AURORA | For the second time in a month, city lawmakers last night postponed discussion on whether the city should dissolve the city’s long-standing Human Relations Commission, amid accusations about political retribution and partisanship.
A dissolution ordinance was slated for first reading during the Sept. 23 City Council meeting. A motion made by Mayor Mike Coffman to postpone action on the measure passed unanimously.
Coffman said he and city staff have been working on an alternative to dissolving the panel and would bring information back to the dais soon.
The long-standing HRC, which addresses issues of diversity, race relations and quality of life for residents with disabilities, has faced elimination for months as part of a citywide review of boards and commissions. Earlier this summer, council narrowly voted to dissolve the group.
On Aug. 25, debate flared again. Councilmember Curtis Gardner said the push to disband the HRC was retaliatory, not budget-driven.
To single out one board and commission for elimination under the guise of efficiency is disingenuous at best,” he said.
Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, a Republican, accused the HRC of partisanship, mismanagement and disrespect. She cited a May 7 meeting where commissioners discussed a Democratic candidate event and criticized a $250 approval for snacks at a Know Your Rights forum, calling it “activism” and “divisiveness.”
Several councilmembers have recently spoken in support of the HRC.
Councilmember Angela Lawson cited its historical mission. Councilmember Crystal Murillo called it “one of our more active commissions.” A letter from Councilmember Amsalu Kassaw, revealed by Wiles, praised the HRC’s community work despite his earlier vote for dissolution.
Jurinsky, Sundberg, Bergan and Councilmember Stephanie Hancock argued the group has lost credibility. Gardner, Coombs and Coffman urged reform rather than elimination.
In other city council action, interpreter fees imposed on defendants who miss city court jury trials are going to more than double, while some city council members think the hike is discriminatory.
“I remain concerned that this increases a fee that specifically only applies to people who need interpretation,” Councilmember Alison Coombs said two weeks ago. “We should be looking at fees that apply to any person who fails to appear, rather than penalizing individuals based on language.”
The fee, essentially a fine, for people who fail to appear for a jury trial in Aurora’s municipal court that requires a translator will now go from $35 to $90, but the judge does have the ability to waive the fee if the individual is considered indigent or if there are extenuating circumstances, according to Candace Atkinson, Aurora court administrator.
While city officials did not cite how many cases might be impacted by the change, nor how many jury trials are affected by defendants not appearing, city officials said the annual financial impact of the proposal is only $500.
The fee was approved Monday on final consideration.
An in another measure, Aurora parents could face fines of $250 or more if they let their kids drive dirt bikes on city streets and property, under a proposed ordinance approved on first reading Monday night.
The measure would make it illegal for parents or guardians to “knowingly permit anyone under 18 to operate or ride an off-highway vehicle in violation of existing city restrictions.”
So-called “dirt bikes” are small motorcycles intended for off-road recreation. Most do not meet minimum street-regulations, but minors are prohibited from driving any motorized vehicles on city streets and public roads without a valid driver’s license.
Parents who plead or are found guilty of the proposed measure would face a minimum fine of $250, according to the bill language. The new measure would levy penalties separate from those imposed for infractions by the minor dirt-bike driver.
City officials said in legislation details that the proposed change was prompted by a rise in accidents and injuries tied to dirt-bike riding by minors in Aurora and the surrounding region.
Despite current prohibitions on off-highway vehicle use in city streets, sidewalks, open spaces and business areas, officials said minors continue to ride with little resistance.