Aurora city council & cow - 11/6/2023

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​November 6, 2023

LWVNPC Aurora City Council Observer Report 11-6-23


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

October 23, 2023 minutes were adopted with S. Grdina Gilmore and R. Barner abstaining.

             There were 5 Ordinances proposed for Action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance – Employees Generally concerning the reemployment of Service Director Harry Stark at his current salary.  
• An Ordinance authorizing the Contract with Trojan Technologies for replacement of Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Equipment at Central WWTP
• An Ordinance authorizing the contract with GPD Group for monitoring the City Traffic Signal System for 2024 for less than $30,000.
• An Ordinance for the purchase of a replacement pump #1 at Aurora Lake Lift Station for $25,831.00.
• An Ordinance to enter into a contract with Gardiner, Inc. for HVAC replacement at City Hall.

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

• A Resolution confirming the appointment of Dale Moravec to the Tree Commission.
• A Resolution confirming the appointment of Stan Smith to Architectural Board of Review as a Full Member.
• A Resolution confirming the appointment of Valoree Vargo to Architectural Board of Review as an Alternate Member.
• An Ordinance for a Lease Agreement for Karen Stacko and Thomas Maracz for 899 Page Road for $1300/month for 1 year.

There were 3 Ordinances proposed for the November 20 Agenda:

• An Ordinance accepting an Easement with Wellsville Carpet Town for access and maintenance of Stormwater Management Facilities at 335 Lena Drive.
• An Ordinance accepting an Easement with Wellsville Carpet Town for access and maintenance of a Water Meter Vault at 335 Lena Drive.
• An Ordinance accepting the Dedication of the Sanitary Sewer on Ravine Drive.

 The Meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm

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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 4 people in the gallery.

Minutes from the October 23, 2023 meeting were adopted  with R. Barner and S. Grdina Gilmore abstaining.

 Mayor’s Report: Items included Election Day on November 7; Veterans Day ceremony will be held on November 11 at 11 am at Veterans Memorial Park; Congratulations to Aurora High School Football Team on their regional quaterfinals win; Upcoming Events: Fill the Bus Food Drive; Turkey Trot 5 K and Mashed Potato Mile on Thanksgiving; Holiday Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday November 25 at Bicentennial Gazebo at Pioneer Park; Breakfast with Santa on December 2 is full.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DePiero said that the agreement with the Firefighter Local is finalized.

Citizens Comments: A citizen asked about warranties for the pumps that are being purchased to which it was said there were none due to the amount of use.

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.

• An Ordinance accepting an easement from 251 West Garfield LLC for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk at 251 West Garfield was adopted.
• 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) was adopted.
• The Ordinance for the five-year contract with Flock Safety was adopted.

Ordinances and Resolutions on 2nd Reading:

• The Reappointment of Deborah Davis, Rob Swaney and Kim Pease to the Tree Commission were adopted with Rules Suspended.
•  The Reappointment of Joel Snider and Michael Hydell to the Earned Income Tax     Board of Review through 2026 were adopted with rules suspended.
• The Reappointment of Frank Vitale and Bruce Geier to the Audit Committee were adopted with rules suspended.
• The Reappointment of Anthony Gramm to the Board of Zoning Appeals was adopted with rules suspended.
• The Reappointment of Mr. Jim Maulis to Aurora’s Planning Commission was adopted with rules suspended.
• An Ordinance revising and increasing various rates and charges assessed by Aurora to reflect cost of living increases in prices was adopted with rules suspended.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal to enter into a contract with ZoneCo., LLC in the amount of $148,330.00 to evaluate, update, rewrite and modernize the city’s existing zoning code and subdivision regulations was adopted with rules suspended.
• The Resolutions confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Jeff Clark and Ralph Ware to the Aurora’s Landmark Commission were adopted with rules suspended.
• The Resolution confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Harry Stark as Direct of Public Services and the 5 Ordinances proposed at COW on 1st Reading was adopted with rules suspended.
• The 3 Resolutions and 1 Ordinance proposed at COW on 1st Reading were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.

Miscellaneous:  None

Citizens Comments: Ward 6 Candidate David Ludick encouraged everyone to vote. H. Caplin referenced his letter to the City concerning the 7.14 acres he owns next to the cemetery that will be on the market.

Council Members and Committee Remarks: None

 The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.