Anna continues to pursue grant funds for projects

The City of Anna continues to pursue grant applications for three major projects in the community.

An update on the applications was presented at this week's regular meeting of the Anna City Council.

The meeting was Tuesday night at Anna City Hall.

Anna city administrator Steve Guined said federal and state grant funds are being sought for a water project, a sewer project and a Main Street improvement project.

Guined also reported that the city had received a grant of about $31,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds will help to pay for clean-up work done after last January's ice storm.

In other business at Tuesday's meeting:

The city council approved a $5,100 donation to the Union County Economic Development Corporation.

The council approved a $5,000 donation to the PAST organization of Union County.

The organization is hoping to raise funds to purchase a house along South Main Street in Anna where Abraham Lincoln stayed during a visit to Union County in 1858.

The donation approved by the city council comes with a stipulation – that if adequate funding is not raised for the purchased, then the money would be returned to the city.

The council also approved a proposal which will allow PAST to place a sign at Hindman Park/Anna-Jo Garden Club Park in east Anna. The sign will contain historical information.

The sign will be posted at the park on a temporary basis. Eventually, PAST hopes to place the sign closer to the downtown Anna area.

City council member Cindy Swope continues to work on implementing an emergency notification system. Swope is working with representatives from the county and other municipalities on the system.

Swope also suggested that the city sponsor a "Curb Day" event. Such an event would allow community members to place items which can still be used, but are no longer wanted by their owners, on the curb and then be picked up by people who may find a need for them.

Swope also said she would like to see action taken on cleaning up eyesores in the community