Aurora Eyes Industrial Park for New Water Tower as Geauga Lake Park Draws 4,000 on Opening Day

Aurora City Council pushed a stack of contracts through on first reading Monday, Oct. 26, as vendor quotes and state deadlines closed in. The Committee of the Whole met before the regular session. Members also scheduled a public hearing on a 13 acre rezoning bound for the ballot. The electric bike ordinance was delayed again, and the mayor reported a strong first weekend at the new Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. Water Tower Search Returns to the Industrial Park Council approved Ordinance 2026-164, hiring DLZ Ohio Inc. for $32,619.35 to perform geotechnical testing at a possible new water tower site in the industrial park. The Water Capital Fund will cover the cost. Public Service Director Harry Stark said the current design places the tower near Sunny Lake Park. The industrial park, however, has always been the city’s first choice. Aurora’s South tower already stands there and will come down once a new tower is built. For several years, no landowner in the industrial park would sell property or grant easements. Two owners are now willing to work with the city, Stark said. Why Higher Ground Matters Council member Sarah Grdina Gilmore asked why the city was revisiting the location. Stark said the industrial area sits higher than most of Aurora. Water towers rely on pressure to move water, so a lower site requires a taller and much more expensive structure. He estimated the average height difference at 40 feet. Soft soil in parts of the Sunny Lake site also called for a stronger foundation. Soil testing is part of the city’s due diligence before buying any land. “We’re not going to build a tower in an area that has unsuitable soil,” Stark said. Council member Ralph Ware asked how time sensitive the work is. The project costs about $7.5 million and carries a $400,000 state grant and an Ohio EPA loan. Both come with deadlines. Stark wants testing finished before the weather turns. A land purchase could take several months. After that, the design would need changes and the Ohio EPA permit to install would have to be approved again. The Ohio Public Works Commission must also agree to move the grant to the new site. Westerly Plant Repairs and a New Generator Ordinance 2026-165 pays American Environmental Group Ltd., a Tetra Tech company, $85,858.23 for repairs at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposal expires Nov. 7, and the Sewer Capital Fund will pay for the work. The plant treats about 1.6 million gallons a day. Its equalization basin stores extra flow during heavy rain, when stormwater seeps into older sewer lines. That basin now has tears. Stark said the city spent six months gathering estimates. A second company never sent one, so he moved forward with the bid in hand. He wants the work done before winter and ahead of the next Ohio EPA inspection. Council President George Horvat pointed out the company is based in Houston, Texas. Stark said it has offices across the country. When Ware asked about the risk of waiting, Stark said the city could be cited and fined. He later clarified that a violation would reflect the needed repair under EPA rules, not any environmental harm. Council also approved Ordinance 2026-166, buying a generator and transfer switch from Buckeye Power Sales for $125,910 through Sourcewell government pricing. The Sewer Capital Fund covers this purchase too. Generators keep plants and lift stations running during outages so wastewater does not back up into homes, Stark explained. Council member John Seitz asked about the age of the current unit. Stark said it is about 20 years old. The quote expires Nov. 7, delivery could take six to eight months and the purchase was budgeted. North Bissell Road Grant Moves Ahead Resolution 2026-167, which authorizes the mayor to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission, advanced to a second reading. Stark said Aurora has been preliminarily awarded close to $500,000 for the North Bissell Road reconstruction. The full project costs about $1 million. Between Routes 82 and 43, the west side of the road is crumbling. Core samples showed only 8 inches of pavement with no base underneath. The other side is in good shape. Aurora has received these state grants every year for about the last seven years, Stark said. The resolution lists a Dec. 15 application deadline. Employee Health Coverage Contracts Council renewed United Medical Resources (UMR) as the city’s medical and prescription claims administrator under Ordinance 2026-162. Chief of Staff Karen Pope said the three year deal costs $76,777 a year from 2027 through 2029. That is about 11% less, or roughly $9,500 below the prior contract. Pope noted council had already approved dental coverage with another insurer. Ordinance 2026-163 switches the city’s medical stop loss coverage to Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America Insurance Corporation for 2027. Aurora is self insured and covers the first $85,000 in claims per covered person. Stop loss insurance pays above that amount. Sun Life had been the car