Aurora has a new building code ordinance. In a nutshell, builders of certain size high-rise multiple unit buildings are required to install meters for water, gas, and electricity in each unit. Builders won’t have the option to make a structure the way she sees fit. This “whole magilla” involved the builders of a project on the city’s east side, Kensington Station Apartments, who were in favor of the requirement to spend more money. The community will have approximately 429 units and one builder estimates the additional cost per meter to be around $500. Two would cost about $1,000. During the discussion of cost I heard someone in the builder’s “camp” state out loud that it would only be adding about $42,000 to the cost. Hello? $1,000 times 429 is $429,000. Oh well, what’s a zero among business partners - and politicians?
By passing on this new ordinance, Aurora government has mandated the extra meters and, during the discussion, Alderman Rick Lawrence (Ward 4) voiced his objection repeatedly. In his insistence for reason, Mr. Lawrence was introduced to our Mayor’s lifted right hand, “You made your point, Mr. Lawrence.” It actually happened twice, basically, “[sic] Speak to the hand, Mr. Lawrence.”
After Lawrence was put back in his place, we were treated to one of the stranger implementations of Robert’s Rules of Order. Lawrence had made a motion to have this proposed ordinance returned to the Planning and Development Committee for additional discussion. It was seconded by Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns (Ward 7). A short time later, Alderman Hart-Burns withdrew the second. I checked an online rules book which stated, “When the mover modifies his motion the one who seconded it has a right to withdraw his second.” I didn’t hear Lawrence modify his motion, but Hart-Burns was allowed to remove her second. That killed Lawrence's motion - end of story. Vote. The Aurora City Council approved the new ordinance by a vote of ten to one. Alderman-at-Large Irvin was not present and readers can probably guess who cast the lone NO vote.
