Aurora Revives Industrial Park Water Tower Plan, Sets Rezoning Hearing and Celebrates Park Opening

Aurora City Council moved quickly on Monday, Oct. 26, approving a string of contracts on first reading as quotes and deadlines neared. The Committee of the Whole met first, followed by the regular council meeting. Council also set a public hearing on a 13 acre rezoning headed for the ballot. Members postponed the electric bike ordinance again and heard about the first weekend at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. Water Tower Search Returns to the Industrial Park Council approved Ordinance 2026-164, a $32,619.35 contract with DLZ Ohio Inc. for geotechnical exploration at a possible alternate water tower site. The site is in the industrial park, and the money comes from the Water Capital Fund. Public Service Director Harry Stark said the current tower design placed it near Sunny Lake Park. The industrial park was always the preferred location. The city’s South tower already stands there and will come down once the new tower is built. For several years, no property owner in the industrial park was willing to sell land or grant easements. Stark said two property owners in the area are now willing to work with the city. Council member Sarah Grdina Gilmore asked why the city was looking again. Stark explained that the industrial area sits higher than most of the city. Water towers rely on pressure to move water, and a taller tower costs much more. He put the average height difference at 40 feet. Soil at the Sunny Lake site was also soft in places, which required a stronger support structure. The soil testing is part of the city’s due diligence before any land purchase. “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. Stark said the project costs about $7.5 million. It carries a $400,000 state grant and an Ohio EPA loan, both with deadlines. The city wants testing done before the weather turns. A land purchase could take several months. After that, the design must be modified and the Ohio EPA permit to install must be reapproved. The city also needs the Ohio Public Works Commission to approve moving the grant to the new site. Westerly Plant Repairs and New Generator Council approved Ordinance 2026-165, paying American Environmental Group Ltd., a Tetra Tech company, $85,858.23 for repairs at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposal expires Nov. 7. Funding comes from the Sewer Capital Fund. Stark said the plant’s equalization basin holds extra water during heavy rain, when stormwater seeps into older sewer lines. The plant treats about 1.6 million gallons per day. Its basin has tears and needs repair. He said the city spent six months seeking estimates. A second company never sent one, so he moved ahead with the bid in hand. He wants the work finished before winter and before the next Ohio EPA inspection. Council President George Horvat noted 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 for a violation 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. That money also comes from the Sewer Capital Fund. Stark said generators keep plants and lift stations running in outages so wastewater does not back up into homes. 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, and delivery could take six to eight months. Stark said the purchase was budgeted. North Bissell Road Grant Application Resolution 2026-167 authorizes the mayor to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission. It moved to a second reading. Stark said the city has been preliminarily awarded close to $500,000 for the North Bissell Road reconstruction. The 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. Stark said Aurora has received these state grants each year for about the last seven years. The resolution lists a Dec. 15 application deadline. Employee Health Coverage Contracts Council approved Ordinance 2026-162, a three year renewal with United Medical Resources (UMR) as the city’s medical and prescription claims administrator. Chief of Staff Karen Pope said the annual cost of $76,777 runs from 2027 through 2029. That is a decrease of about 11%, or roughly $9,500, from 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. St