WILSON — Concerns about speeders coming into Wilson from the south were again voiced at Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council.

“There was a good effort with the Ellsworth County Highway Department on the (speed) sign, but they (motorists) are not seeing it,” said Mark Hill of Wilson. “They’re ignoring it.”

Hill said a good effort was also made by Wilson’s two part-time police officers, Josh Tipton and Jonathan Lawrence, to catch the speeders.

“For 15 minutes they sat there,” Hill said. “Boom, boom, boom — there were three in a row. Then they left.”

Hill said Sylvan Grove received grants to purchase two radar signs and he requested Wilson act to do the same.

Hill said he is willing to give Tipton and Lawrence a schedule of the peak time for speeders in an effort to stop them.

“As I said, when they were there, I saw results,” Hill said.

“I fully understand your concern,” Mayor Mike Peschka said. “But also understand that right now, we don’t have a full-time officer. So Jonathan and Josh, when they’re not working, they’re patrolling. So if you want to provide some times when it might be beneficial for them to be there, they will consider it and see if they can do something, but at the same time, they are patrolling the entire community.”

In other business:

• Approved a public hearing on the city’s Revenue Neutral Rate and the 2023 budget at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, at city hall. Peschka said the city will inform the county clerk that Wilson intends to exceed the rate for 2023.

• Dan Erdman asked several questions about the property at 2405 Ave E and it being addressed by the council. Peschka told Erdman he can send an e-mail to the council and address the matter.

• Dr. David Sells of the city’s board of health committee expressed concerns about the person the council hired to fill the compliance officer job. He said board members wish not to deal with that person. Sells also said board members are frustrated with the ‘all bark and no bite’ attitude of the council in terms of no consequences for property owners in violation by the board of health.

He said after being given an extension by the council to bring a property into compliance, a property owner should pay a $100 fine before being granted a second extension.

Peschka said the concerns Sells raised were valid and that he would like to consider them, but that the council is trying to work with everyone and be fair.

Council member Jeff Keith, a former Wilson city compliance officer himself, said the intent of the council was to give the person a chance and to see how that goes.

Pescka thanked Sells and the board of health for volunteering their time to help the city.

“You are truly appreciated,” Pescka said.

• During a board of health public hearing before the regular council meeting, the owner of the property at 2209 Ave. F was given a two week extension until Aug. 1.

• During the board of health update at the regular meeting, 614 24th Street was approved to be removed from the board of health violation list.

A resolution on the property at 408 24th Street was approved to proceed with board of health procedures.

A two week extension was approved for the property at 2115 Ave. C.

• No action was taken after a 10 minute executive session for matters relating to attorney-client privilege (possible litigation) with city attorney Theresa Staudinger.

• Peschka said 11 letters were sent to property owners regarding the Abandoned Building Ordinance 854. Four of those property owners requested a public hearing and one registered their property as required by the ordinance. Peschka said a special meeting will have to be conducted for the hearings.

• Approved a letter to the Kansas Department of Commerce requesting a change in the community development block grant funding for the rehabilitation and demolition grant that the city received.

• Approved waiving the alcohol restriction at the Jellison Park ball field during the two days of the Czech Festival to accommodate the softball tournament.

• Joe Soukup, city superintendent, reported the city crew repaired a water leak at 22nd and Ave. I.

• The council tabled action on the purchase of a new patrol car for the Wilson Police Department, but approved placing the city on the Kansas Highway Patrol used vehicle list.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at city hall.