CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS BAN ON MEDICAL-POT SHOPS; GETS AN EARFUL ON
RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO PREVENT AN EYEFUL

AURORA | Aurora's current moratorium on medical marijuana
dispensaries will be extended through July 2011, Aurora City Council
members decided at a meeting Monday.

Councilwoman Molly Markert voted against the moratorium extension,
and Councilman Bob Broom was absent.

The moratorium that was originally implemented in December 2009 is
set to expire this month. If voters decide not to outright ban
medical marijuana dispensaries in an upcoming election, the
moratorium would continue until July 1, 2011 or until zoning rules
and regulations are put in place.

Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation earlier this month that allows
cities to either ban dispensaries at city councils' discretion, or
ask voters whether they want to ban dispensaries within their city
limits.

Council members have discussed the possibility of asking voters
whether they want to ban dispensaries in the city through a November
ballot item.

Also at the city council meeting, three Aurora residents spoke out
against the racy business tactics of Perky Cups, the local coffee
shop that features bikini-clad baristas, whose owner was recently
evicted for not paying rent and violating terms of his lease.

They asked city council members to enact an ordinance that regulates
business tactics that include bikini-clad employees walking around
outside of the shop advertising the business.

"I am asking that you regulate 'sex sells' gimmicks of such shops so
that these types of businesses are limited to the interior space that
they have leased or purchased," said Aurora resident Estelle Matus.
"The goal is to ensure that future potential actions be kept in
check. I think we should be particularly vigilant in preventing the
location of these establishments close to child care centers, schools
and businesses that have children as clientele."

Perky Cups' owner Jason Bernal is advertising for a new location of
Perky Cups that could open near the intersection of South Chambers
Road and East Hampden Avenue. Matus said there were two child care
centers located in that area as well.

At a regularly scheduled study session before the vote, council
members said they would not go forward with a proposal to ask voters
this November whether they want to extend a property tax set to
expire in 2015. A decision to extend the property tax would have had
to be made by July 12 for it to be on the ballot, and the current
economic climate would not be conducive to extending property taxes,
said council members.

Voters could still be asked whether they want to approve a tax
extension next year or in 2012.

The property tax in question is $28 per year for an average home
costing $175,000.

If the extension is approved, the money generated could be used for
capital projects, or to help the city's budget shortfall, or both,
said John Gross, the city's finance director.

Councilwoman Renie Peterson said she would like to see a property tax
extension item on the ballot possibly next year, and use the money
generated for road improvements such as widening East Sixth Avenue.