AURORA | This week when Aurora city councilwoman Nicole Johnston presented an ordinance change that would alter the makeup of the oil and gas advisory committee to a policy committee, she brought forth two proposals because boards can be hard to fill, she said.
Currently there are more than two dozen vacancies on advisory boards and committees throughout city government, according to a recent news release.
The city said its looking for multiple volunteers:
Art in Public Places Commission (five positions open)
Members advise and make recommendations to the Aurora City Council, city manager and Library & Cultural Services director on the development, maintenance and promotion of a public arts program that may be applicable to public areas and assist with development of public art on private property. Members must be Aurora residents and registered voters, with one member from the visual arts field. The commission usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Aurora Fox Arts Center Board (seven positions open)
Members advise the Aurora City Council and the Library and Cultural Services Department director regarding planning, regulation, maintenance, repair and operation of the Aurora Fox Arts Center. Ten of the 15 members must be residents while five members may include non-resident property or business owners in the city or non-residents employed in the city. Members must have an active interest in promoting the Aurora Fox Arts Center. The board usually meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Aurora Commission for Seniors (four positions open)
Members enhance the quality of life of Aurora’s senior population by supporting current programs and promoting the development of new ones in the areas of housing, transportation, health, nutrition, legislation, recreation, education, advocacy and networking. A member must be a resident and registered voter, and cannot hold any paid, elected or appointed position with the city or any board of education. Members also must be at least 45 years old, with the majority of the commission over 55 years old. The commission usually meets on the first Monday of each month at 1 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Cultural Affairs Commission (three positions open)
Members provide ongoing, systemic planning and development of cultural arts within the city, including the review of grant applications. Members must be Aurora residents and registered voters, and include at least one member from the Aurora Arts and Humanities Council, one member from the Art in Public Places Commission, one member from the Aurora Fox Arts Center Board and one member from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Business for the Arts Committee. The committee usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Human Relations Commission (six positions open)
Members promote a mutual understanding and respect among all people, and disseminate information and educational materials to eliminate prejudice, promote human relations and investigate complaints of this nature. A member must be a resident and registered voter, and members should be representative of the city wards and be of racial, ethnic and social economic classes of the community. Twelve of 15 members are voting, and one must be a youth; the other three members—a city manager designee, adult alternate and youth alternate—are non-voting. The commission usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Veterans Affairs Commission (four positions open)
Members advise the Aurora City Council as to the concerns of veterans relating to transportation, housing, employment and other areas affecting veterans in the city, and recommend solutions to these issues and concerns. Members also serve as a source of information regarding resources and services available to veterans, and exercise other powers and duties as assigned by the city council. A member must be an Aurora resident, registered voter and honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard, or hold veteran status for service as a Merchant Mariner. The committee usually meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. The term of service is three years.
Johnston’s proposal, if adopted, would either add two residents to the committee or subtracted one industry representative, among other changes. According to the city there will be six openings on the oil and gas advisory committee this year.
The councilwoman said she plans to take on the makeup of other advisory committees too, not just the oil and gas advisory committee, which she was on prior to being elected in November.
Volunteers interested in serving on a board should To apply or for more information, call Barbara Shafer at 303.739.7140 or visit the Aurora city website.
— KARA MASON, Staff Writer
