Aurora City County & COW - 2/9/2026

Aurora City Council and Committee of the Whole
​February 9, 2026

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley with Council members present: Brad Duguay, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz, Ralph Ware and Scott Wolf. Reva Barner was absent.There were 11 City Department and Employees present. There were 8 citizens present- 5 of them were for the Fire Department Employee Recognition and their families.

Minutes from January 26, 2026 were accepted.

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

• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of Montrose Loudermilk Powersports in the amount of $32,548.95 for the purchase of a 2026 Can-Am Defender Pro Limited offroad utility vehicle taking the necessary funds from the Fire Paramedic Levy Fund.
  

• An Ordinance authorizing a 12 month extension of the city’s electric aggregation opt-out program for residents with Dynegy as the supplier for the term May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. Renewal documents must be executed by February 10, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance selecting the bid of Infinity Construction Co, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $12,318,421.00 to perform construction services at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. 
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Best Equipment Company, Inc. in the amount of $183,038.03, through Sourcewell government pricing for the purchase of a 30-yard trailer mounted self-contained leaf collector. It will require a 2 man crew instead of 5, which is often the need, and with its remote control will be able to get into the ditches more easily.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of American Fireworks in the amount of $30,000.00 to perform the city’s July 4th fireworks program. There was some discussion about spending this much money on fireworks. American Fireworks was the only one to submit a bid. There was a question about sponsorships and the reply was that no one is interested in sponsoring them. The Mayor believes in celebrating with the fireworks and the community really enjoys them. There is a great deal of market place instability due to tariffs so the city wants to lock down the contract as soon as possible.
  

There were 9 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed for 1st Reading:

• A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Dr. Philip Keyser to the Board of Health of Portage County. He is a retired Cardiologist and willing to serve again.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorers from Montrose Ford for use by the Police Department at a cost of $56,818.00 after the trade in of two 2021 Chevrolet Tahoes that are no longer needed by the department and are valued at $36,500.00.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hall Public Safety Upfitters in the amount of $41,403.46 for the purchase and installation of equipment for two 2026 Ford Explorer police vehicles.
  
• An Ordinance granting a tax abatement to Aurora Development RS LLC/Tulum Mexican Restaurant for a 75%, 15-year abatement of real property taxes for their investment of up to $2,000,000 in new construction in the Geauga Lake subdivision.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hejduk-Cox and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $59,858.00 to provide professional design services for approximately 2,200 linear feet of sidewalks on Aurora Rd from the existing sidewalk near Sycamore Drive to the existing sidewalk near Iris Place. This continues the connectivity program.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a one year contract with Azteca Systems, LLC, a Trimble Company, in the amount of $25,011.34 with the option to renew for year two at $26,261.90 and year three at $27,575.00 for the annual renewal of the license and maintenance of the city’s asset management software. Mr. Stark said this software is used daily and is tied to workflow.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to June Lucal in an amount not to exceed $35,000.00 for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026. This Ordinance and the following 2, use funds from the recreation Fund and make a profit for the city.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to Conmack Inc. in an amount not to exceed $35,000.00 for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to National Driving Training School in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026.
  

Meeting adjourned at 7:13 pm

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:35 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, 2 Fire Department employees being honored, 2 family members and 3 people in the gallery.
January 26, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted.
Fire Department Employee Recognition:  Assistant Chief Lutz introduced firefighter/paramedic Michael Upholz and firefighter/safety inspector Michael Gelardi for their “exceptional actions” on January 2, 2026 at Hillcrest Hospital. There was an incident of a woman in a car, not breathing, outside the Emergency entrance. Without hesitation, they immediately rendered aid to revive her. City Council proposed 2 Resolutions to recognize their actions.  The Resolutions were adopted unanimously with rules suspended.
Mayor’s Report: City News: The Snowman Contest continues through February 28. Submissions can be made on auroraoh.com under Parks and Rec/Events. Community Garden: Returning gardeners have the option to renew their plots starting February 16 until March 4 after which non-renewed plots will be made available to all gardeners beginning March 9. Information can be found by contacting Parks and Rec Department. Spring EGGStravaganza: This event will be held in the AHS gym and is open for ages 12 and under. Registration opens March 2. The day features an Egg hunt, bunny meet and greet, face painting, games, raffles and more. Register at Auroraoh.com.
  Aurora Park at Geauga Lake: The opening bid for Aurora Park Phase 1A construction took place on January 30. A contractor is being recommended this evening. A preconstruction meeting is planned the week of February 16 with work expected to begin immediately. There is a tight timeline so quick support is necessary if this first phase is to open this year.
  State of the City Address luncheon will be on Wednesday February 25 at Aurora Meadows and Mazzulo’s will be catering.
  Salt supply: Salt is being used, salt is being ordered to stay ahead of the snow.
  Pioneer Trail Bridge: E. Pioneer Trail is now open. It had been closed since November for repair on a county bridge.
   Columbarium: A columbarium, a strucure providing secure spaces for ash burials was added to the Aurora Cemetery. Spaces were opened to the public in January and 12 of the 96 spaces have already been sold.
  The Mayor has recorded her Community Focus monthly program meeting her staff for and has continued meeting with her staff for annual evaluations. She meet with 2 candidates running for State Rep for District 35. She had lunch with Streetsboro Mayor Broska. Congratulations to AJ Barner, son of Council rep Reva Barner, on his team, the Seahawks, winning the Super Bowl.
  Mr. Kudley called attention to a complaint he received from a constituent finding handicapped parking limited or non-existent due to snow piles and he asked that parking lot plow drivers pay attention to keeping handicapped spaces open for those who need them.
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero’s report was included with the packet. He said there is a tentative agreement with the Dispatchers Union and he hopes to have a contract for approval at the February 23 meeting.
Citizens Comments on the Mayor’s Report/Legislation– None
 Council Remarks on legislation–  Councilman Ware thanked everyone for helping him get up to speed. He said he is not ready to agree to all of the Rules Suspended although he will support the Legislation.
Legislation:
Ordinance on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate to Trinity Pro Group LLC/Lotus Wellness & Medspa for a professional office, located at 119 East Garfield Rd, in the T-1 Transitional Commercial Service District went to 3rd Reading.
  

• The 2 Ordinances authorizing the advertisement of surplus property for online auction went to 3rd Reading. An amendment was added to remove 1 of the items as they decided to keep it.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission granting a conditional zoning certificate to Vivid Muse LLC located at 1000 East Pioneer Road in the R-2 Residential District went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The 5 Ordinances proposed for adoption on 1st Reading with rules suspended were adopted. See COW for details.
  
• A Resolution confirming the appointment of Dr. Philip Keyser to the Board of Health of the Portage County Combined General Health District went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of (2) 2026 Ford Explorers from Montrose Ford for the Police Department went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hall Public Safety Upfitters for the purchase and installation of equipment for the 2 Ford Explorers went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance granting a tax abatement to Aurora Development RS LLC/Tulum Mexican Restaurant for a 75%, 15 year abatement of real property taxes went to 2nd Reading.
  

There were 5 Ordinances on 1st Reading that were added to the Consent Calendar with Rules Suspended:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hejduk-Cox and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $59,858.00 to provide professional design services for 2,200 linear feet of sidewalks on Aurora Road.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the quotation of a one year contract with Azteca Systems, LLC in the amount of $25,011.34 for the annual renewal of the license and maintenance of the city’s asset management software.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to June Lucal for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to Connmack Inc. for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to National Driving Training School for providing community education classes through December 31, 2026.
  

Citizens Comments: None
Council Members Remarks:  B. Duguay wanted to recognize Tony Marotta who responded to a Carbon Monoxide poisoning in the Geauga Lake area. He went over and above to assist the residents.
   J. Kudley called attention to a February 19 program at the Aurora Community Theater, sponsored by the Aurora Historical Society featuring a James A. Garfield enactor.
  G. Horvat extended congratulations to AJ Barner and the Seahawks on their Super Bowl win. Councilwoman R. Barner was on her way to Seattle to celebrate the win- an excused absence from the Council meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.