Aurora mayor John Laesch got an earful from constituents August 16 morning.
For 90 minutes, residents of Wards 4, 5, and 6 shared questions, concerns and an occasional compliment at the fourth of his four community listening and action town halls. The event was held at Prisco Community Center in Aurora.
Sponsored by the city’s equity and community engagement divisions, the event was designed to gain feedback on Aurora’s future from residents.
Nicholas Thompson, deputy chief of staff, served as moderator. He opened the meeting with a welcome to attendees and introduced aldermen and presentations on the city’s my311 call center and open data portal. Aldermen attending were Jon Nunez, Fourth Ward; Carl Franco, Fifth Ward; and Michael Saville, Sixth Ward.
Mayor Laesch opened his remarks with an overview of the city’s financial health. “I inherited a half-million dollars in unbudgeted expenses,” he began. “This is the city’s highest debt level ever.”
In a segment titled “What are we doing,” he said projects have been stopped or delayed, more grants are being sought, budget efficiencies have been implemented and “no more TIFs or corporate bailouts.” According to Laesch, canceled were a proposed City of Lights performance space and the Paramount Arts Centers’ Bold production series. Delayed were the Broadway Streetscape and Millenium Plaza rehab.
He committed previously to working with the Aurora Civic Center Authority as it works to explore new revenue streams and use the Copley Theatre for more self-sustaining operations.
A $1.9 million proposal to remodel the 311 call center was trimmed by $1.7 million to $175,000.
“We are looking at creative refinancing for letters of credit and bonds via the Illinois Finance Authority,” he said.
Laesch announced six goals and objectives for the next four years. They are:
•More working class single-family homes.
•Workforce development
•Sustainability and climate focus
•Maintaining/improving infrastructure
•Closing wealth gap
•Small business development
While a handout agenda suggested large-group and ward-specific discussions, Laesch conducted a Q&A for the balance of the meeting.
Earlier town halls were held July 26, for Wards 1 and 10; August 2, Wards 2, 3, 7; and August 9, Wards 8 and 9.
—Al Benson