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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
There are a total of six boards and commissions authorized under the City of Solon. Four of those boards or commissions are currently active: Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Library Board of Trustees. The other two commissions that are currently inactive are the Historical Preservation Commission and the Cable TV Committee. Although the city has the authority to set up a Historical Preservation Commission, that commission is not currently in existence due to lack of need. Also, the Cable TV Committee is an established commission, but positions are only filled/appointed as cable franchise issues arise.
Below is a summary of the duties of the various boards and commissions. For more information on these boards or commissions (i.e., members, meeting dates, projects), please refer to the specific section under this website's main menu that pertains.
Duties Of The Planning And Zoning Commission
The duties of the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission include establishing and recommending amendments or modifications to the zoning code, making recommendations on construction of public structures, reviewing and commenting on plats, reviewing and commenting on street and park improvements, and reviewing site plans. The P&Z Commission is also responsible for making an annual report to the City Council of its proceedings during the preceding year.
The P&Z Commission does not have any budgetary responsibilities.
The P&Z Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of every month. The meetings are at 6:00 p.m. at the Solon Public Library. These meetings are open to the public.
Duties of the Board of Adjustments
The Board of Adjustments, similar to the P&Z Commission, serves in the capacity of land use for the City of Solon. The Board of Adjustments (B of A) more specifically deals with zoning, whereas the P&Z Commission also encompasses site plan and subdivision duties. Unlike the P&Z Commission, the B of A is a decision-making body, not just advisory.
The B of A hears and decides on appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Official, hears and decides on special exceptions/conditional use permits, and authorizes variances from the Zoning Code. The City Council may remand a decision back to the B of A if they do not agree with the decision. However, after the B of A has reviewed the issue under the remand, whatever their final outcome is would be considered the city’s final decision. If after that the final decision is appealed, the issue must be reviewed by a court of record in the manner provided by state law.
The Board of Adjustments does not have any budgetary responsibilities.
The Board of Adjustments meets on an as needed basis as issues arise. The meetings are actually official public hearings and require notice as such. The Board of Adjustments' decisions are to be reviewed by City Council, however the Council does not have the authority to overturn a Board's decision, as previously discussed.
Duties Of The Parks And Recreation Commission
The duties of the Parks and Recreation Commission include overseeing the equipment, maintenance and conduct of playgrounds, swimming pools, and recreation centers owned and under the control of the city. The Parks and Recreation (P&R) Commission is also in charge of coordinating and implementing programs such as the Summer Recreation Program, Solon swimming lessons, the Halloween party, and the Holiday Lighting Contest.
The P&R Commission submits a proposed budget for City Council approval. They are responsible for administering revenues and expenditures of their budget, as set by the City Council. The P&R Commission does hire employees for some of their programs with approval by the City Administrator. They set the wages for those employees, as approved by the City Administrator and within the confines of their budget.
The P&R Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of every month. The meetings are at 5:30 p.m. at the Solon Public Library. These meetings are open to the public.
Duties of the Library Board of Trustees
The duties of the Library Board include the following: having charge, control, and supervision of the library; directing and controlling all affairs of the library; hiring/discharging the librarian; making purchases within the budgetary limits set by the Library Board; authorizing the uses of the library by non-residents and charging a fee for such use; making, adopting, amending, modifying, or repealing rules and regulations for the care, use, government, and management of the library; having exclusive control of the expenditure of all funds allocated for library purposes by the Council; having exclusive control of all moneys available by gift or otherwise for the erection of library buildings; and having exclusive control of all other moneys belonging to the library including fines and rentals collected; accepting gifts (less than $1,000) and expending funds received as such; enforcing the performance of gifts and donations; and keeping record of the Library Board’s proceedings. For gifts exceeding $1,000, the Library Board administers the gift subject to Council approval. The Library Board also has the power to contract with other libraries.
The Library Board submits a proposed budget for City Council approval. They are responsible for administering revenues and expenditures of their budget, as set by the City Council. The Library Board does hire their own employees, although paid through the city. They set the wages for those employees, within the confines of their budget.
Library Boards are unique, in that they were established as a safeguard to protect against censorship. There is no other board, commission, employee, or elected official that may overrule the type of materials purchased or the type of programming selected by the Library Board, so long as they are provided within the allowance of the budget or through donations. Additionally, so long as Fair Labor Standards Act and other state and federal employment regulations are adhered to, the library staff are hired, discharged, and managed at the discretion of the Library Board (again, within the confines of the budget).
The Library Board holds regular monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of every month. The meetings are at 7:30 p.m. at the Solon Public Library. These meetings are open to the public.
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