Aurora City Council & COW - 8/11/25

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​August 11, 2025

ommittee 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, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz and Scott Wolf. George Horvat was absent. There were 11 City Officials and Employees present. There were 5 citizens present and 14 kids and adults associated with 2 Aurora Robotics teams that were being honored.

Minutes from July 21, 2025 were adopted with Sarah Grdina Gilmore abstaining.

Finance Director’s Report:   Timothy Clymer  reported that “we are exactly where we want to be this time of year “Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $45,994,650 unencumbered in all funds, and $19,201, 183 unencumbered in the General Fund.”

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

• An Ordinance amending Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for a Utility Payment Clerk who has been temporarily taking on extra duties.
• An Ordinance assessing the cost of abating unpaid water and/or sewer invoices to the Portage County Auditor.
• An Ordinance assessing the cost of abating lawn maintenance nuisance invoices to the Portage County Auditor.
• An Ordinance canceling the contract with Horton Emergency Vehicles for the purchase of an ambulance in the amount of $371,158.00. This company has been purchased by a private equity holding group and they have not been able to deliver the vehicle when it was promised and have pushed the delivery date to the 2nd quarter of 2026- a delay of another year. They have been very difficult to deal with.
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2027 Ford F550 Life Line Custom Superliner Ambulance from Pfund Superior Sales Company Inc. in the amount of $371,910.00. The price is about $25,000.00 more due to general price increases, an addition of a UV disinfecting light and on site training.

There were 2 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending “No Smoking Zones” to clarify non-smoking areas on city owned properties and get appropriate signage posted.
• A Resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor.
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a development agreement with Pulte Homes Ohio LLC for the Renaissance Park at Geauga Lake- Phase 2/3-East.

 
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 pm.

City Council (CC):   Council Vice President Dennis Kovach called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members were present and absent as noted in the COW report. There were 11 City Officials and Employees present, 14 Members of the 2 Aurora Robotics Teams who were being honored with a Proclamation and some of their family members and 5 people in the gallery.

July 21, 2025 Meeting Minutes were adopted with Sarah Grdina Gilmore abstaining.

Proclamation: The Mayor presented the members of 2 Robotics Teams-  Team 24Karat and Robocats with a proclamation applauding their accomplishments in the 2025 World Championship of robotics (for Team 24Karat) and competing as a Championship finalist (Robocats). They have also mentored younger teams. 

Executive Session: There was an 8 minute Executive Session to discuss the acquisition of real property.

Mayor’s Report: City News highlighted:

• The Sunny Lake Boathouse is only open on weekends now, 11 am to 6 pm through September 14. 
• The Splash Pad hours remain 10 am to 8 pm through Seotember 14. 
• There are 2 more Food Truck Wednesdays on August 13 and August 27.
• Summer Concerts continue August 14 and August 28, at 6:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Park.
• School starts on Thursday, August 14.
• Tax Free Holiday runs through August 15. 
• The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be held at 6:00 pm at the Memorial Tree Garden at Sunny Lake.
• Aurora Car Show is Sunday September 14, 1:00-3:00 pm at Sunny Lake Park.

National Night Out/Truck and Tractor Night was a success with good weather, 400 hot dogs and 600 hamburgers grilled. “Thank you to all who organized and worked to make the evening such a success!”

Sidewalk Assistance Program has received 20 applications and so far, 11 have entered the program.

FEMA project update for the Geauga Lake area: the contractor has been installing basins on the property the city purchased. Final design of the project includes 372 linear feet of channel restoration and flood reduction through wetland detention facilities. 6 Stormwater basins are under construction. Approximately 7,000-7,500 cubic yards of soil have been removed from the site, creating that much storage for surface water. This will provide storage for over 1.5 million gallons of water during a rain event. The anticipated completion of the earthwork is September 1, 2025. Once the basins are fully complete, they will slowly release the stored water into the city’s stormwater system. The areas will be seeded and trees will be planted in addition to native wetland plants. Some basins are designed to hold water up to 6” and will act like small wetlands per FEMA requirements. The city is planning to treat these areas for mosquitoes on a routine basis with the guidance of Portage County.
 
The Mayor put a Focus on Planning, Zoning and Building (PZB): The Mayor gave a detailed report of the work done by the Department Staff. New software is being worked on to allow the departments to digitize all aspects of the department’s work, whether it is building permits or Planning Commission submittals. Subdivision and zoning regulations are being updated. PZB handles all GIS needs for the city. Projects and permits processed year to date are: Planning Commission- 12 applications; Board of Zoning Appeals- 14 applications; Violations-31; Building: total permits processed-620, contractor registrations-707, total inspections- 1,901, 14 new housing permits, 37 conditional and 11 full occupancy permits, Commercial and Industrial- 4 temporary, 8 full and 2 conditional occupancy permits; Architectural Review Board- 84 agenda items; Landmark Commission- 7 agenda items; Construction value to date: Commercial and Industrial - $6,309,000 and Residential- $21,746,997.08. Her report gave a more detailed breakdown of these items and can be viewed by watching the live stream or accessing the minutes from the August 11 meeting.

Mr. Kudley expressed the concerns of the Geauga Lake residents who contacted him about the basins and clarifying that some will have 6” of standing water, concerned for the safety of the neighborhood kids and potential mosquito concerns. The Mayor replied that if there is more than 6” of standing water, it will be addressed. This is a 2.6 million dollar project and the basins are still under construction. The city wants it to be done right with FEMA oversight.

The Mayor has been meeting with members of Council in preparation for the 2026 budget. She attended the Aurora Police Golf Outing and National Night Out/Truck and Tractor Night. She has been working with staff and residents to address stormwater concerns in the Geauga Lake area. 

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s  report was included with the agenda. 

Citizens Comments on legislation– None. 
 Council Remarks on legislation– None

Ordinance on 2nd Reading:

• The Ordinance concerning ODOT and reimbursement for the snow plowing went to 3rd Reading.

Ordinances and Resolution on 1st Reading: 

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the final plat for Renaissance Park at Geauga Lake located on Treat Road went to 2nd Reading.
• The 5 Ordinances proposed at COW for action that evening were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.
• The 3 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed for 1st Reading went to 2nd Reading. See COW for details. 

Miscellaneous: There were no Questions or Discussions on the Update to the Rules of City Council.

Citizens Comments: A resident from Aurora Hill Drive spoke about a letter they received about their wells. They have sewers but no city water. He is interested in having city water. The Mayor replied that the city is in the early process of checking into that request by  checking on the status of the wells being the 1st step. It was confirmed that the cost to the residents could be added to their Real Estate Taxes.

Council Members Remarks: R. Barner wished everyone a Happy Summer; “Good Luck Greenmen” and asked about the “huge pothole” on the access road to Heinens off of Barrington Blvd.

Meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.