I wish I was writing this newsletter under different circumstances. As most everyone, the City is spending a significant amount of time dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Before moving on to the rest of the newsletter, I wanted to call your attention to something related to COVID-19.
1. I've created a COVID-19 resource page - there are lots of community resources available and having them in one central location can be helpful. Please feel free to pass this link on to your networks (or better yet, forward this email). The URL is www.curtisforaurora.com/covid19. There are new resources being added all the time so keep checking back.
The resource page has links for food banks, SBA small business loans, FREE meals for kids out of school and resources for parents at home with their school age children plus more! If you can, find a worthwhile organization to donate your time, talent or treasure to - there are a lot that could use your help right now.
All that being said, a lot has happened on Council since my last newsletter. Here are a few items of note:
February 24, 2020 Study Session
1. A resolution was brought forward (by CM Hiltz) asking the Colorado General Assembly to bring medical clinics in private prisons under the responsibility of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. I voted in favor of this resolution and it passed out of Study Session.
2. We had an inspiring presentation from Ready to Work about some of the great things they are doing to tackle homelessness in Aurora. We heard from 2 folks that graduated the program - very inspiring!
March 2, 2020 Study Session
1. At the February Public Safety, Courts & Civil Service Policy Committee, which I Vice Chair, I enthusiastically supported a Violence Intervention Program partnership with UC Health to break the cycle of gang violence and other violent crime. At the 3/2 Study Session, the full Council heard the presentation from Dr. Velopulos and this item moved forward on an unanimous vote.
March 2, 2020 Council Meeting
1. We held a Public Hearing on the proposed blight study for the Anschutz Medical Campus. This item was voted down by a prior council so I appreciate CM Hiltz bringing this back for reconsideration. By confirming the results of the blight study, we'll be able to move forward with planned development on the medical campus, which will further cement the area as a leading medical center across the US.
2. The Healthy Kids Meal Ordinance was before City Council for first reading. As most of you know, I am adamantly opposed to this ordinance. I've written extensively in several places why I am opposed so I won't rehash here. If you want to learn more about my perspective, click here for my Op-Ed in Complete Colorado. After the theatrics played out at the Council meeting, I wrote a few thoughts here.
3. At the end of the 3/2/2020 Council meeting, we voted on a few potential nominees to the Planning & Zoning Commission. As with the Civil Service Commission voting process, I was very disappointed in several of my colleagues that voted down some VERY well qualified folks for partisan reasons. As with the Civil Service Commission, I voted for folks with various political backgrounds because they were the best people for the job.
Our next Study Session & Council Meeting was scheduled for March 16. Due to the COVID-19 situation, that meeting was postponed. City staff is currently working on a process that will allow for electronics meetings for the time being - I've communicated my thoughts that any electronic meetings need to allow for sufficient debate on the issues as well as robust citizen involvement.
