Aurora Council Advances Electric Bike Rules, Hears Schools Issue 4 Plan and Rejects Park Utility Bids

AURORA — Aurora City Council moved a broad electric bike and scooter ordinance forward Sept. 28. Members also heard the school district's plan for Issue 4 on the Nov. 3 ballot. They rejected every bid for a park utility project as well. All nine members voted yes on every ordinance that received a roll call vote. Electric Bike Rules Take Shape Ordinance 2026-155 rewrites parts of Aurora's traffic code. It covers bicycles, electric bicycles, low speed micromobility devices and personal assistive mobility devices. Law Director Dean DePiero said the city studied about 20 other communities. The Ohio Municipal League also helped. Violations could be minor misdemeanors, but no license points would apply. Devices used by people with disabilities are excluded. Riders would have to travel in single file on streets and use lights and reflectors. The draft sets a 20 mph limit. It bans reckless riding, towing behind vehicles and riding on handlebars. Riders also could not wear more than one earphone connected to a phone or audio device. Class 3 electric bikes would be barred from sidewalks and public paths. Operators and passengers under 16 would need a helmet with a fastened chin strap. Parents or guardians of children under 18 could be held responsible if they knowingly allow violations. Police could impound a minor's device and return it to the parents with proof of ownership. DePiero said the goal is a conversation with parents, since an officer cannot stand on every corner. On sidewalks, DePiero said younger riders are meant to use them where they exist. Riders 15 and older could use a sidewalk only without the motor engaged. He acknowledged the wording may need refinement. Council Weighs In on the Draft Councilwoman Sarah Grdina Gilmore asked DePiero to clarify how the age and motor rules fit together. Councilwoman Reva Barner backed the effort and said accountability is needed before a dangerous situation develops. Councilman Dennis Kovach asked about racing down hills on city streets. DePiero pointed him to the reckless operation section. Councilman Ralph Ware said the age limits might be too strict. He also worried that gaps in sidewalks could push riders to cross streets. Councilman Scott Wolf said electric unicycles are missing. DePiero said he believes they are covered but will take another look. Councilman John Seitz said families will need a simple guide to the classes of bikes. Council President George Horvat urged the schools to add the rules to health education. He said children who ride as passengers need to learn them too. Aurora City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Milcetich said many districts lack a board policy and look to cities for guidance. Police Chief Brian Byard was absent and is expected at future readings. The ordinance will get three readings. Council members should send amendments to Clerk of Council Marie Lawrie, who will forward them to the law director. Votes on amendments would come at third reading. The legislation passed in committee and advanced to a second reading at the council meeting. Schools Outline Issue 4 Plan Milcetich presented the district's essential plan, a $96 million bond issue at 4.26 mills. He said the district can provide information but cannot advocate. The earlier plan failed 57 percent to 43 percent, and this one carries 44 percent fewer mills. The plan includes a new elementary school for grades one through three at about $57 million. It also funds a new transportation center and more than $21 million in essential renovations. Those include roofing, paving, HVAC, boilers, chillers and kitchen equipment. For a home with a $400,000 appraised value, the cost would be about $596 per year. Milcetich said the work would take four to five years. Craddock Elementary would stay open during construction and be demolished afterward. He said the state could reimburse about $13 million, but only after voters pass the bond issue. Nothing would come upfront. Enrollment has held near 3,000 students and is projected to reach about 3,100 in 10 years. Wolf said about 24 percent of the bond covers essential capital needs. He said bringing Craddock up to standard would cost about 40 percent of a new school's price. A co chair of the Citizens Committee for Quality Schools spoke during citizen comments. The advocacy group is separate from the district. She said it aims for 6,000 yes votes and has raised about $7,000 toward a $10,000 goal. The group asked council members and residents to volunteer, donate, endorse and vote. Park Utility Bids Rejected Council adopted Ordinance 2026-154 with an emergency clause, rejecting all bids for the Aurora Park Utility Improvement Project. Public Service Director Harry Stark said the northwest quadrant wastewater project includes a new lift station, a rehabilitated lift station and the decommissioning of a third. Both bids exceeded the engineering estimate by more than 20 percent. Stark said state law bars the city from contr