Aurora City Council & COW - 3/25/24

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​March 25, 2024

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Clerk of Council Marie Lawrie who proceeded to call for nominations and the election of a Chairman pro tem in the absence of the Chairman, John Kudley and Vice Chairman, Scott Wolf. Peter French was nominated and elected by Council members present Reva Barner,  George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz.  Brad Duguay and Sarah Grdina Gilmore were also absent. There were 6 City Officials and Employees present. There were 2 citizens present.

Minutes from March 11, 2024 were not approved as there were not enough members present to approve them. They will be approved at the next meeting.

Finance Director’s Report: It is still early in the year but all signs are positive. The 2023 financial audit has been progressing with an audit report anticipated to be issued by the end of June. The report was accepted.

 There were 6 Ordinances proposed for 1st Reading. 

• An Ordinance amending Chapter 935 “Minimum Income Exemptions” of Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to clarify income limits for the city’s Assistance Program to tie them to federal guidelines.
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of 11 MARCS Kenwood 5430 portable radios from VASU Communiations in the amount of $23,118.14 for use by the Police Department. This is about half of the proposed radios to be purchased over 2 years. 
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to National Driver Training School in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 through December 31, 2024 for Drivers Education classes.
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to Progress with Chess in the amount not to exceed $40,000.00 through December31, 2024 for Community Education classes.
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to Connmack Inc. in the amount not to exceed $40,000.00 for providing Community Education classes for Mad Science and Crayola through December 31, 2024.
• An Ordinance authorizing payment to June Lucal in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 for providing Community Art Classes and Camps through December 31, 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 6:41

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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 6 City Officials and Employees present and 2 people in the gallery. 

March 11, 2024 Meeting minutes could not be adopted since there were not enough Council members present.

 Mayor’s Report: Items included: State of the City Address for seniors; Shred Day April 6 from 9-12 at the Service Center; Eclipse over Aurora at Sunny Lake Park from 2-4 on April 8. Details on all events can be found at auroraoh.com. She attended the Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners Mayors’ breakfast and attended the State of the Aurora Chamber luncheon and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Goddard School with Peter French, John Kudley and John Seitz. “I wish everyone a wonderful spring break and Happy Easter”.

Law Director’s Report: Mr. DiPiero had no remarks but his report was included with the agenda packet.

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. 

• An Ordinance approving the renewal application for the placement of farmland in an Agricultural District for property located at 930 Eggleston will stay on 3rd Reading with a public hearing scheduled for April 9.
• An Ordinance approving a Conditional Zoning Certificate for a public outdoor recreation facility for the property located along the railroad corridor from SR 82 to the eastern boundary of the city in a Residential Zoning District was adopted.

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance authorizing the contract with Hejduk-Cox and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $36,113.50 to provide engineering services for the design of a waterline extension on State Route 43 to create redundancy for Aurora residents went to 3rd Reading.
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of 20 Decorative Light poles for the State Route 43 Lighting Initiative went to 3rd Reading.

Ordinances on 1st Reading: 

• The 6 Ordinances proposed at COW on 1st Reading went to 2nd Reading. See COW for details.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members and Committee Remarks: R. Barner wished everyone a Happy Easter and complimented the Parks and Rec Department on the good job on the baseball fields.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.
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