Carriage Place fence ballot issue approved

A controversial ballot issue regarding a neighborhood fence will make its way to the voters in November, after the city council voted to end months of debate and discussion and move the issue forward.

The city council voted 9 to 1 to send a ballot question that would implement a General Improvement District at Aurora's Carriage Place neighborhood in order to fund a new masonry fence.

The decision came after months of debate between Carriage Place residents, with supporters pointing to the positive effect of such a structure on local property values and detractors decrying the rise in property taxes.

The council's decision came following an advisory opinion issued by a hearing officer hired by the city, one that supported the petition process behind the measure.

Local 'So You Can Dance' contestant honored

The city council has formally recognized the achievements of Kayla Radomski, who came earned second place on the television show "So You Think You Can Dance."

Radomski, who is in New Jersey, was unable to attend, but her grandparents were on hand to formally accept the recognition from the Aurora City Council.

"We are so, so proud of her," said Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer.

Towing legislation declared a "non-item"

Following an update from City Attorney Charlie Richardson regarding a measure that would have forced police officers to tow the vehicles of unlicensed drivers, the Aurora City Council agreed to leave it as a "non-item" that would not require any formal action.

"(The hearing officer) ruled to invalidate the certificate of sufficiency," Richardson said in regards to a decision by a retired district court judge last Friday. "Therefore, there is no action to be taken tonight. It cannot be forwarded to the ballot."

City Council Session -- Aug. 17

Tonight's Aurora City Council meeting is scheduled to feature the next decision in the controversial Carriage Place fence issue, a question that would create a new taxing district in one local neighborhood to establish a new brick masonry fence.

 The General Improvement District in question would fund a new masonry fence for the area, a structure planned to run more than 2,200 linear feet and to cost about $1.19 million, according to the city’s estimates.
In recent months, the question has become a hotly contested issue in the neighborhood, with supporters saying that the structure would add to the neighborhood’s property values and critics blasting the petition process behind the initiative, claiming that signatures were illegally dropped.

Tonight's session will also include an update on a proposed impound law, one that would have forced police to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers. Last week, a judge put the measure on hold, ruling that a petition associated with the measure was invalid due to the failure to include the complete text of the suggested measure.