By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Dec. 8, the council returned to a previously discussed issue of citizens being allowed to goose hunt on a private property within city limits.
“A number of things have been brought up. I don’t know that anybody’s against it, but I think everybody’s just trying to understand how it works,” Mayor Curt Thornberry said.
Several citizens have requested, and been granted, approval to hunt geese on a property. Police Chief Matt Reising had been asked to attend and was asked for his input. Reising said he did not have any specific concerns on the issue.
Councilmember Mark Sheeder suggested that when such approvals are given, it should specify no rifle usage or shotgun slug usage.
Councilmembers voiced concerns that the city and the property owner may not know who could be hunting. After discussion, the council consensus was, for any future such requests, to have the applicable property owner bring any requests to the city for consideration. City Administrator Lisa Grossman will draft a form for such usage in the future.
The council discussed and approved the first reading of Ordinance 360, amending the timeframe of sidewalks sales to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noted that exceptions could be allowed for special events. The council waived the second and third readings and approved the ordinance.
The council approved the written water exemption request for 2025 Highway 4, Panora, known as the Calmer Minor Subdivision.
The council will not have a second meeting in December, so the next regular meeting is set for Monday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. 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#).