Aurora City Council & COW - 8/14/23

Aurora, Ohio, City Council and Committee of the Whole
​August 14, 2023

Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by John Kudley with the following council members present:  Brad Duguay, Peter French, Sara Grdina Gilmore, Harold Hatridge, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach and Scott Wolf. Reva Barner was absent. There were 10 City Officials/Employees and 3 citizens present.

July 17, 2023 minutes were adopted.

Finance Director Timothy Clymer reported that “fund balances remain in a healthy position with $40,754,120 unencumbered in all funds, and $20,011,106 unencumbered in the General Fund. The 2022 financial audit has been released by the Auditor of State’s office, with an unmodified (“clean”) opinion…” The report was accepted by Council.

             There were 6 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed for Action that evening on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance to hire a replacement Tech II and a promotion and a replacement of 2 Firefighter/Paramedics (PT). 
• A Resolution to appoint Joel Snider to the Earned Income Tax Board of Review.
• An Ordinance to amend Civil Service Rules which were approved by the Civil Service Commission. The changes are to correct some grammar and to eliminate all school and school board references and add an educational component.
• An Ordinance to approve submission of unpaid water & sewer invoices to the Portage County Auditor for inclusion on parcel owners’ property tax billing.
• An Ordinance to enter into contract with Environmental Design Group in the amount of $131,489.00 for the management of the Ohio EMA/FEMA grant within the Geauga Lake Neighborhood.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal and entering into contract with Agri-Sludge in an amount not to exceed $100,000 to perform sludge removal at the Central and Westerly Wastewater Treatment (WWTP) plants.
• An Ordinance to enter into contract with Nerone and Sons, Inc in the amount of $79,281.44 for the replacement of the equalization basin drain valves at the WWTP

There were 3 Ordinances proposed for first reading that will go to second reading.

• An Ordinance granting a 15 year 100%  CRA tax abatement to J and M Holdings, LLC for their investment of up to $3,000,000 towards improvements of an existing facility at 200 Francis D. Kenneth Dr.
• An Ordinance for an income tax rebate incentive to Advanced Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) in the amount of 25% for 3 years on New payroll taxes.
• An Ordinance to enter into contract with Wertz Geotechnical Engineering, Inc in the amount of $120,000 for billable private development inspections.

There was 1 Ordinance proposed for the 9/11 agenda- the dedication of water main and sanitary sewer on E. Pioneer Trail.

​The Meeting adjourned at 6:45 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 7 people in the gallery.

Minutes from the July 17, 2023 meeting were adopted. 

There was a 20 minute Executive Session to discuss the Acquisition of Real Property and to discuss Imminent Litigation.

 Mayor’s Report: Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin called attention to the acceptance of applications for the Deer Lottery due by August 25; the Splash Pad will be open through Sunday September 17 weather permitting; the final Food Truck Wednesday is August 23; The final Summer Concert at Veterans Memorial Park is August 24; the 20th Annual Classic Car Show is September 17 at Sunny Lake Park; the annual Fall Festival and Business Showcase is October 1; Shred Day is October 14. Since the last Council Meeting she has been meeting with Council Members to discuss the 2024 Budget; attended several events; Swore in Assistant Fire Chief Shaun Lutz; met with the Mayor of Solon about his efforts to acquire railroad right-of-way from Solon to Aurora from Norfolk Southern for a hike and bike trail; and honored WWII Veteran Albert Grimm with a proclamation in honor of his 100th Birthday.
 
Citizens Comments: Economic Development Director Holly Harris Bane introduced the owners of Advanced Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) who are asking for a 100% 15-year tax abatement for their company. The owners of AIM then spoke about the history of their business and the investment they will have to make to the badly neglected building for their expansion plans. 

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 was postponed.
  

Ordinance on 2nd reading:

• An Ordinance granting a 50%, 15 year tax abatement to Sunshine Squared LLC was adopted with rules suspended.
  

2 Ordinances from Planning Commission- 1 granting exceptions for Aurora Codified Ordinances and 1 approving the Revised Development Plan for Walden Co Ltd went to 2nd Reading.






The 6 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed at the COW for action that evening were adopted with rules suspended. See Committee of the Whole report for details.

The 2 Ordinances for a Tax Abatement and tax rebate incentive went to 2nd Reading as did the proposed contract with Wertz Geotechnical Engineering , Inc.

There was an Ordinance added from the Executive Session concerning Litigation. There was a settlement made of payment to Katz in the amount of $285,000 for the 2020 E. Pioneer Trail project. This will close out the project.

Miscellaneous: Bauer Hospitality LLC DBA Aurora Inn Hotel Liquor Notice to which there were no objections.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members and Committee Remarks: S. Grdina Gilmore said school starts this week and for people to be aware of buses, etc.  John Kudley spoke about the purchase of tickets online for the 1st Football game.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

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