by Brent Hovey
Reporter
Aurora -- One project came in under budget at the finance committee's May 12 meeting, and Mayor Lynn McGill had hoped that would lead to funding for another he has been trying to complete for more than a year.
However, the committee did not agree with the mayor and he'll have to try again at the May 27 meeting.
The cost of an irrigation system to Town Hall was expected to be about $25,000, but a quote came back at $13,000. McGill requested an additional $2,000 to extend the system to Town Center Point across Route 43.
The committee only approved the $13,000 for Town Hall.
McGill hoped that since the irrigation system came in more than $10,000 under budget, finance panelists would approve the extension and an additional $9,000 for a garden at Town Center Point, where Routes 43 and 306 split.
McGill has been trying to clean up that spot for some time.
First, he proposed to build a clock tower there. City Council rejected approving public funds, so McGill tried to raise the money privately. That effort failed.
Secondly, McGill proposed to plant trees and flowers there for $12,500, but that didn't fly either.
Since then, Charles and Josephine Leamy have donated money to purchase 13 trees which have been planted there.
McGill hoped that by reducing the remainder of the garden plan by $3,500, it would win the finance committee's approval.
"We had a plan for Town Center Point and we've compacted that plan," McGill explained. "I'd like to do a portion of the garden project, and no new money needs to be appropriated."
COMMITTEE member and Councilman at-Large John Kudley was the first to speak out against the additional $2,000.
"When this came to Council, we overwhelmingly said to it," he said. "We said we wanted it smoothed out and seeded. Then it was suggested maybe plant some trees, and that happened.
"But Council was pretty clear, I thought, that it didn't want a garden there. We went from a garden to a small project, and now it's back to something big again."
McGill fired back.
"I understand Mr. Kudley doesn't want to do any of the projects the mayor wants to do," he said. "But I'd like City Council to reconsider this project to beautify the area at a reduced cost."
Committee member and Ward 3 Councilman Carl Rausch said he wouldn't feel comfortable approving the money at the finance panel level with the proposed changes when it was clear City Council didn't want it.
Ward 5 Councilman Jim Fisher said he thinks the gardens and the irrigation system should be two separate issues.
"City Council tortured the garden plan to the point where it wanted a small investment and just a seeded area," Fisher said.
"I'd rather have flowers in the center of town than in boxes at the end of town, but the irrigation needs to be separate and another piece of legislation is needed for the gardens."
he committee favored the $13,000 for the irrigation system, but not the $2,000 to extend it across the street to Town Center Point, and also not the $9,000 for a reduced-size garden.
The latter two measures will return to Council later.
E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115