WILSON — Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council only lasted a little more than 30 minutes due to the absence of several council members.

That absence, however, didn’t keep the council from action.

After a 15-minute hearing on inoperable vehicles at 203 25th St. before the council meeting, the owner of that property was later given a 60-day extension until Aug. 20 to remove them.

In other business:

• Resident Kristofer Ritchie said he had to turn around in the street recently because the Wilson Fire Department was blocking the street. Firefighter Joe Soukup said firefighters were pressure testing water hoses. That process took place over several days. Ritchie asked whether the fire trucks could be arranged to allow traffic to pass.

Ritchie also asked Mayor Mike Peschka for clarification on the definition of an inoperable vehicle.

He said Peschka told the owner of the vehicles at 203 25th St. they don’t have to be tagged and insured.

“Currently,” Peschka replied. “Our current ordinance does not require a vehicle to be tagged and insured.”

But the vehicles have to be operable, he added.

• Gary Everett and Kenny Beneda were appointed to serve with council member Dan Taylor on the city’s housing board.

• The council agreed to spend an additional $458 to have Heath Long of Russell haul in five loads of red shale for the ballfield.

• The council also agreed to set aside $10,000 as the city’s 20 percent match for a Kansas Department of Transportation bus facilit grant.

• Susan Kriley, city clerk, said the city’s two KDOT transportation vans both passed inspection recently.

• The council approved the purchase of a water meter can, riser and half inch service parts from Ken Kruser of Lincoln at a cost of $3,817.10. Soukup, who also serves as city superintendent, said the fire hydrant used to water the practice field at Wilson High School is inoperable. This purchase would provide the water needed.

• Soukup said he is going to call in a mechanic to look at the city street sweeper because the elevator belt on the sweeper is not functional.