Aurora City Council & COW - 02/23/26

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​February 23, 2026

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley with all Council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz, Ralph Ware and Scott Wolf. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present. There were 12 citizens present- several of them were Scouts.

Minutes from February 9, 2026 were accepted with R. Barner abstaining.

Finance Director’s Report: Mr. Clymer reported that “later this month, the Finance Department will participate in a Tax Incentive Review Committee meeting to evaluate the performance of all CRA properties. Legislation will arise from that meeting to affirm the TIRC’s recommended actions.” It is still too early to see trends in the budget.

New Business:
 There were 3 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for several current employees and new hires. There is a newly hired Waste Water management supervisor, 3 promotions in Service, 1 demotion requested by the employee, a new full time Dispatcher, an Engineering intern and several seasonal Parks and Rec hires.
  

• An Ordinance selecting the bid of Northeast Ohio Trenching Service, Inc. in the amount of $304,475.60 to perform improvements to the watermain at the intersection of State Route 82 and State Route 43 and along SR 43 to Maple Lane. This work needs to be completed in advance of ODOT resurfacing project on SR 82.
  
• An Ordinance amending Ordinance 2026-041 to allow for the contract to be paid out of the Aurora Park at Geauga Lake Fund instead of the Capital Improvement Fund. This is just a “housekeeping” item as the incorrect fund was initially listed.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:07 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members were all present as noted in the COW report. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present, and 12 people in the gallery.

February 9, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted with R. Barner abstaining.

The agenda was amended to remove the Executive Session to discuss Union Negotiations and add Misc. Liquor Notice VFW, 1033 N. Aurora Rd.




Mayor’s Report: City News: The Snowman Contest continues through February 28. Submissions can be made on auroraoh.com under Parks and Rec/Events. Community Garden: Returning gardeners have the option to renew their plots starting February 16 until March 4 after which non-renewed plots will be made available to all gardeners beginning March 9. Information can be found by contacting Parks and Rec Department. Spring EGGStravaganza: This event will be held in the AHS gym and is open for ages 12 and under. Registration opens March 2. The day features an Egg hunt, bunny meet and greet, face painting, games, raffles and more. Register at Auroraoh.com.
   State of the City Address luncheon will be on Wednesday February 25 at Aurora Meadows and Mazzulo’s will be catering.
  Salt supply: Salt is being used, salt is still on order.
 Judge Mark Fankhauser, longtime Portage County Municipal Court Judge, passed away suddenly. The Mayor sends her heartfelt condolences to his family, including his wife, Portage County Clerk Jill Fankhauser.
 The Mayor has completed staff annual evaluations, spoke to Rotary Club about 2026 plans and met with Superintendent Dr. Paul Milcetich and School Board President Pam Mehallis. She submitted her March Aurora Neighbors letter and did a story for Channel 19 about progress at Aurora Park.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero’s report was included with the packet. He said there is a tentative agreement with the Dispatchers Union and he hopes to have a contract for approval at the next meeting after the union members finish voting. A detailed Law Department 2025 Annual Report was included and can be found on the City’s web site.

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

 Council Remarks on legislation–  None

Consent Calendar: There are 5 Ordinances on 2nd Reading that will go to 3rd Reading but do not have to be read aloud. There were no questions about any of them.

Legislation:
Ordinance on 3rd 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.

• The 2 Ordinances authorizing the advertisement of surplus property for online auction were adopted.

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate to Vivid Muse LLC located at 1000 East Pioneer Road in the R-2 Residential District was adopted with Rules Suspended.

• A Resolution confirming the appointment of Dr. Philip Keyser to the Board of Health of the Portage County Combined General Health District was adopted with Rules Suspended.
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of (2) 2026 Ford Explorers from Montrose Ford for the Police Department was adopted with Rules Suspended.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hall Public Safety Upfitters for the purchase and installation of equipment for the 2 Ford Explorers was adopted with Rules Suspended.
• An Ordinance granting a tax abatement to Aurora Development RS LLC/Tulum Mexican Restaurant for a 75%, 15 year abatement of real property taxes was adopted with Rules Suspended. The School Board was notified and agreed.

Ordinances on 1st Reading: 

• An Ordinance from City Council approving and adopting the current replacement pages of the Aurora Codified Ordinances, as prepared by the Walter H. Drane Company and verified by the Clerk of Council, went to 2nd Reading.
• The 3 Ordinances proposed for Action that Evening on 1st Reading were adopted with Rules Suspended. See COW for details.

 
The 5 Ordinances on 2nd Reading that were added to the Consent Calendar will go to 3rd Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hejduk-Cox and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $59,858.00 to provide professional design services for 2,200 linear feet of sidewalks on Aurora Road.
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of a one year contract with Azteca Systems, LLC in the amount of $25,011.34 for the annual renewal of the license and maintenance of the city’s asset management software.
• 3 Ordinances for Community Education classes.

Miscellaneous: Liquor Notice; VFW Post 2629 is seeking a new Permit to allow expanding liquor services to allow for more parties from their current limited license.

Citizens Comments: Christine Untrauer from Ravenna spoke about her Veteran’s Grave Marker Project, a 501(c)(3) organization. She discovered that there are many Veterans in unmarked graves, some going back to the Civil War.  This non profit relies on donations and fundraisers and is looking for volunteers to help with research and to walk through cemeteries. There is no cost to Veteran’s families. She can be reached at [email protected] . Website is vgmproject.org. “Every man or woman who has served in the military deserves the respect and gratitude of all Americans for their dedication to our country. The final resting places of these heroes should be marked to acknowledge their military service and sacrifice.”

Council Members Remarks: R. Barner asked how they can help spread the word about the need for volunteers and researchers. She has left her information with the Council members.

Meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m. 

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