By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Panora city council on Jan. 13, Police Chief Matt Reising introduced new officer Colin Price. Price is filling a vacancy that has existed for several months, which had required Chief Reising and Officer Rock Armstrong to work longer shifts to maintain coverage for the city.
Brenda Dudley of Midwest Partnership addressed the council with an annual update on Midwest Partnership’s services, and she asked the council to consider continuing financial support for the organization. She also mentioned Midwest Partnership’s annual dinner, which is scheduled for Jan. 30.
The council discussed a water leak that had been discovered at 120 N.E. Fourth St. Since the water that leaked did not go through the sanitary sewer system, the council voted to forgive that portion of the billing and instead only bill for water usage and average sewer rate for that property.
John DeLavergne spoke to the council regarding his recommendation that the city’s ambulance service begin billing facilities when they ask that a patient be transported back to the facility via ambulance when such a request is not medically necessary. He recommended a standard fee of $500 for such situations. DeLavergne explained that the recommendation is intended to be an incentive for facilities to send a driver and vehicle in such situations so that the ambulance will be available for other potential calls. The council voted to approve the recommendation. All applicable facilities in the county will be notified of the change.
The council’s next regular meeting is set for Monday, Jan. 27 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#).