AURORA — The budget for next year has been put to bed, and negotiations with the police and fire unions are over.
Now, the most pressing issues facing new Mayor Steve Hogan, who was sworn in Monday night, are about the proposed Gaylord resort hotel and the potential move of the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo to Aurora.
Hogan said the ball is in Denver’s court regarding the stock show.
Aurora needs to ensure, he said, that whatever Denver decides doesn’t affect the Gaylord project.
If Denver pulls out of the Regional Tourism Act application for subsidies to build Gaylord and relocate the stock show “and says anything negative about Gaylord, that will be a problem,” Hogan said. “I’m comfortable Mayor (Michael) Hancock and his folks will not do that.”
Denver City Council members recently asked Hancock to withdraw from the joint application with Aurora. Hancock has not ruled.
“Denver has to decide what it wants to do with the stock show before Aurora can get involved,” Hogan said.
Hogan and the Aurora City Council will have to decide on a smaller issue within the next few weeks: what to do with Mission Viejo Library.
The library was closed several years ago along with three other branches, but it was reopened in January on a limited basis in a deal that halted a suit filed by Mission Viejo neighbors. That deal was contingent on a special district funded by a property-tax hike, which was defeated by voters this month.
Officials must now decide whether to put more money in the library or battle it out in court.
Hogan said he’s already spent long days talking with residents who have immediate issues and concerns. So he is focusing on the here and now.
“I certainly don’t want to start getting into things three to six months out,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hogan’s move to the mayor’s seat should go off without any major hitches. Some of the current council members were on the board during his tenure. Current Councilwoman Barb Cleland is his former wife.
“He’s got the understanding of the process of the City Council and the city,” Councilman Bob Broom said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a fairly seamless transition.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
