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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff
DATE: February 2nd, 2026
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to expand the number of members on the Mayor's Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board from seven (7) to nine (9) by amending Section 2-500 of the Aurora City Code.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this request is to increase the capacity of the Mayor's Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board. By expanding the membership to nine individuals, the board will benefit from additional multi-disciplinary perspectives on environmental policy, renewable energy, and waste management. This expansion ensures the city remains a leader in sustainability by involving more community experts in the advisory process. Nine members is also standard for the rest of our advisory boards
BACKGROUND:
The Mayor's Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board was established to provide the mayor’s office and City Council with analysis on environmental issues. As the City’s sustainability initiatives have grown, including the implementation of new climate goals and green infrastructure projects, the workload of the volunteer board has increased. The current seven-member limit has occasionally led to challenges in meeting quorum requirements and limited the range of professional backgrounds represented on the board. We currently have two new prospective members recommended by the board, but they are unable to appoint them until the board is expanded from seven to nine.
DISCUSSION:
The expansion to nine members will facilitate better distribution of duties among board members and ensure that a wider variety of community voices are heard. As these are volunteer positions, there is no direct financial cost to the City. The board has voted and makes a request to expand the board.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The public will benefit from a more robust and active board capable of addressing environmental concerns more efficiently.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed ordinance be enacted to expand the membership of Sustainable Aurora.
cc: Rules, Administration, and Procedures
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2-500 of the Aurora City Code to increase the membership of the Mayor's Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board from seven to nine members.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board was established to anticipate and analyze sustainability and environmental issues to develop comprehensive solutions for the City; and
WHEREAS, increasing the board membership from seven (7) to nine (9) members will allow for a broader range of multi-disciplinary expertise and ensure more consistent quorums for the conduct of official business; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that expanding this board will enhance the City's ability to implement the recommendations of the City Sustainability Plan and engage a more diverse group of local stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Aurora Code Section 2-500, the City Council seeks to amend the membership provisions to reflect this expansion;)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Section 2-500(b) of the Aurora City Code be amended to increase the number of members on the Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board from seven (7) to nine (9) members, as shown in the Amendment to Section 2-500(b), attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.