Aurora city council & COW - 04/27/26

Aurora, Ohio City Council and Committee of the Whole
April 27, 2026

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley with Council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz, Ralph Ware and Scott Wolf.  Sarah Grdina Gilmore was absent. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present. There were 4 citizens, 5 Student members of the Destination Imagination team and their coaches, parents and family present.

Minutes from April 13, 2026 were adopted.

Finance Director’s Report: “Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $47,981,554 unencumbered in all funds, and $15,716,534 in the General Fund.” 

New Business:
 There was 1 Ordinance proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance authorizing the contract with Bearing Distributors, Inc. in the amount of $33,737.28 including applicable shipping costs not to exceed $1,000.00 to purchase several bearings and couplers required for the recently purchased ditch drive for the Westerly WWTP. The Service Department will be able to install them. Mr. Ware questioned the 3 quotes provided and Mr. Stark said the city has worked with this company and their price was the best.
  

There were 2 Resolutions and 2 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading.

• A Resolution declaring it necessary to renew an existing 0.9-mill tax levy for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads, and bridges in the City of Aurora and requesting the Portage County auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the city and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by that renewal levy. The declaration of emergency is necessary to initiate the process of putting it on the November 2026 ballot in accordance with Board of Elections requirements. This will generate about $700,000 a year and the city budgets about $2,500,000. It will take 5 Council meetings before it is voted on.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the easement from Meijer Stores Limited Partnership for the purpose of accessing water appurtenances, specifically water vaults that contain the meters required for utility billing. Aurora is providing water and sewer and the meter is not in Aurora but in Bainbridge. Mr. DePiero reminded Council that the City will collect income taxes as per the JEDD agreement.
  
• An Ordinance approving and adopting the tax budget of the City of Aurora for the calendar year 2027 and authorizing its submission to the Portage County Auditor. Mr. Clymer emphasized this is not an actual budget but is based on information from a 5 year forecast. A 2002 Bond levy is set to retire and residents will not have to be taxed for the last payment.
  
• A Resolution confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Mr. Victor Baerman as a member of the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority “PARTA” Board of Trustees for the term ending June 30, 2029. He was originally appointed to fill a remaining term and will now be appointed to a full term.
  
  ​Meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm
  

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:14 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members, City Officials and Employees and people in the gallery were present as noted in the COW report.  

April 13, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted.

Proclamation by Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin to the Destination Imagination team. The YAASS team of 5 Students from Leighton Elementary School have won local and regional honors for their 2026 Improvisational Casting Shadows performances of problem solving. They will be going to the 2026 Global Finals May 21-24 in Kansas where they will be competing with teams from all over the world.

Mayor’s Report: City News:  Brush collection will take place the week of April 20.
           Tree Planting Fest, part of the Party at the Park series for the celebration of America’s 250th Birthday will be take place on May 2 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Aurora Tree Museum.
            Hydrant flushing will begin May 4 and continue through June 5.
            Brush Collection will take place the week of May 18
            Memorial Day (May 25) remembrances will begin at 10:15 at Veterans Memorial                                 Park followed by a procession to Aurora Cemetery.
   Aurora Park Update: “Work has begun on the renovation of the SeaWorld gatehouse pavilions and utilities. In addition, we are working on plans for Phase 1B, because if we hope to open that phase next year we may need to start some of the development this year. You may remember the main feature of that phase is an “Adventure Play” area for children of all ages.”
  Waterline 82/43: The watermain at the intersection of Rt 43 and Rt 82 is completed.
  Paving Program: The 2026 paving program has started. There are fewer roads being paved due to the commitment of helping to pave 82 and 306.
  Aurora Assistance Program: Aurora sponsors several assistance programs including utility accommodations based on the resident’s income level. Check the city’s website for details.
 The Mayor gave a detailed report on actions taken by Planning, Zoning and Building through April 15. The Staff continues to work on the Zoning update and the sign chapter will be the first section introduced. The numbers of projects and permits processed for Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Violations, Building permits, Architectural Review Board and Landmark Commission were listed for each. Construction value as of March 31, 2026 were Commercial & Industrial - $15,606,200 and Residential - $4,534,050.
  Mayor’s Office: Since the last Council meeting the Mayor recorded her Community Focus report, completed an article for Aurora Neighbors and met with the new CEO of LayerZero. She also met with residents regarding Tru Community and had an interview with Ideastream’s environmental reporter about Aurora Park. She spoke with Cub Scout Pack 3269 and Webelo Pack 3265 about government, attended the Portage Park Foundation’s Environmental Awards Dinner to accept the Green Development Award and attended the Rotary’s Taste of the Western Reserve. Mr. Kudley added that on April 16 the Aurora Boys and Girls broke records at the Invitational Track meet.
 
    
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s report was included with the packet and he added that Planning and Zoning department has hired a consultant to update codes. The US has declared all sign codes are unconstitutional so an update is necessary. That code will be the first to be addressed.

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

 Council Remarks on legislation –  None

Legislation:

Ordinances on 3rd Reading:

• An Ordinance from the March 9 COW authorizing the Mayor and Finance Director to compensate the Aurora Board of Education (BOE) $297,334.00 less the cost of $60,704.00 due to the city for providing School Resource Officers to the BOE for a net amount of $236,630.00 for its portion of the income tax received from property tax abatements granted on commercial and industrial properties for 2025 was adopted with Mr. Kudley abstaining.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the revised development plan for Aurora Development RS, LLC. located on the northeast corner of SR43 and Treat Rd in an M-1 Mixed-Use District was adopted.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission amending Chapter 1109 “Design Standards for Subdivisions and Improvements” concerning Pavement, Curbs, and Gutters of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to prevent the use of concrete for new residential streets was adopted.
  

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance approving the renewal application for the placement of farmland in an agricultural district filed by Brian and Michelle Doskocil for property located at 925 Centerville Trail was adopted with rules suspended. 
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 to the Ohio Auditor of State for audit fees associated with the city’s 2025 financial audit 
  

was adopted with rules suspended.

Ordinances and Resolutions on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal to enter into a contract with Bearing Distributors, Inc, to purchase several bearings the the Westerly WWTP was adopted with rules suspended. Mr. Ware voted no to suspend rules but voted yes for the Ordinance.
  
• A Resolution to renew an existing 0.9-mill tax levy for the roads and bridges went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance accepting an easement from Meijer Stores Limited Partnership for the purpose of accessing water appurtenances was added to the Consent Calendar with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance approving and adopting the tax budget of the City of Aurora for the calendar year 2027 and authorizing its submission to the Portage County auditor was added to the Consent Calendar with rules suspended. A Public Hearing was set for May 11, 2026.
  
• A Resolution confirmed the Mayor’s reappointment of Mr. Victor Baerman as a member of the PARTA Board of Trustees for the term ending June 30, 2029 was added to the Consent Calendar with rules suspended.
  

Citizens Comments: April Secura, President of the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County spoke about the upcoming free public screening of the PBS Great Performances premiere of “Suffs” at 7 pm on May 8 at Hiram College’s Hayden Auditorium at 11715 Garfield Rd. Information and free tickets are available at the LWVNPC website. 

Council Members Remarks: B. Duguay requested any feedback from the metal roof proposal be sent to him. J. Kudley said that the Aurora Historical Society will highlight major events in Aurora on May 21 as part of the 250th Birthday of the USA events. He also explained why he abstained on the Ordinance approving payment to the schools as he is a part time employee and his daughter Molly Kudley Schneider is a member of the Aurora School Board.

Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. 

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