Aurora Council Renews Road Levy, Weighs Boardwalk Plans for Geauga Lake

Aurora City Council met Monday at City Hall following the Committee of the Whole session, adopting nine pieces of legislation covering a road levy renewal, a grant consulting contract, police equipment and more. Council also heard an update on the long planned walking path around Geauga Lake. https://youtu.be/yod9qiPjQKU Midyear Finances Ahead of Pace Finance Director Tim Clymer told council that halfway through the year, general fund revenues sit at 62 percent of budget, about 12 percent ahead of pace. Expenditures are at 43 percent of budget, roughly 7 percent behind pace. Clymer said the trend closely mirrors last year, when revenues stood at 66 percent and expenses at 45 percent at the same point. Road Levy Renewal Advances to November Ballot Council adopted two resolutions tied to a 0.9 mill tax levy for street, road and bridge construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair. Law Director Dean DePiero explained the measures amend earlier legislation to comply with a new Ohio disclosure law that applies when cities and schools place levies on the ballot. He stressed the levy is a renewal, not a tax increase, and both resolutions passed unanimously to keep the measure on track for the November ballot. Boardwalk and Pathway Around Geauga Lake Still Years Away During the mayor's report, Councilman Brad Duguay asked for an update on the boardwalk walking path planned around the lake at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. DePiero said building the full loop is not the city's responsibility. It falls to developer ICP, financed through a Geauga County tax increment financing district, and ICP is only contractually required to build the complete pathway once that TIF funding is fully secured. That has not happened yet, though DePiero said all parties are working toward it and additional funding could eventually come through Bainbridge, Aurora or other state grants. Councilwoman Reva Barner asked what would exist there in the meantime. DePiero confirmed the city already owns the easement running the entire way around the lake, and the finished path is expected to combine boardwalk sections with gravel trail, similar to a Metro Parks or national park trail. Conceptual drawings already exist, but there is no timeline for the full loop. Public Service Director Harry Stark said Aurora is not waiting on ICP for its own portion of the park. Each phase the city builds includes boardwalk sections along the lake's edge. Phase 1A, opening later this year, will include a walkway near the beach area, with design work exploring boardwalk sections that may extend over the water. Consulting Contract Targets Grant Money for the Park Council adopted an ordinance authorizing a $60,000 consulting agreement with Capitol Consulting Group, Inc. The Columbus based firm will help the city pursue state and federal grant dollars for capital projects at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake and other city projects. The contract begins August 1. Police Vehicles Getting 5G Upgrade Council approved the purchase of 18 in car routers from Access Wireless Data Solutions, LLC for $25,177.24, upgrading police vehicles from 4G to 5G technology. Police Chief Brian Byard told council a Verizon incentive available through the end of July will credit the city $13,140, reducing the net cost to $12,037.24. Byard said the upgrade will also lower the monthly service cost per router from $39 to $30. Councilwoman Sarah Grdina Gilmore asked why the order was split between eight and 10 units. Byard explained some existing routers are already compatible with the new software and will simply transfer over. New Alternate Joins Architectural Board Council confirmed Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin's appointment of Madison Loftis as an alternate member of Aurora's Architectural Board of Review, replacing Valoree Vargo, who moved up to a full board seat. The mayor said Loftis approached her wanting to get more involved in the city. Loftis lives near the future park site and works at Sherwin Williams. New Hires and a Promotion in Public Safety Director of Personnel and Chief of Staff Karen Pope told council the city is hiring Skyler Arny as a full time police officer cadet, who will move into a budgeted police officer position after completing the police academy and state certification. The city is also hiring Adam Waterhouse as a police officer through a lateral transfer from the Akron Police Department, and promoting Charlotte Margagliotti from part time firefighter EMT to part time fire paramedic after she passed her state paramedic exam. Council adopted the compensation ordinance covering the changes. Town Hall Roof and Salt Dome Repairs Approved Council selected RJK Roofing's $95,150 bid for the Town Hall roof replacement, with the work expected to wrap up before fall. Council also approved a $34,126.13 contract with ClearSpan, including a 10 percent contingency, to repair the salt dome installed in 2019. Stark told council the contingency covers possible str