Busy Schedule For Anna City Park
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Anna City Park could be a busy place in months to come, based on requests for use of the facility considered by Anna City Council during its regular meeting Tuesday. The meeting was at Anna City Hall.
Activities at the park approved by the council include:
•A meeting of the Illinois Trappers Association Oct. 1-4. The event is expected to draw from 600 to 1,000 people.
•An Illinois High School Rodeo Association rodeo competition at the park May 1-4.
•A Future Farmers of America benefit auction which is planned March 20-21.
•Shawnee Sheep Producers activities scheduled at the park April 18 and June 12.
•A Blue Dolphins swim team competition at the Anna City Pool June 13 which is expected to draw several hundred people.
City administrator Steve Guined said the events will be a good opportunity to showcase the community. He said a community-wide yard sale could be organized in conjunction with the rodeo and trappers' events.
The council rejected one request for use of the park facilities for a privately-conducted demolition derby. The council turned down the request on advice of the city's insurance carrier which said the activity would not be covered.
In other business, city council member Cindy Swope asked that an ordinance requiring union workers on building projects valued at $500,000 or more be reviewed.
"In its time it was done in good faith," she said. "But we've lost a business because of that. I think we need to get rid of the ordinance."
Both Mayor David Tellor and city council member Ron Stamp said they want input from the community before taking any action. The issue was tabled.
The council voted to include two items in the budget for the coming year: $2,500 to match a donation for Christmas decorations, and up to $60,000 for a used street sweeper. Opposing votes were cast by council members Swope and Steve Hartline.
Hartline explained, "I'm not against a lot of these projects. I think that right now, considering the economy and our finances, is not the time to do it."
The council also voted to appoint Michael Roach as the assistant disposal plant operator and approved a proposal for employee insurance from Blue Cross-Blue Shield. A donation of $322 to cover insurance costs was made to the Anna ColorFest committee.