Aurora City Council, COW & Org- 1/4/2024

Aurora, Ohio, City Council, Committee of the Whole and Organization Meeting
​January 4, 2024

City Council Organizational Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm by Council President George Horvat with council members present. Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Peter French, Dennis Kovach, John Kudley, Scott Wolf and newly elected Councilman John Seitz. Sarah Grdina Gilmore was absent. Families and friends of members being sworn in filled the gallery.

After approval of the Organizational Meeting Procedures and Rules George Horvat was elected Council President and Dennis Kovach was elected Vice President. Peter French was elected Planning Commission Representative, Marie Lawrie was Appointed Clerk of Council, April Secura and Colleen Martin were appointed Deputy Clerks of Council. All were sworn in. John Kudley was elected Committee of the Whole Chairman and Scott Wolf was elected Committee of the Whole Vice Chairman.  City Council Members were assigned to Committees, Boards and Commissions.

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.

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Committee of the Whole (COW): The meeting was called to order at 6:45 by Vice Chairman Scott Wolf with Council members Brad Duguay, Peter French, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach and John Seitz present and Reva Barner, Sarah Grdina Gilmore and John Kudley absent.

Minutes from December 11, 2023 were approved with John Seitz abstaining.

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

• An Ordinance under Employees Generally to hire Robert McCoy as a Sports Monitor.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the establishment of an unclassified non-union, non-exempt full time Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation position. The Mayor is reorganizing the Parks and Recreation Department patterned after the Service Department. They “have made tremendous accomplishments”, the addition of 2 major projects: the Hike and Bike Trail and the purchase of the Geauga Lake Property prompted this change.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the establishment of a new position for Parks and Recreation Supervisor for the reasons stated in the previous proposed Ordinance. These Ordinances will not be implemented until the Budget is adopted and the positions are approved by Civil Service. They will probably be filled early February. 
  

There was 1 Ordinance proposed for 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of annual software and technology through LTech Solutions, Ltd in the amount of $160,327.00.
  

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 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. John Kudley joined the meeting in progress.  There were 8 City Officials and Employees present.

Minutes from the December 11, 2023 meeting were adopted with J. Seitz abstaining.

 Mayor’s Report: Items included: A request for any questions concerning the 2024 Budget; City offices closed on Martin Luther King Day; State of the City Luncheon on February 21; Aurora has been awarded $500,000 for the Aurora Trail-Phase 1 through the Clean Ohio Trails Fund; Atlas Cinema’s plans to renovate and reopen the Barrington Plaza Theater; and various meetings, dinners, etc and annual reviews for all members of her administration.

Law Director’s Report: Dean DePiero said things continue to move forward on the purchase of Geauga Lake property but he is awaiting some amendments.

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 accepting an easement from Wellsville Carpet Town, Inc for the purpose of access and maintenance of storm water management facilities located at 335 Lena Drive was adopted.
  
• An Ordinance accepting an easement from Wellsville Carpet Town, Inc for the purpose of access and maintenance of a water meter vault located at 335 Lena Drive was adopted.
  
• An Ordinance accepting for dedication the sanitary sewers located within the easement area on Ravine Drive was adopted.
  

Ordinance on 2nd Reading:

• An Ordinance approving and adopting the annual budget for calendar year 2024 went to 3rd Reading.
  

Ordinances on 1st Reading:

• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of a 4 year contract with Ahola HR Solutions for an HR/Payroll processing system went to 2nd Reading.
  
• The 3 Ordinances proposed at COW for action that evening were adopted with Rules Suspended- See COW report for details.
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the purchase of annual software and technology purchases through Ltech Solutions, Ltd went to 2nd Reading.
  

Miscellaneous:  A transfer of Liquor Notice for Twin Flames Hospitality Group LLC DBA Six Horses Tavern.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Members and Committee Remarks: S. Wolf wished good luck to R. Barner’s son’s college game. G. Horvat congratulations to J. Seitz on his first City Council meeting.

 The meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm.