Aurora’s policymakers are scheduled discuss opting out of a state law restricting firearms in government buildings on Monday, vote on a proposed ballot measure to retract the city’s pit bull ban and consider a proposal to issue an official apology to the family of a man who was shot and killed by police.

Councilmember Alison Coombs is pushing the latter with a resolution that would express the City Council’s “apology and condolences to the family of Kilyn Lewis.”

The resolution comes after the last council meeting, at which dozens of protesters showed up and pressed officials to charge the police officer who in May shot and killed Lewis.

Lewis, who was wanted for attempted homicide, was shot by the officer when he appeared to comply with orders and raised a hand with a cellphone. He was not armed. 

The resolutions states: “That the City Council apologizes to the family of Kilyn Lewis, offers condolences for their loss, and recommits to ensuring unarmed individuals are not killed by our police officers.”

At Monday night’s study session, councilmembers will return to a conversation about the Careers in Construction Colorado program, voting to approve an agreement between the city and the Construction Foundation Colorado for voluntary donations to the program.

Councilmembers originally approved the program, which would help students launch construction careers, back in April. Monday’s agenda item, if passed at a regular council meeting, would add a voluntary donation option to developer and builder permit applications. 

Also at Monday night’s study session, Councilmember Curtis Gardner is proposing an ordinance that would amend the city code to opt out of a state law that prohibits firearms on certain government properties. 

Senate Bill 24-131, signed into law in late May, prohibits firearms in “sensitive spaces” — which include state legislative buildings, courthouses, and local government buildings. 

Gardner’s proposed ordinance, if passed at a future regular council meeting, would change the city code to say the city opts out of following the law, a move allowed through Aurora’s home rule authority. 

“The council believes that opting out of the state law prohibition will enhance public safety and the efficient operation of local government,” the proposed ordinance states.

In the regular meeting, councilmembers will also vote on a resolution — passed in the last study session — to develop a plan for transitioning the prosecution of domestic violence cases out of Aurora Municipal Court.

On a similar note, the council will also vote on a second resolution passed in the last study session to evaluate a legal challenge against Colorado House Bill 24-1437, which prohibits flat fee contracts for indigent defense.

Also at Monday night’s regular council meeting, councilmembers will vote on a resolution that would put a question on the municipal election ballot in November regarding pit bull ownership.

The resolution comes after a lawsuit from a city resident in which a district judge ruled that the city overrode the will of voters by repealing its breed ban in 2021. 

In the city’s 2014 election, voters rejected an ordinance that would repeal the breed ban. In 2021, councilmembers voted to repeal the ban. In May of the same year, resident Matthew Snider filed a lawsuit saying the city overrode the will of voters by repealing the ban.

Monday night’s resolution asks councilmembers if they want to put an item on the ballot to repeal the ban after the judge decided the 2021 ordinance was void.

The study session will be held at 5:15 p.m. in the Aurora Room of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.

The council’s regular meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Paul Tauer Aurora City Council Chamber, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.

Both meetings will also be live streamed at auroraTV.org and Youtube.com/TheAuroraChannel. They will also stream live on cable channels 8 and 880 in Aurora.

Those who want to speak during the public comment period must submit a speaker slip by 6:30 p.m. Monday, the day of the meeting. Anyone who wants to comment on an agenda item must submit a speaker slip before the city clerk reads the title of the item.