WILSON — Questions by patron Kristopher Ritchie about the city’s plans to purchase buildings topped the agenda during Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council.

Mayor Mike Peschka said the city purchased the historic former Otasco building at 2504 Ave. E because it is in a major state of disrepair.

“It’s a cornerstone building of our Main Street,” Peschka said.”Previous councils have looked at various ways to try to acquire or address that building, and the one that made the most sense was for the city to purchase that building. Now we are looking at how we’re going to address the repairs.”

Peschka said the immediate purpose of purchasing the building was to salvage and save it.

“Once we get it secured and saved, then we will look at our options,” he said.

Ritchie also asked about the city’s plan to purchase the former Robinson garage next to city hall.

“The city uses that building for storage: Peschka said.”We store our public service van in there.”

He noted, however, there are other options to store the van.

“This is a lot more convenient: Peschka said. “The cost of the building is almost nothing.”

Ritchie asked if anyone else is given the opportunity to purchase these buildings before the city.

“Anyone could approach the owner and say I want to buy the building; Peschka said. “We’re not doing anything underhand.”

Peschka said he did not know of anybody else interested in purchasing the Otasco building.

In other business:

• The council approved the $51,761.12 insurance claim statement from EMC Insurance for hail damage on the roofs of several city owned buildings. A plan with exact numbers to repair the buildings will be discussed at the next council meeting.

• No action was taken after a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (job performance).

• Approval was given to a $552.46 quote from Larry’s Auto Repair to repair the acceleration problem with the patrol car used by the Wilson Police Department.

• The $1,295.20 purchase of a new chlorine injector pump from Salina Supply for water well number five was approved.