Aurora City Council & COW - 1/27/2025

Aurora City Council and Committee of the Whole
​January 27, 2025

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, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gardner, George Horvat,   Dennis Kovach, John Seitz and Scott Wolf.   There were 10 City Officials and Employees present. There were 2 citizens present.

Minutes from January 13, 2025 were adopted with R. Barner and S. Grdina Gardner abstaining and amended to show “he” is identified as Dean DiPiero.

Finance Director’s Report: Actual receipts for 2024 came in at 128.8% of expected amounts while expenditures came in at 92.5% of budgeted expenses. The General Fund had an ending balance of $13.3 million after all transfers were made. There was a significant increase in interest income because of the money that was sitting in an account for the Geauga Lake purchase. This will not happen in the future since that money has been spent. Water and sewer funds are operating within their means. 

 There were 7 Ordinances and 2 Resolutions proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• A Resolution confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Mr. John C. Jones to Aurora’s Planning Commission replacing Connie Lewandowski for the term ending December 31, 2025.

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Vasu Communications Inc. in the amount of $157,101.08 to purchase 40 handheld portable radios and 3 mobile radios for use by the Fire Department.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Vasu Communications Inc in the amount of $38,548.76 to purchase 15 Kenwood 5430 radios for use by the Police Department. The old Radios for both of the Departments are old and considered obsolete and  July deadline is approaching where they will no longer by supported. They will be more efficient and have a greater range.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of American Platinum Door and Gate in the amount of $28,757.83 for the purchase and installation of one high speed garage door at the Brown-Keidel Service Center.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of the Gledhill Road Machinery Co. for the purchase of 3 Snow and ice upfit packages for use by the Service Department at a cost of $404,457.77 for trucks purchased in 2024. One of the blades is extra wide to make it more efficient to plow the major roads.
• A Resolution supporting the Ohio Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250-OH).
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of Cutter Power Sales, LLC for the purchase of a Ventrac KW 452 Tractor with cab, broom, and mower deck in the amount of $49,707.10 for the Parks and Rec Department to also assist in plowing sidewalks. 
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2024 Ford Transit 350 Van for the Senior Transportation Program in the amount of $81,550.00.
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2025 Ford 250 pick up truck with plow for use by the Parks and Rec Department at a cost of $54,998.00.

Meeting adjourned at 6:22 pm

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City Council (CC):  Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:27 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. All Council members were present as noted in the COW report. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present and 2 people in the gallery.

January 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes were adopted with R. Barner and S. Grdina Gardner abstaining.

Mayor’s Report: “Thank you to the dedicated city employees who have worked tirelessly to ensure our roads remain clear during the recent winter weather”. She is grateful for the approval of the 2025 Budget and plans and purchases are moving forward. The State of the City luncheon is February 26th at the Bertram Inn. Since the last meeting she met with representatives from Fill a Bag, Feed a Family and from Silver Creek Church.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero’s explained Ordinance 2025-010 approving the text of changes of Aurora’s City Charter as approved by voters in November, 2024 is necessary even though it was certified.

Citizens Comments: None
Council Remarks: None

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of annual software and technologies through LTech Solutions, LTD in the amount of $198,129.90 was adopted with rules suspended.
• An Ordinance creating 3 new funds for the Bainbridge Aurora JEDD Fund went to 3rd Reading.

Ordinances and Resolutions on 1st Reading:

• The 9 Ordinances proposed at COW for action on 1st Reading were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.
• An Ordinance from City Council approving the text of the changes of Aurora’s City Charter, as approved by the voters at the November 5, 2024 election and as completed by Aurora’s Clerk of Council and its Law Director went to 2nd Reading. Mr. DiPiero thanked Marie Lawrie, Clerk of Council, for all her work on this.
• 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.

Citizens Comments: H Caplin, the owner of 7 ½ acres in Aurora, spoke again about rezoning that property for senior housing that would allow owners of pets a place to keep their pets with them and keep them safer than in current older homes that may have steps. He passed out a request to Aurora City Council to rezone that property for ADA Condominiums. Mr DiPiero replied that the property had been rezoned to retail as per Mr. Caplan’s request. Mr. Caplan has the right to go to the voters but doesn’t think the city would support senior housing there. He would like to find a viable use for this property.

Council Members Remarks: R. Barner expressed congratulations to the resident who was in the movie “Unstoppables” and to her son, A.J. Barner named rookie offense for Seattle.

 The meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm.