Aurora Park at Geauga Lake Investments, Safety Rules, and Road Funding
The Aurora City Council celebrates new state and local funding for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake, including a multimillion‑dollar accessible adventure play area and self‑serve kayaks and paddleboards, while preparing staff and consultants to support the park’s opening and future improvements. The council also addresses street and bridge levy renewal, strict oversight of underground utility work, moratoria on vape shops and data centers, and several land, safety, and pay measures affecting residents and local businesses. 20mins
Was this helpful?
Original Meeting
Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
3497.77
6-30-2026 Aurora Committee of the Whole & City Council Meetings (June 30, 2026)
In This Video
-
Mayor Benjamin highlighted that the state’s capital budget included a $1 million allocation for developing the beach area in Phase 2A of Aurora Park at Geauga Lake.
-
Mayor Benjamin announced the 4th of July Parade Grand Marshall, and recognized Aurora’s new designation as a Purple Heart City.
-
Mayor Benjamin reported that the fire department’s long-awaited new rescue squad was nearly ready for service, promoted the upcoming Party in the Park 250 Birthday Bash Tour, and highlighted the industrial park’s key role in Aurora’s economy with remaining acreage still being actively marketed for development.
-
Mayor Benjamin reported on ongoing economic development efforts despite wetland constraints in the industrial park, highlighted monthly food truck events serving park employees, and described Aurora’s promotional presence at the Best of Cleveland celebration to attract visitors and support local businesses.
-
Mayor Benjamin outlined Aurora’s stringent permit and engineered-plan requirements for underground utility work in response to a recent nearby gas explosion and urged residents to report utility markings so staff could verify that proper approvals were in place.
-
Council Member Kudley, Jr. described a long-standing school tradition of a staff member giving signed bookmarks to students and shared how current students returned the gesture with 1,600 signed bookmarks, including a memorable note from the council member's grandchild.
-
Council Member Horvat led council in amending the meeting agenda to add previously discussed ordinances to the committee of the whole and then approved all items on the consent calendar, formally adopting the ordinances.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of a resolution submitting renewal of the existing 0.9-mill street, road, and bridge levy to voters on the November 2026 ballot as an emergency measure.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of an ordinance accepting a $3,460,230 proposal for a custom themed accessible adventure play area at Aurora Park at Geauga Lake, including related fund transfers and appropriations as an emergency measure to ensure completion by summer 2027.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of an ordinance accepting a $55,000 proposal from Rent Fund LLC for a 16‑unit self‑rental kiosk with kayaks and paddle boards at Aurora Park at Draga Lake, funded from the Capital Improvement Fund as an emergency measure to secure the vendor for 2026.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of an emergency ordinance extending through December 31, 2026 the moratorium on accepting applications and issuing permits for vape, smoke, tobacco, and CBD- or cannabis-related shops.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to purchase a vacant lot on Eldridge Road for $45,000 plus up to $5,000 in closing costs, funded from the Stormwater Capital Fund.
-
Council Member Horvat introduced an ordinance to grant an easement to Link Packaging to ensure vehicular and pedestrian access for emergency services, and placed it on second reading.
-
Council Member Horvat introduced an emergency ordinance amending Exhibit A to Chapter 161 to update compensation for listed employees and add newly hired staff at specified pay ranges, with the administration requesting suspension of the rules.
-
Council Member Horvat introduced an emergency ordinance establishing a 12‑month moratorium on accepting or approving permits for data centers so the city could study and potentially regulate them, with the administration requesting suspension of the rules.
-
Council Member Horvat introduced an emergency ordinance on first reading to reject all bids for the Town Hall roof replacement because the lowest bid was incomplete and the others were more than 20% over the engineering estimate, with the administration requesting suspension of the rules to allow the project to be rebid quickly.
-
Council Member Horvat oversaw adoption of an emergency ordinance updating the Parks Coordinator job description in the Parks and Recreation Department so recruitment could begin ahead of the Aurora Park at Geauga Lake opening, with rules suspended at the administration’s request.
-
Council Member Horvat introduced an emergency ordinance on first reading to authorize a $60,000 consulting agreement with Capital Consulting Group for securing state and federal capital project funds for Aurora Park, Geauga Lake, and other city parks, with funding from the General Fund and the measure placed on second reading.
More from this government