Aurora City Coucil/COW - 1/23/23

Aurora Ohio City Council and Committee of the Whole 
​January 23, 2023

Committee of the Whole (COW):

​The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman John Kudley with 8 other council members present:  Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, Harold Hatridge, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, and Scott Wolf. There were 11 City Officials and Employees present and 4 people in the gallery.

There were 7 Ordinances  proposed, 6 for action that evening: 

• Employees Generally – hiring a GIS specialist to replace the previous employee.
  
• Annual Employees Generally- Master Salary Schedule for non union employees to reflect a 4% raise.
  
• Contract Amendment for Law Director Dean DePiero for a salary increase that is not the same as everyone else- 2.5% raise- not 4%.
  
• Contract Amendment for Director of Economic Development Holly Harris Bane for 4% raise.
  
• Purchase of 2022 Chevrolet Silverado MD Cab and Chassis from Ganley of Aurora for Service Department- there had been previous approval for 4 trucks for Ford but now can only get 1 from Ford. Ganley had this truck and the following in stock.
  
• Purchase of 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD from Ganley of Aurora – see note for previous truck purchase.
  
• Authorization for Public Deposits in Specific Banks for a 5-year period- a housekeeping measure to put 8 banks on the list of institutions to deposit funds in.
  

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

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City Council (CC):
Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with all Council members present.

An Executive Session was added to discuss acquisition of real property.

Mayor’s Report: Said she would appreciate the support for the 2023 Budget which is on 3rd reading; explained the malfunctioning Emergency Siren at Maple Lane and 43; met with veteran Tony Dockus from the VFW to discuss plans for the Vietnam Traveling Wall at Hartman Park June 22-25; a visit to Robeck Fluid Power and taped her monthly Community Focus report.

The Mayor gave a Proclamation to Aurora Resident Darrell McNair – the recipient of the 2022 Humanitarian Award for the Diversity Agent of Change given by the Diversity Center of NE Ohio.

There was an 8 minute Executive Session to discuss acquisition of Real Property.

There was 1 Citizen comment asking whether the proposed Ordinance amendment “Prohibited Standing or Parking Places” will go to 3rd reading which it will. One Council member also requested a meeting with the Law Director concerning this same proposed Ordinance amendment. 

Ordinances on 3rd Reading that were adopted:

• Ordinance approving a Conditional Zoning Certificate to allow an outside extension of a permitted use for the property at 239 East Garfield Rd.
• Ordinance approving and adopting the Annual Budget and Appropriations for 2023 with one amendment and thanks from Councilman J. Kudley for the Mayor anticipating and answering potential questions.

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance amending “Prohibited Standing or Parking Places” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances went to 3rd Reading
• An Ordinance accepting the contract proposal with GPD Group to provide consulting services related to a recreated center was adopted with rules suspended.
•  An Ordinance to renew the city’s Microsoft 365 subscription went to 3rd Reading.

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the dedication of the roadway and water and sanitary sewer lines in Beljon Lane went to 2nd Reading.
• The 4 Ordinances from COW concerned with Employees’ hiring and salary increases were adopted with rules suspended. 
• The 2 Ordinances concerned with the purchase of the 2022 Trucks were adopted with rules suspended.
• Public Deposits in Specific Banks for a 5-year Period went to 2nd Reading.
• The Purchase of property at 1053 and 1057 Aurora Rd, adjacent to Fire Station 2, that was discussed at the Executive Session was adopted with Rules suspended. It is not for immediate expansion of the Fire Station but was up for sale and the city thought it prudent to acquire it- a cash deal for $347,500 will come from fund #52 and includes 2 buildings on the property. 

Citizens Comments: A Citizen from Chatham Drive is concerned about the timing of the light at Chatham and 43. She has observed cars pulling up too far, not triggering the light and then illegally going through the light causing a potentially dangerous situation. The Mayor replied that she has gone to the contractor with these complaints. A Second citizen asked if there could be signage indicating a handicapped entrance at the back entrance to City hall after she witnessed a handicapped person trying to get up the steps into City Hall.

Council Member & Committee Remarks: None
​
 The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.