The Solon City Council approved final readings of water and sewer rate increases and authorized the release of a request for proposals for the City Center Development and Fire Station Redevelopment project during its June 17 meeting.

Council members unanimously approved the third and final readings of Ordinance 496, increasing water rates, and Ordinance 497, increasing sewer rates. The new rates will take effect July 1 and will appear on utility bills issued at the end of July. City Administrator Cami Rasmussen said the increases are directly tied to financing the city’s future wastewater treatment plant.

To help residents prepare for the changes, the city mailed more than 1,300 informational letters explaining utility bill charges and the upcoming rate adjustments. Public information sessions are scheduled for Thursday, June 25, at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

“We have two public information meetings that staff are going to be holding for the community who just want a more informal setting to come in and just ask questions,” Rasmussen said.

The council also approved Resolution 2627, formally launching the redevelopment process for city-owned downtown properties, including the former fire station site.

Rasmussen said the request for proposals is intended to communicate the city’s vision for the project while providing developers with the information needed to prepare proposals.

“What does the city want to see? What is the city’s goal? What is the city’s desire?” Rasmussen said. “The RFP, as a whole, is intended to provide both the formal process … but also information.”

Because the properties were purchased using tax increment financing funds, state law requires a competitive redevelopment process.

Developers must attend a mandatory pre-submittal meeting July 21 before proposals are due Aug. 8. Once proposals are received, the council will evaluate them based on the overall benefit to the community rather than selecting the highest bidder.

“It’s not like a street project where it’s like, ‘Okay, I got the lowest bid,'” City Attorney Kevin Olson said.

Instead, the city will determine “what project in the aggregate is the best for the city.”

The redevelopment packet includes boundary surveys, utility locations, and topographic information completed by city engineer Dave Schechinger. Schechinger said providing the information upfront will help developers better understand the site and reduce preliminary costs associated with preparing a proposal.

“We’ve given this to them up front, so they don’t have to put the investment in to get that detailed information,” Schechinger said.

Following council approval, Rasmussen said the city would issue a press release (printed in this edition) and make the RFP publicly available. Proposals are due Aug. 8.

The council also received an update from representatives of LRS regarding ongoing garbage and recycling collection issues that have generated numerous resident complaints in recent months. New local managers told the council the company is bringing in additional drivers and management staff from other locations to improve service levels.

Council member Matt Macke said residents have grown increasingly frustrated with repeated service interruptions and communication issues.

“I would just implore you to fix this problem and fix it fast,” Macke said. “Our residents pay for a service that they expect to be completed.”

Rasmussen emphasized the strain the ongoing issues have placed on residents and city staff.

“All those one-offs, a truck breakdown, bad weather, those have all been used up,” Rasmussen said. “People are frustrated. You gotta fix it. You gotta reestablish the trust of this community.”

During staff reports, Public Works Superintendent Dave Richards reported continued progress on the city’s water tower project. Crews have completed sandblasting and priming work and applied the first coat of paint. The city’s approved logo is expected to be added as work continues.

The council and staff also Public Works Superintendent Kris Richardson for reaching his 10-year employment anniversary.

“Ten years is really something special to celebrate,” Rasmussen said. “We are very fortunate to have you.”