City Council

DRAFT MINUTES Regular Meeting – Aurora City Council Monday, December 2, 2019 1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 2, 2019 AND CALL TO ORDER Mayor LeGare convened 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, Roth, Watson COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Richardson 3. INVOCATION Mayor Bob LeGare, City of Aurora National Anthem – Ivan Taylor 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG (all standing) 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2019 Motion by Bergan, second by Berzins, to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 18, 2019 as presented. Voting Aye: Mayor LeGare, Bergan, Berzins, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Murillo, Roth, Watson 6. CEREMONY FOR OUTGOING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS a. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members – Mayor LeGare Council Member Johnny Watson Mayor LeGare invited Council Member Johnny Watson to come forward to accept the proclamation. He read the proclamation recognizing Council Member Watson for his service to the City of Aurora as At-Large Council Member since August 2018. Council Member Watson referenced “Come Together” by the Beatles and advised the new City Council to heed that sentiment. Council Member Charles “Charlie” Richardson Mayor LeGare read the proclamation recognizing Council Member Richardson for his service to the City of Aurora representing Ward IV since December 2015. Council Member/Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Roth Mayor LeGare invited Council Member/Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Roth to come forward to accept the proclamation. Mayor LeGare read the proclamation recognizing Council Member/Mayor Pro-Tem Roth for his service to the City of Aurora as the Ward V Council Member since January 2011. Mayor Pro Tem Roth stated it has been his honor and pleasure to represent the citizens of Aurora, particularly those in Ward V.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 2 b. Recognition of Mayor Bob LeGare – Mayor Pro-Tem Roth Mayor Pro-Tem Roth read the proclamation recognizing Mayor LeGare for his service to the City of Aurora for more than two decades. Mayor LeGare stated it was a great honor to work with all of the City Councils he has served with and to complete his years of service as Mayor of Aurora. He stated he was incredibly blessed and knew it was all a part of God’s plan for him step into the role of Mayor. Bob Dorshimer, Executive Director, Mile High Behavioral Healthcare and Comitis Crisis Center, and Jeremy Stern, Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, discussed Mayor LeGare’s efforts through the creation of the Two Percent Tax Initiative to benefit those experiencing homelessness in Aurora and presented him with an award recognizing his service on the Mile High Behavioral Healthcare board. Mayor LeGare stated it was his pleasure to serve on the Mile High Behavioral Healthcare board and his honor that City Council stepped up to support the marijuana sales tax increase that set aside approximately $2M a year for those experiencing homelessness in Aurora. Council Member Bergan expressed appreciation to Mayor LeGare, Mayor Pro Tem Roth and Council Members Richardson and Watson for their service to the City of Aurora and its residents. She stated she enjoyed working with them Council Member Berzins addressed Council Member Watson, stating it was a pleasure working with him, noting he was a good council member and a good person. She addressed Council Member Roth, stating she enjoyed working with him over the last nine years. She addressed Council Member Richardson, stating he has been a pleasure to work with and his comedy would be missed. She addressed Mayor LeGare, noting their shared history and stating it was also a pleasure to work with him. She stated all of those leaving would be missed and she thanked and appreciated them all. Council Member Lawson expressed appreciation to Council Member Roth for his service and for providing her with her first opportunity on the Citizens Advisory Budget Committee. She addressed Council Member Watson, stating she appreciated his ideas and noted it was great to service with him on the Transportation Commission as well. She thanked him for his service. She addressed Council Member Richardson, stating she enjoyed working with him and noted the great things they worked on together. She thanked him for his service. She addressed Mayor LeGare and thanked him for his service, noting he would be missed. Council Member Gruber expressed appreciation to Mayor Pro Tem Roth for his service, noting the loss of the Mayor Pro Tem’s knowledge on the Council, particularly in terms of water, would be profound. He addressed Council Member Watson, stating working with him on the Transportation Committee has been a pleasure. He noted the lights were almost perfectly timed in the City which was a result of Council Member Watson’s drive and determination. He stated he and Council Member Richardson accomplished things together and he learned some things from Council Member Richardson along the way. He wished Mayor LeGare farewell and expressed his appreciation for his service and leadership. 7. ADJOURNMENT – SINE DIE Mayor LeGare adjourned the meeting Sine Die at 7:54 p.m. 8. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION RESULTS - Stephen Ruger, City Clerk Mayor – Mike Coffman Council Member At-Large – Curtis Gardner Council Member At-Large – Angela Lawson Council Member – Ward IV – Juan Marcano  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. December 2, 2019 Page 3 Council Member – Ward V – Alison L. Coombs Council Member – Ward VI – Francoise Bergan 9. OATH OF OFFICE Swearing in and presentation of election certificates to newly elected and re-elected Council Members and Mayor - Presiding Judge Shawn Day Judge Day administered the oath of office to the newly elected Mayor and Council Members and the re-elected Council Members. Mayor – Mike Coffman Council Member At-Large – Curtis Gardner Council Member At-Large – Angela Lawson Council Member – Ward IV – Juan Marcano Council Member – Ward V – Alison L. Coombs Council Member – Ward VI – Francoise Bergan 10. CONVENE COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Coffman convened the regular meeting of City Council at 8:20 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL Stephen Ruger, City Clerk COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Coffman, Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None 12. CEREMONY a. Swearing in of newly appointed Boards and Commission members – Presiding Judge Shawn Day Judge Day administered the oath of office to the newly appointed board and commission members. Mayor Coffman and City Council thanked them for their service to Aurora. Name Board or Commission Sandra Sandstrom Library Board Bob LeGare Metro Wastewater Reclamation District Board David Kaplan Public Defender Commission 13. PUBLIC INVITED TO BE HEARD (non-agenda related issues only) Darlene Jones congratulated Council Members Marcano, Coombs and Lawson on their election and re-election. She requested a federal investigation be conducted into the death of Elijah McClain and that Mr. McClain’s status be changed from suspect to victim. She addressed Mayor Coffman and stated the protestors were not fake. She stated the protestors were in Aurora because things needed to change. She expressed her hope that things would change with the newly elected council members.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 4 Christina L. raised the topic of a racist and disrespectful encounter in the audience and asked the Council to affirm that behavior was not acceptable in Council Chambers. She welcomed the newly elected council members and reminded them there was a lot of work to do. Andrea Chavez quoted Proverbs 31:8-9, Holy Bible, and stated she did not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because people in the United States were not treated fairly. She related her experience with a woman in the audience who used expletives and racist comments towards her. Ellen Woo stated the City Council was accountable to their constituents and not special interest groups. She stated there were those on City Council who have chosen greed over people, who have demonstrated their ability to deprive people of their First Amendment rights, and who have accepted money from GEO and NRA. She stated Aurora has become a city of hate, discrimination, gentrification, segregation, displacement, disparity, marginalization, and racial bigotry. She stated Aurora lacked equity, quality of life, sustainable infrastructure, inclusion, having voices of the people heard, transparency and a safe and healthy community. She quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. and Confucius. Pedro, Socialism and Liberation Party, discussed the murder of Elijah McClain. He stated City Council had direct responsibility to take action in this instance, noting empty statements would not bring justice or healing to Mr. McClain’s family and the community. He listed ways in which the City Council could act towards the urgent need for justice. He expressed his hope that the new Council would be willing to do their part. Council Member Johnston announced a meeting co-hosted by the NAACP-Aurora had been rescheduled due to weather to Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at the Restoration Christian Fellowship Church at 6:30 p.m. where a more robust discussion could take place. Lillian House, Socialism and Liberation Party, expressed her outrage at the murder of Elijah McClain and the impunity of the police officers involved. She stated the issue was far from resolved and declared the community would continue to fight until consequences for the officers, District Attorney (DA) and Aurora Police Department (APD) were realized. She stated the DA’s assertions that the police officers’ conduct was acceptable demonstrated that the APD had a problem with excessive force and racism. Sophie stated the City Council served their constituents and many on the Council were falling short. She stated those on the Council who hired white supremacists on the police force were responsible for Elijah McClain’s death, who invested in private prisons did not invest in healthcare for immigrants, and who choose not to provide subsidized housing forced people onto the street. She stated 233 unhoused people died in the Denver Metro area from exposure last year. She asked that Mr. McClain’s status be changed from suspect to victim, that a federal investigation into his death be conducted and that the Aurora concentration camp be closed. Feven Berhanu, Immigrant and Justice Organizer, Colorado People’s Alliance, stated her opposition to the proposed ordinance that would prohibit public protests in residential neighborhoods. She discussed her attendance and experience at the protest against the GEO Warden in his neighborhood. She stated citizens had the right to speak out against the GEO detention facility for abuses happening to immigrants and asked City Council not to approve the proposed ordinance. KD read penal codes 16-3-102 and 16-3-103, which related to Arrest by a Peace Officer and Stopping a Suspect, noting those laws stated a person could not be arrested without probable cause and yet that was what happened to Elijah McClain. He pointed out City  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. December 2, 2019 Page 5 Council did nothing and stated they needed to step up and do the right thing and leave Aurora on the right side of history. He expressed appreciation to Council Members Coombs, Johnston, Lawson, Hiltz, Murillo and Marcano. Candice Bailey expressed her excitement that Mayor Coffman stated his first duty as Mayor would be Elijah McClain and stated her plan to hold everyone accountable. She discussed how Aurora and Denver impacted one another and suggested City Council venture out and experience the diversity in Aurora. She stated Aurora was a beautiful place to live but not for everyone because some feared for their lives. She stated there were accountability issues that needed to be addressed and noted there were those on the Council who would be removed because they supported White Supremacy. Tado W. stated his belief that every voice counted and asked that a federal investigation be conducted on behalf of Elijah McClain. He discussed the importance of justice for those who have been gunned down by the police. Hashim Coates congratulated those who were elected and re-elected to City Council. He discussed racism in the City and stated his wish that those who did not care about what happened to Elijah McClain would have the same thing happen to themselves or their family so that they might. He addressed those citizens who spoke and commended them for being vigilant. Endale Getahun, KETO FM radio, stated he was an Ethiopian immigrant who expressed his hope that City Council would look out for local immigrants. He welcomed the new council members and Mayor and continued his testimony in his native language. Dena McClung welcomed the new council members. She stated Aurora was no longer an ‘All-American City’ and suggested the signs stating such should be removed. She stated Aurora was a diverse community but not everyone was treated as Americans. She stated she has had interaction with Aurora Police that went well but was aware that was not the case for everyone which she found embarrassing, cruel and sad. She stated her hope that the City Council would make it clear to whoever was hired as the new Police Chief that the existing problems would not be tolerated. She stated being a police officer was a difficult job but they still needed to be held accountable. She stated what happened to Elijah McClain should not happen to another person. Robert H. discussed the meaning of Advent season and questioned why in this Advent season parents were being taken away for seeking a better life for their children, why neighbors were allowed to be profiled and murdered by police, and why, through inaction, a higher value was put on money than human decency. He asked if, with all of these things considered including the overloading of detention facilities with climate refugees, the City of Aurora would choose a different reaction to these concerns than what they have previously demonstrated. He expressed his hope that the elections of Council Members Marcano and Coombs demonstrated to those on City Council who stood in the way of this progress that Aurora did not fear immigrants and did not give into xenophobia. 14. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted as presented. 15. CONSENT CALENDAR - 15a-l General Business a. Consideration to AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Niquito's, Aurora, Colorado in the not-to-exceed amount of $85,000.00 for delivery of prepared food and other food items to the Aurora Detention Center through December 21, 2020.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 6 Presenter: Dr. Zelda DeBoyes, Court Administrator/Detention, Court Administration b. Consideration to AWARD A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT to CE Power Systems, Denver, CO in the amount of $85,630.00 for the Central Library / Electrical, Concrete and Structural Modifications Project, Project No. 5742A. Presenter: Katrina Rodriguez, Facilities Proj Delivery Mgr, Public Works Council Member Marcano pointed out one of the bids was rejected due to the submission of an incorrect form. He asked staff if a cure procedure was in place or if the bidder chose not to participate. Bryn Fillinger, Manager, Purchasing & Contracts, stated in order to maintain an open and transparent process, a bidder’s incorrect form would not be considered. c. Consideration to AWARD A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT to RN Civil Construction, Centennial, Colorado in the amount of $4,113,000.00 for the Gun Club Pump Station Major Improvements Project, Project No. 5750A. Presenter: Sarah Young, D/D Planning and Engineering, Aurora Water d. Consideration to AWARD A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT to Velocity Constructors, Inc., Englewood, Colorado in the amount of $2,734,907.00 for the Smoky Hill Pump Station Improvements Project, Project No. 5722A. Presenter: Sarah Young, D/D Planning and Engineering, Aurora Water e. Consideration to AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Selectron Technologies, Inc., Portland, Oregon in the amount of $164,726.00 to migrate Water Customer Billing’s IVR system to a hosted solution for PCI compliance. Presenter: Jo Ann Giddings, D/D Water Financial Admin, Aurora Water f. Consideration to AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Galls, LLC, Denver, Colorado in an amount not-to-exceed $300,000.00 for police uniforms and tailoring services as required through November 30, 2020. Presenter: Lieutenant Brian J Kelly, Police g. Consideration to AWARD CHANGE ORDER #3 TO THE COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT with W.L. Contractors, Inc., Arvada, Colorado in the amount of $173,780.50 for the 2019 Traffic Signal Construction Services Project, Project No. 19015. Presenter: Carlie Campuzano, Acting Traffic Manager, Public Works h. Consideration to award a COMPETITIVELY SOLICITED CONTRACT to CREA Results, Denver, Colorado in the not-to-exceed amount of $75,000.00 for Census 2020 support Services. R-2009 Presenter: Karen Hancock, Planning Supervisor, Planning & Development Service i. Consideration to AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Concrete Express, Inc. (CEI), Denver, Colorado in the amount of $133,314.00 for a small addition to the Westerly Creek to Toll Gate Creek Trail Project. Presenter: Matthew Kozakowski, Transp Proj Delivery Mgr, Public Works j. Consideration to AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT to Ready to Work, Boulder, Colorado, in the not-to-exceed amount of $253,500.00 for supply work crews to complete park, open space, reservoir and recreation projects as required through December 31, 2020. Presenter: John Wesolowski, Manager of Parks & Forestry, Parks, Recreation & Open Space  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. December 2, 2019 Page 7 k. Consideration of the Renewal of the Federal Lobbying Contract for 2020 for $125,000 with Holland & Knight Presenter: Roberto Venegas, Interim Deputy City Manager, General Management Motion by Berzins, second by Bergan, to approve items 15a – 15k. Voting Aye: Mayor Coffman, Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo Final Ordinances  l. 2019-89 Consideration of AN ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, appropriating sums of money in addition to those appropriated in Ordinance Nos. 2018-54, and 2019-17 for the 2019 fiscal year. (Fall Budget Supplemental) Presenter: Kerstin Claspell, Senior Management Analyst, Finance Motion by Bergan, second by Hiltz, to approve item 15l. Council Member Coombs requested a staff presentation for the benefit of the public. Jackie Ehmann, Manager, Program & Finance, did so, noting the supplemental budget happened twice a year and items were identified for 2019 for adjustment. She stated the item related to budgeting for grants and capital projects where additional funds were identified in the projection process for 2019. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo 16. RESOLUTIONS  a. R2019-117 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, declaring and confirming the City of Aurora's intent to act by and through its utility enterprise to appropriate rights of exchange in the Fryingpan River and Tributaries thereto, and put the same to beneficial use in a manner advantageous to aurora. Presenter: Alexandra Davis, Deputy Director/Water Resource, Aurora Water Motion by Coombs, second by Johnston, to approve item 16a. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo  b. R2019-118 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving an Agreement among the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District ("District"), Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority ("Authority"), Eagle Park Reservoir Company ("Reservoir Company"), the City of Aurora, acting by and through its Utility Enterprise, and the City of Colorado Springs, acting by and through its Enterprise, Colorado Springs utilities. Presenter: Alexandra Davis, Deputy Director/Water Resource, Aurora Water  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. December 2, 2019 Page 8 Motion by Marcano, second by Murillo, to approve item 16b. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo  c. R2019-119 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving an Amendment to the Revised Water Transmission Service Contract among the Aurora Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority, the City of Aurora, Colorado, acting by and through its Utility Enterprise and the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Presenter: Alexandra Davis, Deputy Director/Water Resource, Aurora Water Motion by Berzins, second by Bergan, to approve item 16c. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo  d. R2019-120 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, approving the Intergovernmental Agreement amount the City of Aurora, Colorado, by and through its Utility Enterprise, The Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, The City and County of Denver, and the City of Lakewood regarding the Joint Funding for Wet Weather Monitoring and Other Colorado Discharge Permit System Activities. Presenter: Sean Lieske, Environmental Permitting Mgr, Aurora Water Motion by Coombs, second by Bergan, to approve item 16d. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo  e. R2019-121 Consideration to APPROVE A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Aurora, Colorado, authorizing the submission of an application to Great Outdoors Colorado for a grant in the amount of $110,000 to partially fund design documents and construction of the Sixth Avenue elementary school playground renovation project. Presenter: Tracy Young, Manager of PROS Plan, Desn Cons, Parks, Recreation & Open Space Motion by Murillo, second by Lawson, to approve item 16e. Council Member Murillo stated the item related to Aurora making a contribution to renovating an elementary school playground and everyone could agree that was a good thing. Voting Aye: Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo 17. RECONSIDERATIONS AND CALL-UPS Motion by Gruber, second by Bergan, to reconsider resolution 2019-103.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 9 Council Member Coombs asked Council Member Gruber his reasoning behind the reconsideration. Council Member Gruber stated new information was provided to the Management & Finance (M&F) Committee and to Council since the vote that required reconsideration. Council Member Johnston stated her support of the item because the governance and new information impacted Ward II. Council Member Marcano asked if it would be heard at the upcoming M&F meeting. Council Member Gruber answered no, noting the item had to be published. Council Member Bergan stated the item would go to the following M&F meeting and then be returned to the first Council meeting after the M&F meeting. Voting Aye: Mayor Coffman, Bergan, Berzins, Coombs, Gardner, Gruber, Hiltz, Johnston, Lawson, Marcano, Murillo 18. GENERAL BUSINESS a. Consideration to Elect a Mayor Pro Tem for a One Year Term Presenter: Steve Ruger, City Clerk Council Member Gruber withdrew his name from consideration. Mayor Coffman nominated Council Member Johnston as Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Berzins stated the Council rules needed to be amended to include Urban Drainage & Flood Control as something the Mayor Pro Tem was responsible to do. She removed her name from consideration. Council Member Coombs nominated Council Member Murillo. Motion by Bergan, second by Gruber, to close the Mayor Pro Tem nominations. ** DID NOT VOTE ** Council Member Johnston expressed appreciation for the nomination and to Council Member Berzins for pointing out the additional responsibility of the Urban Drainage & Flood Control, noting she had the availability and capacity for that requirement. She stated she has reached out to each council member in the hopes of demonstrating the importance of collaboration. She recognized the division and tension within the Council and confirmed she would lead by working towards cohesiveness in that regard. She stated she was always available for questions or concerns and stated she would lead by example. She stated she was proud of some of the City-wide issues she has addressed and stated her excitement to take the lead on independent oversight, campaign reform and to address more stability and also more opportunities for the public to be heard. She promised to listen to everyone, to debate the issues professionally rather than personally and to welcome a new culture on the Council. Council Member Murillo expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak and to Council Member Johnston for her comments. She stated the role of elected officials was to ensure the government was working on behalf of the people. She stated her belief that public officials who supported those closest to them made better decisions. She stated growing up in Ward I gave her the lived experience necessary for this role on both a philosophical and tactical level. She stated she has worked with the City Council on numerous issues including housing which allowed them to coalesce around issues that might not have been recognized as priorities. She pointed out she has received unanimous or near unanimous votes on every ordinance she has supported and pointed out that spoke to her ability to put aside  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. December 2, 2019 Page 10 differences to work with others on policies that were in the best interest of Aurora residents. She noted the value of having good processes and the need to make space for and embrace different types of leadership. She stated she carried herself with dignity and respect and treated others in a likewise fashion whether they agreed with her or not. She stated one of duties of the Mayor Pro Team was to appoint chairpersons to different committees and appointing those who were interested in a robust dialogue caused everyone to win. She stated she believed in one practicing what one preached and expressed her hope she had won the Council’s votes. Council Member Johnston garnered eight votes in favor and Council Member Murillo garnered three votes in favor. Council Member Johnston was chosen as Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term. 19. REPORTS a. Report by the Mayor Mayor Coffman announced he would attend a Mayor’s Orientation at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. b. Reports by Council Council Member Gardner stated he was happy to be on the Council and expressed appreciation to Mayor LeGare and all of the outgoing council members for their guidance over the years. Council Member Murillo announced there were not any Ward I Town Halls scheduled for the remainder of the year. She addressed the speakers who called out the racist remarks made in the audience, noting she was a Mexican American, who has experienced nasty anti-immigrant slurs. She stated her understanding of how hurtful that could be and she apologized to the person who had that experience merely for exercising their Constitutional right. She confirmed there was no place for racism in the Council Chambers, City, state or country. She stated it was incumbent upon leaders to speak out when they saw something wrong. She denounced any semblance of racism, xenophobia or misogyny in the Council Chambers, noting it was a place for all people. She stated even though the Mayor Pro Tem vote did not go as she would have liked, she looked forward to working with Mayor Pro Tem Johnston and the rest of Council. She stated it was difficult to do something one felt strongly about particularly when one went against someone they valued. She believed space should be made for different leadership styles, noting she signed up to be accountable and noted her hope the City Council would coalesce as a council around issues of import to the City. Council Member Hiltz echoed Council Member Murillo’s condemnation of racism in the Chambers. She announced the holiday tree lighting event was scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the AMB and noted the Business Recognition Awards would take place this week along with other exciting events in the City. She confirmed she has been working on ending what was going on with the GEO Group and was committed to continue to fight for the remainder of her term and beyond. Council Member Lawson concurred, noting she too condemned racist in the Chambers and stated her hope that Mayor Coffman would do the same. She raised the topic of her advocacy of closing massage parlors involved in human trafficking in Aurora and discussed her efforts in that regard.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 11 Council Member Berzins invited everyone to the City tree lighting event and to enjoy the new restaurant, Raising Cane’s, which will open in Aurora on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. She announced the removal of Gayle Jetchick from the Citizens Advisory Budget Committee (CABC) and the appointment of John Scott in her place. Council Member Bergan stated her hope that everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. She condemned any racism in the Chamber and expressed appreciation to the outgoing council members for their service. Council Member Gruber welcomed everyone to the City tree lighting event and condemned racism in the Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Johnston stated she was sorry for Ms. Chavez’s experience in the Chambers which was unacceptable. She expressed appreciation to those who brought the issue to the Council’s attention. She restated she was coordinating a community meeting with the City and the NAACP- Aurora on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at the Restoration Christian Fellowship Church at 6:30 p.m. noting the meeting would be the first of many. She suggested everyone visit Gaylord Rockies to enjoy their holiday events. Council Member Coombs echoed her condemnation of racism inside and outside of the Council Chambers and stated the City Council was elected to eradicate all forms of bigotry and to ensure everyone peace and safety in the City. She expressed appreciation to Council Member Murillo for her courage to step out and break with the status quo by presenting an alternative vision of leadership for Mayor Pro Tem and to Council Member Johnston for having the courage to stand up and lead. She stated she looked forward to working with the City Council and in the City to ensure an accountable and public process for issues of import in the City. Council Member Marcano expressed appreciation to everyone who attended the meeting and to those who participated in democracy this November. He stated this was the honor of his life and he was grateful to serve Ward IV and the City. He stated he would be announcing the details of the upcoming Ward IV meetings when a venue was identified. He too condemned racism in the Chambers but also in policy the Council crafted. He expressed appreciation to the activists who attended the meeting and contributed their time and energy to furthering the discourse in the City because change happened through them and not those sitting on the dais. Mayor Pro Tem Johnston expressed appreciation to Council Member Murillo for putting herself out there as Mayor Pro Tem, noting she looked forward to their continued work on the issues. 20. PUBLIC INVITED TO BE HEARD Marlon M. Nunez stated he was originally from Parkland, Florida, where the February 14, 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School took place. He stated as a result, he needed help and discussed his thwarted experience contacting his representatives and attending the Congressional VI meeting. He noted he did not want to protest or write a letter, but simply wanted to stand up and ask for help but was turned away because he was not a District VI resident. He expressed appreciation to the City of Aurora for allowing him to attend the meeting to listen to the speakers’ concerns, desires, dreams and aspirations, noting it was empowering to hear how much they appreciated the community.  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. December 2, 2019 Page 12 Lindsay pointed out interpreters were not present or available at the meeting. She expressed appreciation to those who attended the meeting to share their experiences, including speaking in their own language. She addressed the room and discussed the number of people she came in contact with that did not have a place to stay, food to eat, healthcare or who faced deportation. She stated she believed Aurora had what it needed if the Council would listen to the people. Carlos Valdez raised the topic of those City Council members who wore ‘Blue Lives Matter’ shirts and thought it was funny. He discussed how it was not a joke to people of color but was rather genocidal language. He stated he was a history teacher in Aurora and discussed the history of slave patrols and slave catchers which subsequently became reorganized as the police department. He stated it was shameful that Aurora City Council members supported police departments and that those council members represented his students because his students deserved better. He directed the City Council to never wear the shirts again in the Council Chambers. He stated blue lives did not matter and police officers could remove their uniform and should stop terrorizing people of color in Aurora. Aly DeWills-Marcano congratulated the Mayor and newly elected and re-elected council members. She stated she represented herself and not her employers or family members. She raised the topic of the lack of accessibility in the Chambers and discussed her experience and the process accessing the room in her wheelchair. She stated it was not safe or acceptable. She stated the Public Invited to Be Heard portion of the meeting was often the only time citizens could speak with their council members because not all of them returned emails or phone calls or were accessible at other times. She addressed Mayor Pro Tem Johnston and expressed her hope that she misunderstood the Mayor Pro Tem’s comments related to her intent to further regulate speakers during Public Invited to Be Heard. She addressed Mayor Coffman and expressed appreciation that he did not use the gavel unnecessarily while she spoke as he did with others because people deserved the right to speak. Mayor Pro Tem Johnston clarified her intent was to provide more opportunities for residents to speak beyond Public Invited to Be Heard. 21. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Coffman adjourned the regular meeting of City Council at 10:00 p.m. _________________________________________ MIKE COFFMAN, 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.