Commission for Seniors. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Motion by Watson, second by Murillo, to appoint Cassandra Thomas to the Aurora Commission for Seniors. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Richardson, Roth, Watson e. Consideration to appoint two (2) members to the Oil and Gas Advisory Committee. STAFF SOURCE: Stephen Ruger, City Clerk, General Management Motion by Roth, second by Gruber, to appoint Tom Tobiassen and Justin Wells to the Oil and Gas Advisory Committee. Council Member Johnston stated her hope that there would be people who lived in an impacted area represented on the board. She pointed out people who supported drilling in residential areas were being added to the board instead and the majority of City Council did not support community representation. Mayor LeGare asked Council Member Johnston if only those who lived in impacted areas that opposed Oil and Gas were eligible in her mind. Council Member Johnston answered no. Council Member Hiltz pointed out Council had a robust discussion related to conflicts of interest and yet here was a situation where that was not the case with regards to the Oil and Gas industry. She stated the public cannot be excluded from the conversation and the hypocrisy was evident in this matter. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Richardson, Roth, Watson Voting Nay: Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo 15. REPORTS a. Report by the Mayor No report. b. Reports by Council Council Member Murillo announced the Ward I Town Hall meeting was scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. where the Census Bureau would be present to discuss the importance of the census to funding services. She stated her opposition to including the citizenship question on the census, noting it was a tool of fear. She noted there has been discussion related to creating a mechanism for a more accurate count should the question be included and severe under-reporting be realized. Council Member Hiltz expressed appreciation to Mayor LeGare for the Cancer Awareness and Prevention Proclamation. She discussed her recent attendance at PRIDE where she marched with the Aurora Police Department and at the recent Project Worthmore event at Delaney Farms.  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items. June 24, 2019 Page 12 Council Member Bergan discussed her attendance at the recent luncheon with the Municipal Judges and expressed appreciation to all the judges for the work they do and discussed the success of the recent business mission trip to DC and the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Conference. Council Member Berzins reminded everyone that the annual Ward III community picnic was scheduled for July 27, 2019 at Bicentennial Park, noting the invitation was for Ward III residents only. She invited everyone to attend the upcoming City of Aurora’s July 4th celebration and clarified the only fireworks allowed in the City of Aurora were those that did not leave the ground. She directed everyone to visit www.auroragov.org/contactus to report firework violations. Mayor Pro Tem Roth clarified the fireworks could not leave the ground and could not explode. He expressed appreciation to Council Member Gruber for covering the Ward V Town Hall meeting while he attended the conferences mentioned by Council Member Bergan. He announced the upcoming Ward V meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at the Heather Gardens Clubhouse at 6:30 p.m. where Aurora Fire and Police would be present to provide a presentation. Council Member Lawson discussed the success of the recent Aurora Youth Expo. Council Member Gruber discussed the tenor of the City Council’s discussions on the dais, noting they can often become intense. He addressed the comparisons made earlier between the detention center and the Holocaust, noting his opinion that they went too far. Council Member Johnston announced the Ward II Town Hall meeting would not be held for June because she would be attending various community, neighborhood and HOA meetings throughout the summer. She expressed appreciation to City Council for their support of the campaign finance ordinance. Council Member Watson discussed the proposed widening of Gun Club Road. 16. PUBLIC INVITED TO BE HEARD Tiffany Grays discussed the civil conspiracy and depravation of rights she and her children have experienced by Aurora Public Schools, the Aurora Police Department and the City of Aurora. She requested assistance from City Council in that regard. 17. ADJOURNMENT Mayor LeGare adjourned the regular meeting of City Council at 10:43 p.m. _________________________________________ BOB LEGARE, MAYOR ATTEST:  The City Charter prescribes the Mayor may vote on resolutions and ordinances only to create or break a tie vote of Council Members present. The Mayor Pro-Tem is always permitted to vote on all items.