AURORA CITY COUNCIL/COW - 1/9/2023

Aurora, Ohio City Council/Committee of the Whole
​January 9, 2023

Committee of the Whole (COW):

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman John Kudley with 7 other council members present: Reva Barner, Brad Duguay, Peter French, Harold Hatridge, George Horvat, Dennis Kovach, and Scott Wolf. Sarah Grdina Gilmore was absent. There were 10 City Officials and Employees present and 3 people in the gallery.

There were 8 Ordinances and 1 Resolution proposed, 5 for action that evening:
• An Ordinance approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the
Police Sergeants.
• Employees Generally –3 current employees will receive pay raises.
• Contract renewal for J. Skapin for review services for Planning, Zoning and Building.
• Amendment to Ordinance pertaining to “prohibited standing or parking places”, to clarify
parking restrictions.
• An amendment to appropriate funds from the Sewer Fund for the purchase of a truck.
• A Resolution authorizing Aurora to join the Community University Education Purchasing
Council of Governments- a new name for the organization Aurora gets salt from.
• A Contract with Emery Electric to repair electric lines at Sunny Lake Park ballfields.
Money will be paid to the city by the insurance company.
• A Contract with GPD Group for a feasibility study related to a recreation center in an
amount not to exceed $50,000.
• An ordinance to renew the city’s Microsoft 365 subscription in an amount not to exceed
$30,240 as the city uses Microsoft 365 for its main computer software programs.
• Proposed dedication of streets Beljon Lane, Williams Court and Scarlet Lane will be put
on the January 23 agenda.
​
Meeting adjourned at 6:46 pm.

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City Council (CC):

​Council President George Horvat called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with Council members present and absent as noted at the COW.

The Mayor said that the 2023 Budget will have its second reading and requested any questions be sent to her, the reminder that the city offices will be closed on Martin Luther King Day, the upcoming State of the City luncheon on February 15 and the events she attended including the Church in Aurora Women’s Guild Luncheon, and the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County meeting.

Annual reviews for administration members were completed and a proclamation to a new Eagle Scout was presented.

There was an 18 minute Executive Session to discuss Labor Negotiations and acquisition of Real Property.

There was 1 Citizen comment asking for clarification on the proposed Ordinance amendment “Prohibited Standing or Parking Places”.

There were no Council remarks.

Ordinances on 2nd Reading that went to 3rd Reading:
• Ordinance approving a Conditional Zoning Certificate to allow an outside extension of a
permitted use for the property at 239 East Garfield Rd.
• Ordinance approving and adopting the Annual Budget and Appropriations fpr 2023.

Ordinances on 1st reading that were adopted with rules suspended:
• An Ordinance approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Police Sergeants.
• An Ordinance reflecting changes in compensation for 3 employees.
• An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Jeffery Skapin to
provide plan review services to the division of Planning, Zoning and Building.
• An Ordinance amending an Ordinance to appropriate the necessary funds to purchase a
vehicle for the Service Department.
• A Resolution authorizing the city to join the Community University Education Purchasing
Council of Governments to activate membership to take advantage of government pricing.
• An Ordinance authorizing Emery Electric to repair electric lines to Sunny Lake Ballfields.
Ordinances on 1st

Reading that went to 2nd Reading:
• An Ordinance amending Section 351.03 “Prohibited Standing or Parking Places” of
Aurora’s Codified Ordinances to clarify parking restrictions on a residential lot under one
acre in size. The language is still being worked on.
• An Ordinance accepting the proposal of and authorizing the Mayor to enter a contract
with GPD Group to provide consulting services related to a recreation center feasibility
study, not to exceed $50,000.
• The renewal of the City’s Microsoft 365 subscription.

Citizens Comments: None

Council Member & Committee Remarks: .J. Kudley thanked the Service Department for their
quick response to a flooding issue in the Geauga Lake area and mentioned that the new
Spectrum store looks like it will be a good resource since you can talk to real people.

​The meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.