Solon City Council Marks New Term With Park Expansion Grant, Trail Deal and 2026 Budget

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SOLON, Ohio – Solon City Council began a new term Dec. 1 with oaths of office for the mayor and three council members, then moved quickly into business that will shape the city’s parks, legal department and long-term trail network.

The agenda included acceptance of a $1.5 million state grant for Solon Community Park expansion, confirmation of contracts for the city’s law leadership and key agreements tied to the Headwaters Connector Greenway – a multi-county rails-to-trails corridor. Council also considered annual appropriations ordinances that will fund Solon’s capital projects and operating expenses in 2026.

The actions come as Solon City Council settles into its lineup for the new term.

New Term Begins With Oaths of Office

Before tackling legislation, officials took care of formalities that reset the city’s elected leadership.

• Mayor Edward H. Kraus took the oath of office, administered by Judge Richard A. Bell of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
• Three members of Solon City Council were sworn in:
  • Ward 6 – Robert P. Shimits
  • Ward 2 – Robert N. Pelunis
  • Ward 4 – Michael Kan, sworn in by Judge Deborah M. Turner of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court

Council then moved to assign leadership roles and committee seats:

• Vice mayor: Nancy E. Meany
• Alternate vice mayor: E. Macke Bentley

Committee chairs and members:

• Finance Committee:

  • Chair: Robert N. Pelunis
  • Members: Brian Laubscher, Michael Kan

• Safety and Public Properties Committee:

  • Chair: Jeremy Zelwin
  • Members: Michael Kan, Robert N. Pelunis

• Economic Development Committee:

  • Chair: Robert P. Shimits
  • Members: Nancy E. Meany, Jeremy Zelwin

• Public Works Committee:

  • Chair: Nancy E. Meany
  • Members: Robert P. Shimits, Brian Laubscher

Council also confirmed:

• E. Macke Bentley as council’s representative to the Planning Commission
• Nancy E. Meany as council’s representative to the Solon Senior Center
• Joelle Brake to the Civil Service Commission
• Donna J. Letourneau as Clerk of Council
• Shelby Englund as Assistant Clerk of Council

Those assignments set the framework for how Solon City Council will operate over the coming term, from planning and zoning reviews to legislative process and senior services.

State Grant Backs Major Solon Community Park Expansion

One of the highest-impact items on the Dec. 1 agenda was Ordinance 2025-224, authorizing the mayor to accept and sign a Capital Improvement Community Park, Recreation/Conservation Project Pass-Through Grant Agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The grant stems from House Bill 2, passed by the 135th Ohio General Assembly, which appropriated $1.5 million to Solon for a project titled “Solon Community Park Expansion.”

According to a memo from Public Works Commissioner William J. Drsek to Solon City Council, the funding is structured as a reimbursable grant:

• Total appropriation: $1,500,000
• Amount Solon will receive: $1,470,000
• Amount retained by ODNR for administration: $30,000

The project description submitted to ODNR outlines a comprehensive renovation of Solon Community Park:

• Construction of new pickleball courts
• A modern performing stage for events
• New pavilions to support gatherings and rentals
• Major upgrades to the central “center park” area
• A redesigned park gateway with new restrooms and improved wayfinding
• Replacement of the maintenance building
• Improvements to the park concession facility

City officials told ODNR the goal is to create “new and improved recreational experiences in a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community space” that serves residents of all ages.

Council approved the ordinance and declared it an emergency, allowing the city to return the signed agreement and begin seeking reimbursements “as soon as possible,” which could speed up the timeline for construction and improvements.

Council members also publicly thanked State Sen. Jerry Cirino for securing the funding in the state capital budget.

Solon City Council Confirms Law Department Leadership and Compensation

Solon City Council also acted on the city’s legal leadership structure, confirming the mayor’s appointments and codifying how those positions will be paid.

Three separate ordinances cover the Director of Law, Associate Director of Law and Assistant Director of Law/Prosecutor.

Director of Law – Thomas G. Lobe

Under Ordinance 2025-225, council confirmed Thomas G. Lobe as Director of Law.

Key compensation terms include:

• Base compensation beginning Jan. 1, 2026:
  • $92,191.58 annually, paid in equal monthly installments
  • Annual increase of at least 2.5%, up to 4% at the mayor’s discretion
  • Pay is pensionable to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)

Base salary covers typical duties such as:

• Attending regular Solon City Council meetings
• Attending staff management meetings
• Advising the mayor, council and city boards on municipal powers, duties and legal questions

The ordinance allows the Director of Law to delegate some duties to attorneys and staff in the Law Department, his own firm, or outside counsel with the mayor’s approval.

For “Litigation and Other Services,” the ordinance sets:

• Hourly rate of $200 for:
  • Court matters and administrative hearings
  • Labor and union negotiations and grievances
  • Property research, easements, and deed and map analysis
  • Litigation and claims (actual, threatened or imminent)
  • Other work authorized by the mayor or council

The city will reimburse out-of-pocket litigation expenses and document filing costs, itemized on monthly billing.

The ordinance notes that the Director of Law will not receive city employee medical, dental or vision benefits.

Associate Director of Law – Sarah H. Kostura

Through Ordinance 2025-226, council confirmed Sarah H. Kostura as Associate Director of Law.

Key terms:

• Base compensation starting Jan. 1, 2026:
  • $50.67 per hour
  • Annual increase of at least 2.5%, up to 4% at the mayor’s discretion
  • Pay is pensionable to OPERS and paid on a biweekly basis

The ordinance outlines her primary responsibilities:

• Reviewing, drafting and monitoring contracts, leases and agreements for all city departments
• Maintaining a contract database and standard templates
• Coordinating with departments to meet contract timelines
• Overseeing public records requests and records retention schedules
• Serving on the City Records Commission
• Serving as the city’s ADA Coordinator
• Providing legal research and advice on civil, contract and policy issues

For litigation and specialized work beyond her regular assignment:

• $200 per hour for:
  • Court matters and subpoenas
  • Labor and union negotiations, grievances and discipline matters
  • Litigation and litigation avoidance work
  • Matters before boards and commissions
  • Other work requested and authorized by the Director of Law, mayor or council

She is also eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket litigation expenses. The ordinance clarifies that she will not receive city employee medical, dental or vision benefits.

Assistant Director of Law/Prosecutor – Lon D. Stolarsky

Under Ordinance 2025-227, council confirmed Lon D. Stolarsky as Assistant Director of Law/Prosecutor.

Compensation terms:

• Base compensation effective Dec. 1, 2025:
  • $78,796.88 annually, paid in equal monthly installments
  • Annual increase of at least 2.5%, up to 4% at the mayor’s discretion
  • Pay is pensionable to OPERS

Salaried duties include:

• Handling all criminal matters involving Solon in Bedford Municipal Court and other courts
• Attending Planning Commission meetings
• Attending Solon City Council meetings when the Director of Law is unavailable
• Providing legal advice to the mayor, boards, council and department heads when the Law Director is unable or unavailable

For criminal appellate and extra civil work:

• $200 per hour for:
  • Criminal appellate matters (plus reimbursable litigation costs)
  • Civil work beyond Planning Commission and substitute council attendance, including:
    • Labor negotiations and related matters
    • Administrative hearings (as city attorney or hearing officer) when requested by the Law Director or mayor

The ordinance specifies that the Assistant Director of Law/Prosecutor will not receive city employee health or similar benefits.

Each of the three legal ordinances is declared an emergency, reflecting the city’s intent to keep its legal team fully authorized and in place without interruption.

Headwaters Connector Greenway Project Moves Forward

Solon City Council also took a major step in securing its share of the Headwaters Connector Greenway Project, a planned recreational trail along an abandoned rail corridor.

Ordinance 2025-228 authorizes Mayor Kraus to execute:

• An Assignment Agreement of Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. (OSILT) and West Creek Conservancy
• A Transfer Agreement with West Creek Conservancy

The project aims to acquire about 7.14 miles of former railroad corridor stretching across Cuyahoga, Geauga and Portage counties. Under the plan:

• Solon will own the corridor segments within the City of Solon (Cuyahoga County) and Bainbridge Township (Geauga County), collectively called the “Solon Property.”
• The city is financing the purchase and improvements to the Solon Property in part through bond anticipation notes previously authorized by council.
• The corridor will be maintained as a railbanked trail under the federal Rails-to-Trails framework, preserving it as a public recreational trail while keeping the option of future rail use under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and 49 C.F.R. 1152.29.

The ordinance notes that council has already:

• Authorized the mayor to sign a Statement of Willingness to Assume Financial Responsibility for the corridor
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Bainbridge Township
• Approved lot consolidation of multiple parcels tied to the project

By approving the assignment and transfer agreements, Solon City Council is clearing the way for closing on the corridor purchase and formalizing its partnership with West Creek Conservancy and other regional players.

Council members described the approval as a milestone in a five-year effort and praised the work of Associate Director of Law Sarah H. Kostura, Mayor Kraus, Law Director Thomas G. Lobe and resident advocate Maria Farley, who helped connect the city with OSILT and keep the project on track.

The measure is declared an emergency “to effectuate the closing of the purchase of the Property” as quickly as possible.

For more background on how the Headwaters Connector Greenway plan has evolved, including council’s earlier approvals and financing steps, see Solon Council Moves Forward on Headwaters Connector Greenway Trail.

2026 Capital and Operating Budgets On the Table

To fund city services and projects next year, Solon City Council also placed two major appropriations ordinances on first reading:

• Ordinance 2025-229: Adopting annual appropriations for capital expenditures from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026
• Ordinance 2025-230: Adopting annual appropriations for personal services and other expenditures for the same period

The measures will be taken up again following scheduled budget hearings in early December. Together, they will form the backbone of Solon’s 2026 financial plan – covering both capital projects like infrastructure and parks and the operating budgets that fund city staff and services.

Aligning these budget ordinances with the new term of Solon City Council, the law department contracts, the Headwaters Connector Greenway agreements, and the Solon Community Park grant sets the stage for another year of projects and operations in the city.