Aurora mayor spars with council over economic development plan for the city – Sentinel Colorado

AURORA

Aurora’s mayor accused his council colleagues of being beholden to developers after the group expressed a lack of enthusiasm for paying to create an economic development plan.

Economic Development Strategy Workshop

The group previously talked about the city’s economic development strategy at a workshop in February, where council members failed to reach consensus on what the city needed to do, if anything, to redirect the work of its economic development partners.

Current Economic Development in Aurora

Right now, economic development in Aurora is led by a handful of independent organizations such as the Aurora Economic Development Council, Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Visit Aurora as well as departments inside the city. The process is also guided by planning documents such as Aurora Places, the city’s 2018 comprehensive plan.

Mayor’s Proposal for Citywide Plan

While Mayor Mike Coffman argued in February that the city needed to articulate its goals for economic development more clearly to be able to attract better-paying jobs, city lawmakers suggested the council talk with its partner organizations first or rejected the idea that the city lacked a cohesive vision.

On Monday, the mayor brought forward a proposal to pay for the development of a citywide plan. There was no cost estimate for the proposal, but interim city manager Jason Batchelor estimated outside proposals would cost about $150,000.

“I think it’s so important for the City Council to have a vision, an economic vision, of where the city needs to go,” Coffman said. “This is our responsibility. It cannot be outsourced.”

Council’s Response

While other council members said they wanted to see Coffman and the city take other steps before investing money in a study — Francoise Bergan and Danielle Jurinsky asked why the city couldn’t host a meeting with partner organizations — Coffman said he had known his proposal would fail but wanted to force a vote anyway.

“It’s going to fail. And it’s going to fail because of the outside pressures on the city council,” the mayor said to fellow lawmakers. “There will be a vote. You will be held accountable.”

He told Councilmember Crystal Murillo that the “outside pressures” included developers who weren’t acting in the long-term economic interests of the city but refused to clarify what specific developers he was talking about.

Council members also criticized Coffman for the lack of specificity in his plan, questioning why he hadn’t done more to flesh it out and collaborate with others on council since February.

“There was a conversation that you were going to exercise the leadership to work with your council to get the votes, and you didn’t do that,” Councilmember Alison Coombs said. “That’s why you continue to not have six votes, because you didn’t do the work.”

Coffman ultimately agreed to table the item for two weeks, so that a cost estimate could be created, and so other council members could have the chance to provide input.

Other Council Decisions

• Voted unanimously on first reading to place an item on the November ballot that would ask voters to strip gendered language from Aurora’s home-rule charter.
• Appointed Patricia Stephens to the Aurora Civil Service Commission by a 7-4 vote — with Coombs, Juan Marcano, Ruben Medina and Murillo opposed — after a motion to appoint former Aurora police officer Paul Poole was rejected, with the same four voting in favor.
• Voted unanimously to make it illegal for people circulating an initiative or referendum petition to lie to members of the public while soliciting their signatures and also allow those who signed to withdraw their signatures after the fact without participating in a protest hearing.
• Voted to create a pathway for SWAT medics, retired law enforcement personnel and others to be certified as reserve police officers, with Murillo casting the only “no” vote.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
   • Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are related to economic development and planning in the city of Aurora. The following SDGs are addressed or connected to these issues:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article discusses the need for a clear economic development plan and vision for the city of Aurora. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article mentions the role of independent organizations and planning documents in guiding economic development in Aurora. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

The article discusses the need to attract better-paying jobs and articulate clear goals for economic development. Achieving sustained economic growth is essential to create better job opportunities and improve the overall economic well-being of the city.

Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors

The article mentions the importance of diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation in economic development. These factors contribute to higher levels of economic productivity and can lead to the creation of more sustainable and resilient industries.

Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

The article highlights the need for development-oriented policies that support productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. These policies can foster the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises and provide

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: sentinelcolorado.com

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