The City Council meeting Wednesday, July 16, focused much of its discussion on a request from the Macbride Pointe subdivision to connect to the Gallery Acres West water main and gain access to city water—a proposal that sparked strong reactions from both residents and council members. While no action was taken, the discussion provided insight into the city’s long-running negotiations, engineering considerations, and potential consequences of expanding the city’s water service to Macbride Pointe.
Background: A long road to connection
City Administrator Cami Rasmussen provided background on the request to connect Macbride Pointe to Solon’s water system. Macbride Pointe developer Kyle Skogman first approached the city in 2022, but discussions stalled due to uncertainty over the impact of the then-recent Gallery Acres West connection.
“We weren’t ready to even begin a conversation to add more houses until we knew the impact of the Gallery Acres homes that were added,” Rasmussen said.
Progress was further delayed in 2023 when a drought and the major collapse of Well 4 put added strain on the city’s water supply. Meanwhile, city staff and the Utilities Committee worked to clarify responsibilities for non-city customers.
“We wanted some ideas from Gallery Acres on how they’re handling their water billing,” Rasmussen said. “What are they doing to somebody who doesn’t pay? If there’s a leak, who’s looking for the leak?”
An operations agreement was approved in 2024 by the council to address those concerns. In April, after reviewing updated engineering plans showing how the connection would be made to the Gallery Acres main, the Utilities Committee agreed the issue was significant enough for the full council to consider.
Rasmussen stated that the goal of the meeting was to bring the full council up to speed on how the discussions are going right now.
The plan: How the water connection would work
Scott Pottorff, a civil engineer with MMS Consultants, explained that while filtration and treatment were initially considered for Macbride Pointe, connecting to Solon’s municipal water system through Gallery Acres West became the preferred option, with strong support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“The DNR encouraged us to pursue a municipal connection instead of filtration,” Pottorff said.
Macbride Pointe received partially forgivable State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing from the DNR to help fund the connection. The project would use an existing tee in the Gallery Acres main, extending a six-inch water line Macbride Pointe’s well house. The existing well would be fully disconnected, as required by the DNR, though it may remain in use for irrigation on a separate system.
The 26-home development would be billed through a single master meter and Macbride Pointe would pay twice the city’s standard water rate—potentially four times the rate if usage exceeds agreed limits. Connection fees, similar to those paid by Gallery Acres West, would help offset city costs.
City Engineer Dave Schechinger noted that from an operational standpoint, the connection is relatively simple and would help reduce water waste currently caused by routine flushing of long-distance lines to maintain chlorine residuals. Schechinger and Pottorff both reassured the council that safety measures—such as backflow prevention and system separation—would protect the city’s water supply. They also discussed how revenue from the expanded customer base could help fund the construction of a future well, enhancing system redundancy and reliability.
Resident pushback: transparency, equity, and infrastructure
Resident Toni Russo voiced strong opposition during public comment, criticizing what she described as a lack of transparency and insufficient opportunity for public input.
“We need a public hearing on how this is going to impact our water. People don’t know this is happening, and they deserve to,” Russo said, adding that she had requested answers from city officials but felt ignored.
She also questioned the financial fairness of the proposal, adding, “We’re not getting tax revenue from these developments. Why are we supplying water to non-residents at our own risk and cost?”
Others echoed similar concerns, raising issues about long-term water capacity, equity in connection fees compared to infill development within city limits, and the lifespan of Solon’s current water infrastructure.
City response and next steps
Council members stressed that no vote was being taken and welcomed the idea of compiling a full summary of the proposal’s history, cost breakdown, and benefits and drawbacks before proceeding.
“We want to make sure the community is fully informed before any decision is made. Transparency is important,” Council Member Lauren Whitehead said.
The council expects to revisit the topic in August or early September, after compiling additional documentation and continuing public discussion. Council members encourage residents to reach out with their questions or concerns as the Macbride Pointe discussion continues.
Other business
The council also heard brief updates on:
• Water Tower Maintenance: The city is exploring a long-term contract for repainting and regular upkeep of the water tower. The base coat is gone, making timely action essential.
• Clerk Services Agreement: The council approved a renewed agreement with Clerk Services for administrative support to the Solon Fire Department.