Pana Council passes grant support resolution

Tom Latonis

Breeze-Courier Writer

PANA — During their regular meeting Monday night, the Pana City Council passed a resolution in support of a grant application to bring water lines to the residents on Pana Lake.

The application for the grant is due on Aug. 3, 2021 and has been prepared for the city by Benton and Associates of Jacksonville. The grant is for $550,000. An additional $182,500 is avail- able from the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Fund for a total of $732,500.

It is a competitive grant and the city is vying with other communities for the grant. It was said the city should know by spring if they were successful.

Two Pana police officers were presented certificates of appreciation by Pana Police Chief Daniel Bland during the meeting. Investigator Jeff Brown received commendation for his investigative work in an October, 2020 shooting which took place near downtown. The officer’s thorough work led to a quick arrest and the suspect ultimately being convicted and sen- tenced to 15 years in prison. The second officer, Shawn Hocq, was commended for coming to the aid of a fellow police officer who suffered an injury while attempting to arrest an unruly suspect. At the time, Hocq was off-duty and observed the officer being attacked.

Two buildings on South Locust St. set for demolition has been delayed. Work on asbestos abatement in the two buildings, which was approved by the Council two weeks ago, has not been done. That work has to be completed prior to the demolition.

There was discussion on where water and sewer line termination’s should be done on structures being torn down in Pana. Currently, the lines are terminated at the taps, but Fourth Ward Alderman Kent Sims said one of the terminations resulted in the collapse of a sewer line. Sims felt the taps could be terminated closer to the connection of the house.

Water Superintendent Brian Blodgett said he felt the water line should be terminated at the tap to the main water line. He said the homes which are being demolished are old houses and for the most parts have lead water lines. He said those lines are likely to develop leaks, wasting city water.

It was decided to check the wording of the demolition ordinance to see what cur- rent requirements are set. The matter is being turned over to the Community Operations and Administration committees.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Next meeting of the Pana City Council is Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Pana City Hall, 120 East Third St.