City Council Quick Takes: Briar Lake Project Moves Forward, Police Add Sergeant and More

5Here's a quick roundup of action and discussion at Monday's Solon City Council meeting. Check back for Solon Patch Tuesday for more comprehensive coverage from the meeting.

• Improvements at Briar Hill Lake to eliminate flooding hazards will move forward in 2011. On Monday, city council approved zoning variances needed to allow the project to proceed. Vice Mayor Ed Krause said the project, expected to cost nearly $1.2 million, is the top priority infrastructure project for 2011.
• The city held the first reading on the city budget. Finance Committee Chairman and Ward 4 Councilman William Mooney said he believes it's a good budget. He said that despite the city infrastructure budget being $1.2 million short for the projects they want to complete, he expects the city will either transfer money from the general fund or find more money in the infrastructure fund because other projects won't cost as much as expected. "We don't believe we actually will be over," he said. "If we are, it should get funded."
• An ordinance so the city could purchase golf supplies and inventory to stock the now city run pro shop at Grantwood Golf Course will be considered later this month because Ward 2 Councilman Robert Pelunis had questions about it.
• Police Chief Chris Viland announced that he would not hire an assistant police chief. Instead, the department will add a sergeant. He said the difference in pay between the two positions will save the city money.
• City Council approved a variance so T-Mobile can add an antenna array to an existing cell phone tower Solon Road.