Aurora City’s Mayor and Council heard from Tambrea Vercimak at their regularly scheduled council meeting held Monday, December 18 regarding Christmas at Willow Bend. Vercimak presented each with a commemorative decoration from the event, thanking them for their support. In turn, Vercimak and her committee were thanked for their work and dedication in bringing Christmas at Willow Bend to Aurora. “It was great, wonderful,” said Mayor Daven Quarnberg. “I’ve heard nothing but positive. Thank you so much!” He asked the committee to keep a record of who, what, when, and other pertinent information relating to the planning and behind-the-scenes work they do to help provide continuity when they’re ready to pass the torch. It was also suggested that bleachers could be relocated during the live nativity for better viewing, and they’re already looking for next year’s tree, so if anyone has a large Christmas tree they’re needing to cut down within the next year, please consider waiting until the end of the year and donating it to next year’s festival.
Aurora City received information about a sidewalk grant opportunity which would be beneficial, and Jordon Bosh said Sunrise Engineering is ready to begin the lead and copper compliance work necessary to bring all systems up to code. The Mike Hansen Planning Group has been contracted to assist with subdivision ordinance updates, and work will commence April 1 with the planning and zoning commission. It was recommended to wait until after the upcoming legislative session, as requirements and recommendations will likely be changed. Recent abatements were analyzed and it was requested that letters be sent to other property owners in violation of the city code.
Councilman Jim Harrison said recommendations from the city’s recent audit have been put into practice, and Councilman Kelly Mason reported on the recreation department, saying the new director is doing well after being put in a ‘terribly tough situation’. The city’s dog clinic is scheduled for February 3, and a bid for replacing the sprinkling system at the park was discussed.
Aurora’s next council meeting will be held Tuesday, January 23 at which time three council members will be appointed, as the terms of Andy Rasmussen, Nancy Kennedy, and Hal Jensen expired at the end of 2023.
