SOLON, Ohio — FeneTech, a software provider for the glass fabrication and window and door manufacturing industries, will open a facility in Solon with assistance from the city’s Job Creation Grant Program.
On Monday (April 18), City Council approved an agreement with FeneTech under this program.
The company, based in Aurora, will lease a 10,000-square-foot facility at 32125 Solon Road, the former BDO building.
It’s expected to bring 85 jobs to the city and generate a projected $7.6 million of additional payroll by the final year of the five-year, 40 percent job creation grant agreement.
FeneTech aims to occupy the building by May 1, said Angee Shaker, the city’s director of economic development.
“I welcome FeneTech,” Mayor Ed Kraus said. “I’m looking forward to them growing their business in Solon.”
Study for Center of Town concept
In other action, council accepted the fee proposal of Akron-based GPD Group, the city’s traffic engineer, of $151,459 to conduct a feasibility study for the Center of Town concept, including the planning of Bicentennial Park on Bainbridge Road.
The park is across the street from City Hall on Bainbridge Road, which will be realigned so that children will be able to cross the street more safely from the Solon Center for the Arts.
Council also accepted a grant of $8,000 from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities to provide new and continuing programming at the Solon Center for the Arts for adults who have developmental disabilities.
The grant will allow the arts center to develop adaptive programming, including classes, productions and/or showcases in the arts, dance, music and theater.
Council also authorized the mayor to enter into a Jobs and Commerce Economic Development Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to accept a grant of $175,000 to assist with the cost of the Solon Road reconstruction project.
Solon Fire Lt. Shaun Parsons, left, is administered the oath of office by Mayor Ed Kraus at the City Council meeting Monday (April 18). (Screenshot)
Promotions in safety forces
Also on Monday, Kraus administered the oath of office to recently promoted Fire Lt. Shaun Parsons and Police Lt. Keith Kulak.
Parsons is an 18-year veteran of fire service who has served with Solon Fire Rescue for the past 8½ years. He is actively involved in specialized technical rescue, Kraus said.
Kulak has served with the Solon Police Department for 22 years and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2015. He also has served as a field training officer.
It was a ceremonial swearing-in for Kulak, who was officially administered the oath of office by Kraus April 6 at City Hall.
Parsons and Kulak both introduced their family members and some friends who attended the ceremony.
Solon Police Lt. Keith Kulak is administered the oath of office by Mayor Ed Kraus at the City Council meeting Monday (April 18). (Screenshot)
First responders honored
Fire Battalion Chief Amanda Horvath was recognized as the city’s Firefighter of the Year and Patrolman Robert Soltis was honored as Police Officer of the Year when the Rotary Club of Solon held its First Responder dinner celebration April 12 at Signature of Solon.
“It’s probably the best evening in Solon, when they (the Rotary Club) honor our first responders,” Kraus said.
Two staff members resign
Several council members and Kraus thanked two staff members who are leaving the city for other positions and wished them well in future endeavors.
They are Riane Federman, assistant city planner in the planning and community development department, and Becky Hager, assistant to the clerk of council.
The city posted the part-time position of assistant to the clerk of council on Wednesday (April 13).
Ashley Holloway, the city’s director of planning and community development, told council that the city will be looking to fill the planner 1, or entry-level planning, position.
Commission to meet again
Holloway said the city’s Ward Boundaries Commission will meet for a second time at 7 p.m. Monday (April 25) at City Hall.
The commission was formed to discuss realigning the city’s seven ward boundaries, as required based on data from the 2020 U.S. Census. Its first meeting was March 31.
The commission’s task is to make the city’s seven wards as evenly populated as possible, then present its recommendation to council.
Book sale at library
Vice Mayor and Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy Meany encouraged residents to take part in the Friends of the Solon Branch Library’s book sale April 29 through May 1 at the Solon branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 34125 Portz Parkway.
Meany noted that the book sale is normally an annual event, but it has not been held the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
