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Solon council approves final contract amendment for US‑422/Harper Road project after heated debate
Summary
After hours of discussion over rising bids and who bears construction risk, the Solon City Council approved an amendment to the final contract and escrow for the US‑422/Harper Road interchange, authorizing an additional $713,910 to allow award of the contract; an earlier related amendment to the LPA agreement faced a split final vote and procedural confusion.
The Solon City Council voted to approve an amendment to the final contract invoice and escrow agreement for the US‑422/Harper Road interchange, authorizing an additional $713,910 so the contract can be awarded.
The measure (Ordinance 2024‑69) came after an extended debate about ballooning estimates, bidding irregularities and how much financial risk the city should accept in its Local Public Agency (LPA) arrangement with the Ohio Department of Transportation. Mayor (name not specified) framed the project as a safety and connectivity priority, saying it would address a "very unsafe intersection" used by thousands daily and would provide sidewalks and trail connections that fit the city’s master plan.
"If we don't do the project, we'd be left with a very unsafe intersection that 30,000 people go to every day," the mayor said, arguing that the project advances safety, economic development and connectivity.
Council member Khan opposed approving the amendment for a different reason: rising costs and risk allocation. "The cost has already gone up three times," Khan said. He warned the city is "bearing all the risk" under the current delivery model and said he could not "in good conscience" support further appropriation at this time.
Assistant law director Casura told the council the city did sign a contract with ODOT under which the city would be "obligated for any increase in costs." "Under the agreement that we did sign, yes, there is some risk," Casura said, adding that ODOT has represented it would withdraw the project if the city refuses to appropriate the additional funds.
Council debate mixed safety and connectivity arguments with fiscal caution. Some members said ODOT’s process and the loss of an initial low bidder left the city exposed to higher bids and potential future change orders; others emphasized that abandoning a partially funded project would forfeit already‑committed grant and local dollars.
The council ultimately recorded final passage on Ordinance 2024‑69 in favor of allowing award of the contract. Earlier in the meeting, a related motion to amend the underlying LPA agreement (Ordinance 2024‑68) had passed a suspension vote but encountered a split final passage vote after procedural confusion, with some council members voting no.
The contract amendment carries immediate budgetary implications for the capital program and is tied to previously secured grants: speakers noted $3.7 million in secured grant funding toward an approximately $11.2 million total project, and that the city has previously contributed local funds to the effort. Assistant law director Casura cautioned that, because the city had signed the earlier agreement, there could be liability if the city does not proceed.
Next steps: the council approved the contract‑level amendment permitting award; the council did not finalize a sweeping policy change to the LPA arrangement during this meeting. The administration and law department will continue to coordinate with ODOT and the project’s contractor as the award proceeds.
