Aurora City Council & COW - 3/30/26

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​March 30, 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, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, John Seitz, Ralph Ware and Scott Wolf.  Dennis Kovach was absent. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present. There were 4 citizens present.

Minutes from March 9, 2026 were adopted with S. Grdina Gilmore and R. Barner abstaining.

New Business:
 There were 9 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance awarding a contract to Ronyak Paving, Inc. for the 2026 Road Paving Program in the amounting to $879,841.81. S. Grdina Gilmore asked about the resurfacing of Old Mill Rd. and if there was a plan to widen the road. Mr. Stark said they will do repair work where needed but not planning on widening the road.
  

• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Evoque Water Technologies, LLC. In the amount of $158,294.00 to purchase 2 replacement ditch drives at the Westerly WWTP. The lead time is 6-8 weeks and the quote expires April 24, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance approving a change order to the contract with Mars Electric Company in the amount of $48,424.00 for an additional switch bay that will fully service the future lift station at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. It will be cheaper to install it now at the beginning of the project than to come back later.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a KG25 generator to replace the existing generator at the Homestead lift station from Buckeye Power Sales in the amount of $33,190.00. 
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a KG60 generator to replace the existing generator at the Hawthorn lift station from Buckeye Power Sales in the amount of $33,230.00. These generators are at the end of their useful lives. There are 15 lift stations in the City and these generators will prevent sewage from backing up into homes in the event of power outages. There is a 6 month lead time and the orders are good until April 4.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Independent Contractor Agreement with Geauga Lake Consulting, LLC. To provide services at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake including onsite security, project oversight, maintenance, and other duties as needed. His current contract expired March 11, 2026 and the city wishes to keep him on for his historic knowledge of the former Sea World property at least until Phase 1A is completed.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the establishment of a seasonal internship position – “Community Events Intern” in the Parks and Recreation Department. It will start this spring and is not a civil service job. Pay would be about $15.00 an hour. R. Barner remarked she would like to see this position offered sooner so college students could apply for a summer position. Karen Pope replied that there were a couple of situations that came up that prompted the need for this hire. S. Grdina Gilmore asked if this would be a yearly hire. K. Pope replied that they do not know yet what the needs will be.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the establishment of a classified, non-union, non-exempt full-time Project Coordinator/Administrative Assistant position in the Police Department. There is some restructuring happening in the Police Department and there is a need for one person to coordinate events.
  
• An Ordinance amending “Employees Generally” to reflect changes in compensation for 5 current employees, 3 new seasonal hires in Parks and new hire of a part time senior bus driver.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:21 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:25 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members D. Kovach and R. Ware were absent, all others were present. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present, and 4 people in the gallery.

March 9, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted.

There was an Executive Session to discuss Union Negotiations and one to consider the Employment of a Public Official. A motion was made to remove the 2nd Session because the Mayor was not at the Council meeting. J. Kudley expressed a desire to discuss the matter. The Law Director said Council had a right to discuss the matter without the Mayor being present and it remained despite “no” votes from Horvat, Seitz and Wolf. Council was absent for about 30 minutes.

Mayor’s Report: Karen Pope read the report: City News:  City buildings will be closed Friday, April 3 for the holiday weekend. Shred Day will be held at the Service Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday April 11. A special brush collection took place last week to help with storm-related wind debris. Regularly scheduled brush collection will begin the week of April 20 and continue during the last full week of each month (except in May when it is the second to last full week), weather permitting.
   Aurora Park: Demolition of a maintenance building and entrance building is being completed. Preliminary grading of the future entrance off Squires Rd is underway.
   Waterline Replacement: The watermain at the intersection of Rt 43 and Rt 82 is being replaced this week and complete road closures in the evening will take place for approximately 30 days.
   North Chillicothe Culvert: The stormwater culvert beneath the roadway along North Chillicothe Rd was replaced by the Service Dept last week in preparation for the upcoming resurfacing project.
    Spring EGGStravaganza: 315 children signed up for this spring event. There were 19 organizations registered for vendor tables.
    The Mayor gave her State of the City address to the seniors at their luncheon. She completed articles for Walden Life and Aurora Neighbors, attended the Aurora Schools Foundation fundraiser, published the Year in Review, submitted Cleveland Magazine’s Rating the Suburbs Mayor’s Survey and attended a MAPPS lunch meeting.
    
   
  
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s report was included with the packet. He asked that Ordinance 2026-077 be added to the night’s legislation concerning the Collective Bargaining agreement with the Police Dispatchers. The Union voted to aprove the collective bargaining agreement. This was discussed at the Executive Session.

Citizens Comments on the Mayor’s Report/Legislation– A citizen asked what the warranty was on the 2 generators for the lift stations. Answer: 1 year.

 Council Remarks on legislation –  None

Legislation:
4 Ordinances and 1 Resolution on 2nd Reading were adopted with Rules Suspended:

• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Traverse for Planning and Zoning
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Agri-Sludge, Inc to perform sludge removal for 2026.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of internet equipment infrastructure for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of security cameras and related equipment for Aurora Park.
  
• A Resolution accepting the written recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) regarding the tax abatements currently in effect.
  

Ordinance on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting for dedication the sanitary sewer located in the right-of-way near 300 North Bissell Road went to 3rd Reading.
  

Ordinances on 1st 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, went to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the Big Dipper Road dedication and easement plat in Bainbridge TWP within the JEDD District went to 2nd Reading.
  
• 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 went to 2nd Reading.
  
• 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.
  
• The 9 Ordinances proposed for action this evening on 1st Reading were adopted, declaring an emergency, with Rules Suspended. See COW for details.
  
• The Ordinance proposed for the Collective Bargaining agreement with the Police Dispatchers was adopted, declaring an emergency, with Rules Suspended.
  

Miscellaneous: Set a public hearing for Monday April 13, 2026 for CAUV, Brian and Michelle Doskocil, 925 Centerville Trail, Renewal.
Liquor Notice: VFW Post 2629 New D-3 Application. There were no issues with this.

Citizens Comments: H. Caplan presented a letter thanking anyone for support of his proposal to rezone property he owns to accommodate senior housing that would allow seniors to keep their pets in a safe home.

Council Members Remarks: J. Seitz said May 8 is Arbor Day at Leighton and May 23 is Mulch Day at Moebius Nature Center.
S. Grdina Gilmore asked about progress of announcing opening day for Aurora Park. H. Stark replied that they are hoping for the end of August.
J. Kudley said the Aurora Historical Society is hosting the Easter Bunny at the museum Saturday morning, April 4 from 10-11:30. He noted the passing of long time Landmark Commission member Tim Holder.  

Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. 

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