Auora city Council & COW - 10/13/2025

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
October 13, 2025

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley with Council members present:  Brad Duguay, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz and Scott Wolf. George Horvat and Reva Barner were absent. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present. There were 5 citizens present.

Minutes from September 22, 2025 were adopted with S. Wolf abstaining.

 There were 7 Ordinances and 3 Resolutions proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for 1 promotion of Waste Water manager and 1 part time Dispatcher. 
  
• A Resolution naming the former Sea World/Geauga Lake property “Aurora Park at Geauga Lake”. The Mayor spoke about this being the best name for this beautiful new park. 
  
• An Ordinance amending the Mailbox Replacement Policy of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to increase the reimbursement amount from $60.00 to $100.00.
  
• A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Programs for improvements to the marketplace pump station and forcemain as required pursuant to the terms of the grant.
  
• A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Programs to replace the south water tower as required pursuant to the terms of the grant.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal to enter into a contract with Burning River General Contracting LLC in an amount not to exceed $54,600.00 annually for the cleaning of city buildings, and additional services not to exceed $18,000.00 annually with the option to renew the contract for the 2nd and 3rd year at the same annual price. The current contract ends in October. Theirs was the lowest and best bid.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Pavement Technology, Inc in the amount of $98,273.44 to apply Reclamite, an asphalt rejuvenating agent to recently paved roadways. This product helps repel water. Funds left over from the paving program were used.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the payment of $28,300.00 to Vernon Miller Construction, LLC for siding, painting and roofing improvements of the Hartman barn.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Osborn Engineering in an amount not to exceed $6,000.00 to provide additional construction administration services for the Paddock River Preserve Ravine Pedestrian Bridge Project.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Osborn Engineering in the amount of $80,700.00 to provide engineering, design and environmental services related to the Bretschneider Crossing #1 Pedestrian Bridge Project.
  

There was 1 Ordinance proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Strand Associates, Inc in an amount not to exceed $62,000.00 for design services for the replacement of the culvert on Eldridge Road. This large culvert is starting to fail and will be replaced next summer.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council Vice President Dennis Kovach called the meeting to order at 6:21 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members were present and absent as noted in the COW report. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present and 5 people in the gallery.

September 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes were adopted with S. Wolf abstaining.

Mayor’s Report: City News highlighted:

• Aurora Trail Challenge now through October 31.
  
• Early Turkey Trot pricing now through October 31.
  
• Shred Day is Saturday October 25 from 9:00 am to noon at the Service Department parking lot.
  
• Last brush pickup is Monday October 27.
  
• Trick or Treat is Friday October 31 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
  

     Fall Festival and Business Showcase: “The weather was warm and wonderful, and attendance was high.”
      The passing of Al Conners was noted. He was a longtime community volunteer, Rotarian and founding member of the Aurora chapter.
      The Mayor continued to have budget meetings with staff members and Council. She did her Community Focus television taping and met virtually with the Portage Foundation for the Moore Grants Committee grant recommendations. She thanked Laura Holman and Karen Pope for “pinch-hitting” for her with the Harmon 8th Graders’ “Walkabout” on September 26. Congratulations were extended to John Kudley for being inducted into the Aurora High School Alumni Hall of Fame. 
    There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Aurora Park at Geauga Lake on Thursday October 23 at 3:30 pm.
        
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero  updated Council on Union Negotiations. He is hopeful that he will have contracts for Council’s approval in the next 30 days.

Citizens Comments on legislation– None
 Council Remarks on legislation– None
Legislation:
Ordinances on 3rd Reading:

• An Ordinance selecting the bid of and awarding a one year contract to Aero-Mark Company, LLC for the Citywide Pavement Marking Program in an amount not to exceed $160,210.07 and having the option to renew the contract for the 2nd and/or 3rd year at the prices set forth in the bid documents was adopted.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of bulk road salt from Cargill, Inc at the price of $62.89 per ton (basic salt) and $78.06 per ton (clearlane) in an amount not to exceed $400,000.00 for the 2025-2026 snow season was adopted.
  
• An Ordinance selecting the bid of and awarding a 1 year contract to Perrin Asphalt for the 2026 Concrete Rehabilitation Program was adopted.
  

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate for multi-family to New Leaf Development for a condominium development located on the southwest corner of SR43 and Aurora Lake Rd in the PD Planned Development District went to 3rd Reading with an amendment, proposed by J. Kudley, to be attached to the Ordinance stipulating that sidewalks be required along public roadways.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the revised development plan for Hawthorn of Aurora LLC located Southwest of Aurora Lake Road and North Aurora Road, in a PD Planned Development District went to 3rd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate for a comparable use to Accanto Health/The Emily Program for an in-patient residential medical facility, located at 700 Walden lace, in the PD Planned Development District went to 3rd Reading.
  
• The Resolution accepting the written recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) regarding the tax abatements currently in effect for the City of Aurora was adopted with rules suspended.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance from Mayor, Duguay & Horvat setting the compensation of the Mayor and City Council members for the periods beginning January 1, 2028 through December 31, 2031 went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The 7 Ordinances and 3 Resolutions proposed for action that evening were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Strand Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $62,000.00 for design services for the replacement of the culvert on Eldridge Road went to 2nd Reading.
  

Citizens Comments: None
Council Members Remarks: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.