Aurora City Council approves road salt purchase, considers building new salt dome

Aurora City Council on Feb. 24 eyed replacing one of the city’s two salt domes, at a cost of $85,220. The one targeted for replacement dates back to 2000 and is in bad shape, Director of Public Services Harry Stark told city council members at the Monday meeting.

Stark said he would like the new structure, slated to be sited alongside its twin at the service department on West Pioneer Trail, in place in time for the 2025-26 snow season. A decision is expected next month.

Council members approved spending up to $100,000 for bulk road salt so the city doesn’t run out. Cost per ton, delivered, is $71.68.

Council is also considering:

• $240,900 for a 2025 brush truck to replace the 2006 model the city is now using. Funds would come from the city’s capital improvement fund. The goal would be to have the truck in time for April’s curbside brush pickup program.
  
• $40,600 for Johnson’s Landscaping to provide and plant 140 trees in Aurora’s Renaissance and Hawthorn developments, as well as replacement trees in the city’s parks. According to the legislation, $11,890 would be drawn from the city’s tree planting fund and $28,710 from the subdivision tree planting fund, which developers pay into.
  
• Easements needed to install decorative street lamps along South Chillicothe Road. The city bought the street lamps last year, and the easements are mostly needed for conduit trenches and light placement, Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. The lights are slated to be installed at 170, 182, 196, 204, 214, 220, 226, 234, 240, 270, 288, 310, 318, 342 and at least two other locations on South Chillicothe Road. There are already street lights along the road, Womer Benjamin said.

Council is expected to decide on the matters next month.