Aurora City Council & COW - 10/23/23

Aurora, Ohio City Council & Committee of the Whole
October 23, 2023

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman  John Kudley with council members present: Brad Duguay, Peter French, Harold Hatridge, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach and Scott Wolf. Reva Barner and Sarah Grdina Gilmore were absent. There were 9 City Officials/Employees and 2 citizens present.

October 9, 2023 minutes were adopted.

Finance Director’s Report: Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $43,633,363 unencumbered in all funds and $20,539,865 unencumbered in the General Fund. 

There were 3 Ordinances proposed for Action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance – Employees Generally concerning the hiring of a police officer from Akron PD.  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of bulk road salt from Cargill for $56.80 per ton for basic salt and $71. 35 per ton of “clearlane” obtained through the Community University and Education Purchasing Association (CUE) for the 2023-2024 snow season.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal to enter into contract with C.P. Barnum & Co, Inc in an amount not to exceed $24,900.00 to perform appraisals within the Geauga Lake Neighborhood for the Hazard Mitigation Grand Fund-FEMA.

There were 4 Ordinances or Resolutions proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance revising and increasing, effective January 1, 2024, various rates and charges assessed by Aurora to reflect cost of living increases in prices.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal to enter into contract wit ZoneCo., LLC in the amount of $148,330.00 to evaluate, update, rewrite and modernize the city’s existing zoning code and subdivision regulations. 2000 was the last time the zoning code was given a comprehensive look. Law Director D. DePiero said it is expensive but necessary to defend the city and not many people do this appraisal.
• A Resolution confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Mr. Jeff Clark to membership on Aurora’s Landmark Commission.
• A Resolution confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Mr. Ralph Ware to membership on Aurora’s Landmark Commission.

 The Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.

---

City Council (CC):  Council President G. Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America. Council members were present and absent as noted in COW Report. There were 3 people in the gallery.

 Reconsideration of a Prior Action: There was a change order for Ronyak Paving for paving of the Hanes Parking lot at 10 S. Chillicothe Rd. Funding will come from a more appropriate fund. It passed with Rules Suspended with B. Duguay voting no.

Minutes from the October 9, 2023 meeting were adopted.

Executive Session: There was an 18 minute Executive Session to discuss employment of a public official and to discuss union negotiations.

 Mayor’s Report: Karen Pope read the Mayor’s report calling attention to the 2023 general election on Tuesday November 7; Upcoming events including Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at Hartman Park on October 28; Annual Leaf Raking on November 4; Fill the bus Food Drive on November 7 at the Walker Building; Winter Blanket drive for the Hospice of Western Reserve ongoing until December 15. The Mayor met with State Representative Gail Pavliga, attended an after hours Chamber event, met incoming State Representative Steve Demetriou, attended and spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Trentstone living community and presented proclamations at a 90th Birthday party and a 50th Anniversary Party.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero said that there was a tentative agreement with the Firefighter Local and a Resolution will be added to the agenda.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Remarks: None

Ordinances on 3rd  Reading:

• Ordinance 2023-104 for the Purchase of 40 acres of land and 53.63 acres of Geauga Lake with a Trail Lake Loop easement from ICP remains postponed. 
  

Ordinances on 2nd reading:

• An Ordinance accepting an easement from 251 West Garfield LLC for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk at 251 West Garfield went to 3rd Reading.
  
• An Ordinance granting a 50%, 15 year tax abatement of real property taxes to Elm Aurora LTD (Goddard School and Aurora Dental) was adopted with rules suspended.
  
• An Ordinance accepting for dedication the roadways, watermains, storm sewers and sanitary sewers and dedicated easements within the Hawthorn subdivision, Phase 6A (Nancy Drive and Joseph Drive) went to 3rd Reading.
  

• The Ordinance for the five-year contract with Flock Safety went to 3rd Reading.
  

Ordinances and Resolutions on 1st Reading:

• The Reappointment of Deborah Davis, Rob Swaney and Kim Pease to the Tree Commission went to 2nd Reading
  
• The Reappointment of Joel Snider and Michael Hydell to the Earned Income Tax Board of Review through 2026 went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The Reappointment of Frank Vitale and Bruce Geier to the Audit Committee went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The Reappointment of Anthony Gramm to the Board of Zoning Appeals went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The Reappointment of Mr. Jim Maulis to Aurora’s Planning Commission went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The 3 Ordinances proposed at COW for Action that Evening were adopted with rules suspended. See the COW report for details.
  
• The 2 Ordinances and 2 Resolutions proposed at COW on 1st Reading went to 2nd Reading. See the COW report for details.
  
• Ordinance 2023-162 The 2 year Collective Bargaining agreement with the Firefighters union was added from the Executive Session and was Adopted with Rules Suspended.
  

Miscellaneous:  None

Citizens Comments: Ward 6 Candidate David Ludick introduced himself and encouraged everyone to vote.

Council Members and Committee Remarks: J. Kudley said that there are changes for tickets for the High School Football regional game. S. Wolf said the Men’s Soccer Team will be playing in Louisville.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm.

​