Live notes from Study Session - Nov. 17 Part 1

5:35 p.m.

After a 45-minute delay, the Nov. 17 study session is finally beginning.

There are plenty of meaty issues on the agenda tonight, but the discussion has started with a recap of the "Hopper Session" from earlier this month (see above blog post).

New details regarding an initial meeting planned for Dec. 1 revolve largely around the specific format for citizen input.

"On the Dec. 1 meeting, we have to look at inviting a wide range of groups," said Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer. "The first priority is to share with the community what we all discussed at the study session."

Suggested attendees included realty representatives, business officials and citizen spokesman, while potential formats for input ranged from written forms to online entries.

Now the argument's over the site - city council chambers? the Central Library?

"I know it probably sounds too formal, but we ought to sit up there," said Councilman Steve Hogan. "Someone has to be in charge ... There's got to be some structure and process to it. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't sit there."

Councilman Brad Pierce suggested an even bigger forum - like the Doubletree or the Red Lion Inn.

Tauer again stressed the purpose of the community meeting.

"We're not expecting people to give us answers at that meeting," Tauer said. "As they caucus with their own groups, then they give us feedback."

Councilwoman Molly Markert stressed the need for a more structured approach to the meeting.

"I see our goal as to give people about four choices," Markert. "My struggle around our role as leaders is do we present four options? We have to hang our hat on something ... I guess that's just what I'm figuring out.

"I do think it's a campaign," Markert said. "I think it's going to have to be special interest groups campaigning for their special interests ... I just want us to be honest. This is going to be long and this is going to be hard and we can't pretend it's not."