[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6054517,"mediaKeyId","3336737-cd20c913bfdebd1ea571191679714163","parentId",3336737,"title","Aurora council adopts personnel and infrastructure measures, rejects FEMA project bids","audioSeconds",259,"startMs",26000,"endMs",285000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3336737-cd20c913bfdebd1ea571191679714163&start=26&end=285","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3336737-cd20c913bfdebd1ea571191679714163/thumbnail_26000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6054517/Ohio/Aurora-council-adopts-personnel-and-infrastructure-measures-rejects-FEMA-project-bids","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054517-4cd547baa2f100aaf729e425ef9f221e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159735&Signature=KwzwZhvBEgWdf8LbKcHgy9UJoVZ0bFExOr2TrkrWdCttJsqGuPENWWvQzyAjTMx-z6Mkm2hMg5yWzT076YBJTd22JQPzJBM6SP~K1bZVNbDJMD6O5IBbt8CWExGiLqUcGnObgzklkFPfDcILP9G1tFFzaNohF9OMwgplVX6GQKmOK8mlJU6xaBZ1cIe9do2Q-tm-NB5cxL55xDwI7I-rp31Tjosfh2FkQTnfmQwJaCxm104GfwAiIkvIx8BRiVlVnlvechWg9ys~U-mWeDADpN0GHCIsrX~Ez7uRJJ3DwkUq2NR1dsgIZ9mZrAW5uHkRFO9s5tX1PflAo06WtjO0RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Aurora OH ","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","Aurora City Council’s Committee of the Whole on May 12 forwarded a package of personnel and capital measures to the council and adopted a series of ordinances aimed at advancing park, utility and street projects while rejecting bids for a FEMA-backed floodplain restoration project.

The committee approved updates to the employees roster and forwarded the hiring of a new executive assistant to the mayor and several seasonal parks hires for action at council that evening. Mayor Warner Benjamin introduced Rachel Miller as the mayor’s new executive assistant and asked the committee to support placing her on the employees schedule; the committee also approved seasonal hires Cole Mann and Saeed Naqke. Councilmember Scott Wolf presided over the meeting during the city-level votes.

Why it matters: The actions free staff to proceed on active capital projects—surveying and utility work for Aurora Park and a planned irrigation installation on Hartman Park soccer fields—while the rejection and planned rebid of the FEMA-funded floodplain restoration project resets procurement for stormwater work that previously exceeded the engineer’s estimate.

Key adopted items and next steps

- Employees generally: The committee approved amendments to the employees schedule to add the mayor’s new executive assistant and seasonal parks hires and forwarded the item for council action that evening. During the committee vote, Councilmember Sykes recorded an abstention on the roll call; other members voted in favor. The committee also approved an amendment to remove one named employee (Parker Sites) from the immediate legislative package so the measure could proceed without a later conflict of interest.

- Rejection of FEMA floodplain restoration bids (Ordinance 2025-076): City staff recommended rejecting all four bids received for the FEMA floodplain restoration and stormwater control project because the low bids exceeded the engineer’s estimate by more than 20 percent. “I think we’re way over the 20% mark from where the engineers estimated,” city staff member Mister Stark said, and the committee approved rejecting the bids and rebidding the project as soon as possible.

- Surveying contract for Aurora Park Phase 1 (Ordinance 2025-077): The committee adopted an ordinance accepting a proposal from Haider Cox and Associates, Inc., to provide professional surveying services for Aurora Park Phase 1 utilities, lift-station work and stormwater outlet modifications. The ordinance cites an amount of $141,430 and appropriates funds from capital accounts to keep the project on schedule.

- Water tower replacement (Ordinance 2025-066): The committee adopted an ordinance accepting a proposal from Verdantus LLC for the replacement of the southernmost water tower in an amount not to exceed $150,000, with funds taken from the Water Capital Fund 71.

- Easement for three-phase power (Ordinance 2025-078): Council approved granting an easement to Ohio Edison Company (FirstEnergy) to install three-phase power along Squires and Brewster Roads to support future park development; the committee noted the easement will also be used to site a utility pole needed for the park.

- Streetlight contract for South Chillicothe Road (Ordinance 2025-079): The committee awarded a contract to Param Electric Inc. for $178,733.17 to install streetlights on South Chillicothe Road (from Aurora Hudson Road to West Pioneer Trail). During the meeting a council member asked whether work would begin this summer; the administration said the installation is expected to start in summer.

- Irrigation system at Hartman Park (Ordinance 2025-080): The committee adopted a $48,800 contract with Advanced Irrigation and Lighting to install an underground Rain Bird irrigation system on the soccer fields at Hartman Park to address heavy field use and summer dryness.

- Payment and compensation items (Ordinance 2025-074): The committee approved an ordinance authorizing compensation to the Aurora Board of Education related to tax abatement distributions for 2024; the ordinance includes specific dollar amounts in the legislation text.

- Community education providers (Ordinances 2025-081 through 2025-085): The committee forwarded to council first readings of multiple “not to exceed” payment authorizations for community education providers through Dec. 31, 2025: National Driving Training School (up to $100,000), ConMac Inc. (up to $40,000), Prism Collective LLC (up to $30,000), Progress with CHESS (up to $30,000), and June Lucal (up to $40,000). The committee noted the city retains an administrative fee (reported as 20% in staff remarks) on registrations; these items were scheduled for second reading.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-075 (employees compensation / additions): Adopted (roll-call recorded as unanimous among voting members present after suspension); for the employees-related amendment during the Committee of the Whole meeting one member (Mister Sykes) recorded an abstention.

- Ordinance 2025-076 (reject bids, FEMA floodplain restoration): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinance 2025-077 (Haider Cox and Associates — surveying services): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinance 2025-066 (Verdantus LLC — water tower replacement): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinance 2025-078 (easement to Ohio Edison Company / FirstEnergy): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinance 2025-079 (Param Electric Inc. — streetlight installation): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinance 2025-080 (Advanced Irrigation and Lighting — irrigation at Hartman Park): Adopted (roll call: all present voted yes).

- Ordinances 2025-081 through 2025-085 (community education provider payments): Forwarded for council second reading (committee moved each forward for first reading/action).

What the committee said

City staff and council members repeatedly emphasized schedule and budget constraints: staff recommended rejecting the FEMA bids to rebid after revising contract documents, and multiple ordinances were adopted on suspension to keep projects moving. Mayor Warner Benjamin introduced the new executive assistant candidate and asked for committee support; parks and recreation staff described the irrigation need at Hartman Park as driven by heavy field use and variable weather.

Next steps

Most adopted ordinances were forwarded to council for final action that evening; items forwarded for first reading will return for further council consideration. The FEMA-related project will be rebid after staff revisions to scope and documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Aurora Committee of the Whole and City Council Meetings 3-31-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aurora City Council’s Committee of the Whole on May 12 forwarded and adopted a package of personnel and capital measures—adding a mayoral executive assistant and seasonal parks hires, awarding park and utility contracts, approving streetlight and irrigation work and rejecting bids for a FEMA floodplain restoration project to be rebid.","taxTitle","Aurora City Council, Aurora, Portage County, Ohio","taxId",71654,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054512,"Aurora council debates timing and format of department reports; mayor offers monthly highlights",482,883000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3336737-cd20c913bfdebd1ea571191679714163&start=883&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3336737-cd20c913bfdebd1ea571191679714163/thumbnail_883000.jpg","/articles/6054512/Ohio/Aurora-council-debates-timing-and-format-of-department-reports-mayor-offers-monthly-highlights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054512-8aed436624c38708ccba7e3efadc7d27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159735&Signature=egA9vlij9MLETeZvn8-Jyc-bAfxqvM3aklBDCpiFafKve-Inpi~JHaiHmuWCzvj24k4DMaiRSgNZrNX39WoZuwgRNWvkP7xnMByeYMkFjP2-RtsuyVJhzuRNiDUGLdkGrJ0bvzykxHGMZFObuACT6mvVtwXZQfyuIWZaY4xeRKbFmp-TwF4xbN4g31kZxSExejUbk99m~3YzQh0jSb39HQdkxQWbdTWy1w9SBRi5TATccamAGJKhX1idMSJby~mymzQJHMJhddfj2mx0Ss-lmNu0Optdg0IEblNyvl96hI2khpNbHPBs8Ld-EcNjSWWpLnt8ILKKiMb~lYD7AS5n4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora City Council members spent substantive time at the May 12 Committee of the Whole meeting discussing how and when department reports should be delivered to the council and to the public. Councilmembers proposed moving more department reports into regular City Council meetings and asked for regular opportunities to question department heads.

Why it matters: Council members said they are sometimes asked about local developments they did not know about and want routine updates to respond to residents and to maintain oversight. The discussion focused on report frequency, which departments to prioritize, and how to give citizens an opportunity to comment on reports.

What was proposed and who said it

Councilmember Scott Wolf opened the discussion by noting prior talks about moving department reports to the City Council meeting so the public could comment. Councilmember (first name not specified in the transcript) and Councilmember French both said they supported more robust reporting and suggested variable frequency depending on department activity.

Mayor Warner Benjamin told councilmembers he will try to provide more timely information and suggested delivering highlights once a month and showcasing two departments per meeting when practical. \"I will make an effort to make sure that those are showcased for you in some way,\" Mayor Benjamin said, adding that economic development reports are already provided monthly and that some developments happen quickly and may be shared as they arise.

Council members asked that department reports include both routine statistics and items that help councilmembers answer questions from residents—examples discussed included new business openings, public-safety training highlights, senior programs and sidewalk repair opportunities. One councilmember suggested allowing public comment on the mayor’s report and related department highlights before new business to increase transparency and public engagement.

Next steps

Councilmembers agreed to refine the proposal and return with a specific plan at the next meeting (referenced as May 27 in the discussion). The mayor said he would try to provide more timely economic development reports and coordinate with department heads about what information would be most useful to council and to residents.

Context and examples

During the same meeting Mayor Benjamin also summarized routine operational items: brush pickup schedules, splash pad and boathouse opening dates, Memorial Day observance times, the trail construction along the former railroad right-of-way, and other community events—items he said he will continue to highlight in reports to council and the public.

The committee instructed staff and council leadership to draft a proposal on report timing and format for the May 27 meeting so council can decide how to proceed.","Council members and the mayor discussed moving department reports from the Committee of the Whole to regular council meetings, possible reporting frequency, and ways to enable more citizen engagement and regular dialogue with department heads.","actionData","errors"]

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Aurora council adopts personnel and infrastructure measures, rejects FEMA project bids

Aurora council debates timing and format of department reports; mayor offers monthly highlights