Aurora City Council & COW- 2/12/24

Aurora, Ohio City Council and Committee of the Whole
​February 12, 2024

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:00 by Vice Chairman Scott Wolf with Council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz. John Kudley was absent. There were 11 City Officials and Employees present. There were 2 citizens present.

Minutes from January 22, 2024 were approved.

 There were 13 Ordinances proposed for Action that evening on 1st Reading. The agenda was amended to add an Ordinance to extend the moratorium until November 20, 2024 with respect to the submission and acceptance of applications for vape shops, e-cigarette shops, smoke shops, tobacco shops and shops that sell any product related to CBD.

• An Ordinance under Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for 3 employees and a new police officer hire.
  
• A Resolution confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Ms. Kasey Krebs to membership on Aurora’s Architectural Board of Review.
  
• An Ordinance for the renewal of a Contract for Plans Examiner Jeffrey Skapin for commercial and industrial inspections.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2023 Ford Explorer for the Police Department from Montrose Ford for a total cost to the city of $35,039.08 after trade in value for a 2019 Ford Explorer.
  
• An Ordinance to contract with Hall Public Safety Upfitters in the amount of $21,272.90 for the purchase and installation of equipment for the above vehicle.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal by American Fireworks in the amount of $26,000.00 for the city’s July 4th fireworks.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal for a contract with Osborn Engineering Company in the amount of $45,405.00 to provide professional engineering consulting services, construction drawings and plan specs for the replacement of the Paddock River Preserve ravine pedestrian bridge.
  
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of the contract with Pro Built Construction, Inc. in the amount of $47,560.00 to provide structural repairs to the floor and header beams at Spring Hill barn.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox from Ganley Chevrolet of Aurora for the Service Dept in the amount of $29,160.00 to replace a 2013 Ford F-150.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet 5500 Cab Chassis in the amount of $67,685.00 to replace a 2006 Ford F-550 for Service Department.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of a Meter Reading Device from United Systems and Software, Inc in the amount not to exceed $35,800. The lead time is 10-14 months.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of an Excavator and Implements from Southeast Equipment Co. in the amount of $336,681.00 for use by the Service Dept.
  

There were 3 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of Better Together Solar in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 for the installation of a 19.2 kw solar array on the southern roof of Fire Station No. 1. The City has been working on sustainability projects for the past few years.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing compensation to the Aurora Board of Education in the net amount of $174,719.00 for its portion of the income tax received from property tax abatements for 2023. 
  
• An Ordinance granting an admission tax credit to Atlas Cinema Barrington LLC in the amount of $200,000.00 for 48 months in order for them to secure financing.
  

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 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 11 City Officials and Employees present and more than 20 people in the gallery who were there for the Annual Police Awards. 

Minutes from the January 22, 2024 Organizational meeting were adopted.

Annual Police Awards: The meeting was amended to add this ceremony to honor the Employee Service Award; Employee of the Year Alex _ for Community Relations; Officer of the Year Kelly Davis Records Division; Officer of the Year Toni Trito (SRO and K9 program); dispatcher Gina Trapp and Employee Service Awards to Detectives Byers and Scott.

 Mayor’s Report: Items included: State of the City Luncheon on February 21; an update on the 2 bridges recently replaced at Paddock River Preserve and Bretschneider Park; and some meetings and dinners since the last meeting.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero applauded the Aurora Police Department for the great job they do.

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 1st Reading: 

• The 14 Ordinances proposed at COW for action that evening were adopted with rules suspended.
• The 3 Ordinances proposed at COW went to 2nd Reading- See COW for details.

Miscellaneous: Revised Council Assignments- Brad Duguay is the School Liaison instead of Sarah Grdina Gilmore and updates to the Rules of the City Council have been given to Council members.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members and Committee Remarks: S. Grdina Gilmore thanked the Police Chief and all the officers saying it is important to recognize the officers. G. Horvat thanked the Police Department on behalf of Council.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.