City of Aurora
City Council – Committee of the Whole
City Council – Regular Council Meeting
Monday, June 12, 2023
6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
Aurora City Hall
Council Chambers
130 S. Chillicothe Rd.
Aurora, OH 44202
In attendance
Committee of the Whole
Regular Council Meeting
- Brad Duguay, Ward 1
- Dennis Kovach, Ward 2
- Reva Barner, Ward 3
- George Horvat, Ward 4, Council President
- Sarah Grdina Gilmore, Ward 5
- Harold Hatridge, Ward 6
- John Kudley, Jr., At Large – Absent
- Peter French, At Large
- Scott Wolf, At Large
- Marie Lawrie, Clerk of Council
- Ann Womer Benjamin, Mayor
- Dean DePiero, Law Director
- Harry Stark, Director of Public Services
- Laura Holman, Director of Parks and Recreation
- Tim Clymer, Finance Director
- Lt. Lumpkins, Aurora Fire Department
Documenter Summary
Committee of the Whole
The committee worked quickly through its agenda of reviewing new business items and agreeing to pass all to the regular council meeting being held at 7 p.m.
Documenter Notes
Committee of the Whole
The meeting opened at 6:45 p.m. with the clerk of council completing a roll call. All were present except Council Member At Large John Kudley, Jr. Council Member At Large Scott Wolf led the meeting in Kudley’s absence.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the March 27 meeting. Motion approved via roll call. Additionally, a motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the May 22 meeting. Again, motion carried via roll call.
New Business Items
- (a) Employees Generally
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Request to hire one new police officer, Officer Zellner, who is currently serving as a police officer for the City of Twinsburg. The position is budgeted, and hiring is contingent on satisfactory pre-screening and background check. Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
- (b) Amend Ordinance 2023-027 Hall Public Safety Upfitters
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Lt. Lumpkin explained to council that this amendment to the ordinance is requested due to supply-chain issues, and that an additional amount of money is needed to complete the outfitting of police vehicles. Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
- (c) Contract with Garland/DBS, Inc., for replacement roof at WWTP
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Director of Public Services Harry Stark informed the council that $33,719 is needed to replace the roof at the Westerly Water Treatment Plant. The amount and contract were negotiated via Equalis. Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
- (d) Contract with Battaglia Construction to demolish 123 E. Pioneer Trl., 1053 N. Aurora Rd. and 1057 N. Aurora Rd.
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Stark explained that this contract would be for the demolition of addresses listed above (previously purchased by the City of Aurora) and would return all property “back to grass, for later use.” Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
- (e) Bid rejection for Fox Hill Drive/Maple Lane/state Route 43 intersection water line replacement
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Stark explained that the bids received for the areas of the water line replacement project (listed above) came in at 20% over the engineer’s estimate, so in order to send this back out to bid, a formal rejection of the received bids needs to take place. Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
- (f) CRA #1 tax abatement for BG Equity Holdings, LLC (LayerZero Power Systems), 1500 Danner Dr.
- Motion to forward to regular city council meeting was made and seconded. Finance Director Tim Clymer informed council that a tax abatement request application was submitted by BG Equity Holdings, owner of LayerZero Power Systems, which is seeking to expand its current manufacturing space by 44,000 to 48,000 square feet at a cost of $4.2 million. This expansion will create 82 full-time jobs and generate a $3.3 million payroll. Motion approved with a unanimous “aye” vote.
A motion was made and seconded for adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Documenter Notes
Regular City Council Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council President George Horvat. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all, followed by roll call by Clerk of Council Marie Lawrie. All were present except John Kudley, Jr., council member at large.
Horvat asked if there were any reconsiderations of prior actions. Seeing none, he asked for a motion to approve. Motion was made, seconded and passed.
Horvat requested a motion to approve the minutes of the March 27 meeting. Motion was made, seconded and approved via roll call. Additionally, a motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the May 22 meeting. Again, motion carried via roll call.
Horvat then announced that the Public Hearing for Ord. 2023-090 was now open for discussion. Ord. 2023-090: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET OF THE CITY OF AURORA FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2024, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE TAX BUDGET MUST BE ADOPTED BY JULY 10, 2023 IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH OHIO REVISED CODE 5705.28.
Horvat asked twice for anyone who would like to speak on this ordinance to come forward to the lectern. Seeing none, the public hearing was closed.
Executive Session
Council moved into executive session to discuss the Acquisition of Real Property. Immediately after the executive session, council returned to chambers and the meeting was called to order again.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin called the following items to the attention of council:
Beginning Wednesday, June 14, there will be food trucks at Kiwanis-Moore Park on the second and fourth Wednesdays in June, July and August. There will be two or three different food trucks set up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. She encourages all to check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page to find out which trucks will be attending each week.
A special free event was held at Aurora’s Splash Pad from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15. The “Splash Bash” featured bubbles, balloon art and food trucks.
Womer Benjamin continued with announcing the planned Fourth of July festivities. The Fun Run 1 mile/5K will take place the morning of July 4th; registration is open and information available at www.runsignup.com. The annual parade will begin at 11 a.m., followed by grand marshal recognition and the Family Festival at Kiwanis-Moore Park. The day will finish up with fireworks at dusk. More information can be found on the city website or by calling parks and recreation at (330) 562-4333.
Finally, Womer Benjamin finished her briefing with a rundown of the activities she has completed since the last council meeting:
- Spoke at Aurora’s Memorial Day ceremony and walked in the procession
- Attended an employee safety celebration at Avantor with Economic Development Director Holly Harris Bane
- Attended the Aurora Meadows ribbon-cutting ceremony and Whisperwood block party
- Attended the Multi-Chamber Portage County Business Roundtable with State Representative Gail Pavliga at the Aurora Inn
- Met with members of the Aurora School Board
- Taped her June Community Focus report
There were no questions for the mayor.
Law Director’s Report
Law Director Dean DePiero provided a written report to council on current litigation.
There were no questions for the law director.
Council President’s Report
Horvat asked council to support a motion to amend the meeting agenda by adding ordinances 2023-098 through 2023-103 as discussed earlier by the Committee of the Whole as well as ordinance 2023-104, which was discussed during council’s executive session. A motion was made and seconded to move these pieces of legislation to the regular council meeting. All approved by signaling “aye.”
Citizens’ Comments – Legislation
Resident Deb Conti asked if the work associated with Ord. 2023-100 comes with any kind of a warranty for the new roof. Stark replied that while he didn’t know the exact amount, there is a limited warranty on the materials used for the new roof.
Conti also mentioned how excited she is to hear of the new preschool as outlined in Ord. 2023-097. She hopes it progresses quickly in order to serve Aurora.
Council Remarks – Legislation
None
Legislation
Ord. 2023-089 (from the Committee of the Whole)
Third Reading: An ordinance approving the 2023 annual maintenance contract with Software Solutions in the amount of $23,548.44 for annual software support and maintenance for the finance and utility billing departments, taking the necessary funds from the General Fund (01), Water Fund (70) and Sewer Fund (72) and declaring an emergency in order to continue support services. A motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-090 (from the Committee of the Whole)
Third Reading: An ordinance approving and adopting the tax budget of the City of Aurora for the calendar year 2024 and declaring an emergency as the tax budget must be adopted by July 10, 2023 in order to comply with Ohio Revised Code 5705.28. A motion was made and seconded to suspend the public hearing rules. Motion carried via roll call. Motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-097 (from the Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance granting a Conditional Zoning Certificate to The Church in Aurora for Evergreen Preschool at 146 S. Chillicothe Rd., in the R-3 Residential District. Ordinance will move on to second reading.
Ord. 2023-098 (from the Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance amending Exhibit “A” of Aurora Code of Ordinances Chapter 161, “Employees Generally,” to reflect changes in compensation for the individuals listed on the attached schedule and/or to place those newly hired individuals listed on the attached schedule on Exhibit “A” at the compensation specified for them, approving such compensation and declaring an emergency. Motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed by the signaling of “aye.” Motion was made and seconded, and the ordinance was adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-099 (from Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance amending the previously approved Ord. 2023-027 to increase the amount approved by $1,827.23 to accommodate the changes in equipment for police vehicles, taking the funds from the Capital Improvement Fund (60) and declaring an emergency. A motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed with an “aye” vote. A motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-100 (from the Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Garland/DDS, Inc. in the amount of $33,719, taking the necessary funds from the Sewer Capital Fund (73) for a new roof for the WWTP (Westerly Water Treatment Plant) and declaring an emergency. A motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed with an “aye” vote. A motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-101 (from the Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Battaglia Construction for $48,000 to demolish two properties previously purchased by the city, taking the necessary funds from the General Fund (1) and declaring an emergency. A motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed with an “aye” vote. A motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-102 (from the Committee of the Whole)
An ordinance to reject two received bids for the water line replacement project since the bid amounts exceed the engineer’s estimate by at least 10% and declaring an emergency in order to begin the bidding process again. A motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed with an “aye” vote. A motion was made and seconded to adopt. Ordinance adopted via roll call.
Ord. 2023-103 (from the Committee of the Whole)
First Reading: An ordinance for the mayor to offer a 100%, 15-year tax abatement of real estate taxes for BG Holdings, LLC at 1500 Danner Dr. This ordinance will move on to second reading.
Ord. 2023-104 (from the Office of the Mayor)
First Reading: An ordinance for the mayor to enter into agreement with ICP Geauga Lake, LLC to purchase 40 acres of land and 53.63 acres of a body of water for the construction of a pool, beach and Lake Loop easement, taking the necessary funds from the General Fund (1). Ordinance will move on to second reading.
Citizens’ Comments – General
Harry Caplan began by complimenting the council and mayor for the plans for the development of the old Geauga Lake area.
He noted that previously, he gave each council member a proposal for a senior housing project which would keep the majority of Aurora’s older residents in Aurora. According to Caplan, many of Aurora’s elderly are residing in houses, which may be adding to the number of falls that emergency services respond to each year. Caplan’s proposal includes using acreage he owns to build a senior housing project, which would address the aging population of Aurora and allow long-time residents to stay in Aurora. Caplan expects the initiative to save $350,000 in taxes since there would be no burden put on the schools with additional schoolchildren. Caplan left council with the thought that he could put it on the fall ballot if council requests a zoning change (preferred) or if Caplan can successfully get 817 signatures.
Resident Mitchell Edgecomb distributed a draft presentation/proposal to each member of council. Edgecomb passionately spoke on the negative effects of using plastic grocery bags and cited many facts on the detrimental outcomes of continuing to use such plastics. He noted how proud he is of Aurora and would like to see the city be a leader in phasing out the use of these plastics and finding more suitable, sustainable alternatives. Time was called prior to the completion of Edgecomb’s remarks.
Council Member & Committee Remarks
Grdina Gilmore congratulated the mayor on the exciting news about the old Geauga Lake.
Hatridge congratulated Edgecomb on a very good presentation. He also reminded all that the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on exhibit June 22-25 at Hartman Park.
Barner also offered her congratulations and thanks to the mayor and the parks and recreation department for the news on Geauga Lake.
Motion was made to adjourn, which was seconded and passed via roll call at 7:58 p.m.
