Aurora City Council & COW - 05/26/2026

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​May 26, 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 10 City Officials and Employees present. There were 3 citizens and 2 representatives from Wichert Insurance present.

Minutes from May 26, 2026 were adopted with S. Grdina Gilmore and S. Wolf abstaining.

Finance Director’s Report:  “Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $46,694,449 unencumbered in all funds, and $16,576,357 unencumbered in the General Fund.” Revenue collections through April are at 40% of budgeted revenues with 33.3% of the year completed. Income tax collections are at 36.3% of budgeted revenue and General Fund expenditures are at 32.3% of budgeted- “where we want to be”.

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

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Perram Electric in the amount of $37,861.56 for the installation of a pedestrian activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon on N. Bissell Road. In answer to several Council members questions, Mr. Stark added that there were 3 proposals submitted; there is a 12-16 month lead time and the city wanted to coordinate its installation with the completion of the sidewalk that will connect N. Bissell and run north along Rt 43 in August/September; there won’t be a need for a warning sign alerting drivers to the crosswalk as it will be further south on the road and very visible.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Adorama in the amount of $20,739.99 for the purchase of a Skydio drone for use by the police department. A drone was ordered in 2025 and was never delivered and the company kept pushing the delivery time back. The price is comparable and there was no deposit given so the city is not out any money.
  

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal and renewing the city’s property, casualty, cyber and crime insurance policies for the policy period June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 through Wichert Insurance Services, Inc., the total premium for which shall be $286,765.00. 2 Insurance agents were present and gave an overview of the policy. There was a slight increase from last year. They also mentioned that this was very good compared with other cities in the area.
  

There were 8 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance declaring as surplus and unnecessary certain property which is not required for the operation of the city and authorizing the Mayor to advertise them for sale via online auction. Some of the items include a bus and gator.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Midwest Public Safety in the amount of $22,307.90 for the purchase of GETAC cloud storage for body cameras and dash cameras for the police department.
  
• An Ordinance accepting an easement from Hawthorne of Aurora Limited Partnership, for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk on North Aurora Road and Bissell Road.
  
•  An Ordinance approving a three year maintenance contract in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 annually in 2026. 2027, and 2028 with Software Solutions for annual software support and maintenance for the Finance and Utility Billing departments.
  
• A Resolution submitting to the electors of the city the question of the renewal of an existing 0.9-mil tax levy for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges in the City of Aurora, Ohio. This is the 2nd piece of legislation needed to put this renewal on the November 2026 ballot. This is for 5 years and is needed to help pay for the approximately 2 million dollars budgeted for roads, etc. each year.
  
• An Ordinance amending Chapter 106 “Contracts & Performance Bonds” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances by enacting a new section 106.04 “Blanket Certificates and Super Blanket Certificates” to formally comply with Ohio Revised Code 5705.41(d)(3). This is a type of purchase order done throughout the state that the city wants to codify prior to the conclusion of the city’s 2025 financial audit.
  
• An Ordinance amending Chapter 135 “Department of Finance” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances by enacting a new section 135.02 “Currency Rounding” to formally establish a rounding policy to align with currency in circulation. Since the penny is no longer being minted and there may be future coins no longer minted, this policy will be codified for those possibilities.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of “Kompan, Inc. in the amount of $3,460,230.00 for design and construction of a custom themed accessible adventure play area including poured-in-place rubber surfacing to be installed at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake Phase 1B…”  The theme will be nature and wildlife and will accommodate all ages and abilities. They would like the play area to be completed by summer 2027. There is a 10 year warranty.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Rent.Fun, LLC in the amount of $55,000.00 to provide and service a 16-unit self-serve rental kiosk for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake that will include kiosk, rental software, 6 single kayaks, 6 stand up paddle boards, 4 tandem kayaks, paddles and life jackets. Answers to several Council members questions and comments included: Berea has this system and makes between $3,000 and $5,000 a year; The company provides maintenance and will respond promptly if there any problems; the Mayor said there will be no outside boats allowed for this year or maybe the next; this is a one time cost and the city will get back 35% if the contract is approved before June.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:43 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:45 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.  

May 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted with S. Grdina Gilmore and S. Wolf abstaining.


 Executive Session: There was a 10 minute Executive Session to discuss the Acquisition of Real Property.

Mayor’s Report:   “City News:
            2025/2026 school year concludes May 28 
            Food Truck Wednesdays, second and fourth Wednesdays, begins on June 10 from 11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. at Kiwanis-Moore Park. Details on participating trucks can be found on the Parks and Rec Facebook page the week prior to each event.
            Summer Concert Series, second and fourth Thursdays, begins on June 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park with Nick Costa & Company (vintage Vegas hits).
            July 4th Fun Run registration is going on now.

Aurora Park:  Utility work continues but the discovery of a very large foundation was discovered and had to be removed. Foundation work continues on the pavilion to build restrooms and an office. The concrete base structure for the future dock has been started.
Memorial Day: “Thank you to the American Legion and the VFW for their meaningful Memorial Day programs that took place yesterday.” State Representative Steve Demetriou spoke at the ceremony also. “Most importantly, thank you to all of our veterans who have given so much to this country.”
Party in the Park 250: The second event in America’s birthday celebration is Ohio Goes to the Movies on June 6 at Veterans Memorial Park, with a pre-movie party at 1:30 p.m. followed by a free showing of “Superman” at 3:00 p.m. at Atlas Cinemas.
Splash Pad and Snack Shack: Splash Pad hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Snack Shack hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., subject to change due to weather conditions.
Boathouse: There is a new boat/kayak launch which will provide a stable surface for individuals entering and exiting the water. Hours are weekdays, noon to 8 p.m. subect to change due to weather conditions.
Grand Marshal: Nominations are due by May 31 for this year’s July 4th parade. Applications are available online or by contacting the Parks and Recreation Department.
Sidewalk Repair Program: The popular Sidewalk Repair Program is resuming, in which the city will share the cost with the homeowner of qualifying sidewalk repairs. Interested residents must file an application to participate by August 5. Program details are on the Service Department page on the city’s website, or you can call 330-995-9116.
Paving: Old Mill and Deepwoods have been paved. Pavement preservation has also been completed on Lloyd, Bryce, Briarcliff, Walden, E. Pioneer, River Glen, Duneden and Greentree. The start date of ODOT’s paving on 82 is still uncertain.
              
  Mayor’s Office: Since the last Council meeting the Mayor “spoke at an event celebrating Avantor’s 4,000 days of no injuries, wrote articles for Aurora Neighbors and Walden Life, attended the Aurora Chamber event “Women of Wisdom”, met with officials and toured McMaster-Carr, and spoke at our Memorial Day Ceremony.” She congratulated the Class of 2026 and the Destination Imagination team for placing 6th globally.

 
     
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s report was included with the packet and it included continue working on the city’s update to the sign code and reviewing rules and regulation procedures for fishing and boating on Geauga Lake. 

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

 Council Remarks on legislation –  None

Legislation:
Consent Calendar: The 2 Ordinances and 1 Resolution on the Consent Calendar were on 3rd Reading and were adopted “in gross” without reading them aloud. They included: accepting an easement from Meijer Stores for the purpose of accessing water appurtenances that contain the meters required for utility billing by the city of Aurora; adopting the tax budget of the City of Aurora for the calendar year 2027; the Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mr. Victor Baerman as a member of the “PARTA” Board of Trustees for the term ending June 30, 2029.

Ordinances and Resolution on 1st Reading:

• The 3 Ordinances proposed at COW for action that evening were adopted with Rules Suspended. See COW for details.
  
• An Ordinance declaring surplus and unnecessary certain property be advertised for sale via online auction went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Midwest Public Safety for the purchase of GETAC cloud storage for body cameras and dash cameras was added to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the easement from Hawthorne of Aurora Limited Partnership for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk on North Aurora Road and Bissell Road was added to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance approving a three year maintenance contract for software support and maintenance for the Finance and Utility Billing departments was added to the Consent Calendar.
  
• A Resolution submitting to the electors of the city the question of the renewal of an existing 0.9 mill tax levy for streets, roads and bridges was added to the Consent Calendar with a no vote from Mr. Kudley.
  
• An Ordinance to enact a new section “Blanket Certificates and Super Blanket Certificates to formally comply with the Ohio Revised Code was added to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance to enact a new section  ”Currency Rounding” to formally establish a rounding policy to align with currency in circulation was added to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Kompan, Inc. for the design and construction of a custom themed accessible play area at Aurora Park and Geauga Lake went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Rent.Fun, LLC to provide and service a 16-unit self-serve rental kiosk for Aurora Park and Geauga Lake that will include kayaks, paddleboards and life jackets went to 2nd Reading.
  

Miscellaneous: Liquor Notice: VFW Post 2629 requested that their current license be expanded. There were no objections by the Police Department.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members Remarks: 
   Ms. Barner said she liked how all of the concerts are listed.
   Mr. Wolf congratulated the Class of 2026. The School did a great job, exceeded all expectations.
   Mr. Seitz extended compliments to the Police Officers in their handling of a recent incident.
   Mr. Kudley explained why he voted no in putting the tax levy ordinance on the Consent Calendar, stating he thinks tax issues should have 3 readings. He also said that there have been some problems with equipment at Liz Strahan Park and asked that the Mayor and Ms. Holman look into it.

Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. 


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