Aurora City Council & COW - 4/13/26

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​April 13, 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 9 City Officials and Employees present. There were 10 citizens present.

Minutes from March 30, 2026 were adopted with D. Kovach abstaining.

New Business:
 There was 1 Ordinance proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending “Employees Generally” to reflect changes in compensation for 2 current employees, 1 new seasonal hire in Parks and new hire of a part time inspector.

There was 1 Ordinance proposed for 1st Reading.

• An Ordinance authorizing payment in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 to the Ohio Auditor of State for audit fees associated with the city’s 2025 financial audit. Mr. Clymer said this was straight forward for the audit currently underway. There is no discretion in this matter. There was a question as to how much longer this will take and the answer was it should be done by May 31. Another question asked was if there was any risks associated with this audit. Mr. Clymer said there are no problems and none are anticipated as there is great attention to financial matters throughout the city departments. This State audit is a little stricter and more thorough which is why it is taking longer.

Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. All Council members were present. There were 9 City Officials and Employees present, and 10 people in the gallery. 

March 30, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted with D. Kovach and R. Ware abstaining.

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2026-078- CAUV, Brian and Michell Doskcocil, 925 Centerville Trail, Renewal application for the placement of farmland in an agricultural district. The Doskocils were present to answer any questions but there were none.

Appeal from the Decision of the Architectural Board of Review (ABR): This concerned the denial of a permit to install a metal roof at 1165 East Blvd. Several Council members had questions for the home owner. Current guidelines do not allow for metal roofs so some spoke about the obligation of city officials to uphold those guidelines. Others said the guidelines are being updated and some allowances may be made for certain metal roofs. It was mentioned that the city has put metal roofs on some of its buildings and allowances have been made for other installations of metal roofs. The installer was present to show the quality of the product, answer questions, explaining he has installed these roofs throughout Ohio and West Virginia among other states, does not use subcontractors, and the company has been in business for 30 years. The homeowner said his house is not right by the road but set back, he chose an inconspicuous color, wanted to have a good roof so that his children would not have to worry about a new roof should they need to sell it when they inherit it as there is a 40-50 year life of the metal roof. A motion was made to uphold the ABR’s denial of a permit to install the metal roof. That motion failed on a 5 to 4 vote which meant the homeowner could install the metal roof.
There was a 19 minute Executive Session to consider the Employment of a Public Official.
Mayor’s Report: City News:  Brush collection will take place the week of April 20.
     Tree Planting Fest, part of the Party at the Park series for the celebration of America’s 250th Birthday will be take place on May 2 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Aurora Tree Museum.
   Aurora Park: “This remains a construction site. Groundwork is being performed as we work through the submittal process…...Trees have been removed, a construction entrance to the water has been established, storm water measures are in place pursuant to the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and the SeaWorld maintenance building and guard shack have been taken down. The main parking lot construction is beginning.” 
   ODOT Resurfacing of 82: The work is expected to begin April 15 and will start at the intersection of 82 and 43 and will end at the Aurora/Mantua city limits. Two-way traffic will be maintained.
   Email Newsletter: An email newsletter to help keep residents informed of important information, as it develops, is in the works. The goal is to distribute one e-newsletter per month in addition to the mailed Year in Review and the semiannual newsletters, serving as  an additional way to share updates and announcements.
   Waterline Replacement: The watermain at the intersection of Rt 43 and Rt 82 should be completed in the next few weeks.
   Conservation Award: The City and Mayor are being awarded the Portage Park District Foundation’s 2026 Environmental Conservation Award for Green Development on Saturday, April 25 at 5:30 pm at the Kent American Legion for the opening of Aurora Trail and the development of Aurora Park.
   The Mayor recorded an interview for the Environmental Awards Dinner and worked with Fox 8 News to provide additional information on Aurora Park. The City held its Shred Day on April 11.   

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s report was included with the packet but had nothing to add.
Citizens Comments on the Mayor’s Report/Legislation– Two Bainbridge residents thanked Council for its support of Ordinance 2026-065 to accept the Big Dipper Road dedication and easement plat in Bainbridge Township within the Bainbridge Township/Aurora JEDD so that the project can continue without delay.
 Council Remarks on legislation –  None

Legislation:
Ordinance on 3rd Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting for dedication the sanitary sewer located in the right-of-way near 300 North Bissell Road was adopted.​
  

Ordinances on 2nd 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, remains on the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the Big Dipper Road dedication and easement plat in Bainbridge TWP within the JEDD District was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• 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 3rd 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 went to 3rd Reading.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance approving the renewal application for the placement of farmland in an agricultural district filed by Brian and Michelle Doskocil for property located at 925 Centerville Trail went to 2nd Reading. A Public Hearing was held earlier with no citizens other citizens present.
  
• An Ordinance amending Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for 4 employees was adopted with rules suspended. J. Kudley abstained and R. Ware voted no to suspend the rules.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 to the Ohio Auditor of State for audit fees associated with the city’s 2025 financial audit went to 2nd Reading.
  

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members Remarks: J. Seitz said that the Mulch Day on May 23 is at the Tree Museum and not at Moebius Nature Center as he had said at the last council meeting.
J. Kudley said the Aurora Historical Society is hosting a program on the Apollo Missions at the Museum on April 16 and there will also be The Kudley Invitational Track event named in his honor that same evening so he encouraged everyone to choose one to attend. He will be at the Track Meet.
R. Ware “stated that on March 7 he attended the Ohio Municipal League training for newly elected officials. He said it was great training that covered finance, ethics, bid purchasing best practices, etc.”

Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.