WILSON — At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, Hunter Throop, general manager of the Midland Railroad Hotel properties in Wilson and member of the city’s transient guest tax committee, gave several suggestions on how to spend the money in that fund.

First, Throop said 1,000 copies of the Walk of Memories brochure could be printed.

Second, plaques with historical information could be developed for display in town. They would be similar to the plaque placed on the Statute of Liberty in Veteran’s Park.

City Clerk Susan Kriley said there is currently $29,000 in the transient guest tax fund.

Council members will take the suggestions under consideration.

In other business:

• During the public forum portion of the meeting, developer of Mountains on the Prairie and Kansas Mountain Goats David Criswell once again accused council president Dan Taylor of making at least four statements, including statements about Wilson resident Allison Ford, that were untrue during the July 19, 2021, council meeting.

Criswell said Ford telephoned Taylor a day or two after the meeting and asked Taylor what Ford said to him.

Taylor asked Criswell to look at the statement on the bottom of the meeting agenda.

The statement reads, in part, “During the public forum, there is no questioning of the governing body members other than rhetorically, or having expectations that a governing body member will provide a reply.”

“I don’t have anything to say,” Taylor said.

“Do you have something to hide,” Criswell asked.

“No,” Taylor said. “So, I guess I will rhetorically ask you if you feel that it’s okay for city council members to lie to the public,” Criswell asked Taylor.

There was no response.

• Fireworks were approved to be shot off from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday, July 3, and from noon to midnight Tuesday, July 4.

• The 2022 audit report was approved as presented.

• Kriley noted the city board of health identified two properties in violation of city ordinances and the property owners were sent the standard initial violation letters. Since then, the violations on both properties have been taken care of.

• A discussion of possible changes to the inoperable vehicle ordinance was moved to the council’s July 3 meeting when all council members will be in attendance.

• Payment request No. 4 for the Kansas Department of Commerce Housing Rehabilitation grant in the amount of $11,200 was approved, as was a request for a time extension through the Department of Commerce.

• City Superintendent Joe Soukup said the new burn pile opened at 465 First Rd. last Wednesday. He asked all those taking material to the burn pile to please read and obey the posted signs.

• Soukup said he installed a new float at the PRIDE Spray Park, which will solve the mechanical problems had at the park over the Memorial Day weekend.

• Soukup said due to several issues arising earlier in the day that required his attention, he did not get the ballfield marked by 6 p.m. Soukup apologized, but noted he was sure city maintenance employee Jake Rowden had gotten the field marked.

• A $118.79 per tire bid from Marine Specialty of Wilson was approved for a set of Toyo tires. The tires will be installed by the end of June.

• New acting Police Chief James Reagan said he plans to purchase a new vest. He has been busy cleaning the police station and disposing of unnecessary documents.

• Approval was given to allow parttime Wilson Police Officer Jonathan Lawrence to work a maximum of 24 hours per month.

• Representatives from Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative were present to answer questions regarding their request to renew the Electric Franchise Ordinance No. 875 which expires in September. Kriley said the ordinance is brought up for renewal every five years and will set the franchise tax at 5 percent. The ordinance will be considered once again at the June 19 meeting.

• Approval was given to Resolution 3-2023 for the 2023 Wilson After Harvest Czech Festival. In addition, approval of the annual $3,300 stipend for the Czech Festival Committee was approved.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, June 19, at city hall.