Aurora City Council & COW - 9/28/26

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​September 28, 2026

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman John Kudley.  All Council members were 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 7 citizens present.

Minutes from September 14, 2026 were adopted.

Finance Director’s Report: “Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $47,439,103 unencumbered in all funds and $17,295,701 unencumbered in the General Fund.” With 2/3 of the year over, revenue is up 13% and expenses are down by 3%.

New Business:
 There were 4 Ordinances proposed for action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance amending “Employees Generally” to reflect changes in compensation. There were 2 promotions in the Police Department.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Lincoln Dental for employee dental coverage from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, at an annual cost of $172,580.00 each year of the 2 year contract. This is an 8.4% decrease which allows the city to enhance the benefits. Mr. Horvat asked why the urgency in passing this. Answer: It allows them to do things earlier and not be rushed.
  
• An Ordinance renewing the contract with VSP (Vision Service Plan)  for the employee vision insurance plan from January 1, 2027 to December 31. 2030 at an annual cost of $62,092.00 each year of the 4 year contract. This is a 6.9% increase but coverage is enriched a little.
  
• An Ordinance rejecting all bids received for the Aurora Park Utility Improvement Project as all bids received exceed the engineering estimate by more than 20%. This is on emergency so that the project can be re-bid as soon as possible. In answer to several questions posed by Mr. Ware, Director H. Stark replied that there were only 2 submitted bids from the 11 contractors that came on site to bid. This is an $8.5 million project and the submitted bids had confusion and errors. Changes will be made in the next bid request.
  

There was 1 Ordinance proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance “amending Part Three-Traffic Code of the Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to clarify the use of bicycles, e-bicycles, low speed micromobility devices and personal assistive mobility devices within the city and declaring an emergency for the safety of the residents.” The Law Director Mr. DePiero highlighted some of the changes that will make the new sections more comprehensive. They looked at 12 other cities and other law directors so that the changes can be enforced. There is an educational outreach component and this is a working document. Violations could be misdemeanors and disability vehicles are not affected. There will be sections on the responsibility of guardians to educate their kids. Most of the Council members responded positively about this proposal: that it is well written and detailed; good to be proactive; likes parental accountability; and thinking it could be part of health education which would be key. Mr. DePiero encouraged them to submit their concerns and would appreciate their feedback. School Superintendent Paul Milcetich was in attendance and was asked to comment. He said most School Superintendents are relying on the police to take the lead on this. 
  

Meeting adjourned at 6: 35 p.m.

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City Council (CC):   Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members, City Officials and Employees and people in the gallery were present as noted in the COW report.  

 September 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes were adopted.

Presentation: Aurora City Schools, Essential Plan. Superintendent Dr Paul Milcetich spoke about the Essential Plan, “Aurora City Schools’ long-term facility master plan focused on the district’s most critical needs for buildings and infrastructure. It is a road map for making sure schools remain safe, functional, and efficient for students and staff.” For more information on this bond issue visit www.aurora-schools.org “The Essential Plan”.

Mayor’s Report: 
  “City Calendar”:

• Fall Festival and Business Showcase on Saturday, October 10, 12-4 pm. at Sunny Lake Park.
  
• Shred Day Saturday, October 24, 9 am-12 pm at the Service Department.
  
• Turkey Trot 5K and Mashed Potato Mile early pricing going on now.
  
• Trick or Treat Saturday, October 31, from 6-8 pm.
  
• Aurora Trail Challenge began September 1 and runs through October 31.
  

             
POGO Bus Service: PARTA is providing new local bus service called Portage County GO (POGO) for Streetsboro and Aurora’s Industrial Park. This service provides rides requested through an app between Aurora’s Industrial Park and Streetsboro from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm weekdays. There are 4,000 Industrial Park workers who can benefit from this service for $10.00 per ride.

Water Supervisor: Mike Reker was presented with a plaque congratulating him on his retirement after 31 years of service to the Service Department by the Mayor, Service Director Harry Stark and Assistant Service Director Dave Frisbee.

Flu Shots: A free flue shot clinic for City of Aurora employees and covered dependents will be held on Thursday, October 8, 3-6 pm at Fire Station One. Portage County Health Department is providing this service.

Leaf Collection: Leaf collection begins mid-October and runs through December, weather permitting.

Focus on Parks and Recreation
Park Use Data: Sunny Lake Park continues to have the most visitors, with over 100,000 people so far this year. Aurora Trail is also well-used, with a monthly average of 3,500 visitors. Hartman and Kiwanis-Moore Parks each averaged over 25,000 monthly visitors in June and July.
Aurora Seniors got a New Bus: A new 28- passenger bus arrived this summer and been busy on trips already. Contact Aurora Parks and Recreation for more information about Aurora Seniors programs.
Liz Strahan Park Improvements: Liz Strahan Park in the Geauga Lake neighborhood received a significant update this year including a new pavilion, new picnic tables, park benches, charcoal grill, new asphalt on walking paths, replacement of playground equipment and removal of deteriorating play pieces.
Paddock River Preserve Restrooms: The newest public restroom facility is open at Paddock River Preserve on Trail’s End has a drinking fountain and water bottle filler and will be open year-round as weather permits.
Sunny Lake Park Improvements: Improvements to the boathouse dock area include a new storage shed, accessible kayak launch, and boat launch.

  Mayor’s Office: Since the last Council meeting the Mayor has continued to have budget meetings with staff and council members. She had an interview with Melissa Reid from Fox 8 News, presented Mike Reker with a retirement plaque, met with Lizzie Sanders regarding attracting retail to Aurora, taped her Community Focus report, volunteered at the Aurora High school concession stand, and was interviewed by a Portager reporter regarding POGO Bus Service. 
     
Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero’s report was included with the packet. 

Citizens Comments on the Mayor’s Report/Legislation– None
 Council Remarks on legislation –  None


Legislation:
Consent Calendar:

• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of 3 vacant lots on Dora Lane went to 3rd Reading
  

Ordinance on 3rd Reading: 

• An Ordinance authorizing the decommission and sale of Police Canine Ory to his handler Sergeant Scott Brown in the amount of $2,500 was adopted.
  

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving a Conditional Zoning Certificate for the property owned by True North Energy LLC located on the north side of West Garfield Road, in a C-2 zoning district went to 3rd Reading. 
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of bulk road salt was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance awarding a 5 year contract to Rumpke was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance approving a change order to Wertz Geotechnical Engineering was adopted with rules suspended.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance from City Council approving and adopting the current replacement pages of the Aurora Codified Ordinances, as prepared by the Walter H. Drane Company and verified by the Clerk fo Council went to the Consent Calendar.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission approving the amendment of the Architectural Board of Review residential guidelines, pertaining to standards for metal roofs went to 2nd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission amending Section 1321.99 “Architectural Board of Review – Penalties” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to update the penalty section went to 2nd Reading and a Public Hearing is set for October 12, 2026.
  
• An Ordinance from Planning Commission amending Section 1329.01 “Permits and Fees – Fee Schedule” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to update fees went to 2nd Reading and a Public Hearing is set for October 12, 2026.
  
• The 4 Ordinances from COW proposed for action that evening were adopted with Rules Suspended. See COW for details.
  
• An Ordinance amending Part Three – Traffic Code of the Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to clarify the use of bicycles, e-bicycles, low speed micromobility devices and personal assistive mobility devices within the city went to 2nd Reading.
  

Citizens Comments: Elissa Katz, co-chair of the Citizens Committee for Quality Schools, spoke in support of Issue 4 – Aurora City School’s Essential Plan. She emphasized that it addresses the most pressing needs of the Schools to replace, repair and protect, and the importance of the schools to the entire community. 6,000 votes are needed by November 3 and she said there are 4 ways to help: a yard sign, donate to the campaign, endorsements and to Vote. Information can be found at auroralevy.com web site.

Council Members Remarks: None.
  
Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

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