Aurora City Council and COW - 01/26/26

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
January 26, 2029

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley with all Council members present: Brad Duguay, Reva Barner, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz, Ralph Ware and Scott Wolf. There were 9 City Officials and Employees present. There were 12 citizens present- 10 of them were for the Police Awards recipients and their families.

Minutes from January 12, 2026 were accepted with S. Grdina Gilmore’s abstaining.

Finance Director’s Report: Timothy Clymer said “The city closed 2025 with transfers totaling $6.5 million from the General Fund to a variety of capital funds which will be used to help cover the $47.4 million in anticipated capital projects budgeted in 2026.” Receipts were 130.2% of expected amounts and expenditures were at 91.4% of budgeted amounts. Ending balance of the General Fund was $15.2 million,  $1.9 million over the 2025 beginning balance of $13.3 million. Significant increases were seen in income taxes, property taxes and interest income. Water and Sewer funds continued to operate within their means.

New Business:
 There were 15 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance for Employees Generally for the re-hire of a part time sports monitor, change in status of a dispatcher and the correction in base rates for non union full time workers due to a formula error.
  

• An Ordinance for creating two new funds for improvements at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake – Fund 13 “Bond Retirement – 2026 Aurora Park at Geauga Lake” and Fund 59 “Aurora Park at Geauga Lake Capital Fund”. 
  
• An Ordinance approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Aurora City Service Employees, who are represented by the Teamsters Local Union 436. 
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of SynaTek in the amount of $36,440.00 for the purchase of a Husqvarna Ceora autonomous mower and two years insurance. This robomower takes a while to get and the price is due to go up.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2026 Ford F250 truck from Liberty Ford for use by Parks and Rec at a cost of $48,180.00. It will take 6-8 months to build it.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of Hoekstra Transportation in the amount of $11,000.00 for the purchase of a 2026 Diamond Coach 29 passenger senior transportation bus with suspension upgrade. There is a minimum 6-month lead time from date of the order. The present bus has broken down and stranded seniors twice. 
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of Century Equipment in the amount of $59,765.49 for the purchase of a Toro Workman UTX and a Toro Workman GTX. The lead times for these UTVs are uncertain so it is important to order them now.
  

• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of Marshall Power Equipment in the amount of $36,455.00 for the purchase of a Exmark Lazer x 60” riding mower and a Exmar Vertex 60” stand-on mowers. The order needs to be placed ASAP to secure the equipment by the spring season.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute the final resolution for the Ohio Dept of Transportation resurfacing project for State Rte 306 from Aurora Rd to Crackel Road and State Rte. 82 from Aurora Rd to Townline Rd. taking the city’s financial contribution of $749,854.00 from 3 funds which are due to ODOT by February 6, 2026. Bidding will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of The Safety Company, LLC dba Mtech Company in the amount of $301,395.00 for the purchase of a CityCat 5006 Street Sweeper. This slightly smaller Sweeper will replace a 2016 Sweeper.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2025 Ford F150 extended cab truck from Montrose Ford for use by the Service Department at a cost of $51,179.49.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of Berea Sandstone from Cleveland Quarries at a cost of $112,520.00 for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. There is a long lead time to obtain the material before construction begins.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of two 2025 Ford F150 crew cab trucks from Montrose Ford for use by the Service Department at a cost of $97,080.90.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a Kommunal Multi-Purpose Tractor from Brown Equipment Company in the amount of $319,683.00 after the trade-in of a 2005 New Holland TB100 Tractor.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Burrier Service Co LLC in the amount of $25,290.00 for HVAC work on the multiple units at City Hall. The work has been done but needs Council approval to release the payment for services provided since the price exceeded the $25,000.00 threshold. 
  

There were 2 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance declaring as surplus and unnecessary certain property, authorizing the Mayor to advertise these items for sale via online auction.
  
• An Ordinance declaring as surplus and no longer required for the operation of the city, a 2004 E-One Fire Truck, authorizing the fire truck for sale via online auction.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:28 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:34 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 9 City Officials and Employees present, 2 Police Officers being honored, 8 family members and 2 people in the gallery.

January 12, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted with S. Grdina Gilmore abstaining.

Police Awards: Chief Byard made a presentation to Kaitlin Laskey as Police Department 2025 Employee of the Year and to Laura Clague as the Police Department 2025 Officer of the Year, Congratulating them both. City Council proposed 2 Resolution to Kaitlin Laskey and to Laura Clague in appreciation of the City of Aurora and congratulating them on this honor. The Resolutions were adopted unanimously with rules suspended.

Mayor’s Report: City News: The Snowman Contest continues through February 28. Submissions can be made on auroraoh.com under Parks and Rec/Events.
She thanked the “dedicated city employees who have worked tirelessly to ensure our roads remain clear during the recent winter weather.” She explained how the plowing and salt resources are allocated in these snow events.
Council was thanked for their approving the city’s 2026 Budget at the last Council meeting.  Plans are moving forward with the purchases in the budget as is evident in this evening’s legislation. She explained why some of the budgeted items are approved on first reading with rules for 3 readings suspended-that some items must be purchased right away due to very long lead times. 
  State of the City Address luncheon will be on Wednesday February 25 at Aurora Meadows and Mazzulo’s will be catering.
   America 250: Party at the Park Event Series is being planned for the first Saturday of the month from May through August 2026. Each event will highlight a theme tied to our nation’s history, values and shared experiences while showcasing Aurora’s parks as welcoming spaces for civic pride, family engagement, and community connection. More details coming soon.
  The Mayor has submitted articles for Aurora Neighbors and Walden Life and has been meeting her staff for annual evaluations. Congratulations to AJ Barner, son of Council rep Reva Barner, on his team, the Seahawks, making it to the Super Bowl.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero’s report was included with the packet. He mentioned there was a general 4% increase in the wages negotiated with the Teamsters although there were a few differences.

Citizens Comments on the Mayor’s Report/Legislation– None
 Council Remarks on legislation–  None

Legislation:
Ordinance on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of annual software and technology purchases through LTech Solutions, Ltd in the amount of $290,049.03 was adopted with rules suspended.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate to Trinity Pro Group LLC/Lotus Wellness & Medspa for a professional office, located at 119 East Garfield Rd, in the T-1 Transitional Commercial Service District was adopted with rules suspended.
  

• The 15 Ordinances proposed for action on 1st Reading were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.
  
• The 2 Ordinances authorizing the advertisement of surplus property for online auction went to 2nd Reading. 
  

Miscellaneous: 

• The rules of the City Council were adopted
  

• There was a Liquor Notice: El Granero Mexican Restaurant LLC was announced with no objections from the Police Dept. A permit application for a Liquor Notice by Evexia Cafe & Market LLC was withdrawn.
  

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members Remarks:  None

Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.