At Monday night’s Aurora City Council meeting, councilmembers will vote on a resolution to alter a rule about public comment that was passed at the last council meeting.

In early May, councilmembers voted to change another public comment rule to limit how people can speak to their elected officials during meetings amidst ongoing protests, limiting the number of speakers who can speak at the podium at a time. 

The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Francoise Bergan, passed with ‘no’ votes from Councilmembers Alison Coombs, Ruben Medina, Crystal Murillo and Angela Lawson after another tense public comment session, during which a group of protesters for Kilyn Lewis took over the microphone and spoke to councilmembers.

The discussion got tense when Murillo suggested they add people with disabilities to the list of exceptions. Bergan agreed to add the exception, but clarified that she would only accept that amendment if it read “physical” disability.

“I think that would be very difficult to discern,” Bergan said. “I would accept your friendly amendment for physical disability.”

Coombs called the statement “deeply problematic” and “discriminatory.” Nevertheless, the amendment passed.

On Monday night, Bergan is bringing a resolution forward striking the section making exceptions for people with disabilities altogether. 

During the meeting, councilmembers will also take an official vote on a new tool to handle neglected buildings, saying if a property owner does not comply with requirements to fix their property it will be done for them at their expense.

The ordinance comes from a “troubling trend” of property owners treating code violation fines and court appearances as routine costs of doing business rather than incentives to comply with city code, according to council documents.

In the study session Monday night, councilmembers will hear an update on opioid abatement funds from a national opioid settlement, which came from lawsuits the Colorado Department of Law won against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. 

In 2024, the anticipated funds for Aurora were calculated to be just over $3.4 million, according to council documents. The money will be distributed over the next 17 years. If the council approves, city staff will start researching options for how to use the money, which is required to be put toward treatment and prevention of opioid overdoses. 

Monday night’s study session is open to the public via livestream at 4:45 p.m. The public comment session will not be livestreamed, and will be held in the Paul Tauer Aurora City Council Chamber at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, starting at 6 p.m.

The regular meeting of the council will follow starting at 6:45 p.m., also in the Paul Tauer Chamber.

Livestreams are available at auroraTV.org, on Youtube.com/TheAuroraChannel, as well as on cable channels 8 and 880.