Aurora City Council & COW - 5/28/24

Aurora, Ohio, City Council & Committee of the Whole
​May 28, 2024

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Chairman John Kudley with all Council members present: Brad Duguay, Reva Barner, Peter French, Sarah Grdina Gilmore, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, John Seitz and Scott Wolf present. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present. There were 5 citizens present.

Minutes from May 13, 2024 were adopted.

Finance Director’s Report: Timothy Clymer reported that the City is moving in the direction we like to see. The Fund balances remain in a healthy position with $42,231,399.00 unencumbered in all funds and $15,049,129.00 unencumbered in the General Fund. In reply to a question asked about postings on Facebook asking why the money being spent on the Geauga Lake purchase couldn’t be used for the new High School, it was said that the schools are completely separate from the city. The 4 million dollars for the Geauga Lake purchase cannot be used for the schools or any thing else not specified in the original negotiations for the use of the funds. 

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

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal and renewing the city’s Property and Casualty Insurance policies with Selective Insurance Company through Wichert Insurance Services, Inc with a total premium in the amount of $217,492.00. Sutton Insurance merged with Wichert and Mr. Sutton remains as the City’s contact.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of and renewing the current policy with Travelers Insurance Co. for Cyber Insurance through Wichert Insurance Services in the amount of $27,547.00.
• An Ordinance for Employees Generally to reflect changes in compensation for a part time dispatcher and to correct the salary amount from $13.00 to $13.25 for another employee.

The meeting adjourned at 7:01 pm

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City Council (CC):  Council President G. Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm with the Pledge to the Flag of the United States of America.   All Council members were present  as noted in the COW report. There were 8 City Officials and Employees present and 2 people in the gallery.

May 13, 2024 Minutes were adopted.

A scheduled Executive Session to discuss Acquisition of Real Property was canceled.

Mayor’s Report: Items included: The upcoming  4th of July celebration which will include the celebration of the City’s 225th Birthday. Celebration T-shirts are available for purchase. There will be a fun run, parade, festival and fireworks with information available at www.auroraoh.com. Aurora is on track to exceed $1 million in investment income this year, a milestone never achieved before. The Mayor presented a proclamation to Aurora Resident Audra Carano in celebration of her 100th birthday, spoke at the Memorial Day ceremonies and attended the Community Open House at the Avenue of Aurora. Congratulations were extended to all 2024 Aurora High School Graduates.

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.

Ordinances on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance approving a three year maintenance contract with Software Solutions for annual software support was adopted with rules suspended.

• An Ordinance approving and adopting the tax budget of the City of Aurora for the calendar year 2025 went to 3rd Reading. A public hearing is scheduled for June 24.

The 3 Ordinances on 1st Reading proposed for action that evening were adopted with rules suspended. See COW for details.

Citizens Comments: H. Caplin, who owns the 7.25 acres behind McDonalds wants to lease some of the property next to the Evexia restaurant for parking and wanted to be assured it would not interfere with any potential sale of the total property in the future. The Law Director will look into it.

Council Members and Committee Remarks: R. Barner asked what was going into the cleared land across from Sand Pebbles on Rt 82. The Mayor replied the approved Children’s Physical Therapy building. J. Kudley extended kudos to Ed and Melissa Lupkin for all of the great improvements they have done to the GLIA property on Rt 43 on the shores of Geauga Lake. He spoke about the Historical Society’s House Tour fundraiser on July 13 from 1-4 with 3 homes to tour costing $25.00 with a hope to sell 100 tickets.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm.