Aurora city council & COW - 4/14/25

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​April 14, 2025

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

Minutes from March 31, 2025 were adopted with R. Barner abstaining.

 There were 5 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending Employees Generally reflecting changes in compensation for 3 individuals-2 part time Firefighter/Paramedics and 1 Seasonal worker for Parks and Rec.
  
• An Ordinance awarding a contract to Perrin Asphalt for the 2025 Road Paving Program in an amount no to exceed $1,376,767.52 and to be completed by July 1, 2025. It is a little less than last year, the price of asphalt went up but they will be using a little cheaper asphalt that is still good. 
  
• An Ordinance authorizing a contract with Gridiron Guys Construction for roof repair at Central WWTP in the amount of $39,600.00 plus $4,000.00 for contingency funds.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Wertz Geotechnical Engineering, Inc in the amount not to exceed $31,500.00 for professional geotechnical services at the Aurora Park at Geauga Lake.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Jagger Construction in the amount of $395,703.54 for the construction of the 80’ Ravine Pedestrian 
  
• Bridge at Paddock River Preserve. There were 4 bids, this was the lowest. The City has not done work with them but they called for references and there will be a maintenance bond. They are hoping to have it done this year.
  

There were 2 Ordinance proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance granting a tax abatement to Gatta Holdings, Inc. for a 100%, 15 year abatement of real property taxes. They will be expanding by 25,000 sq ft., increasing employees from 60 to 80 and increasing payroll over $800,000.00.  The School Board has been notified by Tim Clymer. 
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Verdantas, LLC in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 to provide professional engineering services for the final design and bidding documents for the replacement of the southernmost water tower.
  

There was an Ordinance on First Reading from Planning Commission approving the revised architectural design portfolio for Trentstone subdivision on Aurora Lake Road.

Meeting adjourned at 6:13 pm

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City Council (CC):  Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:18 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. All Council members were present and absent as noted in the COW report. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present and 3 persons in the gallery.

March 31, 2025 Meeting Minutes were adopted with R. Barner abstaining.

Mayor’s Report: Karen Pope read the report which called attention to the annual EGGStravaganza that was held on Saturday April 5 and attended by about 375 children with parents and friends, doubled from last year. There was a public open house on April 2 for the new park at Geauga Lake. Many citizens attended and were able to ask questions from consultant MKSK and Parks and Rec. The hope is to open the first phase as soon as the summer of 2026. Meetings and Events attended included a Portage County Development Board luncheon at Mad Jacks for elected officials with former State Senator Matt Dolan, the new head of Team NEO which assists our companies with State of Ohio funding incentives for expansion and location initiatives. She also participated in the Portage Foundation’s Moore Scholarship review to award scholarships to local students and she taped her Community Focus interview.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero has started Union Negotiations with the 5 Bargaining Units as all collective bargaining agreement expire December 31, 2025. There have been good informal discussions.

Citizens Comments – Darlene Orlando spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Library in opposition to Goodwill Industries plans to open a bookstore/donation center on West Garfield. She is concerned that they will be in direct competition with the monthly Book Sale that provides funds to purchase new books, crafting supplies, programs, furniture, whatever the Library needs from them. In answer to G. Horvat’s question, they make about $18,000.00 a year and are working to increase that to $24,000.00 with the possible addition of an online book sale. R. Barner offered her support.  J. Kudley also supports them, saying the Aurora Historical Society and the Friends of the Library have a good mutually beneficial arrangement supporting each other during the book sales.

 Council Remarks – Legislation: J. Kudley asked Mr. DePiero if the Goodwill application can be adjusted to restrict certain uses to which he replied Council could put restrictions on it.

Ordinances on 3rd Reading:

• The Ordinance for the Speelman Electric proposal was adopted
• The Ordinance adopting the Aurora Civil Service Commission rules amendment was adopted.
• The Ordinance for the American Fireworks Proposal for July 4th Fireworks was adopted after Councilman Horvat asked if the Tariffs will affect the price. L. Holman said so far no. Councilman Kudley again proposed that businesses be solicited for help in paying for the fireworks instead of using taxpayer money. He voted No.​

Ordinances on 2nd  Reading:

• An Ordinance granting a conditional zoning certificate to Goodwill Industries of Akron for business services to allow a bookstore and donation center went to 3rd Reading. See Comments above.

Ordinances on 1st Reading: 

• The Ordinance from Planning Commission for Trentstone went to 2nd Reading.

• The 5 Ordinances proposed at COW for action this evening were adopted with rules suspended- see COW report for details.
• The 2 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading went to 2nd Reading- the CRA and the Water tower engineering. See COW for details.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members Remarks: R Barner asked about putting a crosswalk from The Bertram Inn to Salon Patrick when it opens. H. Stark replied that it would be costly- they would have to do a study, it is not in the budget and all the signals in the city would need to be re-timed.   D. Kovach thanked Clerk of Council Marie Lawrie for the booklet on the 2024 City Council and said the asphalt used last year was holding up ok.   S. Grdina Gilmore thanked Mr. Stark and Mr. Frisbee for replacing the signs in the Lakes of Aurora. It had become a safety issue and the new management was not interested in replacing the decorative signs which were low and in need of repair.

 The meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm.


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