[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6207993,"mediaKeyId","3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb","parentId",3750209,"title","Council advances six proposed charter amendments for voter consideration","audioSeconds",716,"startMs",7304000,"endMs",8020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb&start=7304&end=8020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb/thumbnail_7304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207993/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Council-advances-six-proposed-charter-amendments-for-voter-consideration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207993-2599f68564cc3b301ff4337bfb821276/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154013&Signature=WUGK8~DrlnosMpw0MHVXHtqX4m-2t7nu3k5yu0jpU8fgMjqlcjdwk9QCY~1-hxNqF2V6ugKwyeFehAjjajtWdsfn8zGzZ59Wx0eacKZl4i~UZvP6gbjpyBfEDM7EGn5qpIIBRKz3284SglpVd9NanJJjqh1syGR8LXlSr1BHn-EjAlXqQKGNfhMUWNajf6G0J3hzfHeMO6nxhBfXpzFDY17UxpPDOBLVX-~CVD-RpqowmWuPxc0zhD8VfmcxpQlQo05Su~xd96EbO5YVPUGIi7S0tMeZdcickS8j0RZuUPewFhrqbYv8ryUgYoLfX0-Q-paaD2q-nZLIuiulmFe7SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T00:55:01.107Z","article","During the June 9 study session Aurora staff presented six proposed amendments to the city charter and council agreed to move the items forward for voter consideration. The items were presented in sequence and staff said council could advance all, some or none of the proposals to the November ballot.

The six items described to council are:

• Replace gendered language in the charter with gender-neutral terms to promote clarity and consistency (presentation item 5a).

• Clarify vacancy-filling rules in Article 3.7 so timing determines whether council appoints, a special election is held or the seat remains vacant until the next regular election (5b).

• Remove the charter residency requirement that currently requires the city manager to reside within city limits (5c); staff noted there are legal precedents about residency rules and the change would allow council to set residency expectations at appointment rather than by charter.

• Remove the charter prohibition on elected city officials simultaneously holding another elected public office (5d); staff emphasized that this would allow voters to determine whether a candidate may serve in more than one part‑time elected position and that full‑time offices may be constrained by Colorado law.

• Establish the mayor’s salary at the level of the Arapahoe County commissioner’s salary and set councilmember pay at one-half that amount, so future adjustments would track the county benchmark rather than require council vote (5e).

• Clarify that ward and at‑large council seats are separate offices for the purposes of term limits, similar to how the charter treats the mayor’s office (5f).

Council discussion raised legal and practical questions. The city attorney noted a Colorado Supreme Court precedent that limited some residency requirements in another jurisdiction, which the attorney said informed the staff recommendation to defer residency to appointment decisions. Council members asked that staff provide clear voter-facing explanatory materials because several members of the public previously complained that prior charter questions lacked clear explanations. Several council members also discussed the equity and policy implications of allowing service in two elected posts and whether tying pay to a county benchmark would automatically increase local salaries; staff clarified any implementation would rely on charter text and that voters would first decide whether to adopt the changes.

Council approved moving the items forward to the regular meeting to place them on the ballot; final ballot language and explanatory materials will be prepared pursuant to standard legal processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Study Session of the Aurora City Council, June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors agreed in study session to forward six proposed city charter amendments to the ballot for voter consideration, covering gender-neutral language, vacancy filling rules, city manager residency, dual officeholding, pay-setting and term-limit treatment of ward/at-large offices.","taxTitle","Aurora City, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",5767,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6207998,"Council approves moving $75,000 Cultural Affairs grants for Northwest Aurora forward",182,2978000,3160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb&start=2978&end=3160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb/thumbnail_2978000.jpg","/articles/6207998/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Council-approves-moving-75000-Cultural-Affairs-grants-for-Northwest-Aurora-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207998-925396dcb0d9124068b6b0dd35b75449/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154013&Signature=GBmzYZVoLqy83dkgjzIxxj~1VTThyCKxz~gjdhcXM0sftglI5Gh459EuJbYWFOW1qn9dEDdvIOp38dVucsgmC~IXj9bzBRFVvN7OKlxkJlq1~HZ499dmHRV6AunmvdABeonGQlwL-4gVskqEYXdblLPzKxkRiAB-oroorKjZCdEOw2-iEhiE1-~iEWgQ-hWO9l2d0rX4FJVFf~tJ5UiPPEM5h~5-DoVyFzBLfzHSk48wTMla-sVF-rDPBaVFhR3ltjlKDGmMxMhsiar5TgiroPw5x238NqCmQHJv6VGXv6Z232fUeENcF8pEMuAJyy5pFFH1SNdgBMIdUN2eVroRrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services, presented the Cultural Affairs Commission’s recommendations for the 2025 Northwest Aurora Arts GRAMA program at the June 9 study session. The commission recommended awarding 13 organizations a total of $75,000 to stimulate arts activity in the Cultural Arts District along the Colfax Corridor.

Brunetti summarized the program’s history: the grants trace to Fletcher Plaza URA work in 2002, and Library and Cultural Services began administering the program in 2017. The commission added operational grants this year for organizations located within the arts district and continued project grants for organizations that bring programming into the district. The commission received applications, conducted interviews and voted in February to recommend awards contingent on council approval.

Council asked about funding source and scope. Brunetti said the funds are held in the Library and Cultural Services general fund following the spring supplemental and noted that this year’s allocation for GRAMA grants is $75,000, down from historical award levels near $150,000. Council approved moving the item forward for formal adoption on the consent calendar.

","The Cultural Affairs Commission recommended 13 organizations receive a total of $75,000 in 2025 Northwest Aurora Arts GRAMA grants; council moved the item forward from study session for formal approval.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6208003,"Council interviews Mike Riley for Planning and Zoning Commission seat; discussion centers on community engagement and Colfax corridor",1211,2394000,3605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb&start=2394&end=3605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb/thumbnail_2394000.jpg","/articles/6208003/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Council-interviews-Mike-Riley-for-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-seat-discussion-centers-on-community-engagement-and-Colfax-corridor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208003-d4822d908901b52f1dbc97bb403da5f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154013&Signature=Ere4E2mskZufWRHhhpaQdf7yTxIXrzi54ASIP6qPGgxqHZg4haxIL8QBlqglLmw~JaW-5esbAdzYiPAKds5QdV5pj4sfNCG9IFlpRsT5clKnEyINXHn0Ovsuucnx932mJ01xXiWnSGhhEsVHvLoEwn9N-qySJd-9EcjOQCYv8mPEXT1LQ1D0M9kEOkPi9xKrRx2pCwLJEQEscJVSnLNNFsgvVACqSH~0vb7-xO-cxTSJ8ohl~IFpNs-Vhskyfqcb1b8IEhyL45XsF4PXBCBK4vPaGdDOevsgR-Rd24MDf-zZj8jawaCfL9h8XpYw3SBs6bCFSSlwsBEUxfota3yo9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 9 study session the Aurora City Council interviewed Mike Riley for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Riley introduced himself as a two-year resident who previously served as a town manager and spent 31 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Riley described experience with redevelopment and cultural venues and said he has focused recently on Fitzsimons innovation-area planning and the Colfax Corridor. “I have a lot of experience that I would like to bring to the table if, in fact, you find me qualified to fill this position,” he told the council during his opening remarks.

Council members questioned Riley on a range of topics. Council Member Coombs asked how development should account for water in the West; Riley said he was “aware that water needs to be conserved” and acknowledged he was still learning about local water planning and reservoirs. Council Member Bergen asked whether he understood the specific decision criteria used in planning-and-zoning hearings; Riley said he did not yet know the detailed code sections and that he planned to review past minutes and learning sessions to prepare. Council Member Lawson asked how Riley would approach projects that fit city long-range plans but face neighborhood opposition; Riley emphasized public education and early community engagement to identify issues before contentious hearings. Several council members asked about economic development ideas for Colfax, a performing arts venue and youth amenities; Riley drew on prior work on a performing arts center in Prince William County, Virginia, and suggested similar venues and minor-league sporting facilities could help revitalize business corridors.

The interview was an applicant Q&A; council thanked Riley for applying and for his public-service background. There was no formal appointment or vote at the study session; staff and council will follow the usual appointment process.

","Applicant Mike Riley, a two-year Aurora resident and former town manager and Marine Corps officer, answered council questions about zoning criteria, water and economic development during a one-on-one interview for a Planning and Zoning Commission appointment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6208008,"Aurora moves animal shelter plan forward; city staff to seek up to $27 million in COP financing",492,2218000,2710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb&start=2218&end=2710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6208008/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-moves-animal-shelter-plan-forward-city-staff-to-seek-up-to-27-million-in-COP-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208008-0230014e8dde464d5735f9856577e86f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154013&Signature=JkPY4t9qRhbPMCFBLyab7-ZjSE5r4dKD9AHV4ntzjJfY227GQmoxH4ASCUtzTTJLvefUC2nimd~WYRuOySawCdUZafVTwaAObeF4vtHmfN~xsiAAvAVWdUfbvb98j-r6IBeft2sVyL1mr6ZViPd7FezoUvXizjetaYs1AE6uH~zT2Wz07cu020GRvGp6i7NfP5JFUUFSoRoi3vOEoWClnWfCLE~1jWqQgEBijfS9pNrmAA8YWS1Y5idhpXzt5HwQLvgPBnLWCu9aCDbjE7pnOQgaIfZChfPgkV137cJJYKHEh2r3~jSrWywtgwLPKxvT-uvFDGZxwLZ~iYcGGS4GVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Aurora City Council study session on June 9, 2025 that the city is preparing to finance a new animal shelter and asked authority to go to market with certificates of participation (COPs) for up to $27,000,000.

Jessica Prosser, director of Housing and Community Services, described a project intended to replace an aging, 1980s-era facility with “about a 38,000-square-foot new facility and housing for about 250 animals,” located on a roughly five-acre portion of a 15‑acre city parcel southeast of the current site. Prosser said the new design would separate court-hold animals from adoptable animals, separate dogs and cats, and provide more indoor-outdoor space and secure staff-only yards.

Prosser listed a capital stack that includes impact fees, capital fund dollars, previously committed ARPA funds, and estate gifts. She said the project team must spend committed ARPA funds before the end of 2026. Teresa Sedmack, City Treasurer, outlined the requested ordinance to allow staff to issue COPs: a market authorization for a maximum of $27,000,000, at a maximum interest rate of 6% over a 30‑year financing term, with staff planning to go to market in August.

Sedmack summarized that the ordinance before council would allow marketing of the debt; final terms would return to council for approval. Prosser said the overall project budget was approximately $51,000,000 with about $39,000,000 estimated for hard costs and contingencies and escalators built into the budget.

Council reaction split. Council Member O’Rider publicly objected to using nearly $30 million in debt for the shelter while the city faces other capital needs such as additional fire stations and police facilities, saying he was “not gonna support it.” Council members Burge and Arcos, and others, voiced support, stressing that the current shelter is out of compliance with governing standards and that renovating the existing facility would likely cost as much or more while failing to meet operational needs. Burge noted staff had begun outreach to neighboring jurisdictions about updating intergovernmental agreements for shelter services; staff said Arapahoe County’s IGA pays about $36,000 annually under an older agreement and that negotiations are scheduled.

Staff asked only for council permission to move the item forward to a regular council meeting so the city could go to market; council did not approve final debt terms at the study session.

","City staff presented plans for a new 38,000-square-foot animal shelter estimated at $51 million total and asked council to allow staff to market up to $27 million in certificates of participation (COPs); the project drew at least one council objection over competing public needs.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6208013,"Aurora releases $1.5 billion public-safety facilities master plan, targets 10-year priorities",2595,4680000,7275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb&start=4680&end=7275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750209-90c050f75b15aba2602eca03873781fb/thumbnail_4680000.jpg","/articles/6208013/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-releases-15-billion-public-safety-facilities-master-plan-targets-10-year-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208013-fdd6aec8571705a134b3d65e937c4065/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154013&Signature=DiGxbQOAsG~ykcCWF~Ao9429cI6H5bK9vlpQmhaTfdzGWv~ccfv3wv3cXMaMj6NrQaZ2s8~6qWgenWO9gXVAyDy22ZbgBBseWB8Xa3Czr7862Zy1TMnseDqN4kFwrtQrwy44NiQ6ZfWgF78ZXmgk7jQx-CXXtvGlb4~kN1ZA1EvaHkrlWHLLqrVOXAGIf5XQxG0tigu29PDnI6n4KTkgAWip9dximW1NMUwiYDZ0KqLl5FouG~91rw-NpNh1wccTaX1wZL0PPX-CQoIFktje1SpHO4dl~hQQaQiOWlZAJ5Sh8x8wGVF18xYB4wz5V1gzg5Uza1uFjfofzFt490HdoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aurora City Council study session on June 9, 2025 heard a draft Public Safety Facilities Master Plan that inventories deficiencies across Aurora Fire Rescue, Aurora Police Department and Aurora 911 and lays out a 25‑year, unconstrained capital need of roughly $1,500,000,000.

Deputy City Manager Laura Perry said the plan, developed with consultant Roth Sheppard, reviews more than 30 facilities and projects short‑, mid‑ and long‑term needs. She said the study is intended to give the city “a 25 year strategic plan and framework to guide a road map for capital planning and financial support.”

The plan identifies five immediate themes: aging buildings (many more than 30 years old), operational and space constraints that limit training and specialized functions, deferred maintenance, new technology needs and the impact of city population growth on response times. Fire Chief Alec Otten told council that Aurora currently operates 17 stations and that some east and southeast areas are experiencing travel times that exceed NFPA benchmarks. Otten said several stations are at or past midlife: “We have stations that span everywhere from 4 to 50 years old with the average age of 26,” and noted that five stations are close to or over 50 years old.

Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described aging police facilities and scattered property-and-evidence storage. He said some district locations were converted from other uses and are not purpose-built police stations, and recommended a new northern patrol district, consolidation of special-operations units, and modernization of headquarters and evidence facilities to reduce operational risk and litigation exposure.

Aurora 911 Director Tina Boneta outlined plans to create a centralized “real-time operations” or real-time operations center that could house Aurora 911, a future 311 program, the police real-time crime center, traffic operations and a unified command facility. Boneta said the center (phase 1) is currently scoped at roughly $119–120 million plus land acquisition for about 120,000 square feet, and stressed the need to modernize IT infrastructure to support cloud-native, multimedia and text-to-911 traffic.

Staff characterized the $1.5 billion figure as an unconstrained total across 10-, 15- and 25‑year horizons. Laura Perry and chiefs said the city will “nest” multiple funding sources — impact fees, grants, capital funds and potential voter-approved bonds — rather than rely on a single funding mechanism. Perry said the infrastructure task force will use the plan to prepare potential ballot measures and public outreach focusing first on the 10‑year tier.

Council members asked how the plan would be prioritized to voters. Perry said the immediate focus would be the 10‑year window and that impact fees would be combined with other sources so construction can occur before full buildout of new development’s fee receipts. Several council members emphasized the need for clear public information if items are placed on a ballot. The presentation was informational; no binding budget or bond decision was made at the session.

The master plan will be one of several capital studies staff use with the infrastructure task force in coming months to refine project lists and funding strategies for potential voter consideration.

","City staff presented a 25-year Public Safety Facilities Master Plan that inventories aging police, fire and 9-1-1 facilities, estimates an unconstrained need of about $1.5 billion and identifies a 10-year project tier city leaders may take to voters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances six proposed charter amendments for voter consideration

Council approves moving $75,000 Cultural Affairs grants for Northwest Aurora forward

Council interviews Mike Riley for Planning and Zoning Commission seat; discussion centers on community engagement and Colfax corridor

Aurora moves animal shelter plan forward; city staff to seek up to $27 million in COP financing

Aurora releases $1.5 billion public-safety facilities master plan, targets 10-year priorities