Pana City Council has wide array of topics Monday night
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Tom Latonis
Breeze-Courier Editor
PANA — With two members absent, the Pana City Council worked quickly through a very diverse agenda on Monday night, Dec. 8. First Ward Alderman Raymond “Butch” Hocq and Second Ward Alderman Glen Schneider were absent.
Among the items discussed and approved were engineering reports from Benton and Associates of Jacksonville and Milano and Grunloh of Effingham. Ben Spreen, representing Benton, presented Pay Request No. 7 for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. the request for wages and supervision was nearly $1.4 million.
Seth Flach of Milano and Grunloh reported on several items including a report they may want to add more work in connection with the city’s water transmission line along Sixth Street. With a lower than expected bid on the work, there remains some money available for the $2.7 million project. He did not elaborate on what changes were being considered.
A grant for the state’s “Safe Route to School” project is being reviewed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Flach hopes to have bids ready to go by spring.
One project which will begin shortly is the replacement of water line along Grant and Seventh streets. C and S Companies plans to begin construction in early January on the $1.7 million project.
Speaking of water line projects, Flach said an engineering agreement for the replacement of water line from First to Fourth streets between Chestnut and Poplar is being reviewed for the $1.7 million project.
The Council approved the first reading of the city’s annual Tax Levy Ordinance and an ordinance to rezone property from R-1 to C-2 at 307 Chestnut St., Elite Trucking. It was approved on first reading. In addition, a secondary ordinance for a zoning Special Use Permit on the property was also approved.
There was an amendment to the ordinance giving the owners six month to finish fencing requirements which were included in the special use permit.
City Engineer Greg Holthaus reported on repairs of a parpet wall between the former Bohannon’s Jewelry/Endris Pharmacy buildings a 109, 111 and 113 S. Locust in downtown Pana. The added work has a nearly $13,000 price tag, which will be paid out of the city’s Business Tax Fund. Also from the fund will be about $1,700 in repairs to beams at the former Tex and Gaines building at 31 E. Second. This will be a temporary fix and a permanent fix is being considered.
Also approved was the Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for street maintenance set at just over $460,000.
Holthaus said there was no word from the insurance company which inspected the roof at the Carnegie-Schuyler Library, 303 E. Second St. for repair consideration.
On first reading, an ordinance was unanimously approved to make intersections at Maple and Second streets and Chestnut and Third streets four-way stops as well as install a no parking sign along the north side of Jefferson St. from 65 feet to the corner approaching Hickory St.
There was first reading for an ordinance to change a section title of the Pana Code of Ordinances to “Disturbing the Peace” from “Loitering.” Also, in the first paragraph, the word “loiter” was replaced by the phrase, “conduct themselves.” The paragraph continued, “…in a public place in such a manner as to: (1) Create or cause to be created a danger of breach of the peace.”
Plans were approved to allow Pana Pride to make changes to part of the electrical system at Kitchell Park involving the Santa House and the storage shed at their expense.
Use of Kitchell Park for the third annual Pana Popcorn Festival on Saturday, July 25, 2026 was given to the Pana Parks and Revitalization Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Next meeting of the Pana City Council is Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Pana City Hall, 120 E. Third St.
