September 2018 accessible • comfortable • advancing ... · served basis. To pick up your coupon, bring photo ID and proof of residence (mail reflecting an address in Aurora city

September 2018 accessible • comfortable • advancing • worth discovering

Upcoming Aurora City Council TOWN MEETINGSAurora town meetings are open to everyone. Call 303.739.7015 for more detailed information about these meetings.

303.739.7000 • AuroraGov.org • Facebook.com/AuroraGov • Twitter.com/AuroraGov • AuroraTV.orgThe city of Aurora Communications Department produces this newsletter. Contact [email protected].

Ward I Town MeetingCouncil Member Crystal Murillo● Sept. 18, 6-7:30 p.m.Fire Station No. 212600 E. Hoffman Blvd.● Oct. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.Anschutz Medical Campus, Research I North TowerHensel Phelps East Auditorium12800 E. 19th Ave.

Ward II Town MeetingCouncil Member Nicole Johnston● Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m.● Oct. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Beck Recreation Center800 Telluride St.

Ward III Town MeetingCouncil Member Marsha Berzins● Sept. 12, 6-7:30 p.m.● Oct. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.Aurora Chamber of Commerce14305 E. Alameda Ave.

Mornings with MarshaCouncil Member Marsha Berzins● Sept. 27, 7:15-8:30 a.m.● Oct. 25, 7:15-8:30 a.m.Tin Cup Café at Aurora Hills Golf Course50 S. Peoria St.

Ward IV Town MeetingCouncil Member Charlie Richardson● Sept. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.● Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.EcoTech Institute, 1400 S. Abilene St.

Ward V Town MeetingCouncil Member Bob Roth● Sept. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.● Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Heather Gardens, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way

Ward VI Town MeetingCouncil Member Françoise Bergan● Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m.Tallyn’s Reach Library23911 E. Arapahoe Road● Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m.Mission Viejo Library15324 E. Hampden Circle

CITYWIDE TRAFFIC SIGNAL RETIMING PROJECT UNDERWAY

COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW CITY MANAGER, AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERAurora’s newest At-large city council member, Johnny Watson, took his seat on the dais Aug. 6, filling a position left vacant when his predecessor, Bob LeGare, was appointed mayor.

Watson, a 16-year resident of Aurora, had been serving as a commissioner on the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission until his appointment. A U.S. Army veteran, he also worked for the Eastman Kodak Company for nearly two decades.

He will serve through the term ending in December 2019, and is eligible to stand for election on the November 2019 municipal ballot.

Aurora’s new city manager, Jim Twombly, started his job in late August.

Twombly served as the director of administration/city manager for the city of Tulsa from 2009 to 2017. Prior to working with the city of Tulsa, he served as the city manager for the city of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma,

from 2004 to 2009, and the city administrator for the city of Pella, Iowa, from 1994 to 2004. He also served in multiple positions for the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, including an assistant to the city manager (1989 to 1994), a management specialist in the Public Works Department, (1988 to 1989), a subdivision review coordinator in the Community Development Department (1983 to 1988), and an associate planner in the Office of Research and Economic Development (1982 to 1983). In addition, he also served as a planner II in the Water Resources Planning Program for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (1980 to 1982).

Twombly holds both a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Affairs from St. Louis University. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the City Manager Association of Oklahoma.

Recently collected traffic count data from the city’s 300-plus signalized intersections will be used, along with various other roadway and traffic operational data, to assist in retiming nearly every traffic signal in Aurora later this year.

The city hired a consultant to analyze where traffic is in the city and how it moves for different times and days. With the data in hand, the city is working with the consultant to develop computer models to determine how the timings should be adjusted most effectively to ensure optimal traffic flows and safety based on real-world conditions.For more information, call 303.739.7300 or email [email protected].

Do you need to dispose of bulky items that can’t be recycled or set out with curbside trash? The city of Aurora wants to help you “Keep Aurora Clean” with a new coupon program to offset a portion of the cost of a trip to the Denver-Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) Landfill.

Coupons are worth $40 each and will be available to Aurora residents only (one per household) on a first-come, first-served basis. To pick up your coupon, bring photo ID and proof of residence (mail reflecting an address in Aurora city limits) to one of the following locations:

• Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Aurora Municipal Center, Neighborhood Services office (fourth floor), 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

• Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

• Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road

Please note, only a limited number of coupons are available, and distribution may end before Nov. 30 if all coupons have been claimed. A message will be posted on AuroraGov.org/KeepAuroraClean when all coupons have been distributed.

The coupons will be valid through Dec. 31, 2018, only at DADS Landfill, 3500 S. Gun Club Road. Depending on how much trash you bring, the pre-coupon cost for a landfill trip ranges from about $70 to $95 for a car/pickup.

The coupon program is replacing the Aurora Cleanup Day, which offered roll-off dumpsters in certain locations on a single date. The change is intended to provide residents with a broader time frame in which to dispose of their bulky trash.

For more information about the coupon program, and a list of what items are not allowed at the landfill, go to AuroraGov.org/KeepAuroraClean or call 303.739.7287. Remember, we all have a part to play in making our city a great place to live, so help us “Keep Aurora Clean.”

Aurora PROGRAMS HELP WITH HOME OWNERSHIP If you are looking to purchase a home, struggling to stay in your existing home, or are a senior who wants to tap into your home’s equity, the city’s Community Development Division may be able to help through the Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP).

As an approved counseling agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HOAP offers free pre-purchase counseling for individuals and families wishing to buy a home, as well as free First Time Homebuyer Education Seminars presented in English and Spanish. For a schedule of classes, go to AuroraGov.org/HOAP. To register, contact 303.739.7966 or [email protected].

Potential homebuyers who meet income and residency guidelines may qualify for down-payment and closing-cost financial assistance, depending on the purchase price of the home. Call 303.739.7910 or 303.739.7912 for more information.

Foreclosure prevention counseling is available to homeowners who have found themselves in a default or foreclosure situation with their mortgage servicer. Counselors can provide information on special programs from HUD and other agency loans, as well as help homeowners understand their rights and responsibilities. Call 303.739.7911.

For qualified seniors age 62 or older who have equity built in their homes, counselors can assist with information on reverse equity mortgages, which can help provide extra income for an improved quality of life. Call 303.739.7914.

DONATE A DECORATED WREATH TO FESTIVAL OF WREATHS The Aurora Museum Foundation’s 19th annual Festival of Wreaths is coming up in November, and businesses, organizations and residents are needed to decorate and donate wreaths for this display and online silent auction that raises funds for the Aurora History Museum.

Over the years, the effort has generated more than $30,000 to support exhibits and education programs at the museum.

For $15, wreath sponsors receive a wreath to decorate for the auction. Pick up starts Oct. 2, and decorated wreaths must be delivered to the museum by 4 p.m. Nov. 4. To sign up, call 303.739.6660.

ANY SEASON IS A GOODSEASON AT RESERVOIRThere’s no off-season at the Aurora Reservoir. Enjoy walking and biking the trails as well as fishing, archery, playgrounds, cookouts and nature viewing all year long. Use code #NoOffSeason for half-price daily passes in October. Visit AuroraGov.org/Reservoirs or call 303.326.8425 for details.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: DRIVE FOR SENIORS

The Seniors’ Resource Center provides rides to hundreds of metro-area seniors, and volunteer drivers are an essential part of the program. Volunteer drivers do so much more than provide a ride for seniors in the community. They build friendships, and even if it’s only an hour or two, the gesture of driving someone in need of a ride speaks volumes. To volunteer or if you know someone else who would, contact Pat Pierson at 303.332.3840 or [email protected].

CLEANUP TIME

“SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD”Through Oct. 14Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.For tickets, visit AuroraFox.org or call 303.739.1970.This musical features a moving collection of powerful songs and fascinating array of characters who—when faced with a life-changing moment—can only choose to step boldly into the future.

1968: A FIFTY YEAR RETROSPECTIVEThrough Nov. 49 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and SundayAurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.6660 or AuroraMuseum.orgExplore key events and movements of 1968, such as civil rights, the Vietnam War, space exploration, political identity and advancements in gender equality. Free.

GATEWAY TO THE ROCKIES ART SHOWOct. 3 to Nov. 3Community College of Aurora, Fine Arts Building16000 E. CentreTech ParkwayAuroraArtistsGuild.com

PUNKIN CHUNKIN COLORADOOct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Arapahoe Park, 26000 E. Quincy Ave.AuroraGov.org/PunkinChunkin

MORRISON NATURE CENTER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONOct. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith RoadAuroraGov.org/Nature or 303.326.8445Celebrate the center’s 15th anniversary with complimentary cake. Free.

CLASSICAL GUITAR CONCERT WITH PETER FLETCHEROct. 21, 4 p.m.Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda ParkwayFree but registration required at AuroraLibrary.org.Nationally renowned classical guitarist Peter Fletcher, who has performed across the country, including Carnegie Hall, brings his music to Aurora. Light refreshments provided.

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GRANTS AND LOANS AVAILABLE FOR HOME REPAIRS AND EMERGENCIESThe city of Aurora has several grant and loan programs to help homeowners with repairs, improvements and hazard mitigation. The programs are available to income-eligible, owner-occupied households. To learn more about any of the programs below, or to see if your household qualifies, call 303.739.7000 or go to AuroraGov.org/CommunityDevelopment.

Single Family Rehabilitation Loan ProgramThis zero-percent interest, deferred loan program can assist with adding more efficient furnaces, water heaters, insulation, windows, doors and more. Other eligible repairs can include roof replacement, installation of vinyl siding, electrical repairs/upgrades, flooring replacement, water line repairs and sewer line replacement.

Handicap Accessibility Grant ProgramThis program helps households that need accessibility alterations and repairs, such as installing wheelchair ramps or automated chairlifts, widening doorways and creating accessible bathrooms.

Radon Mitigation Grant ProgramGrants help fund initial home testing for the deadly gas radon, which is the second-leading contributor to lung cancer in the United States. Funding also covers mitigation, if necessary, and clearance testing.

Emergency Repair Grant ProgramThe city provides grants and/or loans to address urgent needs such as replacement of malfunctioning furnaces, water heaters, broken sewer lines and water mains. Additional loans are available if used to correct conditions that pose a hazardous situation for the occupant’s health, safety or well-being.

Hazardous Tree Removal Grant ProgramLimited grants are available for the removal or trimming of private trees that have died or are diseased and now pose a potential hazard of falling.

DON’T JUST LEAVE IT; HELP PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS AND PREVENT FLOODSOutside of pumpkin-spiced drinks, muffins and possibly even oil changes, nothing says autumn like multi-colored leaves gently falling from trees. However, those leaves, as well as grass clippings, can cause serious problems for our storm drains and waterways.

• As required by city ordinance, doing your part helps prevent flooding and protects our streams. Before fallen foliage and grass clippings have a chance to reach gutters and roads, rake or sweep what’s on your property and sidewalk and then dispose of them in them in the trash.

• Do not blow leaves into the streets or gutters, or throw these items over a fence into a drainage easement. Additionally, if you see a storm drain that is clogged and can clear it without placing yourself in danger, please remove the leaves.

• Residents are not expected to work in the road to remove leaves. Instead, Aurora street sweeping is designed to reduce air and water pollution, in addition to keeping the city clean. The sweeping program is responsible for sweeping all streets, sidewalks along major arterial streets and municipal parking lots within the city. Street sweeping normally occurs in the spring and fall. For a schedule, visit AuroraGov.org and search “street sweepings” or call 303.326.8200.

I-70/PICADILLY INTERCHANGE PROJECT PUBLIC MEETINGOct. 2, 5 to 7 p.m.Beck Recreation Center, Ponderosa Room800 Telluride St.AuroraGov.org/I70Picadilly or 303.739.7000

The city of Aurora is hosting its first meeting regarding the I-70/Picadilly Interchange project that will build a new interchange on I-70 in Aurora to facilitate north-south connectivity for people and commerce in area with anticipated future development. Project information is available on the website for those unable to attend.

Water conservation classes Learn how to lower your water bill, help conserve water and create an incredible landscape. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit AuroraGov.org/WaterClasses or call 303.739.7195.

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DIY Water-wise Landscape DesignOct. 3, 5:30-7 p.m. Learn to plan and draw your own water-wise landscape using basic design principles. You’ll be able to draw a site map and get started on your design.

AURORA WORKING TO GET THE LEAD OUT

Aurora takes great pride in delivering safe, high-quality and great tasting water to our customers. The city’s water does not contain lead, yet for many years, lead was a component used in paint, gasoline and plumbing fixtures. Prior to 1961, lead was also one of several materials used in water service lines, which connects homes to the city’s water mains. Lead can leach into water over time through corrosion—a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. Aurora Water carefully monitors our treatment processes to minimize corrosivity.

In 2017, Aurora Water developed a pilot program to identify and replace residential service lines made of lead. Officials determined that Original Aurora made up the majority of homes with the potential to have a lead service line. The pilot began with 117 homes, and Aurora Water hired a third-party contractor to help determine the service line material free of charge.

Aurora Water Director Marshall Brown said the utility wanted to stress the importance of removing these materials from homeowners’ properties where possible. “We want to stress the message that we care about our residents and we want to do everything we can to minimize any and all potential health risks,” Brown said. “Although Aurora’s water is safe and we have removed pretty much all of the lead containing materials from the public system, City Council felt it was best to assist property owners in removing as many private lead service lines as possible.”

To date, crews have performed nearly 800 tests. Twenty-four homes were identified with lead service lines on the customer side. Testing is free, and Aurora Water will help home owners with the cost of replacing these lines, including rebates and income-qualified grants.

For more information on lead and drinking water, visit AuroraGov.org/lead or call 303.739.7370.

Aurora Municipal Center Aurora Room15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Water Billing Questions: 303.739.7388 • Service Questions: 303.326.8645 • AuroraWater.org

FITZSIMONS-PEORIA STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS ON THE HORIZON Later this fall, Aurora Water will break ground on the Fitzsimons-Peoria Stormwater Outfall Project, a multi-year effort to upgrade the stormwater conveyance capacity in the Fitzsimons-Peoria corridor. This area is located along Peoria Street between East 6th Avenue and the Sand Creek Outfall in Sand Creek Park.

Installed in the 1970s, the existing storm drainage infrastructure was designed to convey only a two-year storm event. Historic flooding that has occurred as recently as 2013 is a major factor in the city’s decision to move forward with the work. The redevelopment of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and the revitalization of nearby neighborhoods is also driving the need to improve storm drain conveyance capacity in the area.

Project design is underway with plans to phase construction in a series of five separate work packages, phased over a three-year period. Nearly 13,000 feet of new pipe, some over 100 inches in diameter, will be included in the storm system’s reconfiguration. When complete, stormwater conveyance capacity will meet current Aurora Water standards and provide flood protection from a 100-year storm event to approximately 230 residences and 40 businesses.

SEPTEMBER WATERING SCHEDULETwo days per week

QUESTIONS? 303.739.7195

ROTOR HEADSPOP-UPS

21*6* 10*

ROTARY NOZZLES

* CYCLE-AND-SOAK TECHNIQUEAutomatic sprinkler systems work best with the cycle-and-soak technique. For example, if you have pop-up sprinkler heads, you run each zone for six minutes, three times a day, giving the water at least an hour to soak in between cycles.

NOME COMMUNITY GARDEN OPENING SOON A new community garden, located at 1200 Nome St., will soon beautify a stretch of Nome Park on the outskirts of the Hoffman Heights neighborhood. A joint collaboration among Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space; Denver Urban Gardens and the Trust for Public Land, this public garden features 40 plots and the opportunity to network with other community members.

With an opening date slated for fall 2018, interested gardeners can start planting cool season vegetables and garlic now. For more information, contact Chandi Aldena of Trust for Public Land at 303.867.2342 or Lara Fahnestock of Denver Urban Gardens at 303.292.9900, ext. 105.