Aurora City Council & COW - 11/10/2025

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
November 10, 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, Sara Grdina 
Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz and Scott Wolf. Reva Barner was absent. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present. There were 3 citizens present.

Minutes from October 13, 2025 were accepted with G. Horvat abstaining.
Minutes from October 27, 2025 were accepted with P. French, S. Grdina Gilmore and D. Kovach abstaining.

There was a 13 minute Executive Session to discuss Union negotiations.

 There were 6 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance for Employees Generally to reflect compensation for a newly hired Tech II replacing an employee who left in September.
  

• An Ordinance to execute a lease agreement with with the Aurora Historical Society for the purpose of leasing space at the city owned library building. This was the last of the 4 lease agreements. Mr. Kudley abstained.
  
• An Ordinance approving the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Aurora and the Police Sergeants who are represented by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
  
• An Ordinance approving the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Aurora and the Police Officers who are represented by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
  
• An Ordinance approving the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Aurora and the Aurora City Fire Fighters who are represented by the Local 2488 International Association of Fire Fighters Union.
  
• An Ordinance approving a change order to the contract with Platform Cement, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $250,075.00, which includes a 20% contingency for additional site demolition and grading services at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. Based on talks with Bainbridge it was necessary to move the previously planned entrance that was in Bainbridge into Aurora.
  

There were 2 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Carahsoft Technology Corp. in the amount of $25,868.15 to purchase a Skydio X10 drone for use by the Police Department. The former drone suffered damage and the insurance money from that helped pay for this drone along with its already being budgeted. Mr. Duguay asked if this was American made as he understood Chinese made drones were no longer allowed to be purchased. The answer was affirmative. Ms. Grdina Gilmore asked what it is used for. Chief Byard said the previous one was used about 10 times a year to help in finding lost people- never used for surveillance of citizens. The Mayor confirmed that Aurora does not use drones or cameras for surveillance.
  

• An Ordinance “providing for the issuance and sale of not to exceed $20,000,000 of bonds for the purpose of paying costs of constructing, reconstructing, furnishing, equipping and otherwise improving capital improvements comprising a portion of the Geauga Lake Improvement Project, for park, conservation, recreational and other municipal purposes, and including all necessary related improvements and appurtenances thereto”. Finance Director Tim Clymer introduced Fiduciary Advisor Brian Cooper, who will represent the City of Aurora to assist in the process of issuing bonds. He gave a slide presentation with some initial information. Mr. DiPiero asked how common it is to pursue bonds to finance projects as the city hasn’t done this before. Mr. Cooper answered that it is very common to be used for infrastructure projects and amenities that are larger than can be paid for in the yearly budget. Mr. Clymer said the city generates enough extra income to pay for the yearly debt on this 20 year bond. More information will be provided at the next 2 City Council meeting readings.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:47 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 2 people in the gallery.

October 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes were approved with G. Horvat abstaining.
October 27, 2025 Meeting Minutes were approved with P. French, S. Grdina Gilmore and D. Kovach abstaining.

Mayor’s Report: City News highlighted:

• Leaf collection will continue as weather permits.
  
• Veterans Day program at Veterans Memorial Tuesday November 11, at 11 a.m.
  
• Breakfast with Santa sign up began November 6 for the December 6 event at Bertram.
  
• Holiday Tree Lighting Festival will be Saturday, November 29, 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Bicentennial Park.
  
• Holiday Lights Tour begins December 12. Register your address by December 6.
  

         Congratulations were offered to Brad Duguay, Reva Barner and Sarah Grdina Gilmore on their reelections and Welcome to new Council member Ralph Ware. She looks forward to working with everyone for the next 4 years after being honored to have run unopposed.
        The Mayor taped her Community Focus program outside at Moebius Nature Center and spent much of Election Day at the polls greeting voters. She attended the sendoff for the Aurora Women’s Cross-Country team and men’s qualifier on Halloween. She attended the Veteran’s luncheon earlier this day.
        
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero’s report was included with the packet and referred to the Union Negotiations which are being voted on at this meeting.

Citizens Comments on legislation– None
 Council Remarks on legislation–Mr. Duguay explained his no vote for the revised development plan for Hawthorn of Aurora at the last meeting. He said there was confusion  and concern with the Commercial part of the plan. Mr. Wolf asked for clarification. Planning Director D. Januska said that the existing zoning was for Commercial, this change actually adds more residential reducing the amount of commercial. Any future Commercial still has to go through Planning.

Legislation:
Ordinances on 3rd Reading

• 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 was adopted with a No vote from B. Duguay.
  

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance proposed 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 remained on the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance selecting the bid of Thompson Electric, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $26,460.00 to install the new generator at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance selecting the bid of and awarding a one year contract to H&M Landscaping, Inc. for 2026 Turf and Landscape Maintenance in the amount of $84,280.00, having the option to renew the contract for the second and/or third year at the amounts specified in the bid response was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance granting a tax abatement to Trinity Pro Group LLC for a 25%, 6-year abatement for real property taxes, in accordance with the provisions of the city’s Community Reinvestment Area known as CRA 2 was adopted with rules suspended.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• The 6 Ordinances proposed at COW for action on 1st Reading were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.
  
• The 2 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading went to 2nd Reading. See COW for details.
  

Miscellaneous: Liquor Notice: Walden Hospitality, LLC was transferred from Walden Management Corp.

Citizens Comments: None
Council Members Remarks:  J. Kudley said the Historical Museum was hosting the 3rd Graders if anyone wanted to help out.  S. Wolf congratulated the Varsity Boys Soccer Team..

Meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.​