Eagle Scout Corbin Deardorff addresses the Panora City Council on Monday.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the April 28 meeting of the Panora City Council, discussion was held about the city’s “brush facility,” where citizens may bring branches and similar brush. City Administrator Lisa Grossman explained the need to consider a change in policy.
“The brush facility has been an ongoing issue for us. Within the last year or two, we put in the $20 deposit fee, and that worked for a little bit,” Grossman said.
But the problem, according to Grossman, is that many times the key has not been returned.
“We’re constantly tracking down keys and hounding one person or another,” she said. “We’re just looking to try another option.”
Grossman explained the proposal to have the city’s water treatment operator, whose workstation is next to the brush facility, open the brush facility every morning and then lock it every afternoon. The proposed hours would be 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.
“It would include upgraded cameras…so we can see license plates and we can see what’s in the load, and we’d like to put in some updated signage,” Grossman said.
Grossman added the suggestion to increase the penalty for a municipal infraction to $750. After discussion, the council unanimously approved the proposed changes.
The council approved purchasing and installing a new basketball court at Michael Mills Park at a total cost of $27,000 to $29,000. A grant will cover about $20,000 of that.
Chris Hastings, Panora Library Board president, addressed the council about the need to replace the geothermal heating at the library. He said the unexpected breakdown of the equipment was not budgeted for but needs to be addressed. He said the cost is expected to be $50,000 or more. The existing equipment is 17 years old, so Hastings said it is not a premature breakdown. No formal action was taken, but the council and city staff will look into the matter.
Tim Rietz, owner of Off Course Golf Carts, asked the council to consider allowing test driving of golf carts on Market Street, as part of his business. The matter will be added to the agenda of the next council meeting for possible action.
Eagle Scout member Corbin Deardorff addressed the council with a request to allow the Eagle Scout troop to install a community fire pit/flag retirement facility on the city’s property across from Lenon Mill Park. The fire pit would be used by the scouts to appropriately dispose of flags. The fire pit would also be available for public use at any other times. The council approved the request.
Grossman summarized a request from Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO, asking Panora and Guthrie Center to consider financially supporting the meal delivery programs in each of those communities. No action was taken at this time.
The May 12 city council meeting will begin with two public hearings. One will relate to Resolution 25-18, (proposal to vacate or sell city property) and the other will be about the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget amendment. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).