Aurora city council & cow - 11/20/23

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
November 20, 2023

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:45 pm by Chairman  John Kudley with council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach and Scott Wolf. Harold Hatridge was absent. 

November 6, 2023 minutes were adopted.

Finance Director’s Report: Timothy Clymer said that the Fund Balances remain in a healthy position with $44,317,370.00 unencumbered in all funds and $22,051,051.00 unencumbered in the General Fund. “As is typical in December, I anticipate proposing a seven-figure transfer out of the General Fund into various capital funds to prepare for our future needs.”

             There were 2 Ordinances proposed for Action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance to appropriate and advance monies for short term basis in the amount of $50,000 due to the lag time in monies received by developers.  
• An Ordinance for the incorporation of changes to the Income Tax Code Chapter 188 dealing with uniform language required by the State of Ohio.

 The Meeting adjourned at 6:51 pm

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City Council (CC):  Council President G. Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members were present and absent as noted in COW Report.  There were 9 City Officials and Employees and 3 people in the gallery.

Minutes from the November 6, 2023 meeting were adopted.

 Mayor’s Report: Items included Turkey Trot 5 K and Mashed Potato Mile on Thanksgiving; Holiday Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday November 25 at Bicentennial Gazebo at Pioneer Park; Congratulations to Tony Dockus honored as the 2023 Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year and LayerZero recognized as the 2023 Business of the Year. They will be celebrated at a Holiday luncheon at the Bertram Inn on December 8 at 11:30 am. Some meetings and events attended included speaking at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, attending the Chamber Holiday Jingle and Mingle event at Abigails’s and the Aurora Schools Foundation Donor Appreciation Night; swore in Police Officer Justin Trawick and, with Council President Horvat, completed the 2023 budget meetings with department heads and the Finance Department.





Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero asked for support of a 12 month Moratorium for new applications for Marijuana sales, related activities or cultivation. Columbus may still make changes to the initiated statute passed in November and how it will affect communities.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Remarks: None

Ordinances on 3rd  Reading:

• Ordinance 2023-104 for the Purchase of 40 acres of land and 53.63 acres of Geauga Lake with a Trail Lake Loop easement from ICP remains postponed. Until negotiations are completed it was agreed that the Ordinance will not need to be read at each meeting to save time.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading proposed at the November 6 meeting:

• An Ordinance accepting an easement from Wellsville Carpet Town, Inc for the purpose of access and maintenance of stormwater management facilities located at 335 Lena Drive went to 2nd Reading
  
• An Ordinance accepting an easement from Wellsville Carpet Town, Inc for the purpose of access and maintenance of a water meter vault located at 335 Lena Drive went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance accepting for dedication the sanitary sewers located within the easement area on Ravine Drive went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The 2 Ordinances proposed at COW and the Ordinance proposed by the Law Director and Mayor for a 12 month Moratorium on applications for Marijuana sales, etc. were adopted with rules suspended.
  

Miscellaneous:  A thank you from Council President Horvat to Colleen Martin for filling in as Clerk of Council.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members and Committee Remarks: Reva Barner asked if there were any updates on the former Theater to which was replied that there was nothing firm but there may be a tentative contract.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.

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