Aurora contracts with new life/disability insurance provider

AURORA – The city is replacing its current employee basic life/AD&D insurance and long-term disability provider with another company. Council approved the change at its Oct. 24 meeting.

The two-year contract, which is effective Jan. 1, 2023, is with Lincoln Financial through the city's broker USI, and the cost will be $22,418 for basic life/AD&D coverage and $14,739 for long-term disability coverage for eligible full-time employees.

Mutual of Omaha is the current provider. Life/AD&D coverage will increase from $30,000 to $50,000 per eligible full-time employee. The costs represent an overall net increase of $3,393 over the current contract, and the rates are firm for two years. Personnel director/chief of staff Karen Pope said the city received quotes from five potential providers.

Council also approved contracts with three firms.

Buckeye Pumps Inc. will provide a replacement pump for the Barrington lift station for $23,373, Lighting & Controls Inc. will provide 12 light poles for the Route 43 lighting initiative for $54,240 and S.A. Communale will replace the heating/ventilation system at the Central wastewater treatment plant's filter building for $125,400.

According to service director Harry Stark, an electrical and mechanical inspection by the wastewater maintenance supervisor found the Barrington lift station's Pump 1 has been running 40 percent longer than Pump 2 for several months. Stark said Buckeye Pumps Inc. is the sole sales representative in the area for the Flyght pump.

As for the light poles, Stark said purchasing them now will eliminate contractor markups, ensure quicker delivery and guarantee matching the existing light poles in the center of town.

Stark said the city received two bids for the heating/ventilation system replacement. The other bid was $27,500 more.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council accepted the donation of a one-acre parcel between 567/627 E. Pioneer Trail and the Paddock River Preserve from Sommers Real Estate LLC. It is needed for a walking trail to access the preserve.

Sommers Real Estate also granted an access easement along an existing sanitary sewer easement between 607/617 E. Pioneer Trail for the walking trail.

Other approved items are acceptance of a formula for distribution of Local Government Fund money by Portage County, a $33,312 contract with Hejuk-Cox & Associates to create updated legal descriptions and a map for all zoning districts and a lease with Karen Stacko and Thomas Maracz for the former Miller property on Page Road.

Four agenda items went on to their next readings.

One would increase rates assessed by the city to reflect a boost in the cost of living. The Social Security Administration determined the hike in the cost of living rose 8.7 percent from the end of third quarter 2021 to the end of third quarter 2022.

Another is the disposal of four Motorola model APX 6500 radios and associated accessories. They are no longer useful to the fire department, and will be sold via online auction. Acting Fire Chief Matthew McBirney said they are valued at about $700 each.

The third is a contract with Hall Public Safety Upfitters to provide equipment and install it in three new Ford Explorer police cruisers for $46,083.

And the final item moving on is selling two no longer needed parks and recreation department pieces of equipment on govdeals.com.

Finance director Tim Clymer reported city fund balances remain in a healthy position, with $41.13 million unencumbered in all funds and $16.86 million unencumbered in the general fund.

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin reported a Fill the Bus food drive will be Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the bus being parked at the Walker Building. She also introduced the city's new administrative coordinator Tammy Harris, who is a 26-year Aurora resident.

A couple Chatham Estates residents informed Council about neighbors who are not keeping their properties in good condition, and one who parks cars on the front lawn. "It doesn't reflect well on the neighborhood," said Sandy Tucker. Law director Dean DePiero said the city's exterior maintenance code relies on citizens to inform the planning-zoning-building department about violations of the code. He noted the city then will follow up on complaints and take action if necessary.

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