Pana council urged to oppose new solar project

PANA — The Pana City Council heard a plea to stop installing a solar project at 7th and Grant streets during its August 10 meeting.

The project, according to Marsha Miles, would be near the schools, and the developers are requesting a 40-year lease. Miles encouraged the council to oppose the solar farm project at the county level.

“Give me a date and a time,” Mayor Nathan Pastor said in response to Miles. “I will show up at the meeting and absolutely be against the project.”

Mayor Pastor asked whether the other aldermen had an objection to the opposition to the project. None of the aldermen voiced opposition to opposing the solar farm project.

Compensation approved for City Collector

The council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would set the salary for City Collector at $13,500. The increase in salary is retroactive to a law that went into effect on July 1, 2026. It will also allow for an annual salary increase of 4.5%. For example, the first 4.5% increase would result in the City Collector salary for the 2027-28 fiscal year increasing to $14,107.50.

Development action

The first presentation of an ordinance to execute a development agreement with Lake Lawn Inn using business district funds was approved. Alderman Butch Hocq was the lone dissenting vote.

A revision to an existing redevelopment agreement application was approved for a $120,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. The grant would allow for an analysis of a 217-acre industrial site.

Other business

A disbursement for $1,121,215.39 was approved for payout to Benton and Associates for the wastewater treatment plant.

Milano & Grunloh will be serving as the grant administrators for a DCEO grant for the water main project. The target locations for the project are First, Hickory, and Jefferson streets.

The city would approve an intergovernmental agreement with Pana CUSD #8 for the use of the north field at Kitchell Park.

The city would approve the sale of surplus real estate at 407 Maple Street to Isai Padilla Sandoval and 509 S. Locust Street to Juanita Malcolm. In addition, an oversize lake lot for Cale Downs at H14A with double fees was approved.

The council would authorize the purchase of a 2026 Kawasaki Pro-FX HD 1000 from Owen Motorsports for $23,904.98. The purchase was already part of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. It will be in use mainly for inspection by city crews and will include a blade for snow removal.

The council broke into a 25-minute closed session, but took no action on any employee-related matters. However, they would approve the contract for a code enforcement officer. They would also approve a professional engineering services agreement with Benton and Associates for surveying services before adjourning.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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