SOLON — The 5:30 p.m. meeting kicked off with resident Toni Russo addressing the City Council and city officials during the allotted public comments time. Russo voiced her disagreement about the new subdivision being built within Solon, particularly with the water and sewer lines for the 50 homes at city expense.
“I think we’re underestimating how important this is to the city,” Russo said, and added that she thinks a public meeting needs to be held.
Russo was the only citizen to speak before the meeting moved to discuss items on the agenda, such as an update on what different city departments have been up to. Although school’s out for the summer, the Solon Public Works Department has been hard at work all of June and into July.
“As usual things have been very busy for public works,” said City Administrator Cami Rasmussen. Rasmussen addressed the fixing of blown fuses and other electric issues as a result of the storm in late June. She also added that Kris Richardson, public works superintendent, has spent lots of time mowing and making sure the splash pad at the Solon Recreation and Nature Center is functioning properly, which is much appreciated by the council and residents alike. Furthermore, trees have been trimmed, the Solon Beef Days banners hung up, and the stormwater drainage issue across from the library handled. Rasmussen and the Public Works Department also were hard at work addressing paperwork that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sent the city regarding lead copper in the water. Rasmussen wants to make it clear that there is no threat to the health of the water in the Solon community, and that this was just a paperwork issue.
“It was a surprise to me, it was a surprise to all of us [city officials],” Rasmussen said. “What was unclear was that there was additional reporting compliance.”
Around 60 letters describing the issue were mailed out to Solon properties by the DNR, although Rasmussen believes down to ten properties by next week. “Over 1,200 other water services were reported as fine,” Rasmussen said. “There is no action needed, this is simply a notification.”
To reiterate, there are no actual water issues that Solon residents need to be concerned about, and the community should expect no potential action to be required until 2027.
On a positive note, the summer reading program at the Solon Public Library has an exciting update: The total program number is up by 115 participants compared to the year before. The top June programs included the Dog Man Escape Room challenge, Tales and Tails, and the Princess Party. For teens and adults looking for fun, on Wednesday, July 23 the library is hosting an escape room based on the Netflix hit show “Stranger Things.” The library will also be closing at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, and all day Saturday, July 19, for Solon Beef Days. There will also be a library booth for community members to stop by at during the celebration.
Solon City Attorney Kevin Olson would like to remind residents of the new hands-free driving law that went into effect on July 1. This law means that drivers are no longer permitted to even hold electronic devices while operating a vehicle and instead must use hands-free or voice-operated systems. Olson said that the sheriff’s page has more information for those curious about more specific details.
“The good news is that [officers] are going to be giving warnings until Jan. 1,” Olson said. Further reminders for the summer months include the upcoming Music on Main performances on Wednesday, July 9, and 16, featuring Kevin Burt and the Country Biscuits, respectively.
Lastly, the annual city cleanup day will be held Saturday, August 9.
The next regularly scheduled Solon City Council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.