SOLON — The Solon City Council met Wednesday, May 7 for their regularly scheduled meeting, and provided a variety of updates before the summer season.
A big item on the agenda was the City Council’s announcement of the Solon Senior of the Year, Larry Swann. Swann will be presented with a certificate honoring his achievement at the Wednesday, May 21 Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Solon Mayor Dan O’Neil also declared the month of May as Older Americans Month, saying that the city hopes the declaration “encourages [seniors] to age strong and live long.”
Another important member of the community was highlighted by the council and staff. The week of May 4 is City Clerk week, and City Administrator Cami Rasmussen made sure to recognize Solon City Clerk Susie Siddell, who has been with the city of Solon for nineteen years.
“Susie cares like no one I’ve ever known,” said Rasmussen. “She goes the extra mile for the residents day in and day out.”
It was also Earth week in Solon earlier this spring, with the city receiving a grant to plant 64 trees across the community, and Rasmussen wants to keep the momentum going.
“Earth week in Solon really hit home,” Rasmussen said. “This community has been transformed and it’s going to be a lasting legacy.”
On the topic of grants, the Solon Public Library has also received an impactful grant aimed at increasing the accessibility of the building.
“We’re thrilled to have this opportunity again,” said Library Director Liz King.
The plan is to add handicap push buttons to the bathroom doors, which she told the council are heavy and can be difficult to open for those with mobility disabilities, young children, and parents with strollers. There will be a meeting at the library on May 21st at 9:00 a.m. to gather community input about what accessibility changes residents would like to see at the library, with King saying that the grant plan is fluid.
“We would really like to get as much input as possible from anybody who has experienced [mobility disabilities],” said King.
Although the building will be closed on Memorial Day, summer reading preparations are in full swing at the library. The summer kickoff event will be Friday, May 30, at 6:00 p.m., and residents of all ages are encouraged to participate in the program. Reading slips can be picked up at the kickoff event, or any time after at the library.
Planning and Zoning was also a hot topic during the meeting, as the Solon Community School District hopes to improve the traffic and bus route flow around Lakeview Elementary while the students are away for the summer. The project manager for the construction, Lacy Lampe, was present via Zoom. Lampe said that the current main road in and out of Lakeview Elementary is likely going to be split up into two or three different routes, with the entrance by the softball fields probably going to be shifted over as well. “The most important part is having that bus line right in front of the building,” said Lampe. “We’re trying to help circulation and add some spaces for buses to stack to make a bit of a safer situation.”
The council voted to approve the purchase of a new truck for the public works department. The initial plan had been to go with a Ford f-150, but after some consideration by the department it was decided that a Ford f-250 would be more adequate.
“They feel the heavier truck is better suited for the day to day needs of the department,” said Rasmussen. “The recommendation is that we move forward with this purchase.” Finally, Recreation Director Brodie Bohlen has been hard at work gathering funds to build a new sand play area in the spot where the volleyball courts used to be. The hope is that the project will be completed as soon as possible, giving residents an additional outdoor entertainment center for their children this summer. Rasmussen and the Parks and Recreation staff thanks the businesses who are making this new addition possible.