Aurora CIty Council & COW - 10/24/2022

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
October 24, 2022

​Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman
John Kudley with 7 other council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Sarah Grdina
Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, Harold Hatridge and Scott Wolf. Pete French was
absent. There were 12 City Officials and Employees present and 4 people in the gallery.

Tim Clymer, newly rehired Finance Director reported that the General funds are looking good with
revenues 102% above projection and expenses 71.9% behind pace.

There were 6 Ordinances or Resolutions proposed for action that evening including:

• Contract with Buckeye Pumps, Inc for a replacement pump at the Barrington Lift Station
• Access Easement between 607 and 617 E. Pioneer Trail for a walking trail into Paddock River Preserve
• Sommers Real Estate donation of 1-acre parcel of land between 567 and 627 E. Pioneer Trail (for walking trail potential in the future)
• Employee Life & Disability coverage renewal with Lincoln Financial having the best quote for full time employees
• Contract with Environmental Design Group for Aurora Trail Phase 1 along the First Energy Corridor from Rte 82 to Chamberlain Rd. (30% is in Mantua and 40% of that borders on Spring Hill; the right of way was acquired during the First Energy negotiations; Aurora owns the easement)
• Contract with S.A. Comunale for replacement of HVAC System in the Filter Building at CWTP (Central Wastewater Treatment Plant)

There were 3 Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• Hall Public Safety Upfitters quote for purchase of equipment and installation in 3 new Ford Explorer police vehicles (these were ordered in February)
• Cost of living increase for various rates and charges assessed by the City of Aurora (Water, Sewer and Cemetery fees will have an 8.7% increase for new construction)
• Disposal of Equipment for the Fire Department (4 mobile radios that are outdated and any revenue will be applied to future radios)
• A Contract with Lighting and Controls for 12 Light Poles for the State Route 43 Initiative was  removed.

Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.

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City Council (CC): Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with Council members present and absent as noted at the COW. 

The Mayor reported on the upcoming leaf collection and final Brush pickup schedule; Explained the Aurora Trail’s First Leg as was mentioned at the COW; the hiring of Tammy Harris as the new full-time Administrative Coordinator; Encouraged Voting on or before November 8 Election Day;  Halloween Trunk or Treat on October 29 at Hartman and Trick or Treat on October 31, Senior Leaf Raking by the City and Rotary; Fill the Bus Food Drive on November 9;  and a meeting with a group of Aurora parents who were promoting Unity Day; Visiting a group of disabled Veterans with Laura Holman at Sunny Lake and checking on the progress of Aurora Meadows, located at the old Aurora Country Club building.

No Citizen or Council remarks pertaining to pending legislation 

Ordinances on 3rd Reading that were adopted:

• An Ordinance accepting a distribution formula for Local Government Fund dollars distributed by Portage County as agreed upon by a majority of the communities.
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a lease agreement for city owned Miller property on Page Rd.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Hejduk-Cox and Associates to create updated legal descriptions and a reference map for all of the zoning districts within the city. 

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance declaring as surplus certain unnecessary property to sell via online auction went to 3rd Reading.

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• Buckeye Pumps replacement pump for Barrington lift station was adopted with Rules suspended.
• Access Easement on E. Pioneer Trail for a walking trail was adopted with Rules suspended
• Donation of 1-acre parcel on E. Pioneer Trail for a walking trail was adopted with rules suspended
• Employee Life & Disability Insurance Renewal was adopted with rules suspended.
• Environmental Design Group Aurora Trail Phase  ( J. Kudley voted no on suspending rules asking why Mantua was not contacted to help pay for this since 30 % of the proposed trail is in Mantua and should benefit that community, why Aurora should pay 100% of the cost. The Mayor replied that Aurora owns the whole RR corridor as part of the settlement with First Energy and 40% of the 30% in Mantua borders Spring Hill Park and it will benefit Aurora). The Ordinance passed with rules suspended and 1 No Vote.
• S.A. Comunale HVAC Replacement Filter Bldg CWTP was adopted with rules suspended.
• Hall Public Safety Upfitters for 3 Ford Explorers went to 2nd Reading
• Cost of Living increases for rates and charges of the city went to 2nd Reading
• Disposal of Equipment for the Fire Department went to 2nd Reading

Citizens Comments: 2 Citizens who live on Chatham were concerned about a number of homes in disrepair with unkempt, tall grass and parking on the front lawn in their neighborhood. 1 Citizen expressed thanks for supporting the hiking trail.
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Council Member & Committee Remarks:  B. Duguay expressed thanks to Mr. Stark for the school lights being installed on East Blvd and to the Police for their presence in stopping speeding in Ward 1. S. Wolf said follow up is needed on the Maintenance Ordinance enforcement in Chatham. R. Barner thanked the Citizens for Coming forward and would embrace enforcement of the maintenance ordinance and prohibiting parking on front lawns 

 The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.