Aurora discusses homeless initiative during testy meeting

(Andrew Coop/Unsplash)

Aurora tackled the issue of homelessness again Monday, this time agreeing to join the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.

The vote was not unanimous. City councilman Dave Gruber wouldn’t support joining the initiative because “In this case I’m concerned it will be a blank check.”

Joining the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative does not cost the city anything. They simply pledge to collaborate and share resources with the initiative.

The initiative serves as an umbrella organization for its member cities. The initiative sponsors the annual homeless count known as “Point in Time.” The survey was not conducted this year due to COVID-19.

City councilwoman Alison Coombs emphatically supported joining the initiative. So did councilwoman Nicole Johnston. “I just want to remind folks that this is a public health issue and for some reason it has become political,” Johnston said.

Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Berzins echoed the concerns of city councilwoman Francoise Bergan. Bergan said often after the city joins an initiative, they are asked for money.

Meeting becomes tense early on

Monday’s meeting became testy at times. When a man shared concerns about a cell tower near his home during public comments, Johnston wanted city staff to respond to his concerns.

During an awkward exchange, Mayor Mike Coffman snapped, “There’s no precedent for a back and forth on public invited to be heard with me as mayor.”

When Johnston pressed with, “Mayor, may I …” the Coffman cut her off and said, “No you may not.”

Earlier in the meeting, Coombs also asked for staff reports on certain items. “If there’s not a staff presentation, I’m going to ask for one. We’re sort of just blazing through these votes without any presentation to the public.”

City Councilman Juan Marcano asked whether the mayor could be removed from running the meeting if the council did not agree with how it was being run. Marcano had been working with the resident who had concerns about the cell phone towers. He wanted to get more information for him. The city attorney responded you can’t remove the elected mayor from his duties in that manner.

What joining the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative means

The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative requires its members to take a pledge. “By signing this pledge, you are committing to building and sustaining a new future where homelessness is rare and brief — a moral and public health imperative that is necessary for an equitable future,” according to the initiative. “Your community is part of MDHI's Built for Zero region. As a community leader, you play a critical role in ensuring your local efforts are part of regional coordination.

“Built for Zero communities take strides toward that future by reaching functional zero for one population at a time — starting with veterans — until they’ve reached this milestone for all.”

According to the staff report, the pledge means the city:

Recognizes “homelessness is an issue we should address as a community and together, and we see work that makes sense to coordinate and achieve as a region as homelessness does not end at a city or county border.”

Coordinates “with the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative on Built for Zero … it’s how my community can help coordinate its local planning on homelessness regionally to generate reductions in homelessness.”

Commits to “help paving the way for this work to continue at the local level. This may look like encouraging my community to utilize the Homeless Management Information System which will help us all get to real-time data, participating in (or appointing a designee) local briefing groups, or helping remove barriers to the work.”

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