WILSON — A Wilson couple praised Wilson Police Chief Joshua Tipton while at the same time voicing concern for his safety during Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council.

David and Anita Boyle said they called 911 about an incident two weeks ago at their home on 25th Street.

“We had a terrific response time from the chief,” David Boyle said.

Boyle said a woman, who was crawling across the street, was found by Tipton behind a vehicle when he arrived.

“It got resolved without anyone getting hurt, which I think is one of the best outcomes that could have happened,” David Boyle said.

The Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks also responded.

As Tipton took their statements, the Boyles noticed the chief ’s weapon was pulled and they wondered why he hadn’t used a Taser to subdue the woman.

Tipton responded that he did not have an operational Taser.

“I think we really put the chief’s health and life in danger by not having that,” David Boyle said.

Anita Boyle said the situation could have been resolved more quickly with a Taser.

Mayor Larry Ptacek said Bob Doepp, the previous Wilson police chief, left the city’s Taser behind when he retired; however, it no longer works.

“We didn’t know about that until Josh came on,” Ptacek said. “He (Tipton) does have a loaned Taser, so we do have something in place.”

Tipton said the loaned Taser belongs to the Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office and will remain there until he is recertified in its use. When that happens, he will be allowed to borrow the Taser until the Wilson Police Department can get one of its own. The chief is seeking grant money to purchase a taser.

In other business:

• A public hearing on the 2020 city budget was approved for Monday, Aug. 19, during the council meeting.

• Ted Soukup, city superintendent, said the city crew had swepted the streets in preparation for chipping and sealing streets in the south part of Wilson. He estimated work should begin in three weeks, depending upon he weather.

• Tipton said he received a $1,000 grant from the Kansas Pipeline Association. He used $600 of that grant money to purchase concealed body armor.

• Council member Darcy Hubka-Vopat asked for an update on the list of inoperable vehicles the council was given a year ago. Tipton said he plans to start over.

“It’s something we’re getting ready to hit pretty hard,” he said.

• Approval was given to Tyler Denham to use the ballfields at Jellison Park for a Sept. 14 fundrasier. The alcohol restriction was waived for the event.

• No action was taken after a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with city attorney Theresa Staudinger.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council is at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at city hall.